MORE ART!

Here are more pieces from the last paint out in Cle Elum. Enjoy!

"Rocks Study" 12x12 on linen

"Teanaway Road" oil on linen, 12x9

"Salmon La Sack" oil on linen , 9x12

"River Dance" oil on linen 11x14

"WELCOME TO ROSLIN"

"Welcome to Roslin" is a title of my new plein air piece, which received a Best in Show cash award at the 6th Annual Fresh Air Festival in Cle Elum/Roslin - Both of my award pieces are for sale. Free shipping in the USA as always .

"Welcome to Roslin"oil on linen, 11x14 - $650

What a fun, exciting  and fruitful plein air expedition we had: a week of painting open fields, river rifts, and green miles. In addition, we all participated in an artist competition that was part of the Fresh Air art festival and took a workshop with Ned Mueller.  I also provided a three-day workshop to my students. 

I am particularly pleased to announce that two of my plein air paintings  received cash-prize awards: "Six o'clock Sky" received a second place and "Welcome to Roslin" won Best in Show.  Moreover, my talented student Peggy Dare collected about four different awards.

As an artist who is totally obsessed with the subject and beauty of the surrounding nature, I sometimes forget about comfort and paint like mad, rain or shine.  However, as an educator and art instructor my main rule "Safety and Comfort" for my students is the number one priority:

First we locate the shade or shelter 

        Second we locate the restrooms

Third we find the spot to paint

In addition to the beauty of the surroundings, safety and comfort was one of the reasons I took my dedicated group of painters  to Salmon La Sack park.  Even in 100- degree heat, we were able to paint under the shadow of old trees, while enjoying a cool river breeze.  As my student Jackie called it,  a "Spa experience of a Plein Air" - I'm all up for it!

               

"6 O'clock Sky" oil on linen, 12x9 - $550

That's what Jackie called a "Spa experience of Plein Air "

"Peaceful Backwater"

My last plein air expedition to La Conner went great. The weather finally cooperated, and we had a perfect condition, perfect spot and fantastic company. My students are talented, dedicated and courages people. They followed me and painted with me shine or rain. They all became close friends, so I'm a grateful, proud and happy educator :)
Here is one of 3 pieces I painted there.

"Peaceful Backwater" oil on linen, 12x18 ,$ 500.00

And some pics from that beautiful location - Wylie Wildlife Refuge in Conway, Wa

"Wet-on-wet" pleinair paintings

Yes, that's right, it's meant to be ironic. It's got as wet as can be. My workshop in La Conner is officially called " Brave Hearts of Art" ..lol. For 3 days the weather gave us challenges and hardships, but we finished, had a few laughs about, and more then a few sweet paintings.
We had a great advantage because a bridge sheltered most of my students while they painted.
Although some of us did decide to fight the elements with umbrellas.
The best brand for us was a Shadebuddy - http://www.judsonsart.com/pleinair/pc/ShadeBuddy-Umbrella-Set-with-Shoulder-Bag-p916.htm - and also a fishing umbrella.
Here are some photos from the workshop. 

Me

The bridge simply was a life saver 

"MARINA" charcoal on paper

I'm so ecstatic to announce a first place win in the drawing category of the Edmonds Art Festival juried show! The award winning piece is "Marina", my charcoal drawing of a friend Marina Solomina.

"Marina" charcoal on paper, 18x24 - $550

MY SELECTED SUBMISSIONS

My submitted paintings have been recently accepted into 2 prestigious shows : NOAPS 14th Spring On-line art competition and exhibit and Annual Edmonds Art Festival Juried show. Bellow is my pieces accepted. Very happy and exited to be part of the both exhibit 3 years in a row.

"First Morning if Spring" oil on linen, 24x18 -$1200.00

"Russian Tea' oil on linen, 20x20 - $1200.00

"Marina" charcoal - 650.000

MORE PLEIN AIR

Yes, this is the time for it! Sweet Summer is here and my classes was moved to a Fresh Air.
We paint outside in various parks of Seattle. Sessions always start with the demo. My students prefer to observe me to paint and then to apply the theory we studied prior, to their own canvases.
Before get committed to any color harmony or paint application, think of your design and a placement .
It'a all boiled to a composition. Things you have to consider in composition - unequal space division Creating a focal point, avoiding tangents,  active and passive mix, baselines and ground contours, counterpoint, directing lines, entering point, inequality, repetition with variety, rhythm, shape simplification, shape variety.