Once a Month Blogger? I’m dreaming!

Warning!

Long, but interesting post follows, get a cup of coffee, glass of wine, or maybe even a seven course meal!

Eight weeks, YIKES!

Back in August I decided to blog only once per month, but I’m not so sure if this is going to work.  Is waiting making the process more difficult?  I think it is.  Is it a bad thing to only post once a month? There are a few con’s to waiting:  I will have even longer gaps in keeping people informed on my artistic escapades.  My posts will be more like a novelette! Getting things together is a whole lot harder as well.  I’ve worked on this post off and on over the last 24 hours, probably more once I finally hit that publish button.  I hear that you really need to update more often.  But, living life is a big priority for me, so maybe I can just re-blog something from the past?  That seems so lazy somehow.  I doubt I will will ever be comfortable with rehashing old news.  Forcing myself to blog once a week and giving a monthly recap via my new email newsletter, might be the best way to lessen my work load.  If you’d like to sign up for my mothly newsletter please do so at this link:  http://eepurl.com/bvLs1j

The other thing that keeps me hopping is running the Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Artists group.  I keep up the website, Facebook group and page, and the weekly emails.  This group keeps me, and other wonderful artists painting.  Without this group I’d be less motivated to put brush to canvas.  Painting en plein air is not only artistic, it’s social.  The public is always welcome to join us on location to watch or even paint with us.  It’s free!  Yes, you heard right, no charge!

So, enough with my woes!  Here’s what’s been happening in my world in the last (Egad!) eight weeks!  OH!  and two very important events for you!

EVENTS:

 

On NOW – Plein Air Show at the Mudpuppy

Google street view Mudpuppy Gallery

I have four paintings in this Plein Air Show.  Opens on Wednesday, September 30th and runs until Sunday October 25th.
Reception  will be Sunday, October 11th from 2 – 4 pm.

Address (link to google map provided:
264 Dalhousie St.
Amherstburg, Ontario N9V 1W7 Canada

Hours of operation:
OPEN
Wednesday – Saturday
12pm – 6pm

Closed
Sunday – Tuesday

Phone:
519-890-6421

Email address:
mudpuppygallery@gmail.com

Future event: 

 

ARTILICIOUS – Fundraiser for the Kidney Foundation

I am participating with two tables of my art at this event.  Come to Caesars Windsor on November 3rd, from 5 pm until 8 pm, and see my new work, sample some yummy goodies, and help support the Kidney Foundation.

Sample unique and delicious food from at least 20 local eateries, shop local artisan booths just in time for the holidays, enjoy a selection of pastries, a McCafe coffee and much more! Tickets are $20 in advance at www.kidney.ca/WindsorEssex, or at Nancy Johns Gallery (4755 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor), and $25 at the door. Children 10 and under are free.

Like us at www.facebook.com/ArtiliciousWindsor for updates on featured restaurants, artists and donors!

Artilicious is proudly sponsored by Caesars Windsor, Infiniti of Windsor, Riverview Steel, AM 800 CKLW, Eyes on Windsor, Biz X magazine, Windsor Police Services, Unifor Local 444 and McCafe.

Past events:

 

Doors Open Event, Navy Yard,  Sept. 26 & 27

Invited, with my group to participate in this event.  We had a wonderful weekend.  The weather was spectacular!  Costumed reenactors roamed the park, and even shot off a cannon.  The blasts made me jump every time!  I took a short video of the firing of the noon gun.

 

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River Canard Park  Paint out Sept. 14th

When our group paints at special weekend events we usually don’t paint on Mondays.  I’d had a busy weekend at the hawk Festival.  But, it was such a beautiful day!  Wendy called me at 8:00 a.m.  “Wanna go painting?”  Yep, I could not resist!  We decided on River Canard Park.  Then I quick put out an email, and Margaret managed to join us too.  This is why I love our group.  We keep each other hopping!

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Festival of Hawks, Painting Demo. Sept. 12-13 & 19-20

Our group was invited to participate by painting on location at the Hawk Fest.  This festival is a two weekend event where the ERCA, Essex Region Conservation Authority, bands and releases Hawks and other migratory birds.  Our region is a major flyway for many species including the Monarch Butterfly.  I was told that there were about 500 butterflies resting at the waters edge ready to take off across lake Erie.  I was so busy I didn’t get a chance to go see them.  Maybe next year!  I did however see a few flitting by as I painted.  Below are some photo’s of the event along with a video of a hawk being released.

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It’s always wonderful to receive a verbal thank you, but when you receive a great thank you letter it just makes your day.

Greetings Elizabeth,

I wanted to extend a huge thank you (and your crew of artists) for your attendance as demonstrators at this year’s event.

Over the two weekends in September, we welcomed well over 2,000 visitors to the Holiday Beach Conservation Area. That was in no small part due to the efforts of the many volunteers, vendors and educators that made this year’s festival possible.

Demonstrators like you play a crucial role in striving towards the goals that the Essex Region Conservation Authority has set out. Your presence at Hawk Festival was greatly appreciated as we engage citizens young and old in the natural environment. While Holiday Beach is world-renowned in the birding community, it’s important to engage the community and make sure it’s a top destination for locals and visitors alike. You and your crew of artists were a unique and interesting addition to this year’s festival, demonstrating both amazing artistry and appreciation of the natural environment.

Personally, as it was my first year with ERCA and first ever experience at Hawk Fest, I was astounded at the positive energy and fantastic attitude of everyone involved, and I look forward to working with everyone again in the future.

Please feel free to add your feedback to our event evaluation survey. We’re always looking to improve upon our events and your comments are of great value in achieving that. You can find the survey at this link, which you can share with anyone who attended the festival. http://goo.gl/forms/knhqG99HhJ

Please pass along this message to your fellow artists. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Alex Denonville
ALEX DENONVILLE
Events Planner
Community Outreach Services
Essex Region Conservation Authority
360 Fairview Avenue West, Suite 311 , Essex, ON. N8M 1Y6

~Used with permission.

Labour Day Paint out Sept 7 Ojibway

Every Monday we paint on location and we don’t normally take holiday’s off.  On labour day we painted at Ojibway Park.  There were quite a few visitors to the park on this lovely afternoon.  It actually was a very warm day.  The Ojibway nature centre is the hub of one of the most endangered wild areas left in Essex County.  Many are trying desperately to save the area around this tiny woodland.  It is my hope that it will be preserved.  I have a policy that with the sale of any painting from my Ojibway series, I will donate $25. to the activity program that is operated out of the nature centre.

Malden Park West Paint out Monday, August 31st

Malden Park is a 175-acre park features the highest hill in Essex County. Naturalized biking and cycling trails wind up and down the hills and through paved and wood chipped trails.  This beautiful park is a wonderful spot to paint in, and is also close to the Ojibway conservation area.  This Monday the group met at this park.  Some met on the West side, where I was located and others met on the East side where there is a pond, and the welcome centre.

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Escape to Michigan!

Trailer & Tahquamenon Falls

After the Paint Dexter event I decided that because I was already in Michigan I might as well head up to our trailer.  I am fortunate to have a get away place on my brother’s property in Prescott, Michigan.  We have a 1976 31 foot vintage Air Stream Land Yacht travel trailer.  She’s in fairly good condition, but needed a bath badly.  There is a large oak tree that drops black sap all over it.  My brother recently acquired a power washer, so I worked on my baby for three days!  She still needs to be polished, but not this year!  Ouch were my muscles sore.

I love our trailer.  But, my red neck neighbors not so much.  There is a tree on their property that they started to cut down.  I suspect they stopped when they realized it was going to fall ON my trailer.  But… then they LEFT the tree half cut!  I need to get my trailer moved, as they are not responding to our pleas to get the tree down safely.  So, hopefully next week we will get it moved.  Just need someone who has a vehicle to help us pull it out of harms way.

Before & After Cleaning the Airstream

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The trip was not all work though.  My sisters (in-law) and I took an overnight trip to the upper peninsula.  We stayed at Blaney Lodge, and took off early the next morning to explore Tahquamenon Falls.  I did a quick watercolour sketch of the falls.  It was not easy as people were jostling to get a view of the falls.  I tucked myself into the corner of the guard rail, trying not to hog the premium viewing space.  Later we stopped at Whitefish Point Light Station.  There was a very windy beach, and it was pretty cold.  While my sis-in-laws toured the lighthouse, I found a sheltered spot on the beach and painted a quick sketch of a mother and daughter rock hound duo.

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August 17-22 Paint Dexter. 

Wow!  This seems like ages ago!  Once again Dexter proved to be a wonderful experience.  There were 70 participating artists.  That’s a LOT of artists!  This year the organizers split the categories into professional and emerging artists.  This would give the emerging artist a better opportunity to gain experience.  I entered the professional catagory.  But, for me it’s not all about the competition, it’s about meeting and interacting with the townspeople while you paint their local landmarks.  The person that I’m competing against is myself.  I go into this type of event because it challenges me to give my very best.  Winning an award is a bonus.  If you are so lucky to catch the judges eye.  This year I didn’t catch his eye, but I did catch the eye of two collectors.  Two paintings out of the three I was able to submit sold.  I painted a total of 6 paintings at this event.  Painting this many in a short period of time is good practice.  Painting under pressure is also good practice.  Here are some of my paintings from the Dexter event.

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All done!

So, there you have it.  What I’ve been up to over the last eight weeks.  I’m off again to Michigan to visit family and celebrate Thanksgiving with a Fall Colour Tall Ship Cruise out of Bay City, Michigan.  Stay tuned for more fun!  Living the Dream!

Walkerville Art Walk Voting Results

My show at ArtSpeak Gallery during the Walkerville Art Walk & Rock was a great success.  Everyone had great fun voting for their favorite painting.  It’s hard for me to believe it’s been a couple of weeks since my show.  I took the week after my show to get away and see my family. Now, I’m back at painting and preparing for future events.

I promised I would let the show participants know the outcome of their votes. There were a total of 419 votes cast over the two day event. I’ve separated them into three categories by the day and over all. Here are your favorites!

Drum roll!!!

Two Day Overall winners

FIRST Place with 49 votes! Roseland Water Hazard, Windsor, On. Watercolour Image 5 1/2″ x 17 1/2″ Framed 12 x 24 1/2 $275

SECOND Place with 27 votes, Hanging On, Shagbark Hickory McAullife Park 8 x 10 Oil on Ampersand museum Gessobord. $275

SOLD! THIRD Place with 25 votes Azalea Heaven, Park House, Amherstburg, On.8×10 oil on Ampersand Museum panel. $275. framed.

Friday’s winners

 

FIRST Place with 37 votes! Roseland Water Hazard, Windsor, On. Watercolour Image 5 1/2″ x 17 1/2″ Framed 12 x 24 1/2 $275

Saturday’s winners

FIRST Place with 13 votes, Be Our Guest, Colchester, On. Oil on Ampersand panel 9 x 12 $350. framed.

THIRD Place with 11 votes, Abandoned Harbour, Windsor, On. 8 x 10 Oil on Ampersand museum gessobord. $275

I think the next time I do this I will have people cast a ballot so that others are not swayed by the popular vote.  However having said that, the final first place winner Roseland Water Hazard came out with a high count on both days.

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Updates for August 2015

On Monday August 3rd, our weekly paint out location was at on of my favorite locations, Brock Park, Windsor, On.

I forgot my good camera, so I had to do my location shot with my less than stellar camera phone.  Every painting I do is accompanied by an authenticity certificate and a photo of the work completed on location.

Location shot at Brock Park on the Detroit River

Old Willow by the Bay, 9 x 12 oil on Ampersand museum Gessobord. $350

On Sunday August 9th I spent the day demonstrating Plein Air Painting at the Lost Arts Festival at the John R Park Homestead. The homestead is located on the north shore of Lake Erie just east of the village of Colchester. The day started off sunny with a warm breeze coming off the lake. Around 3:30 the weather started to cool off and the clouds rolled in. From noon until 4:00 the festival goers roamed the grounds learning how the voyageurs lived their nomadic lifestyle. There were spinners, weavers, tanners, and even paper makers demonstrating their skills. I will be writing an article about the event on my blog later this month, but for now here are my efforts of the day.

Location for Summer Gardens at the Homestead

Summer Gardens at the Homestead, 9 x 12 oil on Ampersand museum Gessobord. $350

What’s in store the for the remainder of the month?

On Monday August 17th, I will be heading over to Dexter, Michigan to participate with 77 other professional and emerging Plein Air artists in the Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival.  This is a live friendly competition among outdoor painters.  These festivals are a big thing in the US, with some events only being open to invited artists.

Last year I won second place in the quick paint of the Dexter event.  The quick paint is a timed event where the artist has 3 hours to complete a framed work of art.  The judge for last years event was the President of the Oil Painters of America.  I painted 5 paintings during the event, and every one sold.  I can only hope to do so well this year.  It’s great to represent Windsor and Essex County in Michigan!  I’ve also represented our area in Beloit, Wisconsin in 2013.

Above:  Judge for the Dexter Plein Air Festival, internationally acclaimed artist Kenneth Cadwallade, current President of Oil Painters of America, and Elizabeth MacDonald with Elizabeth’s 2nd place winning quick paint entry “Paint Your Wagon”

For more on the 2014 Dexter plein air festival visit my article on the event here:  https://paintpleinair.ca/2014/08/20/paint-dexter-plein-air-festival-2014/

It’s hard to believe it’s August and the schools will soon be a buzz with kids again.  I hope you enjoy these wonderful days of warm weather.  I will be sending out a monthly newsletter so that you can follow my painting journey.  Should you subscribe, You should expect the next letter to arrive in your inbox sometime in September.

Subscribe here:  http://eepurl.com/bvLs1j

To purchase a painting, order a portrait of a house, pet or loved one visit the commissions page of my website.  I accept cash, and major credit cards.  Shipping to the U.S. and Canada is available.  For other inquiries call  me at 519-977-5687, or email me at PaintPleinAir@gmail.com.

Have a wonderful August!
Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald
Artist

One Tree Three Times

I’ve actually painted this old willow more than three times.  I’m continually drawn to it.  It’s tenacity to remain upright no matter how much the storms and age try to take it down, intrigues me.  With broken limbs, and burled trunk she sprouts new leaves every spring.  Each time I set up in front of her, I study her many bruises.  I think how much we also get bruised and battered in life.  Hopefully, we hang in there like this strong tenacious willow.

She is respectfully known as “The Grandmother” by the Ojibway natives.  She resides at the beginning of the northern trail at Ojibway Park.  She, maybe broken, but her spirit is strong.  No one who passes by, can ignore her.  This park is currently threatened on all sides by urban sprawl.  Stand tall Grandmother.  Stand your ground.  Speak of all that you’ve seen in your long lived years.  Speak to the world a wise word of warning.

Genesis 1: 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.  ~NIV

God help us.  What have we done?  Forgive mankind for our disrespect of your precious gifts.  I pray it’s not too late.

 

Battle Scarred, Image size 7 x 10 1/2 Watercolour Framed $125.

Battle Scarred Two. 12 x 16 Acrylic on Canvas $150.

Rain on Me, Painted en Plein Air in the rain at Ojibway Park 8 x 10 Oil on Ampersand panel$275 framed. (On display at Arts Council July 2015)

Dylan Thomas, 1914 – 1953

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Published Again!

Earlier this year the University of Windsor Alumni Magazine contacted the Alumni and asked them to submit articles for publication.  They published my article in its entirely.  I guess that makes me a published writer now?

My article published on the UofW alumni page June 26th, 2015 Article source http://www.uwindsor.ca/e-soca/23/visual-arts-alumni

Or read it here or go to the source:

Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald, BFA ‘01
I’ve had a wonderful 2014, and 2015 looks to be a great year as well.  I am an extreme plein air painter, currently working in oil.  Extreme, in that I paint in all weather, even sub zero temperatures.  There are no bad weather days, only bad clothing choices.  I make sure I dress for the weather.  I rather paint in cold weather than in extreme heat.  You can always dress warm.  My dream is to paint in remote areas.  However, getting to these areas is a challenge, due mainly to the cost of an expedition of this sort.  The biggest cost is camping gear, canoe/kayak, and 4 wheel drive transportation.  The other challenge is convincing my loved ones that this type of extreme expedition is safe.  There are many dangers in the wild.  I grew up extreme camping with my family.  I don’t live in fear of the wild.  I embrace it.

What is Plein Air Painting?
It never surprises me when people ask me what I mean by Painting en Plein Air.  En Plein air is a French expression which means “in the open air”, and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. I often think that many know to whom I’m referring when I mention Canada’s plein air “Group of Seven.” The reality is that many haven’t any idea what or whom I’m talking about. Happily, Plein Air Painting is currently celebrating a revival around the globe.  Just do a Google search on Plein Air Painting and you will get over 3 million hits, and the Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Artists won’t be very far down the first page.

Plein air painting is not easy, but it is extremely rewarding. First off, being outdoors, in itself, is the best reward.  When painting outdoors, you learn to work quickly.  Light and shadow are constantly changing. You can’t chase the light, you must make a decision on when to capture that one moment in time.  The artist must always be aware of where the sun will be at any point during the day.  How will the sun affect the scene?  Then again, you might be painting at night or on a cloud covered day where shadows are scarce. That’s when Plein air gets really interesting.  What effect does the available light have on the scene?  Can you recreate the mood? Cloudy days are difficult, night time is near impossible.  How do you even see your canvas at night? I have a head mounted LED light that helps me to see the canvas.

You maybe a studio painter and think that Plein Air painting is not for you.  However, the act of painting from life outdoors will improve your studio work. I must warn you that painting outdoors from life may just spoil you from ever painting from a photograph again. The experience becomes a memory not soon forgotten. Ask anyone in our and they will tell you that there is no greater joy for us, then when we are able to paint outdoors.  But, introducing others to painting en Plein Air is a joy in itself.

2014 – 2015
2014 gave me the opportunity to paint in some great locations.  In August, I painted at the Paint Dexter Plein Air Festival.  This is one of many week-long painting competitions available throughout the U.S.  There are a few in Canada, but nowhere near as many as in the states.  There were two categories judged during the Dexter event.  The judge for the Dexter Plein Air Festival was internationally acclaimed artist Kenneth Cadwallade, current President of Oil Painters of America.  The first category was for work completed on location during the week, the second category was a quick paint.   The artists had 3 hours to paint, frame and submit their work for judging.  The quick paint is nerve wracking, but I thrive under pressure.  It forces me to transcribe what I see as quickly as I can.  Painting quickly tends to loosen my touch, and I record only what is necessary.  Because I paint outdoors regularly, I feel I have an advantage others less practiced artists.  To my joy, I placed 2nd in this category.  I also sold all 5 paintings that I produced during this event.  I am looking forward to participating at the event again in August of 2015.

In addition to the Dexter event, I spent the month of September painting in Seattle, Washington.  I had the opportunity to paint with many different Washington based artists.  There is camaraderie amongst Plein Air Painters.  The common bond of painting outdoors joins us across miles, generations and social stature.  Another significant event in 2014, is that my work was featured on the cover of the publication Important World Artists vol 1 https://wwab.us/shop/publications/important-world-artists/  In 2015, I was accepted as an associate member of the Oil Painters of America.

Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Artists

In 2009 I co-founded, and run the Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society.  We’ve recently changed our name to the Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Artists.   We have missed only a couple of weeks in the last year, due to rain.  I’ve even managed to paint in the rain under the shelter of a plein air umbrella.  Please feel free to visit the group website:  https://wepleinair.wordpress.com/  Here you will find a blog post for every outing we’ve done since September 2011.  The full list of outings dating back to 2009 can be found on our Facebook group here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/WindsorEssexPleinAir/events/?past

About the group
Our group, The Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society, was established in 2009, and is devoted to educating and promoting plein air painting. The core members of the group have painted together since the mid 1990’s. We meet weekly on location, usually on Mondays, at various locations throughout Windsor, and Essex County. The group is open to anyone, and is free to join.  For more information email:  PaintPleinAir@gmail.com

Twitter:  @PaintPleinAir
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/photographerpainterprintmaker

ART MARKET JUNE 6th & 7th on Walker Road in Walkerville

Grand Opening of the New City Market in Windsor

Three blocks east of Willistead Park, home of Art in the Park

NO ADMISSION – Parking available June 6th & 7th  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location:  1030 Walker Rd., Windsor, On. Google Map:  https://goo.gl/maps/9t00k I will be located in booth A3 which is the first row parallel to Walker Road. I will accept Cash or cheque.  All original Plein Air (painted on location) framed oil and watercolour paintings priced between $250 and $350.

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Some of the work available for sale.

Painting and Sketching at our Cabin

We spent a week up at our cabin. It was just my husband and I.  Usually my sister and brother are there too.  We lost my sister to cancer in February, and my brother is traveling across the U.S. in his Bluebird Wander-lodge R.V.  It was hard not having them there.  My sister and her hubby usually parked their toy hauler trailer next to ours and we would have coffee together every morning.  August 3rd marked 6 months since she passed.  My brother in law held a memorial motorcycle ride for her back in Colchester.  I wish I could have been two places at once.

It was a miracle I got any painting or sketching done.  We’d not been up yet this year, so the first few days were spent waging war on the mice and their mess.  They are disgusting, and there is just no way to keep them at bay.  They will find a way in no matter what preventive measures you make.

I played at doing portraits on my tablet, but I’m not really ready to share any of that yet.  I did a pencil sketch portrait from the Julia Kay Portrait Party group.  A small plein air watercolour,  and an oil painting of the rifle river.

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Visiting Margaret

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Mary and I went to visit our friend Margaret today.  Margaret is the co-founder at the Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society.  She and I founded the group back in 2009.   She’s been laid up with a broken leg for over 6 weeks, and we all miss her.

I first got the watercolours out after having them tucked away since fall.  The pot was sitting in the shade, and lack of sun made it difficult to give it depth.  I should have put a cast shadow in, but I forgot.  Oh well.  It was just a quick sketch.  You always see your mistakes once you photograph your work.  I don’t go back in and fix my plein air paintings in the studio.  Why?  Discipline.  My mistakes will glare at me and hopefully make me get out of bad habits.

I also brought along my vintage Sheaffer fountain pen to try out. Everything was going swimmingly, until I tried to add watercolour. OOOPS!! The ink was not waterproof. So… I rescued the sketch by washing the ink. It was fun. Need some waterproof ink though.  There is no one who sells it around here, so I will have to go online and have it shipped in.  That of course raises the price beyond reasonable.  *sigh*  … and people wonder why artists charge so much for their work.

Published! Important World Artists Vol. 1

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I am so GEEKED!!! After a two-year wait I’ve finally received my copy of Important World Artists Vol. 1! Published in California by World Wide Art Books Inc. This is a juried publication. I did not apply to be included in this book. I was invited to participate by the curator! This is not a vanity publication. I did not pay to have my work in this book, which makes it so much more exciting. I opened the book to search for my image and short bio, which I found posted on page 175.

Books are such wonderful things. I had the book delivered to my brother’s house in the U.S.A. to save on postage. My hubby, my sister-in-law, her sister and boyfriend were sitting on the patio. I’d already had the book in my hands for a while. I was so happy to finally have the book in my lap. As I lovingly caressed my copy, and breathed in the wonderful aroma of the newly printed book, I turned the book over on my lap to look at the images on the back cover… and SCREAMED!! MY IMAGE IS ON THE COVER!!!! OMG!!! What were the odds that they choose my work to grace the cover of this incredible book?!

How is being included in this book going to help me?  The publisher states:

Our books are distributed to galleries and other art and photography professionals all over the world. When a volume is released, we start sending out firstly the copies to the participants in the book and then we start sending free copies to galleries, agencies, museums, libraries, art collectors, consultants, interior design companies, etc. ~ FAQ World Wide Art Books

I am so honoured to be on the cover of this book.  Purchase the book on the World Wide Art Books site.

Paint Dexter First Annual Plein Air Festival August 13 to 17, 2013

This summer is even more of a whirlwind then last summer.  I traveled to two Plein Air Festivals, and I think I’ve caught the bug.  I want to go to more, and meet more wonderful people.  The artists, and the members of the community in Dexter, Mi are all incredible and wonderful people.

But, what was even more special this time is that I was able to share this event with two from my own group “The Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society.”  Kathy Hudak and Bobby Wagner.

I’m not Dead Yet, Dexter, Mi Plein air Festival quick paint 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 Watercolour on Arches Wood Frame & Mat 19 1/2″ x 16 1/2″

I’m Not Dead Yet, on location, Dexter, Mi Plein air Festival quick paint 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 Watercolour on Arches Wood Frame & Mat 19 1/2″ x 16 1/2″

A River Runs Through It, Dexter, Mi Plein Air Festival -. Watercolour Arches paper 15″ x 10 1/2″ mat & Neilson Frame 20 x 16 $275.

A River Runs Through It, Dexter, Mi Plein Air Festival -. Watercolour Arches paper 15″ x 10 1/2″ mat & Neilson Frame 20 x 16 $275.

The Dexter Mill & Farm Bureau. Painting on location Sold!

The Dexter Mill Commissioned at the Dexter Plein Air Festival Sold!

Joe Schultz came to Canada to pick up his painting of the Dexter Mill.

The Dexter Train Station

The model railroad club steps outside to watch the evening train pass through Dexter on its way to Ann Arbour and Dearborn.

Bobby Wagner is dwarfed by the passing Amtrack train.

Bobby Wagner paints her quick draw at beautiful Mill Creek Park.

Edge of the Rock Plein Air Painting Event in Beloit, Wisconsin

It was an 8 hour drive to Beloit, Wisconsin.  I left home at 3:30 a.m. in order to be in Beloit by noon.  I just made it!  Chicago at rush hour is a trip!  I ended up at O’hare Airport.  Thankfully, it was not difficult to get back on the freeway.  Finally out of Chicago I end up in construction.  I’m just happy I never trust Mapquest when it comes to time.  I always add 2 hours.  It worked out perfect, but boy was I stiff and tired when I got here.

Beloit is a small town of 30K people.  I have to say that I’ve been treated like a celebrity.  I even was stopped in Walmart by a lady who saw my plates.  “Are you from Canada?”  She asked.

“Why… yes.  How did you know?”

She had her young grand daughter in tow, and she proceeded to explain to the child that I was from Canada…. and that I probably still had snow. The child looked terrified of the lady in the big straw hat.  I’m sure I looked a wee bit out of place.

I’ve had that response from quite a few people here.  I think they equate Canada with Sault St. Marie.   I’ve been explaining that I’m actually almost due east of them.  Their eyes get wide when I tell them we have hardly any snow, and that my hubby’s had to mow the lawn in December.  Even more interesting is that we have to go North to get the the USA.  They seem a bit perplexed, and still introduce me as The lady who came all they way “down” from Canada.  But, they are wonderful people and I’m so happy that I came.

I’ve managed to paint three paintings so far.  They’ve been predicting heavy thunder showers, but rain has held off since I got here.  It did rain on my way here.  Since Saturday, we’ve had beautiful weather.  Just a bit of wind, and a threatening sky.  I don’t mind because a stormy sky is interesting, and a challenge to paint.  Just what’s needed for a Plein Air convention.

I’m hoping that our group from Windsor will come here with me next year.  I’m very pleased I did.