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My piece, “Spring Has Sprung” is a 9” x 12” oil on oil primed linen backed by gator board which was completed over two days, on location at the Volkening Heritage Farm in Schaumburg Illinois. 

Even though my second day of painting had been a long day, I spent it outside painting on location in the company of two draft horses, who would on occasion check out my progress, along with a few roosters and their hens. The sounds of the farm and nature were my music today as well as the many school children who walked by showing their love and appreciation.  I was close enough to the barn to hear the lectures given by staff and all the questions asked about farm life and about the two draft horses who were a big hit with the kids.  I could not have asked for two better days spent on this farm painting this serene landscape.  

While finishing up on this piece, a wonderful gentleman came walking through with his daughter. A walk he has done regularly with his daughter throughout the years. He loved the piece and wanted it for his daughter as a piece of memory, a forever link to this yearly ritual.  He firmly believed we were meant to meet as do I.   I am so grateful and humbled to be in the right place at the right time.  When one of my pieces is admired and then purchased, it is also a wonderful way to validate all the hard work I have done over many years to be were I am at at this stage with my work. 

Delivering this piece on time did turn out to be a challenge.  I began to wrap it up and pack up about 30 minutes before delivery knowing the Prairie Center for the Arts was just a minute or two down the road.  In my rush to get it there on time, I forgot how to get there!!  Thank heavens for google maps on my phone which turned out to help me with directions a little quicker then my GPS machine.  I did end up at the wrong building but thanks to the staff in the building, they gave me directions to go through their building and across the courtyard. I literally ran with a newly framed, wet painting in which I made it with a minute to spare!

My piece is part of the Prairie Plein Air Competition in which I have participated in regularly over the last 4 years and will be on display at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Ct(The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and on many evenings and weekends. Call 847.895.3600 for more info), from May 17 through June 30.  The awards ceremony and Reception will be on Thursday, May 25 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

May 6, 2017,  A Celebration of Wildflowers and Art

I love this plein air art event which is organized and hosted by the McHenry County Conservation District at Coral Woods in Marengo IL.  The timing of this event is a great way to begin a new season of plein air painting, with the subtle colors of the spring green just beginning to emerge.  The native wildflowers of the region are subtle but offer a variety of color, shape and textures upon the landscape.  The weather can be challenging this time of year and yesterdays forecast was to be cool and raining until 10 am.  We were very lucky in that the rain ended in the wee hours of the morning and left us with dry weather for the event.  The temperatures were cool and dressing in layers for a 8 hour event is so important.  Even with that, I put on extra layers when I got home because of the chill I had catch from standing outside for that long of a period of time.

I am honored to paint along side my fellow artists.  The art work produced that day was beautiful and unique to each individual.  Receiving a 2nd place award is a humbling and wonderful feeling as well as a great way to validate all of my hard work over the years.  I can not image just how hard it is for a judge to chose from all of the wonderful work that was created by each Artist.