Deep into October
Its been raining off and on all day, the leaves are falling with the rain drops, and the skies are a mass of gray. The colors of autumn never cease to bring one to pause and just stare. The other day i longed for a camera, it was brilliant light that stopped me in my tracks by the back door of the farm house, light shining on the red geraniums, the enamel water bins, and pumpkin, and the three remaining chickens in my diminishing flock who had chosen that very moment to squat and wallow into the sunny warmth of the cement slab at the back door. It was a moment I spent etching it into my brain.After hosting a solo exhibit of work by artist Kristi Roenning over Labor Day weekend, and several weekends of house guests at the farm, I have moved my easels back to their spot and rolled out the paint cart, suddenly I realize I am out of canvas. I managed to do two small studies, in August, holly hocks that were begging to be painted, inspired a larger piece as shown below. I also pursued some printmaking activity in August, signing up for a workshop with artist Donna Brown in her printmaking studio just a few miles down the road. One of the pleasures of living in Door County is the proximity to so many talented people. the resulting mono prints included several versions of magpies and a moody tree study, as well as a formal abstraction in multi colors. Play at its best. And since I am currently short of canvas, I started to coat heavy smooth watercolor paper with gesso, and have played around with waterbased oil on paper taped to masonite boards. It seems to work.
High Plateau Hollyhocks, September 2016 water based oil on canvas
18"x18"
This piece made the cut recently in the Annual Juried Five County Exhibition at the Miller Art Museum, Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin.
This annual exhibition opens November 5 with a public reception 3:30-5pm.
