Painted Forest Event

July 29th - Pope Farm Conservancy

Last year's Sunflowers at Pope Farm

We will meet for plein air painting in the morning.  (See Events Calendar for details)

 The sunflowers are planted up on the hillside again this year and hopefully will be close to peak blooming time.  

Vilas Park Follow-Up

It's been a while since we painted at Vilas but I thought I'd post how my painting that I started there ended up after additional work.  I almost tossed my (pretty rough) initial painting but am now glad I stuck with it.  And this is why I love oil paint, you can paint over and over again.

Tom Gilbert

Please Remain Seated

Plein air gear adapted for my mobility issues

Pastel studies at Cherokee Marsh

Plein air painting is challenging when you can't walk very far and have to sit to paint but this set up worked pretty well last week after our wonderful luncheon.  I used the little transport wheel chair to get the gear from my car to the site then set up the Shade Buddy Umbrella, 2 tripods with Heilman Medium Pastel Box on one and a Guerrilla Painter #17 Flex easel on the other.  It bothers my back to lean forward when I'm sitting and the Flex easel lets me get the painting surface up close.  The problem with sitting is not being able to frequently back up and see the painting from a distance but the next best thing is looking at it in a small mirror.  Kyle Martin suggested that at a workshop and he checks for errors in his composition this way.   I use an old makeup compact mirror and some painters use their cell phones.  The Flex easel is very well made and works well for pastel or watercolor.  It's attached to a ball head on the tripod so I can angle it as desired.

Painters in Action at Cherokee Park

Gretchen Twietmeyer

Jan Feyzi

Jan Norsetter

Ching Kung

Mary McCorminck and  Louise Kubista

Bystanders

Reisa Peters

Tom Gilbert

Patricia Duren and Terri Beckengle

Carol Watkins

July 7th Painting and Pot Luck

Ingrid Slamer, Jan Norsetter and Gretchen Twietmeyer in the art filled living room.

The hostess in her kitchen

Louise Kubista, Mary McCormick and Bob Turner on Marla's beautiful porch

Some of the morning's art work

More paintings from Cherokee Park

Carol Watkins with Jan Norsetter's  plein air paintings from the park; not only did Jan finish 2 paintings that morning but also framed them!  Talk about productive!  The group appreciated Jan's commentary on her approach to painting those scenes which was very instructive.

Marla's paintings on the porch

Mary painting from the porch and the gorgeous view of the marsh

Hungry painters

Marla Brenner very generously hosted a pot luck for the group and provided some great cheeses to sample; along with the painters contributions it was quite a spread for the hungry painters.  Thank you, Marla!!  A couple painters worked with the view from Marla's porch which was stunning.  It has to be one of the best views to be had anywhere in the state.  We also enjoyed the works by Marla and other painters that she has collected; there was much to be inspired by.  It was a great opportunity to meet more painters and learn more about art and making it from such an accomplished group.  What an ideal way to celebrate plein air painting in summer! 

Cherokee Outing

We had a very enjoyable outing this morning at Cherokee and I believe it was the best attended outing we've ever had.  Maybe because of the pot luck lunch afterwards.  Here is a photo of Gretchen and Jan Feyzi checking out painting sites.  The morning was a bit hazy with sun coming in and out with beautiful clouds.  And the large cottonwood trees there have such fine noble shapes.  A great day to paint.

Plein Air Painting: Cherokee Park July 7th, 8am

Please note Cherokee Park is not the same as Cherokee Marsh (see map below).  We will paint from 8am to 11:30 then have lunch at Marla's home nearby (see calendar for more info).

Jan Norsetter's painting from last year's outing at this location.