Afraid of Art?

I have observed a growing lack of art appreciation recently by those in the 20-50 age group. Our lack of funding for art in the schools, poor art teaching, and arrogance in some galleries and museums seems to be the culprit. Many people I meet while painting or at a show have remarked that "they know nothing about art" and rely on others to guide their decisions about what hangs in their homes...they are scared to purchase or to venture into art museums and some galleries.
This is also evident throughout the arts...have you noticed the demographics at art events?
I am thankful that some colleges are seeing this trend as well as some museums..I also have thoughts about how to encourage those afraid of art to begin to explore the arts...more later!

Paint Out Challenge

"Room With A View" Looking at 120 wet paintings!

"Latest Development"

I returned from a Paint out in Idaho Falls, ID. First time I have ventured there and it was a first paint out for the Art Museum...60 artists participated in 2 days of painting along the Snake River Greenbelt that runs through the city. We were treated so nicely by the Museum...breakfasts, housing, and prizes...I had been invited to paint there by a fellow Women Artist of the West member.
It was challenging because the area is mainly urban as well as a lot of industrial sites. There waw a lot of construction in the area as well.
I was pleased with my 2 pieces and they both sold at the event.

Being an Artist and a Mother

"Poppying Up", oil. 14"x11"

On the eve of Mother's Day I was remembering my life as an artist and a mother of 3 children. Raising children and being an artist is a big balancing act. It is also a reason a lot of people, including some artists, don't take us artists who have 2 lives very seriously. I have experienced that attitude and in spite of it I have raised three children and have had a rising career as an artist. This is due to several things: I treated my art as a serious business, I had regular "art hours", and I didn't volunteer for everything. I learned to say "no". While my children were at home, I scheduled my art activities around naps, and later school hours. I was always ready to drop everything when a child needed me. I feel that my art helped me to be a better mother and being a mother helped me become a better artist.
Happy Mother's Day to all you artists out there!

Giving Back

Many great charitable organizations often contact me as well as other artists to donate a painting for use in their auctions. I want to support many of them but in the past years have restricted my donations to only a few each year. I do this for many reasons: 1. Some buyers only acquire art at charity events for the support of the organization as well as the tax benefits., 2. I can only deduct the amount of my materials as the donation under current legislation. The bill to change that has been in Congress off and on for many years, under both political party domination, to no avail. Artists are hopeful that eventually this legislation will be changed...and we have been contacting our congressmen.


I am supporting the " Expressions of Hope", MDA Colorado Springs Event, May 15, 2008, from 6:00pm-9:00pm. I will be there displaying my paintings and a portion of each art sale will go to this organization. The above painting "Trading Post", will be available there.

For more info and to purchase tickets" 719-535-7335.

What Is A Paint Out?

This type of art event has become very popular in the last few years...I get invites from more organizations sponsoring them each spring. Galleries or organizations organize them. They invite or jury artists who paint on site in specified locations. The work is then framed, usually wet, and exhibited. Collectors love to come and watch the magic happen. Artists have fun painting with other artists who share the same passion for this type of painting ( plein air).The recent Germanton Gallery sponsored paintout is a good example. (See my website for more information.)

Artists were invited to paint anywhere in North Carolina during a week, then hang the work, and demonstrate around the gallery during the opening weekend. A portion of the sales goes to the Piedmont Land Conservancy. The pictures above show the demos that were happening around the gallery...models, still lifes, and landscapes were painted on the gallery grounds. 

Look for a paintout in your area and join in on the fun!

Painting North Carolina

Left to right: Julie on the Creek. My painting, "Trickle Down Effect" from the same spot.

I have returned from the annual invitational Paintout at Germanton Gallery, Germanton, NC. My three painting buddies and I painted along the Blue Ridge Parkway this year.  We packed lots of warm clothes knowing that it would be cold there.We experienced the unusual cold front that hit the mountains early that week. We were surprised by snow on the ground one morning...wanted to paint that but the winds were too strong. We found streams at Stone Mt State Park that snuggles up to the Parkway. It was a great week and there are wonderful paintings at the gallery until the end of May.

Getting ready for plein air painting

" Done Smokin'", plein air oil. Germanton Paint-Out.

I travel to NC Thursday to paint all week during a plein air paint-out sponsored by Germanton Gallery located outside Winston-Salem. I shipped my pochade, hiking boots, polarfleece, paints, brushes, tripod, backpack, and some canvas panels. I am dreading the bill...it weighed 35 lbs. I will be flying there and as I mentioned in my last blog that is a hassle for artists, so I shipped as much equipment as possible. My friend will have my odorless mineral spirits for me when I arrive.

I am going with one suitcase and will  carry on my wetbox filled with more canvas panels. I have frames there and will paint sizes for those frames. I am packing clothes for all types of weather..it being April anything can happen.

I am painting with my two painting buddies and we are going to the Blue Ridge mountains to paint. We plan to get at least 2 paintings a day...that doesn't mean successful ones...just attempts. Our job is to show up and then see what happens. We can have 4 paintings in the show. The work will be hung Thurs pm. so we have 4 days to paint. 

Some paint-outs require checking in, getting canvases stamped...this one is wonderful because we are invited by the gallery and we are trusted to paint plein air...no more than 20% "tweaking". 

Consequently this is always a strong show with a variety of subject matter. This show also attracts a wonderful group of plein air artists from all over the country. It is always fun to see what everyone chooses for subject matter as well as how they paint the subject. 

I also enjoy visiting with my collectors and artist friends. Check out my website for more information.