I am doing an Open Studio this week

"Tahoe Blue"  pastel

I've been soooo busy for a month, preparing for my Open Studios.  I joined "Reno Open Studios" this year.  We (40 local artists) will open our studios to the public for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 6, 7, 8) from 10am to 5pm.

Above is a new pastel painting in the show.  Below is an older painting that I "touched up" and changed.  I even changed the name to "Return to Zion":

"Return to Zion"  pastel

We have had a month of smokey air from the Yosemite Fire.  It has kept us indoors.  We have missed painting out doors en plein air!  But, it has helped me get ready for the open studios event.  I have about 30 framed oils and pastels, and about 30 unframed pieces as well.  I will be having a drawing for a free painting.  I made up some note cards with images of my art on them for sale - seems like everyone likes those.

I will be setting up in our courtyard with panels to hang my work.  I'll be painting and demonstrating in there as well.  Several friends have said they will drop by.  It should be fun.

This is the first time I have ever done anything like this....so....I have no expectations, so maybe that is good.

Recent paint-outs

6 x 6 plein air at Eagle Falls, Lake Tahoe

I recently hiked up to Eagle Falls and painted this little painting.  I only went 1/3 mile, but it was straight up and many granite steps and stairs to climb.  This was the vista point - a view I chose that did not peek at Emerald Bay below.  If I continued another 2/3 mile I could have seen Eagle Lake.  I've seen photos of it on the internet and it looks gorgeous!  Want to go someday!

6 x 6 plein air of Silver Saddle Ranch

Yesterday I painted at Silver Saddle Ranch.  I stood in the shade of the cottonwood trees and painted this view looking toward Carson River.  The cattle were not in the pasture.  They were off somewhere across the street.

You can see more of my paint-outs at http://www.renotahoepleinairpainters.blogspot.com

Little 6 x 6 paintings in oil - so fun to do!

Below are some little paintings I did recently out in the field.  I am getting ready for an open studio and am adding a little "umph" to my paintings in the studio.  Sometimes when you get home, you notice that your values don't have enough punch, or the painting needs just a little tweeking.  Here they are - in all their "tweeked look":

"Summer Pond" 6 x 6 oil

"Blue Asters" 6 x 6 oil

"Backyard Boats"  6 x 6 oil

Painting in the studio from a plein air study

After painting Watson Lake in oil en plein air, I wanted to try painting it in the studio, using the plein air as a guide, and do a larger painting.  This is 14 x 18 on a stretched canvas.  I haven't painted on a surface like this in a very, very long time.  Painting large was different too.  I  had to allow more time and mix bigger piles of paint and use bigger brushes.  I only worked on it two days.  I now realize I was using my plein air Alkyd medium.  I don't have a regular medium right now.  So, it dried overnight.  So, it was a little different.  But, it was fun, and I'll do it again.

How to hike back to your car with wet oil paintings you did in the field

Someone asked this question today and it is so good, I went out and took pictures of the carrier I use and will talk about it and two other methods.

I use Panel Pak.  I paint on boards (panels about 1/8" thick) in 8 x 10 and 9 x 12.  I also like to paint in 6 x 6 and occasionally a panarama 8 x 16.  PanelPak offers pre-made popular frame sizes.  They will make up a special size for an additional cost - like my 6x6 and 8x16 sizes.  I use them constantly.  You can either put one of their false panels on one side and only bring one panel for painting on - OR - bring two panels and have them both face inward - so you can carry two wet paintings.  The panels do not touch each other, and you rubberband them together.  The panels fit snugly in the wooden frame and slide right into your backpack.  The picture below shows how the rubberbands go around the complete package.

Some of my friends use RayMar Wet Panel Carriers:

These light-weight carriers have slots for putting multiple panels in, and comes with a shoulder strap for carrying.  They come in different sizes.

Some people use a small pizza box and use push-pins to secure the corners of a painting inside.  This might work for walking short distances, but would not work for hiking because you would have to have to carry it by hand and carry it level so the painting doesn't flop onto the inside of the lid of the box.

There are other small wet panel carriers out on the market, but they are usually made of wood and can be heavy and take up a lot of room.  The first two methods above are the best I have heard of so far.

Summertime Paint-Outs - Staying Cool!

"Connie's Garden"  12 x 9 pastel

Today I went with a painting friend to our local arboretum and we found a cool shady spot and enjoyed painting the flowers.  The employed gardener (or was she a volunteer?) was happy I was painting an area she planted this year.  So I named it after her!

"Summer Cove Escape" 10 x 8 oil

Yesterday I hiked down a path to a quiet cove beach with a painting friend, Monika, and we painted and then dipped in the cool waters of Lake Tahoe.  What a great day!

"Summertime at the Lake"

Before I met up with my friend, I was close to Sand Harbor.  I took a painting I had done previously and did more work on it at the exact same spot.  I like it better now.

Final Day and Reception for Markleeville Plein Air Event

"Whirlygig" 12 x 9 oil

This morning we artists were supposed to paint the town - and be in the town where the public could see us and talk to us.  I will admit, city and townscapes and anything to do with buildings is a challenge for me....but I want to learn and I guess learning by doing is the answer here.  A couple of days ago I scoped out the town and really loved a little cottage with a cute garden.  There were always cars and trucks parked in front, so I did some sketches of the house one day, and a couple of value sketches another day.  I finally settled on a section of the house and the side yard.  I had to eliminate potted plants and things on the porch - it was just too much for a little painting.

So this morning, I was so tired from commuting ever day for 4 days, that I was running late.  I took a little extra time to print the photos I took of the cottage before I left.  Good thing I did, because today they had that area blocked off because they had tree trimmers cutting down large limbs in front of the cottage!  So, I parked somewhere else in town and set up in the shade (at 10:00 it was already very hot!).

I had some people come by and chat, and I would have liked to have more time to work on this, but at noon I had to pack up and frame this little wet painting and bring it in.  It was hung inside the canopy.

We had a very good turn-out and by 10:00 4 paintings were sold, including my wildflower painting!!!!!