A Special Wave

This is my largest wave painting yet. It is 54x39 inches. I was proud of the custom built stretcher bars we made for it. It was requested by a friend with a spot for it in San Diego. She is a special friend who has a husband fighting cancer. I tried to have this wave be one that had a positive energy to it.

Fall Day at Seven Springs

The other day we grabbed the dogs and drove out to an area a bit north of here called Seven Springs. It is still very much desert but because of the year round flow of Seven Springs Wash there is enough water for some big trees to flourish. We had a nice day with the place to ourselves. I got a couple of small (5x7") oil paintings done of some fall trees.

Plein Air Painting Day!

Today I was part of a plein air competition at the Shemer Art Center and Museum. We signed in around 9 and painted until 1:30. The juror then selected work for the exhibit that starts next weekend. The Shemer was originally a beautiful Spanish style home that was donated to be an art center. It reminds me of my family home in Southern California. I loved the light and shadows on the walls so chose that as my first painting. I have been having trouble using oils after so long with acrylics. Today I found a nice solution by starting with acrylic and then adding oil over this under painting. It worked great. I was able to hang on to my darks that way. After this painting I had about 90 minutes so I ran around to the other side and painted the intersection with Camelback Mountain in the background. I had to be speedy, but it was fun. Both pieces were accepted for the show so I was a happy girl driving home!

Here is the link to my page at the Paint the Aspens 2010 section of High Country Gallery's website:
joyouslakegallery.com/PainttheAspens2010/AnnOsgoodPTA2010.htm

I am still finding myself thinking about the week in the forest. It was such a nice time connecting with people and a different environment. Almost every day the wind was stirring the trees. It would start in the distance and then move through the leaves with a clatter. There were different cries from birds than the ones I am used to in the desert. The pine smell and crisp air were really like a tonic. I am so glad I made the effort to go out of my comfort zone and experience it all.

Paint the Aspens

It was a great week in the White Mountains of Arizona at the Paint the Aspens event. 30 artist painted in the forest for the week and then submitted 3 finished works to hang in the High Country Gallery in Pinetop. I was a bit puzzled about painting in the forest as I haven't really tried. Desert, beach, city are all in my comfort zone but the forest was a new challenge. The weather was another big challenge as the week started, but fortunately it improved day by day. I was relieved to get 3 paintings done that I could frame and submit for the show. I was happily surprised to learn 2 of my 3 sold the first day! What a nice ending for a spectacular week!

Baby room mural

Now for something completely different..I finished the mural for the baby nursery. I think it is going to be a nice place for a little one!

Foxy Moxy

Here is another Roller Derby Girl. This is 4x2 feet so she is nice and big. Fun to paint!