In my current study of painting in acrylics, I'm finding the many options possible with this paint to be daunting! I've been working for a year, and nearly every day since November, and have so much yet to explore! One thing I've been thinking about is the beautiful transparency of certain colors (thalo blue, yum!).…
This weeks painting adventure is along the Stonycreek River in Somerset County, PA. I’m working on letting go of my dependence on realism. It’s continuing to be a challenge. Stony Creek River #1: stage 1 Off to a good start- painting the energy and heat of the rocks and the river that scattered them. Late…
1. June Lake No.1 This past weekend I went in search of a natural swimming hole & came upon the Quemahoning reservoir. Such stunning landscape! After a deeply satisfying ( and chilly!) swim, I set out to paint in a new direction. I’ve heard variations on this suggestion from several sources. Basically: “Let go of…
Enjoy this 360° video from the NYT that takes you to the Michoacan forest in Mexico: Basking in Butterflies Check out this wonderful 360° video of the Michoacan forests, destination of the migrating Monarchs. (sorry I wasn't able to embed.) Every year, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate from eastern Canada to Michoacan, Mexico. Step inside a…
I had a wonderful time at the Small Press Expo in Bethesda MD today, with my companion Maddie who is 14. We each went to different panels and met up to compare notes. I am new to the world of contemporary comics and I have to say: WOW! It was such a vibrant scene - the exhibit hall was…
My neighbor, naturalist Patrice Gribble-Fetter, was on TV this week, sharing about the Monarch research and support going on at Old Maryland Farm. The farm grows milkweed expressly for the Monarchs. See how they tag the butterflies, and also film clips of the huge migrations to Mexico. https://youtu.be/-Jc028u-uSY I also learned about the Baltimore…
I try to get out and paint plein-aire from the Yoshino cherries during their brief and glorious blooming. It's always unpredictable! This year it seemed imminent, then a cold front delayed their progress, then BAM! an explosion of flowers. When I first came to Washington, I expected something gaudier. I was amazed by the subtle…
The March Equinox Arrives At this moment of Equinox (latin 'equal night'), the Northern Hemisphere crosses out of winter. Preparations for Passover and Easter are underway. Dormant buds are preparing, or indeed bursting, into bloom. I'm poised for my annual cherry blossom painting frenzy. The ospreys returned last Thursday, immediately busying themselves with nest-building. All living…
I've been grumpy about the unseasonably warm weather - over 70° leading up to Christmas just didn't feel right. But heading into the end of the year, Voila! And it's so crispy cold that the bay has frozen. There is a beauty to the frosted morning, a certain chilled pink and blue glaze over lawns…
On October 17-19 I was on retreat with my AWWG sisters in Mathews, VA. I had never visited this part of Virginia before and was smitten with the peace and big sky. This is a bit of my scribblings. In the Tidewater we have our own weather. Pattern: clouds march offshore, moving south along the coast. Clear inland.…
