Facing Fall in July

9 x 12

oil on linen panel

Although there's nothing autumnal about this scene, painted plein air on a very hot July day,  it is so named since I was facing the Fall Pavilion in the beautiful Calendar Garden of The DeFries Garden in New Paris, Indiana. The garden is divided into the fourths, encircling this lily ladened koi pond with lovely little buildings and seasonal flowers to glorify each of the four seasons. It's also marked with each month of the year and the brick walkway is imprinted with each day plus holidays.  For details, visit the garden's designer Jon Cutrell's Flickr page by clicking here. Two artist friends and I painted in this paradise last week and though it's over an hour away, I was so impressed, I drug my husband back there yesterday so he could admire it as well, gardener that he is. It's no wonder it's a popular destination for weddings and other events. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and the drive and I'll be painting for quite awhile from the many photos I took.

The Bass Mansion and St.Francis Gardens in Spring

14 x 11

oil on linen

The magnificient old Bass Mansion on the grounds of the University of Saint Francis with the spring flowers in full bloom. It is a spectacular structure and is now the centerpiece of the university. There is a beautiful pond just behind it, complete with swans.

Back Yards

12 x 9

oil on canvas

Still trying to get some exercise for those plein air muscles but this one was done from a photo taken in Yellow Springs, Ohio during the Tim Horn workshop. I did, however, paint it fast, as if I was working outside and had to make decisions and strokes quickly. All in, it took about 90 minutes. 

Last night was the artist's reception for a juried exhibit held annually, called Ventures in Creativity. It's always fun event since most of the artists are known around Indiana and largely from here in Fort Wayne. I entered four that were all accepted, which of course made me very happy, but that was nothing compared to how I felt when they announced the winners. My self portrait, "Selfie in a Pink Hat" won Best of Show. What a rush. So a big THANK YOU to judge Lynn Dunbar who came up from Louisville Kentucky to be the juror for this event. Here, again is the painting...

"Selfie in a Pink Hat"

BEST in SHOW

Woo Hoo!!!

Market Activity

16 x 12

oil on linen

Our city hosts several farmer's markets throughout the summer, but this one, The Barr Street Market, is my favorite. I painted it last year and enjoyed the process, and the outcome, and I especially enjoyed that it sold right away! So when we visited it a couple of Saturdays ago on a beautiful sunny day, the bright canopies were practically glowing, inspiring me to give it another go.