Fire in the Sky

It's time for the annual show in the back yard. For a few days each October this maple tree absolutely glows. The photos don't do it justice, but these are my best efforts.

What Happened?

Time to pick the moths and spiders off the aloe vera plant and bring it inside. It seems like a minute ago I was feeling the warm sun.

End of 2009

The art fair season is now over, just in time for the weather to turn chilly and furnace-worthy. I'm hoping to catch up on some new paintings. I have all kinds of ideas, let's see what materializes.

Couple of Cardinals

I've bravely finished a new painting of two cardinals, following my recent trend of painting multiple birds in one picture. Cardinals are often seen in pairs, and having done many works of either male or female cardinals, I thought it was time to show them interacting. He seems to be taking some interest in her, she looks unimpressed.

Also, there is a small tree in my back yard that is in the process of changing color. I don't know what kind of tree it is, but the leaves were beautiful. I'm always looking for unusually colored foliage; this conceals my impatience with trying make green leaves look the way they should.

Here it is:

It's Good to Be Back on the Square

After a 2 year absence, I had the pleasure to be back in the Art Fair on the Square show in downtown Lake Forest. The weather was good, the crowd was good, and I was selling some art. The negatives: yellowjackets (they like the same foods that people do) and the traffic situation at tear down. When you have a bunch of tired, cranky artists and not enough organization in a small space, things can get unpleasant.
This was my last outdoor show of the year. At the end of this month, I'll be in a barn again. By then, I'll have at least one new painting done.

Making the most of scraps: My latest painting

I've just finished this watercolor of 3 chickadees on a crabapple tree. This is the first time I've shown three birds in one painting, and the first time I've done a painting in this kind of proportion - very vertical. This was inspired by two things: attempting to experiment with different approaches to birds and botanical paintings, and not wanting to let a good scrap of paper go to waste. I like the scroll-like appearance of the design. I'll probably use a wider, antiqued frame to add balance to the narrow design.

Not a bad weekend. And an award.

The Glenview Art Fair turned out well. The weather was absolutely terrific. A very good crowd, and as expected, sales weren't fabulous, but all things considered, okay. Art fairs are a mixture of anticipation, dread, exhaustion, anxiety, exhiliration, heavy lifting, dehydration, disappointment and thrill. Those terms are listed in no particular order, but the overall sentiment is positive, or else I wouldn't keep signing up for more. Lately, I've been receiving more awards (Merit Award for this one) and it might have something to do with better framing. There is nothing that enhances original art or a reproduction like good quality framing.
My framed prints are gaining popularity. All you have to do is hang it - instant art!