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Imagining the Possibilities
A crucial part of plein air painting is selection. When faced with all that visual information, it can be daunting to nail down what is to be kept and what is to be ignored. Scope creep is real. I study…
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A New Year and I Am Excited
A light frosting of white covers the faded colours of the landscape, the days are like inchworms, lengthening slowly and the Christmas season will be but a memory. I am not rushed to clear my home of reds and greens.…
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Selling Plein Air Paintings. Yes or No?
Sept 12, 2023 What do I do with all my plein air paintings? I have the oil paintings stashed on a shelf and the pastels are in a scrapbook. Every now and then, I take them out and see if…
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What Makes you Feel Most Alive?
Aug 15 2023 Why are we drawn to certain colours, smells, sounds and places? Imagine your ideal space. Is it wandering along a path in a scent-filled garden with vibrant blooms. Or standing upon a high peak with all the…
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When The Student is Ready, The Teacher Will Appear
June 4 2023 I truly believe that I can hear the same lesson multiple times over multiple years and then suddenly it becomes clear. Has that happened to you? My good painting friend, Helen Shideler and I have discussed endlessly…
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The Eyes Have It
Anyone who paints en plein air will attest that there is no substitute for painting from life. Cameras are tools, not creators nor visionaries. I experienced a reality check on the limitations of using my camera. The weather has changed…
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My Walls Are Empty
Mar 24 2023 And they are off! I have sent off my latest works to my local gallery. It is great to see them hanging on their walls. And that makes room for me to work on my next pieces. …
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Less is More: the Story of Competition
Mar 12 2023 Recently I joined an online program The Art Journey, with TJ (Tim) Cunningham. It includes: Monday Paint-a-Longs, Monthly Focus Workshops, Friday Critiques as well as an established landscape course. I wanted something that could push me a bit further.…
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We Are Shaking Things Up Feb 18 2023
February 18, 2023 When not painting in my studio, I am often painting en plein air with my good friend Helen Shideler. This winter, we were determined to get out as much as possible. I will be soooo glad when we…
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Why I m Selling Prints
Jan 17 2023 For the last forty years, a copy of William Harnett’s My Gems has graced the wall of our house. It is a still-life showing old books, sheet music, and an assortment of items that are arranged to draw the…
