The Memory Keeper

8 x 10

oil on canvas board

I've been lately inspired by David Kassan's incredible portraits of elderly survivors, so when we visited my husband's aunt, I thought, what a perfect subject. Last spring we celebrated her 100th birthday where she was the life of the party. Although she lives in a retirement center, she's still almost completely independent in her daily routine. Sure she's a bit more wobbly than she was when she was say, only 99, and no doubt owing to this, she just recently took a tumble and buggered up a hip. When we saw her last weekend, she wasn't in her full makeup and jewelry, but she was otherwise her loving, entertaining, and positive self. Her expressions are so animated and dear, I tried capture some by taking her picture on the sly, but she's quick so this is as close as I could get. She wouldn't be happy to be caught without her makeup, but I think she's beautiful.

Joyeux de Vivre

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6 x 8

oil on panel

I couldn't wait to paint this baby's portrait, commissioned during my September campaign. This is from a photo provided by the baby's mother. What a cutie. She clearly embraces life with unrestrained glee.

Northern City, Western Light

11 x 14

oil on board

This was begun earlier en plein air and finished at home last night. The Well Street Bridge, an example of a "whipple through truss bridge", is considered one of the most important surviving historic bridges in Indiana. It's no longer used for car traffic since the road leading to it was removed and rerouted to a newer bridge that crosses the St. Mary's River, connecting the old north neighborhood to downtown. But it's charm and importance to this community continues as it's new functions include a space for weddings, yoga classes, outdoor movie nights, and a favorite subject of artists. I'm way behind on my intention to paint every day during this very busy month, this being day 24 and only my 13th painting, but it's more than I usually produce and has been a rewarding project. I've raised and sent my donation to Hurricane Harvey Relief and have taken on 10 commissions, thus solving the question, "what should I paint?", for the time being. I've also agreed to another live wedding reception painting (gulp) and to do a portrait demo early next year. It's all good.

I Love October

6 x 8

oil on board

October is my favorite month. My son is an October baby, I'm an October baby, many of my favorite people are October babies, and it's the month we got married. When I was a kid, I always associated my birthday with Halloween, which I also loved back then. It's fun when the time rolls back around to pull out the decorations and I rediscover pieces old and new. One of my oldest and most favorite is the little girl figurine in this painting. When I came upon her this morning, I thought - there's my painting for today, so I surrounded her with a few of my newer favorite pieces for this little Halloween vignette. The piece on the left is a small painted gourd made by Rosey Bolte of The Uncommon Gourd in Nashville, Indiana. It's so cute it stays out through the fall and ends up on my Christmas tree.

Bacon?

8 x 6 

oil on gessoboard

I'm loving these little doggy portraits. This is another one of Grace, peering up with those big, hopeful eyes. I love her. I can see now I'm not going to make my goal of finishing a painting every day. Big, busy weekend ahead and I doubt that I'll even paint at all. So this is day 13. Maybe I can catch up next week.

Good Boy!

8 x 10

oil on board

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I have to admit, it's hard to keep up with painting and posting every day. I started this guy last night and didn't get back to him until tonight. But I did love painting this big, lovable, sweet face. And am very happy to say I've met my goal to make $1000 for Hurricane Harvey victims with the sale of these daily paintings. So thank you to everyone who has bought or commissioned one.

Clara

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8 x 10

oil on board

For Day 9 of my attempt to paint every day. Clara's grandmother and I have been good friends, since our early days as nurses. I did a little portrait of this youngster's mother when she was about the same age. I'm so taken by her pink highlights, I'm thinking of doing the same thing.

Metea Morning

 Sold
8 x 10

oil on panel

I didn't paint this one today although I did paint all day. I did a portrait and thought I had it nailed right up to when I thought I was finished. I took a break, came back, and bam, something is off. I'm hoping it won't be a total do-over but my brain is too tired to tackle it tonight. So for Day 8, I'm posting this one which won 2nd place at the Kekionga Plein Air Paint Out.

Alexis

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8 x 8

oil on board

My friend's little angel, Alexis. Day 7 of daily painting for the month of September.

Grace

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8 x 10

Oil on panel

This is a quick and gooey painting of my happy doggy niece, Grace. Such a good girl! Daily painting day 6!

California Sky

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11 x 14

Oil on board

This is from a photo taken by my niece Alyssa who lives in Southern California. I took a few liberties and turned the tree on the left into a palm tree and slipped in a mission where a house stood. Trying to "California it up" a bit. But the amazing sky is all there although this painting still doesn't do it full justice. I think I'll try this again later and take a bit more time with it. This is Day 5 of my goal to paint every day.

Out to Lunch

6 x 11.5

oil on panel

This is Day Four of my attempt to paint every day. I'm kind of proud of myself. My husband and I were taking our cat for a ride out in the country. Yeah, she loved it. Not. I want her to see that car rides are "family fun times" and not always the dreaded trip to the vet's. Anyway, we came upon these gals having a little snack and I have really wanted to paint cows, so here we are. This little lady in the foreground was kind enough to pose for a photo. 

I'm putting all of my paintings on sale this month for $150 plus shipping in hopes of raising $1000 to send to Texas for Hurricane Harvey Relief. In light of the catastrophic enormity of loss, it's just a little, but every little bit helps. If you see this and are interested, please contact me at terri_buchholz@yahoo.com. The paintings are unframed and also they are fresh and will need some dry time of approx. 6 weeks, before they can be varnished.

Thank You

Morning Shot

8x8

oil on cradled panel

Not a great photo, but this is day 3 of my effort to paint every day. Leslie Saeta offers a challenge to do 30 paintings in 30 days and this year, happily, several of my friends have joined in. See it here.    30 in 30.

This little teacup was discovered in an antique store recently and I've been anxious to paint it. I kept it loose and took great effort to "lose my edges". What is it about teacups? They are certainly nostalgic and very cute. Just not hearty enough to manage my coffee addiction. I bought a couple, so I'll be trying this again in the days ahead.
All of my paintings posted for this month of September, are on sale for $150 plus shipping. In the original painting world, that's a bargain. I know in the rest of the real world, that much money buys a lot of groceries. And that's the point I guess. If and when I make $1000, it will all go to the Texas Hurricane Relief. I'm checking into appropriate charities and thinking the Red Cross. If a buyer has a preferred charity, I'll certainly honor that choice. For purchase, please contact me at terri_buchholz@yahoo.com.

Susan

 Gifted
7 x 5

oil on panel

This portrait is a thank you gift to my friend Susan who is the uber publicitymeister of our art guild. This woman makes things happen! In July, when I won Best of Show at The Annual Ventures in Creativity, she contacted the newspaper and the next week they ran a very generous sized color photo of it. She also recently gave me a fabulous book on one of my heros, John Singer Sargent. A note just didn't seem adequate for such marvelous things. 

I took this reference photo for her portrait on a lovely, sunny day and there were interesting shadows across her face. I'm not sure they translate well, but it was another fun challenge. Speaking of challenges, this is DAY TWO of my quest to paint and post every day.

Tea with Rosemary

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8 x 8

oil on panel

My friend lent me her beautiful brass tea pot for a paint subject. I set it up in a light box with a sprig of rosemary for this classic little still life which I think came out very nicely. I choose it for my first work to kick of a challenge to do thirty paintings in thirty days. I've tried this before and have never hit the goal, but regardless, it creates a nice tension to paint daily, so here we go again.  Wish me luck and a little self discipline!

Embracing the Up Moments!

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   Painting can be a personal challenge. The journey is full of ups and downs and I think we all doubt ourselves at times. When a painting is in progress, we ride the self critique roller coaster in our heads that sounds like this, "Ah, nice, no wait, shouldn't have done that, I've ruined it, no, got it,...that's it, better,...there we go, looking good, think this will be a winner, wait, those values aren't talking to me, that composition is crap,...hate this, I can't paint,...whoa,..maybe it can be saved,...there we go, hey, this is good!" Then throw in the extra adventure of painting outside with changing light, uncooperative weather, bugs, sometimes creepy, uninvited company, and you, or I should say "I", really understand what a challenge is. Plein air is hard for me and I fully admire the artists who have conquered it.

   Then there are times when everything clicks and I'm in love with the process. Things work, I'm happy with a painting, others compliment a painting, something sells, something wins, all is good. I do love art, always have, and I feel blessed to be part of a community of friends who share that passion.

This weekend I took part in The First Annual Kekionga Paint Out and was shocked and delighted to win second place. The road wasn't without it's moments of frustration due to those self doubts, but the good things about it were absolutely AWESOME! The event was terrific, the weather was perfect, I was in the great company of old friends and new friends at all times, no bugs landed on me, and then to top it off, won an award. And got a great parking place.

Not Ready to Let Go

24 x 18

oil on canvas

A mother and her baby, getting ready to embrace the next step but perhaps neither are quite ready to let go. Available at The Castle Gallery Fine Arts

Taking the Shortcut

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14 x 11

oil on board

Another moment from The First Brush of Spring paint out week in Southern Indiana last spring. As we were cutting through a shady alley, I was taken by this scene of late afternoon sun breaking through and making patterns on the buildings. The bright red truck appeared to have a spotlight of sun on it.

Thinking it Over

Gifted
14x18

oil on canvas

I've known Lennon since she was a bump and I've wanted to paint her since she got here. This baby is just as photogenic as her beautiful mom, whom I've painted several times. She's at that fun, busy stage now where she's toddling and curious about everything. Here she's seems to be taking a break in her reading to contemplate something. I love how babies are all plump spheres, rosy, heart-shaped lips, and button noses.

The Ladies Won!

I'm so happy to announce my painting "Waiting for the Show", won Best of Show at the Ventures in Creativity Juried Art Exhibit last weekend. The judge was the Ohio OPA artist, Carolyn Lewis. I liked this painting but winning this award was a complete surprise and I have to admit, pretty sweet.

The Way Home

16x16

oil on canvas

A view of the last post from a few steps up the street. This is slightly bigger and obviously in a square format with a bit warmer colors. This canvas surface is also more "toothy" and absorbent, so it required a heavier hand and thicker paint. This, again, was captured in New Harmony at that golden hour of the evening. For an person like me with an small town, Indiana childhood, it evokes familiar, nostalgic memories of heading home after a day of playing outside in the neighborhood. Available at The Castle Gallery Fine Art

Day's End, New Harmony

14 x 11

oil on linen

This is another painting that came out of my trip to New Harmony, Indiana, during The First Brush of Spring. At the end of the first full day, while the expected rainstorms were still holding out, I walked around with my friends scouting for scenes to paint the next day. The sun was going down and casting those beautiful long shadows while I snapped photos and caught this moment. The rains indeed arrived that night, so this view had to wait until yesterday when I painted it in studio.

Bring Me a Dream

11 x 14

oil on canvas panel

A friend modeled for this figurative piece that presented some nice challenges with foreshortening.
Figure drawing and portraiture have always been my preferred subjects, both as an artist and as an art lover, so this was a project I loved tackling.

A Workshop With Time Horn

 Tim Horn is such an amazing artist and teacher. I was so lucky to be able to attend his workshop last year and jumped at the chance to go again when he came back to his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio. In both classes, I not only learned valuable lessons in plein air painting, but was also fortunate to be in the company of very nice and fun loving workshop mates. Here we are all at the end of the third day, just before going our separate ways. Tim's work is captivating. Check out his website here - http://www.timhornart.com/

Here are a couple of my paintings from the workshop. It was seriously HOT out, but we could hardly complain since the expected rain never materialized.

 "Ohio Barnyard"

10 x 8

oil on canvas board

"Old Homestead"

8 x 10

oil on canvas board

Pie Birds on a Hankie

6 x 6

oil on board

New Harmony is a tiny little town but has great shopping. There are only four restaurants and one of those closes after lunch, but there's a shop run by a dulcimer luthier and a collective of shops that include a stained glass place, kitchenware, antique stores, and the best clothing place I've found in a long time. During one of the rainy days, we shopped and I found these little gems.

Alyssa

6 x 6

oil on panel
Gifted

A quick, loose little portrait of my niece Alyssa.

Before the Show

14 x 11

Oil on canvas

Another painting that came out of our time in New Harmony. I mentioned the weather wasn't optimal most of the time, but the day I took this photo was the exception. We arrived on a beautiful day in the afternoon shortly before a ceremony and exhibit at the Hoosier Gallery. People were gathering and greeting each other, waiting for the show to begin when I snapped this pic of these lovely ladies. They just had to be painted. I don't think I'm the only one who took advantage of these unwitting models.

Boomer

24 x 12

oil on canvas
SOLD

Last month a bunch of painter friends and I joined over 200 other artists in New Harmony, Indiana for an annual paint out called "The First Brush of Spring". There are several planned events and competitions, but the main draw is to paint scenes of the very charming town in the company of people who love plein air painting. It was great fun although the weather didn't cooperate. We had one full day when it didn't rain but it was cloudy and threatening to pour down most of our time there. I did manage one outdoor work, but the rest of my pieces came from photos. This one is of my traveling companion, bunk mate, and good pal Linda from a photo snapped during one of our wine breaks.

To Better Days Ahead

20 x 20 

oil on canvas

A larger, more finished piece from the previous study. As usual, I kind of like the study better, but there just wasn't enough of it. I like the large format for such cheerful colors.

To Better Days Ahead - study

8x8

oil on canvas board
SOLD

On a day of blizzards and nor'easters, I chose this moment from last summer to use for a painting exercise. The challenge was to do a "quick draw", allowing no longer than two hours from start to finish. I had a bit of time to spare, such was my motivation to project myself into this memory of warmer days. But spring is coming. Spring is always coming.

Prompting Spring

16 x 20

oil on linen panel

February was such a cruel teaser. We had temps close to 70 which led to outdoor activities and kayak trips. Our crocuses were in bloom and the daffodils and tulips were well on their way.  Now on the cusp of St.Patrick's day, there's a blizzard on the east coast and plenty of snow here. This painting began with full anticipation of spring, marrying my favored subject of portraiture with my lesser explored attempts with florals.

Reposed

10 x 10

oil on Ampersand gessoboard

Last year my beautiful friend Brooke came over for a photo session which resulted in several paintings, including this one, finished today. In this pose, there were two light sources, sunlight from a window on the right and a lamp on the left, leaving interesting highlights and shadows.

Oblivious to Others

 SOLD
12 x 9 

oil on Centurion canvas board

Still in the Valentines mood, what better masterpiece expresses love than Klimt's "The Kiss"? I wish I could claim to be in Vienna to see the painting for myself, but not yet anyway, so this is a composite of my models and the painting.

Giclées now available

"Be Mine"

After several requests and just in time for Valentine's Day, limited edition giclées of "Be Mine" are now available. Printed on heavy watercolor paper and sized at 14x11 or 20x16. Alternate sizes can be printed on request.

Pergola

Oil on canvas

24 x 24

 A loose, abstract-impressionistic rendering of a garden. I'm still getting back into the swing after a busy holiday and a season of trading flu bugs with my husband.

Letting the Day Unfold

 Gifted
18 x 18

oil on canvas

My friend and I took a few days to enjoy Chicago and had the great pleasure of staying at her daughter's beautiful North Central home. We were very near Lincoln Ave. in the Roscoe Village area and could walk to great restaurants, a Trader Joe's, wonderful shopping areas. And downtown was a quick Uber ride away. I caught this image while we were enjoying coffee on the porch and planning our day.

Studio View

14 x 11

pastel on board

Last week my friend Susie invited me to paint with her at her studio. The room has huge windows that overlook one of the three big rivers our city is known for. It is a lovely view although this particular day was very gray, almost devoid of color. The only real punctuation was the burnt sienna river. I opted to paint that day with pastels, a medium fairly foreign to me. I thought maybe it would be easier clean up and all together less messy since I was in someone else's space. Not. You pretty much need one for every color you want as opposed to mixing your colors in my preferred medium, oil, so they take up a ton of space and dust was everywhere, especially on me. But I liked working with them. Just looking at this painting make me realize it's January 12 and I am completely ready for spring.

figure drawing 2

5 x 7

colored pencil and ink on paper

 

Another drawing of the same model that was posted yesterday. This one came out of the 45 minute pose.

figure drawing exercise

8 x 4

graphite and ink on paper

Our city is fortunate to have a community art gallery and center that offers two sessions a week with live models. Nothing is better for improving your eye and drawing skills than a short pose, usually lasting for 5 minutes. This is an example.