Wakefield Plein Air Paint Out!

It was a gorgeous, perfect day for plein air painting in the Paint Out by the Lake at Wakefield Farmers Market this past Saturday. It looked festive as can be, with red balloons floating above artists' easels. As the organizer and greeter of artists, I got off to a late start, but had a great time anyway—speed painting! This photo, courtesy of Kendall Inglese, shows the artists exhibiting their finished paintings at the Wet Paint Exhibit and Sale.

This year the Paint Out is donating 20% of proceeds to The Wakefield Center for Performing Arts, a new and state-of-the-art theater that has already wowed local audiences with jazz concerts, theater performances and lectures. It's always a challenge asking people for money to support causes. This one's worthy. Soon enough their reputation will precede them and enthusiastic support will come from loyal customers and businesses who want to be a part of a great thing.

Now that this event is done, I'll be painting more! (Yay!) See you soon.

Plein Air Paint Out this Saturday

I've been super busy organizing the third annual Paint Out. This year we've gotten businesses to host an Art Walk. What an undertaking. Next year must be easier! I have ideas already on how to streamline the process, thank goodness.

Artists can still register the day of the Paint Out. If you live locally, enjoy a morning at the Farmers Market and watch artists paint! It's going to be SUNNY on our last chance rain date! : )

Potential

Here's the second painting I did at Amy's, while spending the morning with Band of Brushes friends.

It's can be exhilarating to paint with such intensity (and speed) as I did on that overcast day. The concentrated looking and the trusting of instinct that's required, feel like a good workout when I'm done! I learn a lot when I change my approach to painting now and then.

Amy's Garden

This is one of my favorite paintings from this summer. I experimented with my block-in, using transparent oxide red and viridian. I painted two small painting that day in Amy's garden. I was determined to paint like there was no tomorrow, since it was my first time painting with Band of Brushes in so long! It was great to see friends.

Amy, a generous acquaintance of one of our members, and a talented artist and quilter, http://duringquiettime.blogspot.com/, invited our group to paint on her property. I guess I was pretty excited to be painting. It wasn't until I returned home that I saw that I had forgotten to wear my glasses while painting! Thus, the lovely, painterly quality! I may paint sans glasses more often!

Backyard Coneflowers

This painting was done quickly during a much-needed break this summer. I wasn't able to venture far, so it was nice to find models who agreed to pose for me right at home.

Stefan at the Hatch Shell

My younger teen on a rainy day in Boston. A little less rainy than today. Stefan's older brother, Marc, played piano with the high school jazz ensemble. At the Hatch Shell! The dampness didn't dampen our spirits. All the performing high school jazz bands had our feet tapping. It was very cool.

Thankfulness

It was difficult for me to post to my blog after such an emotional time. My Dad passed away two months ago, on July 6th. I sketched this while chatting with him during a visit at Rehab. He was 94 years old, and leaves behind my Mom, who is 84. A World War II vet who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Dad received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. But that's not all, of course.

You know, from a distance, one can be philosophical and say, "How fortunate; he lived such a long life." And although that's true (and I've thought that of others in the past), I've come to realize it doesn't begin to touch on the personal, complex feelings, that include loss and also, for me, the positive way he touched so many lives in our family. He was a gentle man and a gentleman, of that notable generation, with strong values and a nice sense of humor. He led by example and was loving and good-humored until the end. All of my siblings felt he became the essence of Dad in the final days. We are grateful to have had him as long as we did!