February 30 in 30, Day # 11

30 paintings in 30 days.

Today is a commission piece.

I had a great time at the Nicholas Conservatory last night. We were painting orchids as a part of the In Full Bloom; The Orchid Exhibit. It was a great opportunity to tell people about the Rockford Art Guild and JR Finally Art.

Crab Apple BlossomsII

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

NFS

New friends, Jim and Vicki

Pam, The Guild President

Cristi

Beth and John, the Vice President.

February 30 in 30, Day #10

30 paintings in 30 days

In celebration of  In Full Bloom; The Orchid Exhibit at The Nicholas Conservatory, The Rockford Art Guild wild be hosting a  Make and Take this evening, 5:30 -7:30pm. Come on down and paint an orchid on Yupo paper with alcohol inks. It's free to everyone that has purchased a ticket for the exhibit. These are the sample orchids hopefully showing the many varieties and colors they come in.

Be sure to visit the Conservatory again next week as the Rockford Art Guild has a show of art February 14th - 25th.

Nicholas Orchids

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Yupo

The exhibit runs through March 11th. 

For More Info on the In Full Bloom- the Orchid Exhibit click here 

September 30, WIP Nicholas Coconuts

Day 39

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Well, I had some problems with keeping up with posts etc. the last few days.
I'm still working on a few pieces; this one, the YMCA building and the house all of which I have progressed a bit. One is a commission I'm hoping to finish this weekend along with a dog commission. The other two I'm hoping to have completed in time for Art Scene this Friday.

I will post finished pieces when they're done. This one is close to being finished.

Work In Progress

Nicholas Coconuts

Alcohol Inks and Pen

8 x 10

NFS

30 in 30. September 2, Morning Orchids

Day 2

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Each February the Rockford Art Guild 

hangs a show at the Nicholas Conservatory. 

It always coincides with their orchid show. I make sure I leave with a lot of new photos of possibilities to keep my soul warm during the winter months. Sometimes the quieter pictures take a while to get to. These orchids may not scream with vivid colors like some of the others but their simple elegance is undeniable.

Morning Orchids

Alcohol Ink and Pen

8" x 10"

$95

To Purchase Click Here

RAG at the Nicholas Conservatory

Last Saturday was the Rockford Art Guild's

 show at the Nicholas Conservatory.

As luck would have it, they had a tree out of blushing bromeliads to sell as a fundraiser. 

My Blushing Bromeliads looked just right to the side of the display.

Nicholas has their Orchid show running at the same time.
I always love to go and load up on some inspiration for new art.

Off to the studio to do some work!

September 30 in 30, Day 25

Day 25

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Again from the Nicholas Conservatory.
What a beautiful place it is.

Nicholas Orchids 2

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

$129

September 30 in 30, Day 9

Day 9

Help, I don't know the name of this plant that I photographed at the Nicholas Conservatory. I was attracted to the contrast in colors and the wonderful pinks mixed with the greens and blues.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

At the Nicholas Conservatory

Alcohol Inks on Yupo paper

11"x 14"

$129

 

I worked on this while I was at the Art Fair on the Square show at Lake Forest. The temperature was in the 90s. It was just terribly hot. But people came out anyway. All in all, it was a great show.

Thanks to my daughter, Samantha for all the help she is ALL THE TIME. 

I wouldn't be able to do all that I do with out her.

September , 30 in 30, Day 6

Day 6 brings us back to the Nicholas Conservatory 
and the Orchid Show from February.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Nicholas Orchids I

Alcohol Inks

11" x 14"

$129

Just a Note: 

I'm away at the Fair on the Square in Lake Forest, Illinois this weekend so I have posted a few days in advance as to not miss a day. 

Plein Air at Nicholas Conservatory

Some days you just have to Nike up and just do it!

I'm learning to plein air and I admit 
that it's very humbling.

It's never a bad thing to step out of your comfort zone and just go for it. When I took the plein air class with Richard Weber last Spring I freaked! What? Sit there and produce a painting in an hour that you're willing to show the class? Yikes. I was working in oils - which I love, but am having a rocky relationship with lately. In short, my work stunk. That's when I knew -there's only one solution. 
Do More and Do It Often.

I've gone out and bought myself a plein air easel and decided to work in watercolors and pastels for awhile until I feel a bit more comfortable. I'm even considering taking an oil painting class to help me get past this slump I'm having.

So I will continue plein air with the hope that I will learn to make faster decisions, work faster, get better at; mixing colors, drawing, painting and meet some awsome people along the way.

Yesterday, my friend, William J Ball and I had a great time painting at Nicholas Conservatory.

I can't wait until next session.

Nicholas Consevatory Show

I had a lot of fun hanging work for the Nicholas Conservatory Show yesterday along with my fellow guild members.

Here is Mosaic, a Rockford Art Guild collaboration.

 In honor of 60 years of art.

Mosaic

8 x 8 Panels

$25 each 

Show will be on exhibit at Nicholas Conservatory Show and Spring Art Scene 

Panels will be distributed after Art Scene

A few more pictures from the show...

 

Mosaic

My painting, Diane's Irises by Paula Marsh's beautiful piece.

Just in time for Spring, my painting, 

 Beth's Tulips is located by the beautiful iron door.

Come and join us Saturday for the opening reception 

10AM to 3PM.