Getting Out!

So I finally got my paints together and pushed myself out the door to paint today! 

I made it short and sweet. I chose a simple landscape 

and painted for about an hour straight once I got set up. 

Here's my results. Not bad I think for not doing this in a while. 

It can be cumbersome to take some colored goo (aka paint) and 

mush it around and make it look like anything in such a short span. 

So, I'll give myself a gold star for today. It helped that I listened 

to my favorite inspirational station while I painted, Z88.7, so it felt good.  

Although this was a quick painting on a 4x4 panel,
 the sky was constantly changing 

due to storm that moved in while I was on location.
Even the cloud colors changed from a warm grey to
a cool grey. Needless to say I ended in a downpour!

Inspiration to Paint

As an artist, I naturally drew as soon as I could pick up a pencil.

Painting, however, for me was intimidating.,Especially oil painting. Inspiration struck,
on an unplanned trip to Ottawa, Canada, where a Tom Thompson exhibit was on display.
I was amazed by the colors, the brush stokes. His plein air work had a feeling of presence and being in nature that I loved. Once I got home, I started to paint and haven't turned back since.
Here's a glimpse of this inspiring individual!

Morning's Quick Study

Revving up for more plein air work, I decided to do a quick study in 

watercolor of my bird, Scooby, on the back porch.

Workshops for growth...

In all things, we must constantly strive to grow.
Art is no different.
Aside from school, local sketch clubs, art schools,
I think that workshops help you grow and learn skills
 from successful artist in the field. Of course cost can
be a factor, but I believe in getting the best bang for my buck.
So I try to focus on workshops given by those I most respect
and also try to attend workshops of local artists I admire as well.
Even better when an artist you love comes for a workshop locally
like Mary Whyte did last year here in Florida.

Here's a few of the workshops I've been fortunate
to have gone to in recent years.

Scott Christensen Workshop in Wyoming...

An amazing trip and experience.

one of the quick plein air paintings done in Wyoming...

Scott Burdick workshop in NC, 

I've been fortunate to take a landscape class

and a portrait class with Scott.

Mary Whyte workshop in North Florida

 one of my studies in the workshop...

I've also taken a workshop with Scott Wadell who held a class locally.


However...this year... a workshop in Ga with
a local favorite artist of mine, Larry Moore.

Moving forward in life and learning is a necessity, less you die, or feel dead!