Del-FUN-ium Daze

"Del-FUN-ium Daze" 10" x 8" Acrylic on hardboard

I was in a plein air competition on Saturday up in Door County, Wisconsin.  It was the Saturday "Quick Paint" portion of a week-long benefit for the Peninsula School of Art. After a four and a half hour drive, I found my spot to paint as we rolled through town on the way to our hotel. I photographed it in the dark and dreamed about how I'd handle the composition come morning. 

I got my panel stamped, set up my gear and spent most of the two-hours painting this scene. I wanted to paint two paintings, but they looked at me like I was nuts. I guess nobody asked that question before.  I was done and tweaking well within the ordered time, before the horn sounded to announce the end.

The forty invited artists' work was auctioned off in the culmination of their weeklong effort.  Sixty-five of us non-invited artists framed and displayed our work for sale in a tent on the grounds of the art school.  Guests were lined up for a block and a half to get in to see the art. This piece was the second one of the evening to sell. The woman who purchased it told me she got there early to make sure she would be the one to buy it.  It was a lovely way to end a week of travel, painting, and making new friends.

Carol

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Gull Stones

"Gull Stones" 8" x 10" Oil on wrapped canvas

There weren't as many seagulls up in Door County as I thought there would be, considering the amount of water and the number of tourists.  This, one feather was the only evidence of their presence. Although, strangely enough, someone standing next to me with binoculars said he was watching pelicans circle overhead.  I Googled it when I got home. Yup. White ones.

The weave of the canvas shows through my thin painting style, and gives a neat texture to these rocks.  It's more pronounced in the photo than in real life.

This painting is listed with, and for sale through a Daily Paintworks Auction.

Thank you for visiting today,
Carol

Door County Gemstones

"Door County Gemstones" 8" x 20" Oil on gessoed panel

The beach was white as any sand I'd ever seen, but as we walked closer I saw texture, inappropriate for sand.  The beaches up in Door County are tumbled limestone chips, white and quite gem-like in their rarity.  They're protected, and rightfully so. There aren't many of them. Not enough to go around, as with any gem. 


I photographed them at various times of day, and painted this one as soon as I got home.  The rolled gesso on Masonite gave me a texture I adore.  But the small nature of the stones made sponging a bit tricky, so I down-sized my sponge to... get this... an eyeshadow applicator!  Yup, the kind you get free in your eyeshadow container. I love how it blends.  Oh, I did use my Rosemary "Ivory" brushes, too, but most of the blending was via eyeshadow sponge.

This painting will be donated to the DPW Challenge to Help the Children of Africa.  If you are interested in purchasing this piece, the proceeds will go to World Vision to help feed the hundreds of thousands of children dying of hunger there.

Thank you for visiting my site today,
Carol