Sally Anger Artworks Blog

Work in Progress

2012-01-30T09:27:00.002-05:00

I started on this abstract marsh painting this week. When I walked into my studio with my cup of coffee this morning, the light was creating interesting effects on the painting. It helped me figure out what I want to do next! Thanks sunshine...

History Project

2012-01-22T10:26:00.003-05:00

A dear friend at the History Place in Morehead City called me last month to ask for help. The person who was planning to create one of their murals for an upcoming exhibit had a family conflict and couldn't do it. I agreed to help out... Turns out it was a mural to depict World War I as part of a series on Carteret County's contributions during the wars. Not my usual cup of tea, but after some thought I came up with the idea of using poppies, in a tribute to the veterans of the war. I also incorporated the poem by John McCrae "In Flanders Fields...." Here's a shot of the work in progress. The show opens next Friday, January 27.

A new year...

2012-01-09T17:17:00.005-05:00

...has begun at Crosswinds. The sunrises in the January mornings have been spectacular. True inspiration for a new year of creative endeavors.

Crosswinds landscape

2011-12-07T11:42:00.001-05:00

...and here's the result of the plein aire session from the front yard... what a spot.

Plein Air Palette

2011-12-05T13:42:00.002-05:00

The marsh has been gorgeous all fall. The Salicornium plant turns color - beautiful yellow ochres, burnt sienna colors mixed in with bright yellow and greens. I've worked on a few landscapes out in the front yard. Here is my palette with a piece of the Salicornium on it and the marsh in the background.

Sunrise at Crosswinds

2011-11-27T16:51:00.003-05:00

We've been enjoying some incredible sunrises here this fall... I've attempted to capture a taste of this morning's pre-sunrise colors on video, doesn't do it full justice of course!

Latest commission

2011-11-13T16:09:00.002-05:00

This was a fun commission. The husband of a friend of mine wanted a painting of her in my choice of fun colors based on a photo from her when they were first married many years ago. I delivered it to them for her birthday and she loved it (phew!).

Through the looking glass...

2011-10-14T11:12:00.002-04:00

Here's a photo my friend Michael took of me from outside looking in through the window... I was concentrating on a new painting. You can see the reflection of the river in the window. Nice shot.

SeaFair Mega Yacht

2011-10-04T09:52:00.003-04:00

Just went through a wild wonderful week-end aboard the SeaFair, a mega-yacht decked out with 4 floors of gallery space. See www.expoships.com for some photos. She docked in Morehead City for the Seafood Festival last week-end, and I was fortunate enough to be one of the artists on-board. The state-of-the-art gallery spaces were a joy to use. Here's the gallery I was assigned. It was satisfying to have a body of work shown in the best possible conditions.

There was a steady pace of visitors to the ship. I did a painting demonstration most days and really enjoyed interacting with folks. A very successful week-end.

Latest commission

2011-09-29T07:40:00.003-04:00

The couple who commissioned the large, traditional oil painting of their daughter have given me permission to post a photo of the painting on my blog. Here it is. This was 36" x 60." A lovely subject.

Debussy

2011-09-20T17:24:00.003-04:00

Here is the painting that I mentioned in an earlier post about Debussy. I was one of three visual artists invited to create a painting based on one of Debussy's movements from the Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp. It was presented Thursday night to the accompaniment of musicians with the Carolina Chamber Music Festival.

I collaged the score of the movement on the canvas first, then collaged and painting the three instruments and painted a portrait of Debussy in transparent colors over that.

Good night Irene!

2011-09-07T10:54:00.001-04:00

I've been hard at work on a couple commissions, and then got interrupted by hurricane Irene. She was a big storm and they were having a hard time predicting how strong she would be... so we decided to board up and evacuate to Chapel Hill. When we got back to our little cottage by the river, we were relieved to find it had not flooded. The wind switched just in the nick of time to spare us water (and mud!) in the house... it came close though and the yard was a mess.

So after a week of clean-up things are returning to normal and I'm working double-time to catch up on my paintings. Feels good to be back in the studio.

A miracle

2011-08-21T14:15:00.003-04:00

I've been checking on the chrysalis pretty regularly. I went out on our screened porch about noon and instead of the chrysalis there was a beautiful swallowtail butterfly. I set the plant with him/her on it outside and it flew over to my Lantana. Wow. I noticed that the other chrysalis which was outside is empty now too.

Swallowtails

2011-08-14T09:49:00.005-04:00

The beauty of the natural world is such an inspiration. We were sitting out on our deck last week and saw a Swallowtail arrive and check out every herb plant until she found our parsley. She then proceeded to lay tiny little dots of eggs around the plant... we've watched them closely and they grew into little then big caterpillars - buying more parsley and fennel to feed them. Then a couple disappeared... after looking really closely all around I found two on my sage plant - one had already turned into a crysalis and the other was starting. I took these photos with my cell phone - will try to post some better ones later... Awesome!

Interesting Request...

2011-08-12T09:25:00.004-04:00

I received an interesting call last week from the folks at the Carolina Chamber Music Festival. They are doing an event in New Bern in conjunction with the Craven Arts Council called Debussy After Work Thursday, September 15. They will have three musicians (a harpist, a flutist and a viola player) playing the three movements of Debussy's Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp. They then invited three visual artists to each create a painting based on one of the movements. I was pleased to be asked to be one of the artists. I chose the final movement to inspire my piece. Here's a link to a YouTube video of it:

Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp

I've already gotten started on the painting and am having great fun with it, but won't share it here yet - I want it to be a surprise at the concert. If you want to come join us on the 15th, here's a link to more info at the Carolina Chamber Music Festival website.

Latest commission

2011-08-01T11:03:00.002-04:00

Those of you who follow my blog know that I don't usually publish images of the commissions I do, out of respect for the privacy of the sitter. However with my latest I was granted permission to do so.

This was a fun commission. Its of a local teenager and both he and his mom liked my big bold colors. This is the result. After mom got it home, she sent me an email in which she said that she showed it to her son, "I was watching his face when he saw the painting the first time. He had a smile on his face, a soft one, and said “It’s me."

More river influence..

2011-07-12T12:39:00.004-04:00

I've been working on a large (36 x 48) commission this week. Its in many layers of thick paint so in-between layers, while the paint dries, I've been working on some smaller sketches (16 x 20). Here's one. It reminds me of one of our neighbors who clams the river. Think I'll keep it as a rough sketch - seems to fit. I love being on a "working river" - many of my neighbors work the river - for clams or oysters or fish. Their knowledge of the river is amazing. I love it here.

Bounty of the River...

2011-07-05T09:32:00.003-04:00

In addition to the wonderful light and views, we have been enjoying the bounty of the Newport River as well... right out our front door are crabs, clams, shrimp, oysters, fish. Amazing how much life is in this nursery area of the river.

Food is one of my art influences - I started out painting large paintings of peppers. The colors and shapes are wonderful... I also did large fish paintings when I started out - perhaps its time to come full circle? The fish we catch are so beautiful when they first come out of the water - their colors are brilliant and translucent. More inspiration!

Splendid Storm

2011-07-02T14:36:00.002-04:00

Our parched coast was so happy to see these storm clouds roll in a couple days ago. So beautiful to see the storms roll in over the river. I love my studio here...surrounded by beauty every day.

"Nonchalance"

2011-06-26T08:33:00.002-04:00

Finished this painting up in time for this week-end's Bridgeton Riverfest. I especially like the texture in this one...

Ripples...

2011-06-16T17:10:00.003-04:00

Exploring new ways of adding pattern and texture to paintings. Here's the latest idea...together with a detail showing the "ripples" of color.

Latest Artist Statement

2011-06-12T15:46:00.001-04:00

"What was any art but a mould in which to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself - life hurrying past us and running away, too strong to stop, too sweet to lose."

~Willa Cather

The paint is squeezed out of the tube. Mixed with another color or two. Another color is squeezed and mixed. They start to sing next to each other on the palette – imagine what they could do on the canvas… ideas start to snap, crackle and pop… which way to go… no fear, just dive in, can always do the other idea next time…grab a palette knife, swirl some color, make a line, dance with an image. Live it.

Philadelphia

2011-06-11T18:57:00.003-04:00

Had a good show at the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show last week-end. I finished the 6' x 6' in time and she looked good when the light came out, as in this photo.

Progress...

2011-05-28T16:02:00.002-04:00

Here's the latest progress on the 6 x 6 foot painting...

Revisions

2011-05-27T16:57:00.003-04:00

One thing I've been doing this year is taking paintings from the last couple years that aren't quite right and re-working them. It is satisfying when you can bring it further along... This week I've been working on re-doing an abstract that I liked quite a bit, but felt it needed a little "more." So after playing around with it... a face emerged (but of course!). Here's the work in progress as well as the original. I like the direction its taking. Did I mention that it's big? Four 3 x 3 foot canvases, so it's 6 x 6 feet! I am so much happier when I can stretch out on a big canvas...

New work

2011-05-26T10:30:00.003-04:00

Here's my latest. I'm working hard to prepare for the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show in Philadelphia next week!

Best in Show!

2011-05-15T14:49:00.003-04:00

Wow, this 3' x 4' painting was awarded Best in Show Purchase Award at the Craven County Art Council and Gallery's 2011 juried Regional Art Show on Friday night! Now it will go into their permanent collection. I am humbled and honored by the award. I do like this painting and am happy that it will be resident there among my many friends in Craven County.

Its called "Soft Eyes." The New Bern Sun Journal did an article on the show.

Latest...

2011-05-05T16:42:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite quotes is by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin:

L'amour est la plus universelle,
la plus formidable, et
la plus mysterieuse
des energies cosmique.

It was the inspiration for my latest painting, which I plan to enter in the Craven County show tomorrow. This started out as a drippy abstraction, then I added in the words and then created the face from the whole melange. Its hard to see the colorful abstract detail in the small post here, so I included a detail shot to try to convey it. It has good energy.

Update: decided to wait and work on this some more before entering it in a show... I like its energy but its still a little too dark.

Squiggles

2011-04-26T11:59:00.003-04:00

I wanted to create some works on paper. I have some beautiful French-made Arches 300 lb. paper that was just crying out for some creativity. That combined with some Golden GAC mediums that make the paints really drippy resulted in these experiments. I dripped these images of faces directly on the paper without any drawings... of course only 1 out of 3 worked... but I'll make something different out of the ones that didn't work. Its fun and scary and rewarding when it comes through.

Spring Moon

2011-04-22T17:56:00.003-04:00

Every day brings a beautiful new delight at Crosswinds. We've now seen dolphins, red drum tailing near shore, many species of birds (from hummingbirds to bald eagles), daily clam-diggers and crabbers working the river... we're starting to get into the rhythm of River Time. Like most folks in the Mill Creek area, we're finding ourselves loathe to going to town! Why bother when you can get clams, crabs, fish right outside your door?.... once the garden's in it will be hard to leave...

Another view...

2011-04-07T14:32:00.002-04:00

Just love this new studio space. I feel at home here.

Studio by the Sea...

2011-04-05T14:07:00.003-04:00

...its hard to believe but a wish I have had for a long time has finally come true. I'm moving into my studio by the sea. I love it here. Its in a little cottage on the Newport River (a salt water river that leads to the ocean). I'm only about 20 minutes from my old place. The light here is so wonderful, its going to be an incredible inspiration... more to follow. Here's the view from my studio, and the sunrise.

New work for New Bern

2011-04-03T18:53:00.003-04:00

Here's a 24 x 30 painting I submitted to the Twin Rivers show at the Bank of the Arts Show in New Bern. Fun experimentation with a new color palette.
Update: This painting garnered 4th place in the show.

Croatan marsh work in progress...

2011-03-15T10:16:00.004-04:00

I've been out camping in the local Croatan National Forest campground. Got started on a marsh view from the Neusiok trail. I love to paint outside at this time of year - not hot and no bugs yet. I was out there for several hours and didn't see anyone. This isn't finished yet but its a nice start... the marsh almost looks like velvet in places, and the spring colors are changing each day. Hope to get back out there soon to finish this up.

New work...

2011-03-07T15:50:00.004-05:00

Took a couple paintings to New Bern Artworks yesterday to be a part of the members' show. They will be a part of the March 11 art walk. Feels good to be back at work!

Progress...

2011-03-03T16:24:00.003-05:00

Here's the latest... exploring a new palette for spring.

Works in Progress

2011-03-03T14:23:00.004-05:00

Back to work in the studio. Feels good to be swirling some paint around... here is (for me) a small work I've started...12" x 16" acrylics.

juicy blues

2011-02-10T12:04:00.001-05:00

...another clayboard start...

More Clayboard experiments

2011-02-09T16:42:00.002-05:00

Still playing around with transparent color on Clayboard. Its such a versatile surface and can go so many ways. This week I've experimented with several approaches, and plan to work each surface alot more... but here's an example of a first layer. Love the transparency you can get...

Morning inspiration

2011-01-30T16:42:00.002-05:00

The last two days have warmed up and I've gotten up at sunrise to walk down to the little beach near my house. Both days I've first heard, then seen dolphins. It is such beautiful light...

Explorations

2011-01-23T16:51:00.002-05:00

Ok, finally at least got paint to canvas! Or in this case clayboard. I love how the paint soaks into the white clay covering and how liquid it can be. This calls for more exploration. Here's a sample 6" x 6" experiment... we'll see where it goes.

Natural Inspiration

2011-01-23T14:49:00.002-05:00

I've been spending alot of time hiking and exploring on the mild days interspersed in our Carolina winter. On a recent walk at the trail out at the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores I was attracted to the wonderful colors of the lichens on the bark of the holly trees there. I took a couple snapshots. These look like abstract paintings in themselves.

Nature influences me in so many ways - shapes and colors like these, and emotionally by the lift it gives my spirit.

Finally got back in the studio today after taking a break for awhile. Feels good. We had an unusual 6 inches of snow yesterday and it's reflecting glorious light into my studio. More inspiration! Hopefully I'll have something to show for it soon...

More weavings

2010-12-24T09:51:00.002-05:00

Still playing around with this weaving idea... Decided to try different versions on paper before going for it on the big canvas, so here I took a photo of each of the 4' x 5' paintings of a model. The two paintings were the same pose done in different colors... Cutting up each of the photos and "weaving" them creates some interesting effects. This is a rough draft, but it gives you an idea of the concept.

Back to the Studio

2010-12-17T16:15:00.008-05:00

During this hectic time of the year, I really felt like I needed a day to create in the studio. Finally took one this afternoon. I've been playing around with different ideas on what to do next. One idea stems from the fact that I have many canvases in half-finished states, or are just favorites from the past few years that are accumulating in my house. I thought about painting over some, but that rubs me the wrong way. So today I thought about taking two paintings and "weaving them together." I did this once in a watercolor class, but why not with canvas? If I use two acrylic paintings they can handle the manipulation... so I took a look at two versions of a painting of a model that I did each on 4' x 5' canvases.... hmm, perhaps I should start smaller.... so I played around with these abstract paintings I did a year or so ago. I had three of them, each on 18" x 36" canvases. I liked them well enough, but they needed a little more interest... So this is today's result.

The first image above is one of the original paintings. The second is the "weave" of two of them... the third is a detail shot of the weave. I'm really excited about how this came out, now I'm going to try it with the larger faces, but perhaps I'll play around with the colors of each first. Hmmmm...

Two in One!

2010-12-05T12:45:00.003-05:00

Fishing has become a new passion during this long warm autumn. Here I am catching two little bluefish in one cast! I never realized how much fun it is to hang out on the beach for an afternoon and catch your dinner...

Today the weather has turned colder, in the 40s, and my thoughts return to the studio. I am setting up my winter studio in the sunny west room of my house. Ready to get back in there and smear some paint around. Who knows what will come of it, perhaps fish will be an inspiration!?!

Light Paintings: Sally's Wish

2010-11-09T08:16:00.000-05:00

Light Paintings: Sally's Wish

Above is a link to my brother's blog. I love this image he created for me.

I returned home about a month ago. Haven't posted much because I'm not back in the studio yet - I've been busy getting my house organized and cleaning/tossing things. Its very liberating to get rid of "stuff" you don't need - in the house and studio... I feel like its going to free up my mind when I do get back to the studio too. And I have art ideas swirling in my head as I clean...

Sticks and Steel

2010-10-05T11:12:00.002-04:00

The gallery owner for Sticks and Steel in Sioux Falls invited me to drop off a few paintings after the Custer Show. Went down there last week with all of my paintings to allow her to choose which ones she wanted. She ended up displaying all of them! They look great in her shop, and we went back down for the Friday Art Walk last week. Good turnout. Here's how the Blue Buffalo look.

Big Buffalo Painting

2010-09-27T16:08:00.003-04:00

I decided to paint a large painting of a group of buffalo. It ended up as a triptych of three 30 x 48 canvases so that the final size is 48 x 90. This was great fun to work on. I really do prefer to paint on a big canvas, its liberating somehow...

I was finishing it up at the Custer show - people like to see how you paint...one lady asked "Why blue?" and I replied "Why not?"

Badlands Painting

2010-09-27T16:02:00.002-04:00

Camped at the primitive Sage Creek Campground on the western edge of the Badlands Park. Although it wasn't the dramatic Badlands view like the previous photo, it was beautiful country with softer hills and buttes. A couple large buffalo would lumber past each morning, and coyotes yipped in the night. I got a couple paintings done there - here's one of the view from the campsite. Its 20" x 40" acrylics.

Badlands

2010-09-22T14:58:00.002-04:00

I've been painting in the Badlands the last few days on the way to Custer. Its beautiful country - will post some photos of the works in progress... but here's the view from one of the overlooks.

Stormy weather

2010-09-19T11:20:00.002-04:00

This beautiful storm passed through a couple days ago. Gorgeous! Today I'm heading out to the Badlands to paint for a few days before the Custer show next week-end. Weather's supposed to be beautiful....can't wait!

Woo hoo!

2010-09-13T12:43:00.004-04:00

Had a great show at the Sidewalk Arts Festival last week-end in Sioux Falls. Sold a couple landscapes during the show, and then took a painting on approval at the end of the show to a couple who lived nearby. They ended up buying four paintings! Lots of fun. The paintings really looked good in their house... also got a couple commissions from the show and the interest of a local gallery owner, at Sticks and Steel. I will take some landscapes for her to display at the October 1st artwalk.

Sioux Falls Show

2010-09-13T12:41:00.001-04:00

Setting up in the early dawn for the Sioux Falls show last week-end...

Painting Picnic

2010-09-04T15:34:00.003-04:00

Headed out to Oak Lake for a picnic and painting. Drove right up to the top of the hill in the Jeep to catch the breeze and escape the bugs! Theo made a hole under the Jeep and curled up in the shade...

Buffalo Nickel

2010-09-03T10:34:00.002-04:00

Here's another work in progress. I decided to paint a couple round canvases with both sides of the buffalo nickel on them for the Custer show at the end of the month. Lots of fun!

Sympathetic Clouds

2010-09-03T10:29:00.002-04:00

Spent a nerve-racking couple of days worrying about hurricane Earl nearing the coast of NC. My mom stayed at my house. Last night when it became clear that the danger had passed (the worst of the storm stayed offshore) the clouds here billowed up. I sent this photo to my mom and said we had "sympathetic clouds" for her hurricane. So glad its over...

Progress...

2010-08-27T13:22:00.002-04:00

Making progress on the Mount Rushmore painting - or "the Guys" as I've been referring to it. Its slow work, but its coming along...

New work in Progress

2010-08-13T21:58:00.003-04:00

I've been enjoying painting western landscapes, but have been feeling a hankering to paint some faces again (always seem to come back to that)... so decided it might be fun while I'm out west to try a painting of the faces of Mount Rushmore. Then I thought of my Pride and Prejudice painting in which I painted the face over a collage of the pages of the book. I'm gonna paint the faces over the writings of the presidents depicted.

Once I came up with the idea, I've been having all sorts of fun researching the writings and searching for archives of the actual handwriting of the presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson). I found a wealth of info at the Library of Congress, including the image above which was in a letter to Roosevelt as a child from his father. I also found the Gettysburg address in Lincoln's handwriting. Way cool... Now to collage it all together coherently and then paint the faces... stay tuned.

Oakwood "studio"

2010-08-11T14:27:00.003-04:00

Here's a shot of my "studio" at the Oakwood State Park. There were several lakes there formed by glaciers, and this nice picnic table on the top of the hill next to one. I started work on a long narrow canvas, 12 x 48 inches. Still needs work!

Catching up...

2010-08-11T14:22:00.003-04:00

I've been hearing from several friends and family that I need to get back to my blog - Gee, its nice to know that someone's reading it!

After returning from the Rockport trip with my mom (see below), I took care of some business and then Max started calling to me again. I just love being on the road. Since I have painted a number of western scenes on my travels, I decided to apply to a couple western shows and see what happens. I'll be doing the Sioux Falls show in mid-September and a show at Custer State Park at the end of September... so I decided to head on back out and visit friends and get some more paintings done. Why not?

Here's a shot of Theo staying cool in Max at the Oakwood State Park where we camped a few days...

High tide in Rockport...

2010-08-11T14:20:00.001-04:00

See the post below...

On the road again...

2010-08-11T14:16:00.002-04:00

I've truly been bitten by the travel bug... my mom has decided that I must have some gypsy blood in me - perhaps! After my return from the grand canyon trip, I loaded up the camper van Max with my mom and Theo and we headed up to Massachusetts for a family reunion. Stayed in the funky cabin where my mom went as a kid, right on the rocks by the water. Here's a view from Max where Theo and I stayed right out front. This is low tide, next I'll post high tide. When high, there was a fun (but cold!) spot to jump in that's called "the bathtub."

Worked on a couple watercolors, but nothing to show for it yet...

Harmonic Balance - work in progress

2010-07-05T14:39:00.003-04:00

Here's something that's not finished, I'm still playing around with it...

On my trip back from the Grand Canyon, my beloved camper van, Max, broke down. The "harmonic balancer" went out. I had it repaired on the road, and then got back here and the repair wasn't done correctly so I had to have it all done over, and then some. Luckily the crank shaft wasn't damaged, so Max is good as new now (though my checking account took a hit!)...

Anyhow, after picking Max up last week, the mechanics explained what happened and gave me the plate that covers the area that needed work. Its actually an interesting design, and it intrigued me... so then a few nights ago I had a dream about a painting in which a deep turquoise, rusty golds and off-whites played a part, and I decided to try to paint what I saw... this isn't quite what I saw in the dream, but its a fun evolution from it. Still working on it. Quite a change for me - I like stretching out in new directions and seeing where it takes me.

Another western landscape

2010-07-05T14:34:00.002-04:00

In this one I painted the entire canvas in red first, then when I painted over it I left spots for the read to "peek" through. Adds interest and makes the greens pop...

More western landscapes...

2010-06-26T18:36:00.004-04:00

I've been playing with painting from some of the photos I took on my trip out west... toying with the idea of creating a body of work for a western show. Could be fun. Here's a vertical landscape on which I've been working. Still intrigued by the play of light on the fields and the sense of distance. As I've mentioned before, its a similar challenge to painting my beloved Carteret County marshes in eastern North Carolina. This could almost be seen as a marsh as well.

Rittenhouse Booth

2010-06-04T10:16:00.002-04:00

Here's a snapshot of my booth with the new abstract painting - it's 6' x 6.' Fun, wild, bright, energetic colors...

Rittenhouse Square Show in Philadelphia

2010-06-04T10:06:00.002-04:00

So far we've dodged the rainstorms and are enjoying partly sunny skies for this week-end's art show. I enjoy this show - many of the other artists have become my friends and Philadelphia's loads of fun. There are many good restaurants and shops within walking distance of the square. Sharing a big new abstract painting too, we'll see how its received. Will send a snapshot later when there's a little more sun on the booth...

Kaibab Squirrel

2010-05-30T21:09:00.002-04:00

I was telling my mom about this squirrel, whose habitat is confined to the mixed Ponderosa pine forest of the Grand Canyon's north rim and the surrounding Kaibab forest. A couple of them actually ran across my campsite one morning, but I wasn't quick enough to catch them on the camera, so this is a scan of a postcard...my mom wanted to see them, so I thought I'd post it too...their white tail is very obvious when you see them live.

Reflecting

2010-05-30T13:39:00.003-04:00

Getting reorganized after the trip... I did the math. The day I left Max's odometer read 79,206. Just went out and checked it and it now reads 85,768. So with all of my side trips and excursions, Max, Theo and I covered 6,562 miles! Yowser.

This shot of Theo lolling in the grass with the mountains in the background was taken from the Utah Lake State Park. Nice campsite right on the lake with mountains on all sides. Also saw lots of little warblers, a Western Tanager and there were several California Quail flirting in the campground.

Dulce Domum

2010-05-29T20:57:00.002-04:00

Its good to be home. My mom had fresh crabmeat and a cold Bass ale waiting for me - she'd even tied roses to the gate to welcome me and Theo. Even Max seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as we pulled in the drive - like he was heading to his stable... it was full spring when I left just over a month ago, and now its full summer... Deep lush greens. Still I feel like I left a part of me out west, I'll have to head back out there...what's next, a road trip to the west coast? Time will tell.

I like this shot I took tonight - its almost dreamy with the hydrangeas in bloom and Theo fuzzy to the left as he lolls in the grass... that hound traveled thousands of miles with me (I'll figure up the mileage tomorrow, I'm curious)... let's hear his thoughts...

Theo: "Oh man, I was just getting comfortable splayed out on this big mattress all to myself...ok, well, I have to admit I never thought I'd see my yard again. I had so much ground to cover when I got home - nobody with a decent nose would've known it was mine! They will now though. I got kinda used to Max, but when she headed out there again tonight I stayed well behind. Not getting me back in that van tonight, no sir. I'm comfortable right here...zzzzzzz"

He's out. I'm not far behind. What a great trip! Now I have to get prepped to go to Philadelphia next week for the Rittenhouse Square show - woo hoo!

Last stop

2010-05-28T19:45:00.002-04:00

Here I am again...

...I've covered a few miles, young'uns, and here I am back at the first campground where I stopped my first night out from home. I had planned to be home today, but a little hiccup with Max delayed me a bit. Somehow it feels good to be in this cool, rainy spot tonight. I'm at the Camp Creek State Park in West Virginia, this shot was snapped at their falls.

Theo's konked out - has nothing to say after a couple of days of long drives. He'll be happy to get back to his own yard tomorrow...

Today marks a year since Jim died. I still find it hard to believe he's gone. He had such a vibrancy to him, that you just can't believe it.. He's been on my mind today, remembering our travels together and the good times we shared. I'm grateful for the time we had together.

What more can you say? These things are so totally out of our control...

Painting on the rim..

2010-05-23T19:36:00.002-04:00

More on the Canyon...

2010-05-23T19:22:00.002-04:00

Got some more photos off the other camera... so after starting out at the rim of the canyon, it got hot...first Theo found shade - dug himself a nice little hole to snooze in under a bush... after I finished the watercolor I moved to the same bush to work on a canvas in the shade. The light is intense. Didn't get the canvas finished, but made a good start. Will try to finish it from photos but I know that's not the same. Still if I do it while the trip is still fresh I hope to catch some of that spirit.

Its ironic that the wider the expanse you want to try to paint, the smaller each part has to be to fit... for example, if I wanted to just focus on one rock outcropping, then that could take up the entire canvas... but if I wanted to show the whole view in front of me, that same rock outcropping would have to be a small part...its one reason I like to paint big...

Watercolor on the rim...

2010-05-21T17:36:00.001-04:00

The rim

2010-05-21T16:58:00.004-04:00

By the rim...

2010-05-20T20:27:00.002-04:00

Finally got painting yesterday. First I did this little watercolor study and then started on a canvas. Of course my shots of the canvas and the set up of my spot by the rim are on the other camera which will take some effort to upload, so they'll come later. For now, I'll share this little watercolor. I like the energy of it.

Glorious day

2010-05-19T10:46:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was wonderful. Started the day with a hike partway down into the canyon by the Kaibab Trail. Wasn't sure how far I could handle so went about a half hour down and then an hour to climb back out. Spectacular views!

Headed over to Cape Royal in the afternoon. There were lots of little overlooks on the drive there, all with incredible views of another side of the canyon. Then the grand finale of Cape Royal where you can see it in 300 degrees (not quite 360). Think I found a good spot to go back and paint today, where I can probably sneak Theo in with me. He had to stay in Max, poor baby, but he's getting used to it.

This is a shot of Angel's Window, on the way to Cape Royal. There's no way to capture the grandeur in a photo (esp. on a cell phone) but it gives you a hint...

Yesterday would have been the 19th anniversary of my marriage to Jim, so he was on my mind alot, of course. I'm so glad he left me a note (to read in case he died before me) telling me basically to get on with my life, that his only wish was for me to "flourish in the many ways in which I'd dreamed." I'm taking his advice and moving on - enjoying life. He showed me how short it is!

Angel Point

2010-05-17T16:03:00.002-04:00

Finally...

2010-05-17T15:48:00.002-04:00

Hiked the 30 minutes out to Angel Point this morning to see the "true" Grand Canyon, not just the offshoot where I'm camped. Ok, everyone's right, you just can't describe it and the photos don't do it justice. I was lucky to get there in a lull, and actually had about 30 minutes to myself out there on the point. It was about 9am so all of the sunrise seekers were done. I'm sure the light is gorgeous at sunset, but then its packed with people, and I really like the solitude... so it was a glorious morning.

When I was there, there was practically no wind, and bright sun. Very quiet, could hear a few flies buzzing... I can see why people make pilgrimages to see this spot. Now the sky has clouded and the wind has picked up. I'm pleased to be cozy in Max looking at the view through the open side door. Amazed that I have excellent phone/mifi reception up here... now the forecast has changed and there will probably be a little snow tomorrow! No accumulation and it will come right back up to the mid-60s on Wednesday, but could be fun to see.

Here's Theo's take:
Well, I'm a little miffed that I can't walk the trails and have to stay in Max alone some, but I'm getting used to it. And today while we were walking along the edge of the campground I was just starting to get hot and pant, and then I discovered this little flat pile of snow. Gave it a sniff, then a bite and then rolled! Oh glorious coolness! Dragged my hot belly across it. Made me want to run like a mad dog - woo hoo!

On the way in...

2010-05-16T12:02:00.002-04:00

Coming in to the Grand Canyon yesterday, this is hwy 67 from the north. As we topped the ridge, this is what the road looked like! Yikes! Luckily it descended just enough so that there is no snow here and climbing to the 60s today. Brilliant blue skies today...

Just starting to absorb the canyon. Its like this site is a small tease for the big view, which I'll see later today.

The park service brochure quoted geologist Clarence E. Dutton after his visit in 1880: "The earth suddenly sinks at our feet to illimitable depths. In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, the awful scene is before us."

I would adjust that slightly to read "awe-full scene."

Looking forward to experiment with painting it...

Gorgeous...

2010-05-15T21:30:00.004-04:00

Here's Theo at the edge of the North Rim a few steps from my campsite. We're over-looking a little branch canyon called the Transept, and can see the bigger part of the canyon to our left. We are situated so that the wall facing us will be lit in the morning light, so I'll send a shot tomorrow.

Driving here there was still snow on some of the meadows and I was a little apprehensive that it would be cold, but I trusted my forecast and it was in the mid-60s here today. Will be in the 30s tonight, but back into the 60s and sunny for the rest of the week.

Made it!

2010-05-15T20:37:00.001-04:00

Made it to the Grand Canyon! Woo Hoo! More later...

Colorado!

2010-05-12T22:45:00.002-04:00

Well, chickened out at heading to higher elevations with the snowy forecast, so stopped just short of Denver at Lake Jackson State Park. Have a nice quiet campsite for the night. Interestingly, my phone barely has a connection, by my new little MiFi is going through fine.

Still chilly (40s) but got a few glimpses of sun today. The forecast for the Grand Canyon is for sun and 70s. Sounds good!

Here's Max under the Cottonwood trees. You can't quite make out the lake in the background... lots of Cedar Waxwings, Great Crested Flycatchers and Kingbirds.

Theo's relaxing. We had a nice run once we got here so we both feel better...

On the road again!

2010-05-11T19:46:00.006-04:00

In Nebraska! Will be camping at the Fort Kearney State Rec Area tonight. Their website is: http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/guides/parksearch/showpark.asp?Area_No=98
Theo's looking forward to getting out of Max for a walk, but he's been a good sport today. Actually got some sleep on the back bed. The forecast is now calling for 6 inches of snow in the Black Hills, so I'm glad I didn't go that way!

Plan to be in Colorado tomorrow, then Bryce Canyon and then to the Grand Canyon on Saturday. Fun to be on the road again...

Spring flowers

2010-05-10T21:43:00.002-04:00

The crab apples and lilacs are in bloom - making a lovely bouquet. Heading out tomorrow to continue the road trip to the Grand Canyon. Had planned to go via the Badlands and the Black Hills, but snow (!) is forecast, so heading south as soon as possible. Will probably camp in Nebraska tomorrow. wooo hooo!

Theo's take: I've really enjoyed the pheasants here, but now she's packin' up that @#$%^&* Van and she's going to make me get in it and ride while its moving. Oh dear...but she usually takes me to pretty cool places, so I'll get in (esp. if she gives me a treat to do so).

Still cold, but sunny

2010-05-08T18:28:00.002-04:00

Theo has decided that this place is pretty cool... all sorts of nasty things to eat on our walks along the deserted country roads, and there are often things like pheasants to chase. Not so sure about the wind, but he's getting used to it.

Front Coming Through...

2010-05-07T15:21:00.001-04:00

Yikes! The temperature dropped to 45 degrees with a chilly NW wind. Its 83 back home! The wind just roars across the plains... very dramatic country.

Landscape Painting

2010-05-06T14:13:00.002-04:00

Here's my first try at painting the landscape here in Big Sky country. This is a 18" x 36" canvas in acrylics. The light angling in at the end of the day is especially nice...and I love the many layers of greens in the alfalfa fields and shades of blue/purples/greys in the sky. The wind blowing through the fields really does look like waves on the water...many similarities to my marsh paintings.

Asparagus!

2010-05-05T19:22:00.003-04:00

Driving around the back roads in South Dakota, we found some wild asparagus growing along the road. Yum!

Dark Sky

2010-05-04T16:40:00.005-04:00

The light can be dramatic here when a storm runs through. Here's a shot of Theo running through an alfalfa field as the light was getting low. I find the light really intriguing. Got going on a couple paintings and found when I tried to capture the landscape there were many similarities to trying to capture the mood of the marshes at home. Will post a snapshot of a painting soon, once I get it presentable...

Big Sky Country

2010-05-01T12:09:00.004-04:00

After leaving NC in the peak of a spring explosion of color, I've been going backwards in time, with spring going to earlier stages as I headed north. I'm now in the big sky country of South Dakota where spring is just beginning. The cottonwood trees are coming out, lilacs will be in bloom later this week and the little Pacque flowers are blooming low to the ground. The pheasants are busy working to attract mates and robins are building nests.

My mom sent me this quote from the Klinkenburg from the New York Times describing his time in Wyoming - it resonates here:

"It is, to use an old word, a viridescent day. The cottonwoods stopped moaning in the rain overnight. Every creature is suddenly addled with the season. A pair of sandhill cranes stand motionless against the hills. A bald eagle circles higher and higher. A tom turkey works the fence line, making Kabuki moves, his eye on some invisible hen. The deer are trapped in their winter coats, looking disreputable. The air is full of the ticking of red-winged blackbirds, full of the soft spring sun."

Theo's take:
I was out taking my usual sniffing rounds when I picked up a scent I've never smelled before. Holy cow! I pointed and then followed it - head down, tail up. It got more intense... all of a sudden, this colorful bird exploded out of the brush! I've flushed my first pheasant!

Let the road trip begin!

2010-04-21T20:51:00.003-04:00

Woo hoo! Theo and I are on our way... on a circuitous route to the Grand Canyon to visit friends and explore new territory along the way. So we left the eye-popping spring of coastal carolina and headed west. Got as far as Camp Creek State Park in West Virginia today. Peaceful spot, and look at these beauties that Theo and I saw on our walk once we arrived...

I was telling a friend of mine about the trip, and mentioning Theo's ambivalence. He wants to be with me (his pack) but isn't too excited about being in Max (the camper van) with all of its gurgling and clanking noises... I keep hoping he'll get used to it!

So my friend suggested that I include a blog from Theo's point of view. Brilliant! So now I will try to accommodate his take on the situations that arise... a la Travels with Charlie (sort of - if you don't know what I'm talking about, its a book by John Steinbeck)...

Anyhow, so my take on the day is "Woo Hoo! Off on another adventure!" And Theo was on the bed in the back of Max thinking "What the !@#$$%% is she making me do now?" i have to get bumped around in this clanging, rattling thing for hours on end? And for what? Oh... a long lovely walk in the mountains ( not bad) and oh! some yummy dinner morsels by the picnic table, and now a belly rub on the bed (that is decidely NOT moving) well, I'll go to sleep and think about it...

Spring in coastal NC

2010-04-17T18:24:00.002-04:00

We're in a riot of color with blooming azaleas, dogwoods, roses, among many others. I love this time of year... here's a photo of a rose that opened up this morning in my backyard.

Starting preparations for my trip out west. This is my first post to the blog with my new Netbook. I decided not to risk taking my laptop full of all of my life's documents - would be devastating to have that stolen. This is fine for checking email and posting to the blog... getting really excited to get on the road again. Theo's not so sure, he's not quite used to Max yet, but he'll get there...

Back home

2010-04-11T11:59:00.002-04:00

Back from Florida. Did well at the shows there - especially San Marco in Jacksonville. Now I'm back home. Last week a friend of mine and I went to Cedar Point and painted a watercolor of the marsh there - a truly lovely day.

Savannah Ship

2010-03-17T17:18:00.004-04:00

Stopped in Savannah on the drive down to the Florida shows. Here's a shot of a ship passing River Street at high tide, taken from the landing at Tubby's Tank House...

Grand Canyon

2010-03-04T15:37:00.005-05:00

Back when I introduced Max (my "Mobile Art Escape" camper van) in my January 14 blog, I mentioned that I'm planning a trip to the Grand Canyon in May. I have the trip plotted out and will take my time on the drive out - staying at State Parks along the way. I plan to stay a few nights on the south rim and then several nights on the north rim, where I was lucky enough to reserve a camping spot for Max with a direct view of the canyon. It is a relief to finally be feeling back to myself after mourning. I feel like I have my life back again and am ready for new adventures.

Scale

2010-03-03T13:14:00.002-05:00

One of my friends wanted to see the scale of these paintings - so here I am with them in the studio...

Third version

2010-03-01T16:35:00.003-05:00

Still playing around with this image. Worked on a third 30 x 30 canvas of it today - here they are all three together in a triptych. I've been experimenting with having the eyes change direction in each.

Current Work in Progress

2010-02-25T16:45:00.004-05:00

Liked that charcoal drawing I did last week so much that I decided to keep it and started a second version of the same face (I often work in series like that - just have so many ideas on different directions to take that its easier to choose one if I know I can explore another one later. That frees me up.) After completing the second drawing I really thought about what colors I wanted to use. I often use a warm palette, yet I love blues and purples so decided to head that way with this one. It still needs some work but I'm pleased with the progress. Of course I may decide to glaze over it with warm colors tomorrow (or start a third one and do that... Yikes!). Ya never know.

Commission

2010-02-21T20:47:00.003-05:00

I finally finished the commission I've been working on and delivered it on Friday. I asked my friends/clients if I could post the image on my blog and they graciously agreed. So here it is. Its hard to tell on the small computer screen, but if you look closely you can see that the portrait is painted over music and that smaller images of the child and glimpses of handwriting by her parents, describing her wonderful qualities, are visible under the paint. I was happy with this and was so relieved that they were too.