Donation Piece for Ogden Secret Show

This show is coming up on October 11th at the Ogden Union Station. If you can go, I would strongly recommend that you do. It's a great place to find art from really well know artists for just $99 dollars! The artist donates the piece and you have a chance to place your name to be drawn out, and if it is, then you get to buy the piece for ninety nine bucks. I am going for sure!

Poor Yorick Open Studios

My dear artist friend, Susan Wythe was kind enough to let me show in her studio for the Poor Yorick open studios this last Friday. She put up a few pieces on one side of the wall and I put up a few on the other side. I wasn't able to be at the opening, because I was getting my tonsils out and wouldn't be able to talk with people.....probably just mumble and squeak....not an impression I want to leave with people. My father, seen in the chair, was able to represent me. I think he had a good time meeting people and drinking the cheap boxed wine.

This is Tom!

This piece is still drying....it is really wet. I am thinking about doing one more coating or glaze over the top? Soften the darker eyebrow and bring out the highlight more in the darker eye. It's interesting how taking a picture of the picture changes how you see the painting. I have to think is this how it really is or is this the camera changing it? Originally the background was a golden color, but I decided on a mixed black to bring out the flesh tones.

Painting People!

This is one of the paintings that sold at the festival. I was surprised and very happy to receive positive feedback with my people pieces. This is a painting of Tia, a dancer from the Salt Lake Valley. She was kind enough to let me snap a few pictures. I was pleased with the orange tint of her skin contrasting with the blue toned background. Now I need to find a few more people to paint!

Booth at Park City Arts Festival

Here is a picture showing my booth at the festival. It was fun to see and hear what people thought. Now that the festival is over I'm planning my next move and painting more and more.

Park City Art Festival

Today was the first day of the arts festival in the lovely, and close to home, Park City. It was so wonderful to see friends, fellow artists, and family at my booth. It's so encouraging and supportive....I am so grateful. It was a very hot day, but it was great! It was fun to watch people's reaction when they recognized many of the locations of the paintings. I will post pictures of my booth and of visiting friends...I also have a few new paintings to post as well. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported me during the festival!

Mikell with Color

Finished putting color on top of the under drawing of Mikell. Not sure what I think? It was tough to get a picture where the skin wasn't too orange, but the headband and shirt were bright enough..I might try taking another picture. I am happy that it looks like a person. Mikell is always smiling but for some reason I captured a very intense look. I think I will try painting a person again and go for thicker paint.

Featured on the Morning Show with Channel Two

Featured Saturday with the morning show on channel two. Here we are setting up the easels and trying to find a place that will work with their lighting and cameras, but a place that I have something to look at to paint. It was a challenge because I had to paint from the side, so I didn't block the camera's view, paint while everyone was watching, and paint a tree that didn't have any light! Overall I think it went pretty well, no major verbal blunders....my fly wasn't undone!

Ogden City Plein Air Competition

Just finished the Ogden city plein air festival. Just went down one day on Friday and painted the whole day straight. It was great to have my father sit with me and help my painting along with his artistic eye. My mom stopped by and brought me ice cream and a sandwich. This is the life! The competition was about capturing Ogden, so I chose the green tower as you come into Ogden off 24th street. I am happy with the colors in the picture. It was a challenge to paint this scene because the owners of the cars had to go to lunch and then got off early from work. It's amazing the colors you see when you paint outside. I took a picture of the scene and the colors are really flat. Painting outside definitely helps! It was great to meet other artists at the show. I met a really wonderful artist, Ryan Brown. His piece was beautiful and captured the feel of Ogden.

Pickett Fairbanks Gallery Group Show-Friday

Here are two pieces I finished for the Pickett Fairbanks Gallery show, formerly Magpie, this coming Friday. These will be showing along with three other pieces. I am looking forward to visiting with my artist friends and eating.....hopefully there will be food, but I should lay off the food! The top pic is around the Cortona in Tuscany and the bottom picture is headed to Murano from Venice. I love the color of the water and the grand gates.

My First Festival this weekend, June 12th

I keep thinking-Have I forgotten anything?! Nervous and anxious for my first festival. It's this Thursday through Saturday, June 12-14th from 10am to 8pm. Should make for long days, but hoping to stay in the shade, drink iced chai teas, and sell some work. Hoping I can figure out how to set up the tent-it's fairly simple, but logic is not always my strong point. Logan here I come!

Back from Italy and Ready to Paint

Came home from Italy just a few days ago and I am so excited to start painting images from Italy. I took many many photos and will have a hard time deciding what to paint. The trip was interesting with a few mishaps, but stuff I can laugh at now-like a 2am drug raid in our sleeper compartment, running from a bar fight, and a taking in a stray kitty. Venice was my favorite place by far, every turn was visual eye candy. It rained most of the time in Venice, but I think the rain made it even more beautiful. I could live in Venice!

Italy! Italy!

Leaving for Italy this Wednesday morning. I am excited to go see all the art spots-especially the Sistine Chapel. My friends and I are flying into Paris, then Pompeii, Venice, Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, and more! It should be quite the trip. I hope to come back inspired, with paintings to paint. Maybe I will get a blessing from the Pope...who knows? I'll blog when I get back-but not until June.

Park City and Hot Air Balloons

Park City usually has hot air balloons that go up early in the morning. I love the bright colors that contrast with the green mountains. I took a balloon ride about two years ago, and it was fun and relaxing. It was for Craig's 30 birthday.

Winter in Heber

It's my first time painting snow! I enjoyed using white and blue. Used a photography rather than paint out in the cold. I'm too whimpy to paint in the snow. Definitely would like to try painting out of my car sometime. With the camera you can't get the subtle light and reflections.