Community & Story Time

Friday, May 17, 2019, began a two day competition, the 8th Annual Fuquay-Varina En Plein Air Paint-Off. This was the fourth year I have participated. Once again, the Downtown Association hosted a great art experience for our community. Thanks to all who contributed your time and energy. A special thanks to my sponsors, Commissioner Marilyn Gardner and the Fuquay-Varina Women’s Club.

I was assigned the current library at 133 South Fuquay Avenue, which will be relocating to 130 North Judd Parkway. I had scouted the site earlier in the week and decided to incorporate figures into the scene using photos of volunteers who visited the first day.

The first two hours I sketched the library with pencil onto my 30” x 40” canvas, stopping frequently to solicit photos from library visitors or explain the event. I decided I wanted to use the lighting at 11 AM, following Baby Story Time. By midafternoon, I had collected all the images I could use to show figures in the middle ground.

I used three acrylic colors to fortify my pencil lines and create an underpainting wash.

I began using oils to define the trees and sky for the final hours of Day 1.

By noon on Saturday I had begun developing my figures and the background.

I continued to have a lot of interest and support from the community through the day, although I didn’t chat as much, since our 5 PM deadline approached. This family was one of several who returned to check my progress. They had posed as models for me in the Crepe Myrtle tree the day before.

At 4:45 PM I signed the painting, ready or not, time was up for the competition. I walked (it was too hot to run) across the street to the new Arts Center at 123 East Vance Street to submit my entry.

The artwork from the Fuquay and Varina districts were displayed for public viewing in the auditorium. I was honored with the support and encouragement from family, friends and visitors to the library. I received Peoples Choice Award as a result of their votes. Thanks to all of you and Eric Christofferson, owner of the Teacherage, who purchased the painting in the auction. The Community Library has a special place in the hearts of many residents. We are very grateful for a new facility which will provide more extensive services to our town as the Fuquay-Varina Branch Library begins its own story.

Racing the Weather

I recently participated in the 2017 Plein Air Paint Off, hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association. The event was held on April 21 and 22. A few days prior, I scouted out my assigned location, the Sunrise Community Park located between East Academy and Raleigh Street, in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. It is a private park that the locals call "The Fish Pond." I decided on the scene below anticipating the afternoon light, even though the sky was overcast on that day. I took reference photos of the resident geese so that I could incorporate them into the foreground.

Day 1 - Registration opened at noon on Friday, within an hour I got my gear set up and commenced to painting for 5 hours. The weather for Saturday was potentially going to have high winds, overcast skies, and eventually a thunderstorm. I had to get the scene captured on Friday because I might be painting from my car and my memory on Saturday. Some wonderful clouds rolled in during the afternoon and the colors were glorious. I had lots of visitors who came by to see the progress and through conversation, began to learn a little about the history of the house I was painting. The lake is called "The Fish Pond" because the "Fish" family owned and built that house. As I heard the story of the wonderful lady who still lives there and the Bible studies she gave for children, I started to connect the dots. I realized that this was where my friend, Barney Fish, the owner of Elmo's clothing store, must have grown up and that the woman with such a respected legacy is his mother.

For several hours the sun was still too high for the effect I wanted, but by the time I got the overall areas laid in, the drama of sun on the far right side of the house finally arrived.

As the sun began to slip behind the treeline, I was satisfied with my painting. I had a strong base to add detail to the following day, even if the weather cut my painting time short.

Day 2 - The following morning sparkled and glowed with all the promise of a hot spring day. 

I intentionally wore bright clothes so that the people out looking for the artist's locations would be able to spot me easily. The wind was more intense, but I followed the same strategy I had used the day before. I would work on the trees when the water was ruffled and switch to the reflections when it calmed down. I also took the liberty of pulling some of the more interesting tree forms into the painting, even though they were outside the actual window of the scene.

Neighbors in the community came down throughout the day to enjoy the lake. I had a lot of visitors and really enjoyed talking with them. People are often afraid they will interrupt my "zone" when they approach me painting in public. I used to be more nervous about being watched, especially if I didn't like my painting. I realize now that people so seldom get the opportunity to see the process of artists creating. It is a visual concert that inspires others of all ages to explore art and creativity. Now, I plan that into my outings and I never feel interrupted by the rich social exchanges that inevitably result when I paint en plein air.

When I was satisfied with my trees and reflections, I started laying in the geese and ripples for the final details. We ended up having our full time allotment to paint, which worked very well for me. I am a slow painter and need that time to create the details I enjoy. The first raindrops fell as I packed my gear into the car and headed for the drop off location.

I was immensely satisfied with the painting. It captured the landscape and light that I was striving for, as well as the sense of beauty I received from the social aspect of the experience.

I was delighted when I discovered at the auction that I had won 3rd place in the competition. I can't wait for next year! Thanks to the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association for organizing another great event for our community!

Something Had Changed

I just returned from a short vacation trip which I have named the Marvelous Miata Mountain Adventure. While the primary objective was to find winding scenic byways that would be fun to drive, I was looking for opportunities to work in some plein air painting. Silver Run Falls seemed to present that opportunity.

I had read that there were some smaller cascades upstream, so following a steep climb up a mass of roots, we waded barefoot through the rhododendron thicket.

I found a lovely cascade with two flat rocks in the middle of the stream, perfect for Paul and I to use for seating.

There wasn't much room to spread out my gear, but I sketched the composition and set out paint on my disposable palette.

As I began to lay in my dark areas, I realized the stream looked completely different. Something had changed, but what? In the moments it took to prepare my paints, the water had begun to rise. I hadn't factored in the afternoon rain's effect on the mountain stream.

I quickly sketched in my basic composition, but my determination wasn't going to keep my pants dry. It was time to pack up and go back to the car.

I tried to save my paint, thinking I might get to work later off the photo after we got to the hotel. It started to drizzle as we climbed back down the root wall. Ah, well, we made another memory!

Flora Focused

Flora and I got permission to paint at this beautiful farm in Kipling, NC. It was one of those oppressively hot July days with high humidity. We both love these old out buildings and when we saw that the land was for sale, we headed over to see if we could paint them. We took photos, then set up our gear and started painting.

Flora chose a view back toward Hwy 401. 

I decided to try painting the peanut rows, instead of the sheds, because it was getting hot so fast. I wasn't sure I could get the sheds completed in our window of time. You can see my set up beside the truck. 

The farmer needed to spray the field while we were there. Now if you are like me, you don't realize how all this farm equipment works.

 The tractor is like this huge transformer, with spraying arms that fold out a loooong way.

The spray isn't supposed to be harmful, and had a very faint smell like moth balls. I didn't notice any ill effect. 

Flora was focused and kept right on painting, while I was going crazy with the camera.

I finished with a good color reference and added a bit of detail later at home. I'm looking forward to doing some studio paintings from my photos of the sheds. 

Wilting With Peanuts

I went out this week in spite of the heat to do another plein air painting. I chose a site off Hwy 401 where I had previous permission to paint. I was able to pull under the shade of some trees. I started about 9:30AM and laid out simple composition of a peanut field facing east.

I had several people stop to take my picture and chat with me about what I was doing. I don't mind at all, because it offers an opportunity to stimulate interest in art and to promote both myself and the Fuquay-Varina Arts Council, where I am a member. The only downside was that the temperature kept creeping up and after the previous night's rain, it started to feel like a sauna.

One of the challenges in plein air painting is the constant change of the light. The shadows move or the sky becomes overcast and all the colors change. In this case, both the peanuts and I began to wilt seriously!   

I was drinking lots of water and staying in the shade, but after adding the last highlights, I was glad to pack up and head home. 

"Peanuts in July" 6" x 8" Oil on Canvas Board

Hidden Hazards En Plein Air

In early June, I needed to paint three good paintings for a July show with my PaintNC group. I decided to spend a day painting en plein air at Raven Rock State Park. The morning was beautiful with lots of clouds passing quickly, a steady breeze, and moderate temperatures. I hiked to Fishtraps first. The river was high, so I found a little rocky ledge along the bank and sat down to paint for a few hours. The mayflies were swarming, but since they don't bite, I was happy to share the space with them.

After a few hours, the clouds began to build, so I hiked on to the base of Raven Rock to start a second painting. Years prior, I remembered sharing a picnic with my son on a large flat rock that jutted into the river. I thought maybe it would have a good vantage point for painting, but since the bank was steeper and the foilage dense, I couldn't find it at first. When I finally spotted it, I was surprised that it was already occupied by two large snakes. Avoiding poison ivy vines, I crawled as close as I could to get a good view, took photos and sketched the couple. Later I was able to identify them as Northern Water Snakes, a nonpoisonous species. 

I spent the rest of the afternoon painting the dynamic rock outcropping where ravens used to roost, earning the name "Raven Rock" as a landmark along the Cape Fear River. Midafternoon a rumbling of thunder and increased wind were accompanied by a little rain, but I only received a gentle misting under the tree canopy.  

At the end of the day, I headed home with two satisfactory paintings and had avoided the few flora, fauna, and weather hazards sometimes encountered en plein air.

My New Website!!

In the beginning.... there was a husband who set up a blog for a poor technology challenged artist-wife. 

Stay tuned as I begin this new adventure and share the fun things I find along the way!