a lens...a brush...a stroke

I'm currently in a show with two other artists. It is at a very busy coffee shop in downtown Ann Arbor Michigan called Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea Cafe. We had an Artist Reception this past Friday. The other two artists, Marty Walker and Wendy Chaiken, are also members of Ann Arbor Women Artists. What fun to plan this and then see your work up and admired, sure can't beat that. Well, maybe a sale or two would be icing on the cake.

Wedding News

What a beautiful day we had for our daughter's wedding. The day was perfect, the dress, the food, the family and friends even the sunset was perfect.The kids planned everything and we were so proud of them. We were at Michilinda Lodge in Whitehall Michigan, right on Lake Michigan

Artist Retreat

I had the opportunity to spent some time this summer up in Manistee Michigan with some fellow artists. We all belong to the Chelsea Painters. Bill Knudstrup, a wonderful oil painter, opened up his summer home to us. There were discussions about art and many about politics, what with the big election coming up but there was always time to enjoy the sunset with friends. I hope to paint this little girl who was attempting to fly with her beach towel.

Honorable Mention

This painting - Keeping It All Together - got an Honorable Mention at the Summer Show with the Ann Arbor Women Artists. It is a transfer and then I added pastel, colored pencil and some fluid  acrylic. I did it for another show - the Art of Healing. It was also juried in that show.

Memories of June

Where has this summer gone? I know I have not posted in a while. June started with my annual art fair with the Chelsea Painters. I can not believe I have been a member now for two years. It is an honor to paint with such talented artists. This is me in front of one of my favorite pieces, called - Nana's Love. The other picture is of my daughter who helped me out for the week end. It is a lot of  work but fun and I had a good year with sales. We only had one down pour and that was at the end of the second day. Thank goodness my daughter was there as I was making my last sale of the day, and she saved my cart of artwork that a big gust of wind had taken away.

Ladies of Leisure

Nancy Feldkamp sent me a jpeg of one of her great sheep paintings so you can all enjoy it. I have the pleasure of painting often with her. Her eye for color and design sense always amazes me. In the future I hope to show you some other artist that I have the pleasure of knowing. This is watercolor done on yupo paper. They are indeed Ladies of Leisure.

The Insecurity of Artists

I just spent some time with a wonderful artist, Nancy Feldkamp. She does these wonderful painting of sheep on yupo using watercolors. It was funny to have her talk about her own insecurities about her work. She being so accomplished but I guess it's true that we all struggle with this. I love the Carl Rogers quote "We can copy others, we can live to please others, or we can discover that which is unique and precious to us, and paint that, become that. It is a task which takes a lifetime." Amen to that . I love red tulips, they seem so strong and beautiful. This piece is called Tulips. It is watercolor on rice paper then beeswax applied as a resist and then removed and mounted on watercolor paper. Lots of steps but I liked the result.