Rendezvous!

Bruce and I went to Rendezvous in Eureka, Montana this weekend. The Black Powder group sets up a primitive camp and hold all sorts of black powder events, long rifle shooting, ax throwing, etc. I love the costumes. I hope I can generate some paintings from some of these photos. These two are great but I especially like that self-possessed young man. I wish I knew why it is always cold, windy and gloomy for this event!

Post Nuttall workshop two

The face planter

This was my second watercolor in Scottsdale. Now if I could just carve out a few minutes from all the other stuff that's going on so I could paint....

Post Nuttall workshop

 This was my first water color from the workshop.

 

And this was the watercolor Ted Nuttall developed as he taught us. Please note, it is not completed.

Argh, I have been so busy since I got home, I haven't had time to paint!

Opinions please

This is my original painting of "Fred the Fierce".

This is test1 with one window.

This is test2 with no windows. I wasn't that happy with Fred but I wasn't sure why. Now i think it is the background. Once again I have broken the rule of relying too heavily on a reference photo. But I was trying to do something different with the background. I think the three windows are too overpowering. I kinda like the offset one window. I would appreciate your opinions and why.

Thank heaven for photo repair so that I can play with this on the computer before I actually repaint it.

Getting ready for the Wings show

 Luna 16x16 acrylic

I'm getting ready for the art show for "Wings Over the Rockies". It will be the first show of the summer season. I don't have birds...I was in more of a wolfie frame of mind. "Luna" is one of my three pieces.

Scottsdale Art School

Scottsdale Art school is a beautiful facility.

I am finding Ted to be a very good teacher. I think he is better suited to a more advanced class. His demos are mesmerizing. His work looks loose but it is so very not! Each stroke is thoroughly thought out and deliberate, then he goes in and does some things that make it suggest looseness. His colors are amazing!

Ted Nuttall workshop

Having a great time in the Ted  Nuttall workshop. He is a slow and deliberate painter (despite the loose look of his paintings). Painting slowly is a real challenge for me, painting in watercolors is a challenge because I haven't used them for so long. Lots of technical information but he really explores theory. My little brain may explode.

First attempt.

OH, I'm going to Arizona with a banjo on my knee!

I am going to attend a workshop with Ted Nuttall in Scottsdale artist school next week. I am very excited and hope to have photos and info to share. It is a watercolor still-life (still-life, urk!) course. This should take me right out of my comfort zone!!

Ted makes beautiful watercolor portraits:

 

I am very excited to take his course.

Spring Cleaning Sucks!

Kootenay Decor   16x16 acrylic

I am cleaning and purging, cleaning and purging....argh! I wish I was wealthy enough to hire people to do this for me. The trouble with having a large house is that you fill it up with all kinds of crap! And I hate letting go of stuff. I'm hanging onto clothes that I haven't worn in years (or never worn!) It must go. Chairs must go. Stuff must go!!

Recycling

A painting of the "heritage" building on our property. I can't believe I made this in 2009 or that I have been blogging since 2007.

The rich get richer...

Senators get automatic $2,900 pay boost after MP’s vote to increase their own salaries.

 

 http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/raise+also+gives+senators+salary+bump/8191046/story.html

Wish the Canadian government would emulate President Obama.

 

"Obama To Return 5 Percent Of His Salary In Solidarity With Furloughed Federal Workers"

 

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/obama-salary_n_3008600.html

Bike weather

Mattie and Annie share a bike   16x20 acrylic painting

I have a number of vintage photos with people and bikes. This will be one of the themes for this year.