February, 2008

I've spent the past several months working in the studio on still lives, since it's cold to be working plein air in the snow. I did spend an afternoon in a friend's sheep barn, sketching the mother ewes and their lambs, and hope to go back to to complete several paintings. There is a tenderness between the mothers and lambs, particularly when the wind and snow are blowing outside. I am very much looking forward to springtime.

October, 2007

I've been focused on finishing a series of paintings of Mt. Nittany, which is one of the scenic landmarks in State College.  During this year-long project, I've enjoyed exploring different views of the mountain in all four seasons.   One of the biggest challenges I've found in painting this icon of Happy Valley is integrating its shape into a balanced composition.  I've learned plenty in the process, and have enjoyed being outdoors throughout.

The exhibition will be held throughout October at the Artisan Connection in State College (see the Upcoming page for more detail).

June, 2007

I've been very busy finishing paintings and framing for my upcoming solo show at the State Theatre in State College.   I've focused on a series of pastels of irises and water lilies.  Most of the work was started on location at a nearby spring-fed pond.  There is amazing colors and energy at the site that carries over to the paintings.  Its really exciting seeing all of this come together (for more news about the show, see Upcoming).

I was very pleased to learn that one of my paintings, "Pears on Ebony," was selected by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts as one of their two t-shirt designs for this year's Arts Festival.  It will be fun to see people walking around State College wearing my work!

May, 2007

Spring, spring, spring!  I've been going out very early most mornings, with backpack and easel, to capture the sunrise and the early light on the mountains and fields in Centre County.   I'm really enjoying exploring some new painting locations, and the ability to be outside as spring erupts.  It is a fun challenge that everything is changing so very quickly from day to day, as fields green up, fruit tree flowers burst into solid masses of color, and leaves start to emerge.   I have to paint quickly to record these scenes before they turn into summer.

April, 2007

The weather has been unusually cold and wet, making plein air painting difficult.  So I've been squirreled away in my studio, completing several paintings that I started earlier in the year.   I've been very pleased with the positive feedback I've been getting from my recent exhibits in State College, and the newspaper article.  In addition, I'm excited to be part of the new regional artisan's trail called 'Art Thrives on 45.'  This tour from Lewisburg to Spruce Creek brings visitors into artists' studios along the way, making an exciting and interesting adventure.   Visitors are welcome (but please call ahead)!

March, 2007

On March 1st, my exhibit at the Artisan Connection opened, and it was really fun and rewarding to participate in a First Thursday event in State College.   I'm working on several oils which relate to pastel sketches I made on location.  It was also nice to see the article in the Centre Daily Times about my art and path to becoming a full time artist.  I'm looking forward to exhibiting in a group show at the Viewpoint Gallery, beginning in April, in southeastern Pennsylvania.

February, 2007

Colorful still lives of fruit have been lots of fun and challenging.  I'm excited to be newly represented by the Artisan Connection in State College, and will be the featured artist in March.  It has been too cold the last few weeks to be painting en plein air, so I've been in the studio.

January, 2007

I've been working on several still lives of colorful fruit.  Its been a real joy to pull out bright pastel color sticks in the midst of cold weather.   I'm also completing several pastel landscapes and eager to work on some new oil paintings.

November, 2006

I've been enjoying the crisp autumn air during several plein air trips around Centre County.  I'm working on an informal series of paintings of the landscape within the viewshed of Mount Nittany, which gives me a good reason to be outside and spending time at new locations.

I'm very pleased that one of my paintings was selected for the cover of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture's annual conference program.  

September, 2006

Gone painting outside!  More good things on the way!

February, 2006

Its been exciting to explore some of the Centre County farms the past few months.  I've been painting old barns and woods and orchards as part of a cooperative project between local artists, land owners, and the Centre Farmland Trust, and which is intended to highlight farms that have sold development rights to the trust.  It is so nice to be welcomed on these open spaces.  As part of the project, there will be a mini-show at the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture annual convention (February 2-4) and at the Pennsylvania Land Trust Conference (April 28 and 29) (both will be at State College's Penn Stater Conference Center).

December, 2005

I'm focusing on oils this month, enjoying the texture of linen, and the expansiveness of three to four foot canvases!  It seems like a good time to be inside, with time to concentrate on developing these larger works, which derive from field sketches and pastels done earlier this year.    

August, 2005

After focusing on shows last month, I'm looking forward to more time back at the easel.  I'm working on several large canvases, and really like working with the texture of linen.    

July, 2005

A solo exhibit of twenty-one oil and pastel paintings is on display at the Equinox Cafe, in Millheim (see "Exhibitions").  Its really gratifying to me to see these pieces together.  

I'm about to begin a large oil of a summer farm lane scene, based upon a plein air oil sketch.   I was really drawn to the old, heavy trees creating dense shade and a nice recession down the lane, on a hazy, August early morning. This just calls for a nice, big linen canvas.

June, 2005

I've had some wonderful 'openings' in my art career recently, most particularly receiving the Revington Arthur Award for Excellence in Painting at "Images 2005."  It feels wonderful to be affirmed that I'm on the right path, and to know that others are touched by my paintings.

The past few weeks I've been enjoying painting along the backroads and fields in Penns Valley.  There is a richness of greens and light in the summer that are difficult to capture but are the essence of these hazy, warm days.  I've found the best times to be out with my easel are early in the morning or late in the day-- midday light is too harsh, washing out the subtleties of color and texture in the landscape that I love to have catch my eye.

May, 2005

I'm completing a series of pastels featuring early spring flowers, including crocuses, snow drops, and daffodils.  These will be featured in a mini-exhibition, "Signs of Spring," at the Faustina Gallery in Lewisburg later this month.  Next I'm out to the back roads of Penns Valley painting the woods and streams.  I'm really eager to continue exploring this land out in the open, right in touch with the elements.  A series of these landscapes will be exhibited during July in a solo show at the Equinox Cafe in Millheim.  

April, 2005

There have been several days when I've finally been able to work outside, which felt great!  Spring is coming!  I'm really glad to see the snowdrops blooming, and then surprised to find purple crocuses, as well.  With a down jacket and a hat, and crouching down low, I've been sketching these harbingers of spring (our two ponies kept staring at me across the fence, trying to figure out what I was doing).  I'm also continuing to work on several large oil landscapes, and enjoy the complementary attributes of pastel and oil media.

I'm looking forward to opening my studio and welcoming visitors on April 16 and 17, for the Central Pennsylvania Art Alliance Studio Tour.   For tickets and directions, contact the Art Alliance, at 814 234-2740.

March, 2005

Its very rewarding to be getting encouraging feedback with acceptance to several juried exhibitions (including one national show).  The winter months have been a natural time to complete large oils in progress, which are now ready to frame and show!  I'm looking forward to welcoming visitors to my studio and home gallery during the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania Studio Tour, on April 16 and 17.  I also can't wait to get out en plein air as the season shifts to spring.

February, 2005

I framed five new pastels and two large oils this week (see the New Works! page)!  Its very exciting to see so many works come to fruition; several of these were five years in the making.  I'm still in the mood for oils and have several more large canvases underway.

January, 2005

Several large works have come to fruition this month, including two oils.  One of the oils features a Pennsylvania bank barn glazed by late afternoon light, and the other is filled with clusters of apples as I found them fallen under a wild tree.  Both paintings seem to have an "inner light" which I find rewarding.  I've also completed several pastel landscapes, which were all started en plein air, and have that special authentic feeling which seems to come through while working on location.

October, 2004

I've been working on an oil painting series of landscapes, particularly of several hedgerows near my home.   I find myself drawn to the interplay of light and shadow in the trees.

My workdays revolve around painting, now that the kids are back in school.  I usually paint from the early morning through the early afternoon, and try to strike a balance between plein air and studio time.

I welcome more concentrated time for painting as the kids return to school.  I love the beginnings of Fall and can't wait to explore outside.

Two of my pastels are included in the Art Alliance Annual Juried show!  See Exhibitions for more information.

The highlight of the month was a windy summer morning full of big sky and round bales.  I completed two pastels of this scene, and one is still in progress.

June, 2004

I'll be focusing on plein air painting this month, hoping to find some misty mornings and evenings.  I'll have two pastels in the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania's Annual Members' Show (June 12-14).  I'm happy.

May, 2004

I had one of my paintings accepted to a national pastel show at LaFond Galleries in Pittsburgh!  Its an honor to have the painting selected by acclaimed artist and instructor Daniel Greene.  I'm itching to be out plein air painting- the trees are taking off in blossom.

April, 2004

My back is thankfully much improved, but its taken a while to get back into regular work sessions.  I've been working on the oils I started in February, and like the way they're progressing.

March, 2004

I hurt my back while lifting a large, awkward bag of potting soil.  This really curtailed my painting and general daily life for most of the month.  This was very frustrating losing rhythm in my working flow.

February, 2004

I'm focusing on oils this month.  Being iced in with two feet of snow, its a great time to enjoy studio work in a luscious, energetic medium.  I'm using linen for the first time, and love its texture and the way it grabs the paint.

January, 2004

Hey, its a new year!  I'm in the mood for oils right now, and have a winter scene in progress.   Next week I'll start two large canvases based upon pastel field sketches, and look forward to the fluid brush strokes and luminosity of this wonderful medium.  Wild fruit images still work their way through my being, and find expression in pastel.

December, 2003

I've just completed a series of pastels of fruit from wild trees.  The paintings explore rich color and the challenges of using pastel on a textured paper.   I really like the "inner light" which seems to come through in these works.  

I'm excited about the upcoming exhibit, "Home for the Holidays," which opens Dec. 13 at the Virginia Lippincott Gallery in Phoenixville, PA.   
 

October, 2003

I'm delighted to have 19 new paintings in a joint exhibition at the Faustina Gallery in Lewisburg.  "Changing Seasons of Central Pennsylvania" features oil and pastel paintings by myself and Lewisburg artist Simonne Roy.  The works explore the seasonal changes in light and color within the central Pennsylvania landscape, and are painted predominantly on location to capture the atmosphere of a particular time and place.  The show runs through October 31.  Call Faustina Gallery (570 524-5080) for more information and directions.

August, 2003

I've finished the iris series, which will be on display at Chadds Ford Gallery.   I'm currently working on a landscape series for my Faustina Gallery joint exhibition, which will be held in October (see July's note below).  

July, 2003

The iris series is nearing completion, and I'm looking forward to more plein air work in the atmospheric times of summer early mornings and evenings.  My husband keeps pointing out scenic fields of hay bales that he insists are ripe for painting.... I just might!  (it's great to be able to follow my heart)  I'm looking forward to an early October joint exhibit at the Faustina Gallery in Lewisburg.   Twelve to 15 of my new oils and pastels will be displayed and  available for sale.

June, 2003

I've been working on a series featuring irises and other plants from our garden.   I exhibited two pastels at the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania Members' Show, and received an Honorable Mention Award for "A Touch of Rain."

 May, 2003

I'm deeply grateful to have been out painting on location this month.  I've been entranced with a nearby orchard in dense blossom, as well as misty spring mornings with freshly plowed fields.  Its wonderful to have many new works in progress, and to live in such beautiful land.

April, 2003

It finally seems like spring here in Central Pennsylvania, though we've still been having some cold nights (the local newspaper cruelly pointed out that we've had snow in each of the past seven months).

Each day there are changes to note in the land.  There are hazes of reds and greens in distant trees where buds are coming.  Next week I'll be out in the fields loving the opportunity for plein air work.  Its wonderful to live in an area where I'm surrounded by beautiful and intriguing spaces.

I also have some framing to do and work to deliver to galleries. 

February, 2003

My focus for the next few weeks is on finishing works in progress. I'm completing several snow scenes, both in oil and pastel. They include a commissioned painting of a local farmstead, as well as two large oil paintings.  One is based on a plein air sketch, and the other is a evoked image of deep woods.

I like this time of year with its crisp morning air, the steam rising from our horses' mouths as they wait under the barn's overshot, and the differences between each day. I'm on the lookout for the faint blush of alazarine in the treetops, which I've come to love each February as one of the earliest hopes of the coming of spring.