Visit the Everglades

Looking at this small painting of the Everglades, you see the warmth of the sun, some puffy clouds, and the graceful palms. There's nothing in the painting to show you all the sharp, prickly, and bitey elements hidden in the greenery! Much of the lush growth and rich green leaves have spikes of some sort lying below view just waiting to prick the unaware. And each leaf and stem contain a hidden place for an insect or worse, a snake. While it's teeming with life, it's one of those places so important to the health of our earth that it's difficult for people to live there. Despite those little inconveniences, there's a beauty and a magic found nowhere else on our planet. If you live or visit South Florida, be sure to check out the Everglades ecosystem. There's information about how to do that here. The Everglades have been my muse for almost 15 years, and they still show me something wonderful to paint each time I visit.

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Rich Beauty
7" x 5" (17.8cm x 12.7cm)
acrylic on canvas

I finished and delivered "Meandering Downs" much to the delight of the person who commissioned the painting. Since I'm nearly hysterical with worry when working commission, I'm always relieved when the painting is delivered and the patron pleased!

Miniature Abstracts

It was a good composition refresher to paint abstract miniatures with artist Joan Dunkle last week. The largest of them is only 3"x3" and there's not much room for error on something so small. Some are more successful than others, but I'll do some more since they are such fun. I prefer the heavy body type of acrylics rather than using them as a

water medium, but they can be used either way as long as you add some matte medium for adhesion. These will be beautiful after a few days in a heavy book! I've been spending part of each day with the Cotswold downs commission, "Meandering Downs" and hope to finish that today. Then I'll get started on a promised painting for the office of Dr. Marciano, my last for him, and start to plan for the six week class I'll be giving at the Art League of Marco. You can see more about that here. If you are planning to study with me this summer, please sign up early since the class will be cancelled if there are not enough participants!

Quiet Moment

Congratulations to the Gradys, new collectors who purchased Quiet Moment. They asked me about the pinks and purples in the painting, and I explained that there are a lot of warmer colors to be seen in the Everglades in the Spring because the grasses and leave lose moisture and begin to dry out. Spring is our dry season. Pinks and purples, and even corals might show up, depending a particular mix of sunlight and moisture in the air. Some of the effects are fleeting and you just have to be lucky and looking! Sometime in May or June the rains will come and make the back country roads wetter and often flooded, so now is a great time to get out there and take a look. You can pick up a map at the Visitor center at the junction of State Road 29 & 41, and go exploring!

Yesterday I worked on both Meandering Downs and the class demo, but neither one changed enough to show to you, so I'm showing you something from the early years. In a recent conversation with a student asking about my painting history, and I commented that my old paintings look so "seventies." Today's painting is one of the few surviving examples from that time. I'm don't know if the photo was taken level, if the painting was ever finished, or where the painting is today, but you can clearly see the "seventies" influence. What is it? I'm not sure, but it seems to have something to do with the composition and the heavy outlining. Despite the lack of cohesion in the flowers, I don't think an art historian would have a problem identifying the time period of this painting. Seventies!

Salon De Garage

Salon de Garage was a lot of fun on Saturday. Clients who wanted a special piece or a bargain came early. Thanks to you all, with special thanks to the Tribilcocks who picked up four pieces for home-building children. Lucky kids! Each artist got about 10" of space floor to ceiling, and you can see Joan Dunkle's gorgeous work off to the right in the first picture. At the end of the day I traded paintings with Joann Lizio O'Brien for an early piece of hers that will fit nicely into the plans I have for our bedroom, and picked up a great little beaded, mosaic "Joy" from emerging artist Angela Brown. Angela's work centers on nature and the fairy realm, and she's also a healer. You can see more of her work and learn more about her art here. Many of the paintings you see in today's pictures have found homes, but I still have a few pieces available for adoption. I'll keep the sale opened until Wednesday.

Meandering Downs

This Cotswold landscape is a commissioned piece for a client who wants to feel the warmth of the meandering downs in his painting. I'm just beyond the block-out stage, and it will take a little more time to get all the values and colors in harmony. It's a peaceful piece, and as I'm working on it I'm remembering how my sister and I enjoyed traveling together through the English countryside almost fifteen years ago. Have to plan another trip, sis!

A nice newlywed couple from New Hampshire stopped by yesterday to visit the studio. Jen's mother had given them money to buy art on their honeymoon. They had visited the Studio Gallery, loved my work but the pieces there were too large for them, so the owner sent them to me for a studio visit. Jen immediately knew which painting she wanted, but Dean wasn't so sure. They went off quite pleased with two paintings, one pick for each, and within their budget, too! It's so pleasing to deal with young collectors and to see their pleasure in owning original art.

Today I'll be packing up and hanging the show for Salon de Garage at the Sweet Art Gallery on Trade Center Way. Hours are Saturday from 8-4. A number of Naples artists are participating and artwork will be hung floor to ceiling, salon style. Many of the paintings will be unframed, and some will be as much as half price. This is my first ever sale! You can learn more here. Hope to see you there!

When teaching, I don't worry about a finishing a painting myself, but use demonstration to illustrate a concept or technique. Today's painting was started as a class demonstration, and has changed dramatically several times as I worked. The painting was blocked out in class as I talked about dividing a canvas into pleasing divisions. Then, responding to the colors I saw the morning the class spent in the Everglades, the sawgrasses became warm salmons and pinks. Helping students, and not having time to adjust the sky, it looked like two paintings in one for a while. Later, I demonstrated the use of some iridescent and interference colors, changing the color of the grasses and giving the painting a nice underglow. Working on it again yesterday I realized that I needed to step back and get a clear vision of where it was going before I could complete it successfully. I'll think about that today, and also start a commission that's due before the end of the month.

What a busy week it was with teaching and family here, too. Today's photos are from the Florida Landscape class. We'd spend half a day inside and half out. Some of the students had never painted outside before so they had to learn what they needed to make it easy. The first day we brought only a red, blue, yellow and white along with some water, our outdoor easels, and the usual hats, bug spray and snacks. Those three color paintings were some of the most colorful of the week. We visited the Esplanade, the beach and the Everglades, so there was something everyone liked to paint. It was a wonderful class with a great attitude and some fine artists.

As much as I enjoyed it, I loved getting home to my two grandsons each day. They'd have done something special, too, and have lots to tell. The last two days of their visit we spent boating and beaching in near perfect weather. I'll miss them, and some of my students, too! I'll be teaching again this summer, a six week class from the end of June through July. Call the Marco Center for the Arts if you're interested in joining me.

I'll be having my first ever sale this weekend at Salon de Garage. For more information, click here.

Ancient Artist Blog

Good Morning. Sue Smith has published an interview with me on her Ancient Artist Blog. Sue be lives that the voices of older artists need to be heard, so often talks with and publishes interviews with older artists. You'll enjoy her artwork and her interviews with other artists, too! I'm delighted to be included. Thanks, Sue!

If you are getting this by email and haven't visited the blog lately, you might enjoy the change of colors and some new links! Pay a visit! Thanks to collector Bloom who purchased "Rounding the Mark" It will go to Connecticut, and into a very nice collection. Thanks!

Two Palms

Best Friends? Lovers? I moved the background way back and subdued it to let these two palms take the lead and highlighted them with strong color. It's a small painting, but powerful and pleasing.
We'll be at the last Art in the Park all day tomorrow. Art in the Park is put on by the Naples Art Association on the first of each month from November to April for their juried in members. Its a quality show, but smaller and more laid back than some, without the frantic "sell" mentality of the larger shows. It's nice to visit with the other artists and see what's going on with their lives and work and to greet customores new and returning.
I won't get much painting done today, because I'm still getting ready for the Florida Landscape in Acrylics workshop I'll be teaching next week. In addition, the outside door of my studio will be replaced today with hurricane resistant glass. We've already replaced the glass in the rest of the house as part of a plan to make our home safer in the inevitable Florida storms! Then tomorrow, two of my dear grandkids will come for a spring break visit. So, it may be a while before I post again! SOLD!

Last night my husband and I traveled into Naples for an art opening at the IAG Galleries, where Jack Howard Potter's Sway and his new Goliath sit gloriously on an outdoor patio. The galleries focus is international art, and we enjoyed the beautiful drawings of an equine artist from Bahrain. We were delighted to meet owner Don Binns, a warm, generous man who offered to be a sponsor of the Marco Foundation for the Arts ArtQuest in the future. we'll take him up on that!
It's been a busy time. I'm also preparing to teach next week, which for me means a lot of preparation. I redo handouts, prepare new ones, and make sure the plans for each day make sense. Lots of stuff gets dragged to class, mediums and additives for students to try, books, paints, show & tell stuff, and canvases and my outdoor easel, too. We'll have family here starting Saturday, too, so I'll have to be ready early. I wish it wasn't the same week, but I'd much rather see my darlings part of the time than not at all! In spite of that I've still been painting, at least a little every day. I've almost finished this small, breezy painting, inspired by all the visits from Mother West Wind lately. I'll try to give it another pass today!

People's Choice ArtQuest & Hogan House

Sculptor Jack Howard Potter won Marco Island's ArtQuest 2008 People's Choice award over the weekend for his sculpture Sway at a fun party hosted by Orion Bank. Jack has an amazing ability to render the fluid human form in steel. Sway was loved by many and hated by some, but the conversations about her were never dull! Since Jack had to be in SW Florida today, so he'll move her to a gallery in Naples and return his "Warrior to New York. You can see all of the sculptures by clicking here, and clicking on ArtQuest 2008. I've chaired ArtQuest twice now, and love working with both the business community and the sculptors. I'll be sorry to see the sculptures go, but look forward to ARtQuest 2010. Sunday was spent at the Hogan Gallery in Golden Gate, and I'm showing you a photo of Guamo hanging my paintings. The Hogan Home & Gallery are for sale, and realtor Ann Willis brought together some wonderful artists to show off their work and enhance the gallery for an Open House. Ann is a Keller Williams realtor and cam be reached at 239-908-2153 if you're in the market for a unique property! I especially enjoyed meeting artist Merri Roderick, a fabulous sculptor and glass artist. I couldn't find a website to show you her lovely work, but you can take a class from her at the Bonita Art Center. I'll be teaching my workshop "Acrylics and the Florida Landscape next week, so Center for the Arts on Marco Island if you're interested.

You are invited to the ArtQuest 2008 People's Choice Award Cocktail Party this Saturday night from 4:30 to 6:30 at Orion Bank. Bring your friends as the event is open to the public. The People's Choice Award is sponsored by Orion Bank. ArtQuest on Marco Island is presented by the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts in conjunction with our business community and you can see the rest of the ArtQuest sculptures here.

Today's photo is Dancing Terns, by fabulous animal sculptor Fred Caravetta. Dancing Terns is sponsored by the Marco Island Civic Association, and installed at Resident's Beach. When Fred unveiled Terns, he was so delighted with the location that he immediately donated the sculpture to MIFA to be permanently installed at the beach. Thanks, Fred!

The ArtQuest 2008 sculpture exhibition will be ending in April, and the sculptures will be returned to the artist who created them if they are not sold. Come to the party, have a bite to eat and a glass of wine, vote if you haven't, have a great time and win some great prizes and original art at the raffle! Hope to see you there!

This beautiful beach and palm painting is a small one finished last week. I'll be bringing this, and a few paintings both large and small to the Hogan Gallery, 8775 27th Avenue in Golden Gate. I'll hang them tomorrow, and the gallery, which is for sale, will hold an open house on Sunday from 12-5. A number of artists will participate, including Marco's stone sculpture instructor Frank de la Roche, a jewelry artist among the other participants. It should be a interesting afternoon, so come along if you're in the market for a painting or a home with a gallery!

Left Bank Art Show Marco Island

The Left Bank Art Show at the Esplanade, hosted by the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts was a success. Twenty artists laid out their work in a casual and easy way on the Esplanade grounds. It was intended to be along the water, but most of the artists hung near the colonnades for protection from potential rain and occasional sprinkles. Despite the threat of rain, there was a good turnout of patrons from both the island and nearby Naples. We were enchanted by the work of high school sophomore Camille Alwing. Her work was lovey, and she gained much support from the arts community here. Artist Steve Muldoon was there with his wonderful work for the Marco Island Historical Society. The Historical Society, after much fundraising, has just broken ground for a museum on Marco. What a bonus this will be for our community! Steve is selling giclees of the originals he's created for the Museum. Highlight of the day was the five year Birthday Celebration for the Foundation for the Arts with happy birthday sung and a beautiful cake shared with the crowd. Best for me personally was a trade with artist Angelika Kade for one of her beautiful sculptures! Happy Spring!

This small painting is one of four 6"x8" I've been working on for the Left Bank Art Show at the Esplanade this Saturday. It will be framed in a beautiful craftsman style gold frame. There will be about 20 artists, some local and some distant, who will show and sell their work. It's a very casual event with minimum equipment needed, and designed as an opportunity for Marco's fine artists who don't do the show circuit or may not have enough work for a gallery. I wish more of them had taken advantage of this low cost, easy show. It should be a lot of fun if the weather cooperates. Today I'll work on the small paintings, tone an order of large canvases that came in yesterday, enjoy the support and camaraderie of the Artist's Tabletalk Luncheon, where the only subject it art, and deliver some paintings to the Sweet Art Gallery, where I'll be showing again for the month.

Sawgrass & Palms
8" x 6" (20.4cm x 15.3cm)
acrylic on canvas
$225 plus $15 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

The Peace River show was in a great spot by the river, easy set up and take down, although the crowd was a bit lighter than ideal. Saturday the winds were strong and even tried to rival those at Anna Maria last weekend. We are old hands at battling it now and didn't have any damage, but were still glad when Sunday dawned beautifully sunny and with much less wind. Congratulations to new collectors the O'Gormans who purchased Morning Quiet and to the Kitson's for the purchase of "Grove." Since the frame was travel damaged on the O'Gorman's piece, we'll see them later this week to replace it.
For the next couple of days I'll be working on some small canvases, 6x8, for the Left Bank Art Show at the Esplanade on Marco this Saturday, and waiting for a delivery of a large canvas ordered so I can begin Dr. Marciano's new piece.

Beach Walk

Last night the sky was a was a beautiful deep, rich yellow at sunset, fading up through cottony greens and blues higher in the sky, and this morning there were bands of soft pink through the morning blues, becoming salmons and oranges with the rising sun. Don't miss these georgous gifts from nature! Take the time to look up and see what's happening when you go out to get the morning paper or walk the dog, or just take a cup of coffee and enjoy! We spend too much time looking down instead of up. Wish some of our political leaders would do it too--look up to the future instead of down at the past!
Will you be celebrating St. Patrick's Day early this weekend? I love the wearing of the green and dreaming about pots of gold! We'll miss the early weekend parties because we'll be on our way to the Peace River Art Festival in Punta Gorda. It's a well attended festival by the water in a lovely park. Worthy of a day trip, or stop by if you're in that area. I was relieved to learn that the weather forecast is much more promising than the fierce winds and rain of last weekend. We have just a slight chance of a shower. Still, we'll be prepared for anything!
My painting Beach Walk is of the beach at Delnor Wiggins State Park. The painting can be found at my dentist friend Dr. Marciano's in Bonita Springs. He's a wonderful dentist who has a nice fine art collection in his office and is an artist in his dental work as well!

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Here's a reminder that I'll be teaching a four-day workshop on the Florida Landscape in Acrylics at the Marco Island Center for the Arts on Marco Island. Weather permitting, a portion of each day will be spent outside learning from nature. We'll spend a day on the acrylic material, concentrate on composition, color, the parts of the landscape, and putting it all together with your own artistic signature. It's an intensive class, so come prepared to work, but we'll have some fun too. The class will take place from April 7-10, 9:30-4, and you can sign up at the Art League of Marco Island, in person or by calling 239-394-4421. If you haven't used acrylics before it's a good start. They're kind to the environment and to your health. Call or e-mail me if you have any questions about the class. Hope you can join me!

Beach Path

The Anna Maria Island show was one of the toughest outdoor shows we've done in ages. The wind howled. We tied the tent down as best we could and just stayed low. After driving rain on Friday night, the howling wind "blew like stink" all through Saturday. Many exhibitors didn't even bother to set up, but we were surprised at the number of people who came out to view the show in a wind that could rip your clothes off. My scarf tried to strangle me a couple of times! Phew, what wind! Sunday dawned quieter, a lovely, bright cool day that brought out a good sized crowd. While the crowd enjoyed looking and talking art, sales were very slow for the fine art painters. Judging for the show took place on Sunday because it was decided that it really wasn't fair to do it on Saturday with only half the show set up. My blue ribbon and check for First Place 2-D (two dimensional work) were a welcome but a bitter sweet ending as we began to take down! We're happy to be home with a relatively quiet week ahead. I'm due for a day in the Glades, and looking forward to getting one later this week!