Rediscovery

The rediscovery of my love for Plein Air Painting is now complete. I spent 2 weeks driving around Coeur d’Alene ID and painting outside. The beauty of where we live has brought my artist’s soul back to life. The art expedition involved multiple trips, cruising around, and sightseeing till I noticed a great view. Then, stopping to hop out, set up the easel, and paint my heart out.

Barn Elkhorn Flats H0523 — 10″w x 8″h watercolor on 140lb wc paper/board cradle. Old barn in the prairie where Elkhorn Flats Wildlife Mitigation Unit is in Idaho.

3 Paintings

This was the first plein air I did during the art expedition. An old barn stopped me on the road and I had to back up to go see it. The old barn won an honorable mention ribbon and was the first painting sold in our booth.

Roadside Centurian Stump — 11″h x 14″ w oil on stretched canvas. Stump on slow vehicle turnout from Hwy 97 E side of Lake Coeur d’Alene ID 23.2 miles from I-90

I pulled into a slow vehicle turn out to let traffic go by, and this guy greeted me right up front and center. What a personality this tree stump has. He didn’t win a ribbon but there was one young man who fell in love with it. He went off and brought back his whole family to vote for it as the people’s choice.

Blooming Wet H0723 — 11″w x 14″h x .75″d watercolor, acrylic & ink on 140lb wc paper/board cradle. A wetland about 25 miles south on Hwy 97, full of blooming lilly ponds, grasses and wildlife named Thompson Refuge in Idaho.

This painting won the “People’s Choice” award for the plein air booth. Bloomin Wet is a close-up view from the bank of the water full of blooming lily pods, grasses, reeds, and lots of mosquitos.

1 Demo Painting

As described in a previous post, I did a demo of plein air painting from some fresh sunflowers in the booth during the Art on the Green show.

Single Sunflower — 4″ x 4″ wc on 140 lb paper from a plein air demo at the Art on the Green booth.

This small 4″ x 4″ demo sold.

Sunflower Plein Air Demo 2023 — 11″w x 14″h watercolor sunflowers demo at our booth in Art on the Green in Coeur d’Alene ID 2023.

Here is another sunflower demo that I intend to finish later in the studio.

55th Art on the Green

Jessica Bryant Art on the Green — Jessica Bryant is a watercolorist worth knowing and fun too!

The 55th Art on the Green ( AoG) Festival was a pleasure to experience. We had the distinct pleasure of being right next to Jessica Bryant’s booth making it possible to get to know her over the weekend. She is an amazing watercolor artist doing landscapes that just blow you away. A fascinating individual with so many interesting stories about traveling and painting in her life. Jessica’s beautiful brainchild started two years ago, to help with the KEA fundraising and increasing public awareness.

The Plein Air show was sponsored by both “Art on the Green” (AoG) and the “Kootenai Environmental Alliance” (KEA) non-profit. They promote, “clean water efforts” in the Lake Coeur d’Alene water drainage basin area. The booth celebrated area artists who participate in the creation of art that is created outside while experiencing the beautiful surroundings around the lake.

We were located in the middle, close to the food booths and the stage. The entertainment included great music and phenomenal singers all day. The music inspired people to get up and dance, and even some toddlers got up to dance to the music. A great family fun day for everyone.

Even though the plein air painting contest requires that I spend a lot of time in the two weeks prior looking for views and painting outside. It is worth putting up with the “sun and bugs” because I love painting outside so much.

Each day Fanie Van (first place winner), and I did plein air painting demos, using fresh sunflowers from my garden. People were relaxed and easy to talk with and were eager to cast their votes on their favorites for “People’s Choice”. A lot of the paintings were sold and it was a successful show all around. This will remain an event that I look forward to being a part of next year.

SIB Garden Show

We set up for the SIB (Spokane In Bloom) garden show this year at a beautiful local residence on the south hill.

SIB Garden Tour 01 “Hear the Wind Garden” is the creation of Jody & Todd Hechtman at 2020 E 23rd Ave, Spokane, WA. This is the front of their home where people entered the garden. The Hechtmans have a beautiful garden and home that is truly a hidden gem on the south hill. SIB Garden Tour 03 There are a lot of shady tree areas surrounded by beautiful landscaping and it feels almost like walking through a park. SIB Garden Tour 02

As you start down the path a very peaceful mood envelopes you. There are large trees, with equally impressive boulders with moss as you walk on the winding concrete walkway. SIB Garden Tour 04 SIB Garden Tour 05 You can’t help but notice the amazing assortment of beautiful blossoms and plants all around. SIB Garden Tour 06 SIB Garden Tour 07 SIB Garden Tour 08 Artisan booths are strategically placed encouraging talking and picture-taking of the wonderful horticulture skills on exhibit. SIB Garden Tour 11 There are gorgeous massive planters filled with a bright array of foliage. SIB Garden Tour 10 SIB Garden Tour 09 Stairs climb the small hills showing you what surprise hides around the next bend. SIB Garden Tour 12 It is a very worthwhile, and interesting little stroll to take. SIB Garden Tour 15 This is the real jewel to enjoy. It is a private little retreat to relax and enjoy a quiet little respite from city life. The back deck is a little piece of heaven to take a rest. SIB Garden Tour 14 SIB Garden Tour 13 SIB Garden Tour 16 More steps lead up to the exit walkway on the other side of the house where our booth was located. I did not get any pictures of our own booth after setup. Hopefully, someone at, “The Inland Empire Gardeners“ group got some pictures and would feel like sharing. If that is you please be sure to contact me and let us know.

This is one of the most enjoyable local events that we look forward to taking part in each year. The people visiting the gardens are interesting and intelligent. Talking about gardening with other gardeners is a lot of fun.

Terry Lee

Art in Coeur d’Alene ID

Terry Lee is a very talented artist friend of mine in Coeur d’Alene ID. Did you know we had such a talented individual living so close by? He has a beautiful website showing the galleries and types of work he does.

I just discovered this great YouTube Video about his monument sculpture process. It is quite informative. I am even going to take some sculpture classes when he has them. You wouldn’t believe the big sculptures in his studio. Inspirational.

Terry continues to be a wonderful inspiration to me in my own art. A truly cool dude! Check out his video! If viewing this inspires you, please like and follow him and help spread the word. Artists supporting other artists!

Art Show Invitation

I received an art show invitation to The Inland Empire Gardeners,

Spokane in Bloom 2019

SPOKANE IN BLOOM
GARDEN TOUR

June 18, 2022 – 10am-5pm

“Homeward Bound!”

There are Six Southside Gardens on the tour.

– 1122 E 20th Ave – Home is Where Our Story Begins

– 1720 S Rockwood Blvd – Home is Where Your Heart is

– 1724 S Rockwood Blvd – Home Sweet Home

– 5815 E 25th Ave – *Love Begins at Home

– 4521 E 56th Ave – There’s No Place Like Home

– 7525 S Regal Rd – The Best Journey Takes You Home

Along with the amazing gardens, there will be garden-related Vendors, Artists, and Music. Our booth will be part of that art this year at, The Best Journey Takes You Home” garden which is a French Country style located at 7525 S Regal Rd. Please come enjoy this day of exquisite gardens and come see the art at our booth.

*Lunch is not included in the ticket price, but, is available at one of the gardens. Tickets are available online through the sponsors, the Inland Empire Gardeners. ” Tickets – $15 available the day of the tour at the starred gardens or may be purchased ahead of time at Barn & Blossom, Blue Moon Garden, Gibson’s, Judy’s Enchanted Garden, and NW Seeds

Three Watercolor Paintings

Three East Basin Paintings

I dropped off three watercolor paintings for the show at the Spokane Art School. They are of my favorite subject, winter ski views admired during my ski patrol days. Snow scenes up in the mountains still hold a real dear place in my heart. I carried a camera with me when it wasn’t common for everyone to have a camera on their person.

If you have not participated in an art show before, you may not know what it looks like before the gallery goes to all the hard work of hanging the work. You walk in with your pieces of art, sign papers and stack them where they tell you to put them.

This is going to be a unique show displaying Spokane Watercolor Society members work. All of the paintings are small, and the same size at 8″ x 8″.

We used an alternative method of framing for this show where the watercolors are mounted on board, then waxed to seal them. I love this method of preserving a watercolor painting without having to cover it in the glass. When we are matting, and framing it under glass it often seems to make the painting harder to see under the glare. The colors are so vibrant and warm in this waxed method and I can’t wait to see the display of this wide variety of talent up on the walls of the gallery. There are many You Tube videos showing how to do this alternative method of framing for watercolor paintings, see Angela Fahr here.

Spokane Art School Gallery

811 W Garland Avenue., 99205

Phone: 509-325-1500

This gallery is on the south side of Garland near the milk jug in downtown Spokane. The art show runs from 7/10 – 7/31st, being open only on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 – 2:00 pm.

Unfortunately, we are not able to have an art show opening due to covid 19 restrictions. Three East Basin Paintings

But you can go see the show two days a week if you wear a mask. Hope you can get a chance to go see some really stellar work done by our local artists in the Spokane Watercolor Society.

Art is Gone

Art Gone

This art is gone. Here are the paintings and drawings that were sold at two recent community craft shows. These art pieces are newly adopted due to the Herculean efforts, of my dear friends who help me. I love it when art pieces find new homes! Not only does it help the pocketbook, but it also spreads love as it gives credibility to the endless hours spent throughout my artist life perfecting skills. Many, many, many hours.

Pen & Ink with Watercolor

Hummingbird Heaven J3019

Hummingbird Hovers Over A Sunflower J4019 — 9″h x 12″w watercolor on 80lb drawing paper.

Watercolors

Birch Autumn Passion J4119 watercolor

Huckleberry Five Study I2619 watercolor

Riverfront Park Clock Tower From Above D2219 — 9″w x 12″h watercolor on 140lb wc paper.

Riverfront Park Clock Tower D2219 watercolor

Yellow & Brown Sunflowers J3719 — 10″w x 14″h watercolor, on 140lb Fabriano paper.

Sunflowers Yellow & Brown J3719 watercolor

Pen & Ink

Hummingbird Heaven J3019 — 10″w x 14″h pen & ink on 300lb Arches wc paper.

Linx B0613 pen & ink

I remember seeing how a persons face transforms as they pick up a piece of my art, with their expression suddenly becoming full of awe and love.

Never doubt, how important art really is.

To me, witnessing this beautiful event is almost a magical experience. It makes the trials and tribulations with learning, practicing, and perfecting skills all throughout my life as an artist, seem totally worthwhile after all.

Larry and Linda Pointer are such wonderful blessings to me and many others. They included my art along with their own crafts, being sold to raise funds for their favorite tax deductible charity at these shows. People enjoyed the art and made comments along with their purchases. Linda saw the pleasure on the faces of the people, as they shopped at their table. Take a look at the charity they are supporting.

“HRC Ministries.”

Please feel free to donate, if you feel drawn to. Slavery – HRC Ministries is set up to assist with the escape and rehabilitation of people trapped in Human Trafficking (Sex Slavery).

These pieces of art have been discovered, chosen, and adopted into new homes. I am feeling quite positive about having more space in the studio, which I will just keep filling back up with art.

If you’d like something similar to any of these let me know, I’d be glad to make one for you on commission.

Chattaroy Church Craft Fair

desktop cosmos blossoms — 5 x 8 watercolor cosmos studies

The Chattaroy Church Craft Fair is this Saturday from 9 am-4 pm. It is easy to find off of Hwy 2, a white single-story church kitty corner across from the Chattaroy post office. I have attended this fair before and it was fun, chock full of wonderful hand-crafted items. Larry and Linda Pointer will have snowmen that Larry made and there was some talk of Linda’s pine cone creations too. I am unable to attend this year, thank you so much for including my art you two!

desktop huckleberry paintings — huckleberry watercolors

These small community events are wonderful as they inspire me to complete things in the studio. I just finished matting and bagging 9 paintings and one ink drawing that was laying around here. It feels good.

desktop plein air paintings — plein air watercolor on desk

Bloom in Spokane, Garden Tour

Spokane in Bloom Garden Tour 2019 is the most recent art show I participated, put on by the Inland Empire Gardeners Club of Spokane. It took place on June 15, 2019 from 10am-5pm and included 9 beautiful gardens on the south side of Spokane. South Hill has historic homes with gorgeous landscaping and gardens guaranteed to amaze you. Being an aspiring gardener myself, helped to make this show seem like a real attractive option to me.

Sam & Jane Joseph's home — Sam & Jane Joseph’s home

I was lucky to be scheduled to exhibit my art at the “Explore Seek Discover Garden” which is the creation of Sam & Jane Joseph at 1910 S Upper Terrace Rd, 99203. They were absolutely fantastic hosts!

The greatest part about this was the wonderful group of people who attended the event. They were a relaxed crowd, looking at all the wonderful plants and settings in each of the gardens. This event is well setup allowing attending crowds the freedom to take their time and experience each garden area. People were relaxed as they strolled around the gardens. It was fun to visit with them. We were all busy admiring our surroundings. There were shady areas to setup our booths making it a thoroughly wonderful show to take part in.

Bloom “ing” Sales

Original art pieces that sold along with prints at this show did seem to be garden related.

Dahlia Solitary, Pink (Single) C2019
Pink Dahlia Solitary C2019
Dahlia Triplet C2119
Dahlia Triplet C2119
Dandelion Picnic Sketch J1505
Dandelion Picnic Sketch J1505
Dragonfly in the Sun G1618
Dragonfly in the Sun G1618
Hummingbird Sketch B0705
Hummingbirds Pencil Sketch B0705
Riverfront Pavilion with Willows D2319
Riverfront Park Pavillion with Willows D2319

Spokane in Bloom is a show I highly recommend. The location was so beautiful, and the crowd so very friendly. I look forward to repeat showing at this event as many times as possible in the future.

SWS Member Show Opening

Last night was the Spokane Watercolor Society (SWS) member show opening downtown from 5-8 pm. It was at the historic community lobby for the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy on Main Street. This is an in-process shot of the piece I have in the show entitled “Crazy as a Loon” C1819.

loons in process — loon watercolor in process

I don’t typically do well with the crowds and sometimes feel like I am just surviving through attending an art show opening but, last night was different.

MaryLou, Lottie, Locklin, Jeff and Gloria.

We are 20 watercolor artists that have paintings hanging for the month in the lobby of the Community Building. Everyone in SWS sent out postcard invitations to our people to support the show opening on First Friday. I made it a point to only send my invitations to people I would like to see this time. Normally, I try to guess who may want to buy art, if I know people who would. But instead, this time my focus was on family and friends that I miss.

I honestly didn’t expect anyone to show up because I know how hard it is to make time to go downtown and attend these events. But I was entirely surprised by who took the time, to be there last night. I am so very lucky to have family and friends in my life as I do. Some of the people I contacted called to let me know they couldn’t make it, and then there were those who did come. This was a show opening that went by quickly and was a lot of fun.

Jeff Locklin and Gloria — Jeff and Gloria Reise with their little Locklin.

I was taking pictures and seeing that we were a roomful of people who appreciate creative arts, loving the exploration of all the art hanging and making purchases of the smaller originals on display. Many people participated in voting for the “Peoples Choice” award and the entire evening was a very positive gathering altogether. Lots of positive inspiration abounded and it feels like art is really an integral part of life. My time is not wasted in this endeavor. I am looking forward to the next show.