I have been taking Daisy and Duke on daily walks to Stockton Spring's Fort Point State Park and Sears Island.  Temperatures have been in the 40's and almost 50!.  Daisy wouldn't get into the car yesterday at Sears Island.  She just kept sniffing around and ignoring my calls.  Finally Duke and I went to the car.  She climbed up the embankment to see where we had disappeared.  Then she came over to us.  It was very nice out!



     There was still a little snow on the ground.  I do like to paint here.  I love these birch trees with the blue ocean in the background!



     Daisy likes to feel useful waking up Robert each morning.  With the daylight savings time she wakes Robert up an hour earlier each day at 5:30 am.  Robert doesn't seem to mind.  He always says good morning to her.  She wags her tail.  She just loves Robert. 



     I framed a painting that sold recently all by myself!  Leslie Long, the director for the Wekiva Springs Plein Aire invitational taught me how to frame!  I had always counted on Robert to do this for me.  I like to be independent!  Here was the results.  I love this new frame I ordered from Frankenframes.com.  They have beautiful frames for smaller works at reasonable prices. 



     Here is the light gold frame I chose for this painting.  It was such a light painting I wanted a lighter frame.  I think this looks great!  What do you think?



     Here is the back.  I use light blue museum quality backing paper.  I like to write something about the painting on the back.  People really like this! 



     Here are Duke and Daisy swimming at Sears Island yesterday.  They sure do love to swim! 

      Have a great night!  Hope you get out and paint! 

     I am getting ready to drive to Callaway Gardens in Georgia.  I have been juried into this plein aire show.  Here is the information incase you are curious what this week will entail.  Being a plein aire painter can involve a lot of travel.  These events are fun.  They allow professional plein aire painters an environment to network and learn from each other.  Collectors from all over the United States travel to see the finished paintings.  It is an opportunity for art collectors to meet these painters.  Hopefully there will be paintings sold!  I am looking forwards to seeing green again.  Maine is still very grey and brown!

Second Annual Plein Air Paint Out, Art Show & Sale at Callaway Gardens

Sunday, April 10 - Sunday, April 17, 2011

About Plein Air | Workshop with Greg LaRock | Quick Draw | Juried Artists | Artist Prospectus

2011 Prospectus

Please read this entire prospectus as some details have changed from previous years.

About the Exhibition

This juried and judged exhibition and competition is a project of the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation and culminates with an awards presentation and multi-day exhibition and sale at the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center.  The competition is part of a week-long event which includes a Quick Draw. 

The Callaway Gardens Plein Air Paint Out, Art Show and Sale will run from April 10 until April 17, 2011.  There will be an artist registration and reception Sunday evening, April 10.  Artists may paint a private garden located in Atlanta, LaGrange, Columbus, or Newnan; within Callaway Gardens and the surrounding rural area.  Artists must turn in three completed, framed and ready to be hung artworks with a 36” x 42” maximum canvas size.  Work must be done “en plein air” without the assistance of photography.  Artists may provide up to six (6) additional plein air paintings from home or produced during the week to replace sold work.

The Art Show & Sale will be at the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Friday evening (ticketed Collectors Preview Reception) and all day Saturday and Sunday.  Artists must pick up unsold work at the end of the show or make their own arrangements for shipping.

List of Accepted Artist

Click here to review the juried artist. 

Accepted artists will be emailed registration information with correspondence necessary to confirm participation in the competition.  Accommodations are available for those who request it.

	The Entry Jurist William U. Eiland, Director, Georgia Museum of Art A native of Sprott, Alabama, William Underwood Eiland is the director of the Georgia Museum of Art. He took a B.A. ( summa cum laude) from Birmingham-Southern College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. www.uga.edu/gamuseum/info/eilandbio.html
	The Awards Judge Jean Stern, Executive Director, The Irvine Museum The awards judge will be Mr. Jean Stern, Executive Director of The Irvine Museum; Authority on California Impressionism as author, curator, lecturer and teacher; contributor to several books including Plein Air Painters of California. www.irvinemuseum.org

Awards

Cash awards will be presented for the 2011 competition.

Artists Agenda

April 10, 2011 – Paint Out Artists arrive, have all competition canvases stamped and register.

April 11, 2011 – Paint Out Artists paint in Callaway Gardens.

April 12, 2011 – Paint Out Artists paint private gardens in nearby cities such as Atlanta, Newnan, LaGrange, and Columbus.

April 13, 2011 – Paint Out Artists paint in Callaway Gardens.

April 14, 2011 – Paint Out Artists complete work and paint in local and outlying areas.

April 15, 2011 – Paint Out Artists to submit framed artwork by 10 a.m.; Preview hour for artists and spouses beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Collectors Reception at the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center opens to ticketed collectors at 6:30 p.m.

April 16 – 17, 2011 – Art Show & Sales continues and sold painting will be replaced with other work from artist.  (Any artist has the option to register and participate in a Quick Draw Competition on Saturday, April 16, beginning at 10 a.m., details to follow).  Show closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday and all unsold art should be picked up by artist.

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"Thurston's Wharf" 12x18 Oil on Copper (not finished yet) 

     Today I drove to Mount Desert Island to an area called Bernard.  Bernard has many great places to paint.  I have always loved these buildings.  Twice a year I buy a few lobsters!    I enjoy watching Mike pull the lobsters out of crates submerged into the ocean.  He fills a paperbag and weighs them.  This bag is usually full and the cost is 20$!  It takes me a week to eat all of my lobster!

    A painting friend joined me today.  She likes to remain anonymous as most great painters do.  It was very cold today, about 25 degrees near the ocean.  Even a lobsterman commented how hardy we were!  I was very proud of this.  I don't even think we had our jackets on at that point he saw us!  Later we had our full Winter gear on!  We painted all day!  The only catastrophe we had was her paper towels rolling away!  I took a photo of this with her back turned to protect her privacy.



     We were both laughing.  She was running after the papertowels.  If she hadn't they would have unrolled all over! 



     The scene in the background is washed out here.  There are a lot of beautiful colors. 



     We walked down to the wharf looking for a painting spot before we set up.  There was a lobsterman with a crate of crabs.  He said he didn't sell them, he would collect them in the lobster traps, and he was sorting through to throw out the deceased crabs.  I asked permission to photograph them.  How beautiful they are! 



     I have permission to go inside of this building.  Here is where a crabman paints his buoys and fixes traps.  The view from this window is of the ocean and lobsterboats.  Too bad it turned out white!



     Here is another room looking out to the ocean.  These rooms are so interesting.  There are many paintings inside here! 



    Here are the lobster crates submerged in the ocean.  The weighing machine is inside this green shack.  These floating docks move.  I think it would make me dizzy trying to paint here!  During the Summer months it is very busy with lobsterman dropping off lobsters!  The colors are brighter too. 

     We painted till we could feel our fingertips!  My toes were burning.  So we headed home again.  I will go out maybe tomorrow to finish my painting.  I hope you had a great day!  Get out and paint!

"Vermont Spruce"  6x6 Oil on copper Sold. framed in a special custom Randy Higbee Frame!  Shipped for free! This painting was juried into the Randy Higbee Gallery 6x6 show in April!  This painting will be flying to California!



"January, in Jeffersonville, Vermont" 6x6 was also juried into Randy Higbee Gallery show but it is already sold.  So this painting won't be going to California.  I am waiting on a frame, will frame it, and send it instead to a new collector.  I wouldn't want her to wait another month for her painting! 

     This is an exciting show to be juried into.  Randy Higbee Gallery also owns King of Frames, a framing gallery.  His last 6x6 show was a tremendous success.  Most of the paintings in this show sold!  

     Daisy and Duke were frightened by something last night.  They barked a few times and then growled.  Then they came charging up the stairs.  Daisy used her big foot to knock open Robert's bedroom door.  He has her trained to not enter.  She just stood there hoping he would give her a hug!  He got up to close his door.  Then they opened my door, Duke jumped into my bed, and Daisy wanted to be hugged.  I had to sleep with two scared dogs last night.  Finally I was able to get them out of my room!  But they slept in my art studio upstairs.  I wonder what scared them?    

     I might be painting tomorrow with another painter who lives nearby! It is still very cold out, in the 30's.  So I will be wearing my giant man's Cabelas Alaskan coat!  I am bringing my facemask, scarf, down gloves, snow pants, expedition weight long underwear!  I will also need heating packs for my hands.  What fun!  I will show you what I painted tomorrow!

     I have been taking Duke and Daisy out on field trips the last two days to make up for my absence!  We are fast friends again.  Yesterday I took them to Sears Island.  Today they wanted to go to the Bank and Mc Donalds because they give out milk bones.  Once Duke received a milk bone but Daisy was laying down to the bank teller didn't see her.  I had to request another milk bone!  Daisy was very happy about this.  Then we walked at a reserve near by.  There is still snow on the ground.  The temperatures are cold so we can't stay outside very long!



     I am ordering frames and art supplies getting ready for another plein aire invitational called Callaway Gardens Plein Aire Event in Georgia April 10-17.  I will be driving again with John Caggiano.  He will also be participating in this event.  We share the cost of traveling.    Our gas total for the last Florida painting trip came to over 450$.  The tolls were over 50$.  The hotel totaled 
300$.    It really helped to share expenses!  I think I only paid a total of 400$ for travel expenses. 

      Robert likes to play with Daisy and Duke.  Tonight he decided Duke was going to do pilates!  He held Duke's arms.  Then he moved Duke's arms out and back.  Duke was smiling!





     Sometimes he plays choke the doggy with Daisy.  Sometimes he covers their eyes and plays peak a boo.  They seem to really enjoy the attention and the fun! 

     Have a great night!  Get out and paint!

"The Wedding Present" 9x12 Oil on Copper Framed and shipped 650$. 

     Yesterday we drove 15 1/2 hours from Charleston, South Carolina to Bearskin Neck, Massachusetts.  John Caggiano did most of the driving.  We were exhausted!  When we got to John's house I crashed on his couch!  In the morning I drove to Maine!  I was so happy to see my house.  It had been a long trip.  I had a great time.  I learned a lot about painting.  I worked really hard.  I sold many paintings.  It was exciting.   I met a lot of great painters.  I enjoyed my parent's company.  When I opened my back house door, Daisy and Duke emerged to say hello!



     They looked like they had been taking a nap!  Duke kept starring at me!  Daisy just wanted hug after hug!  I could tell they had missed me very much.  Duke looked healthier.  He had been taking his antibiotics for Lymes Disease.  His eyes were brighter.  It was so good to see him feeling better.  Daisy went through my bags looking for a present.  I didn't bring her any dog toys as I usually do.  She grabbed a bag of cereal from my bag and ran off into the livingroom.  When I caught up with Daisy, she had her head in the bag chowing down on Raisin Bran.  She just loves to eat!  I rescued my cereal.  I gave them Frosty Paw ice cream treat for dogs! 



Here is Duke slowly enjoying his treat.  This doggy ice cream is just chicken fat and vitamins and soy milk.  You can buy this stuff in the frozen food section in the ice cream area.  It is just for dogs.  They love it. 



     Here is Daisy.  Daisy and Duke say thanks Debbie for purchasing, "Canoe, Canoe?" at the Wekiva Paint Out Auction!  

     Robert was pleased to see me too!  He liked "The Wedding Present" painting the best.  He was proud of me for doing well in the Wekiva Paint Out.  I am very happy to be home again!  Have a great night!  Get out and paint!

    

"View Of Atlantic Street" 6x6 Oil on Copper Panel.  350$ Framed in Gold wood and shipped for free!

     We drove to downtown Charleston, South Carolina to paint again today.  John Caggiano was finishing up on his street painting from yesterday.  He added people walking two dogs.  I started on a new painting.  I liked this street scene.  At the end of the street was the ocean.  I used my artistic license on this street.  I deleted some signs and lampposts.  Here is the photo where I was painting.



     I let the sun shine in my painting.  I used a lot of warm colors in the street.  You can not see the ocean in the photo.  But I sure could see the ocean when I was there painting on the street.  



     I took a photo of John's palette.  Very interesting colors he uses.   My colors look fairly boring in comparison!  

     Today I called Robert to see how he was doing.  He had just gotten back from taking Daisy and Duke, our golden retrievers, to Sears Island.  They had a great time swimming, sniffing, and digging.  Duke saw a lobster buoy in the ocean.  He swam out and tried to retrieve the bouy for Robert.  He pulled and pulled and swam hard.  The buoy was tied to a trap and so did not budge.  But Duke still swam harder and harder.  He swam in circles trying to get the buoy to move.  Robert was just about to jump into the ocean to go help Duke.  He was afraid Duke would get too tired and drown.  Duke gave up on the buoy.  He swam to shore just as Robert had taken his shoes off.  Duke came to shore finally!  He was a determined dog today.  I told Robert, Duke saw all of the lobster bouys at our house.  Duke was trying to bring Robert a present!  He liked this idea.  Later Duke did find another bouy on shore.  He walked with the bouy proudly in his mouth!  

     Have a great night!  Get out and paint!   

"The Wedding Present" 9x12 Oil on Copper panel.  650$ Framed in gold wood and shipped for free!

     This house is in Charleston, South Carolina called the Second Meeting Street Inn.  It is the most famous bed and breakfast in the USA.  I walked around downtown Charleston for three days.  I sat and stared at this house for two hours yesterday and an hour the day before.  I felt something special about this house. 

      Here is the story about the house:   A father gave this house to his daughter the morning after she woke up from her wedding.  She woke up to find a light blue silk pillow with a note from her father.  The note told her he wanted her to buy the house of her dreams.  Her Dad gave her 750,000$ to build this house.  The groomsman's parents sent them on a two year honeymoon in Europe.  They purchased two pieces of furniture from each country they visited.  When they returned home, this home was waiting for them.  This home resembled their wedding cake. 


 
     Here is a close up of the turret on the left of the painting and the wrought iron gate.  I painted all day until sunset.  I put the 9x12 copper panel inside the lid of my easel.  It fit so perfectly there was not even a 1/4 inch space!  A lady came up and admired the painting.  She wondered how I would get the painting out of the lid of the easel.  I looked at it and could see then the problem.  I told her I might pry it out with my palette knife!  Then we both laughed.  She told me I was very talented though.  I told her I did need a helper sometimes.  She said she was an engineer.  She could see things differently but couldn't paint!  I managed to pry the painting out carefully.  

     I really enjoyed drawing and painting this giant white house.  It was a challenge just to draw the house.  I didn't know if I should paint it as a square or rectangle.  I drew a thumbnail sketch.  I decided I would explore the house and let the house determine the format.  It was a rectangle.  This really helped when I drew in the drawing again on the copper panel.  It is difficult shrinking down large things.  I was very intimidated painting this house.  I didn't know if I could do it!  I have never painting a house so large.  I think I did it!!!

     There was a huge oak tree with limbs blocking the view of the house.  I had originally planned to paint the oak tree in.  After I finished the house I decided to leave the oak tree out.  The painting was all about the white house. 



     Here is John Caggiano sitting in Barbara Jean's restaurant eating She-Crab Soup.  He had this soup two years ago with T.M. Nicholas during another painting trip.  We drove two hours out of our way a few days ago in Savanna, Georgia so he could have this soup.  We never did find the place.  Later we discovered the Georgia branch had closed.  Tonight we found the same restaurant right here in downtown Charleston!  John said eating She-Crab Soup was the single best experience he has had this year.   I ate a bowl of She-Crab Soup tonight too.  It was delicious!  This soup was full of crab, thick, and full of flavor.  It was good to see John so happy. 

     Have a great night!  We are going to get out and paint tomorrow too! 

"Edisto Beach" 4x4 Oil on copper.  150$ Framed in gold wood and shipped!

     We drove to Charleston, South Carolina yesterday.  We took a two hour detour in Savanna, Georgia looking for She-Crab soup at a restaurant called Barbara something.  John remembered eating this She-Crab soup in Beaufort, S.C. with a painter friend many years ago.  He had been dreaming about this soup for several days.  So we let Garmin the navigational device guide up right into a big St. Patrick's Day Parade for hours.  Then John confessed he hadn't really remembered the name of the restaurant or where he ate the soup.  So we headed back on the road to South Carolina.  We had a good laugh about our detour for a soup for two hours.  It must have been incredible soup is all I can say.

     Yesterday we found a good hotel for 50$ in North Charleston.  Then we went into downtown Charleston.  John wanted to walk the streets to get to know the area.  I admitt I might like to have drove around the streets first and walked a few I liked.  It was nice walking though.  There were many large homes.  I wondered how I might paint a small 6x6 painting of a 20,000 square foot home?  Luckily we only walked and took photos yesterday.  We ate at the Outback Steakhouse.  It was a real treat! 

     Today we went to downtown Charleston again.  We spent hours looking for spots to paint.  Luckily we left there and went to Edisto Island.  We went to the Edisto State Park.  It was really beautiful  John is a city guy.  I am a beach girl.  I was very happy at this beach! 



     I loved the colors.  Just beautiful! 



     I was imagining large sand dunes here.  There were small little sand dunes.  There was nice tropical vegetation next to the ocean.  We decided to paint!



     Here is John Caggiano painting as the sun was going down!  He had a nice high key beach scene on his easel.  It was cooler here in the 70's near the beach. 



     Here I am painting on the beach.  What a great place.  I would have liked to camp there instead of staying in the hotel far away.  I would have tried to paint sunrises here each morning!  We are too far away from this beach to try to do a sunrise painting. 



     Here is a pretty wrought iron gate in Charleston downtown. 



     This is a hotel called the Meeting Street Inn.  I overheard a carriage guide tell a story about how a newly wed couple were given millions to build this house.  They designed this house after their wedding cake.  Then they went on a two year honeymoon in Europe.  I looked at this home for a good hour.  It was my favorite of all of them.  There were many oaks on this property.  It had a special feeling. 

     You may wonder how two painters get along traveling so much?  Very well surprisingly.  We seem to like to paint similar things.  We like to sleep in.  We like to stay up late.  Although he like to stay up later!  He is very respectful of my being married.  So we travel like brother and sister.  It is a good arrangement. 

     Robert told me tonight Daisy and Duke are having an ice cream party tonight.  He says they have been very good dogs.  I miss Robert and Daisy and Duke!  It has been a nice trip but now I would like to go home soon.  The snow has melted.  The Maine temperatures are in the 60's during the day.  

     Have a great night!  Get out and paint! 

"March of The Pink Dresses"  6x6 Oil on Copper Panel Framed and Shipped 350$.

     We worked very hard painting yesterday for twelve hours from 12:00 pm until 12:00 am at night!  We drove to Park Avenue to finish our painting of Park Plaza Gardens.  Then we were invited by Larry Moore to a night paint out on Park Avenue.  It was a fun day.  Here is my finished painting of Park Plaza Gardens and Tunis, one of my favorite dress shops. 



"Too Many Dresses In Too Little Time" 12x18 Oil on Copper Panel.  Framed in gold wood and shipped for free!  1200$

     I worked on this painting outdoors on Park Avenue for two whole days!  I enjoyed myself immensely!  It was warm out and sunny!  Just what this Mainer needed.  I painted in two ladies looking at the dresses in the window with huge shopping bags! 

     When I lived here in Florida I admit to being a dress addict!  I sold all of my dresses at a garage sale for 1$ each before I moved to Maine.  A few ladies bought many dresses at this garage sale for their little girls to play dress up.  I think of my dresses once in a while with good memories.  I loved my dresses.  They don't wear dresses too much in Maine.  I also sold my high heels shoes at the garage sale to a Haitian for 1$ each.  Now I wear hiking attire for painting outside each day!  My world is different.  It has been bitter sweet admiring all of the beautiful dresses for sale.  

     There was a beautiful lady who walked by while we were painting the Park Avenue shops last night.  I asked her to model for us for a moment.  People looking at windows makes a painting.  Here is here photo.  She enjoyed posing for us.  I have learned on this trip to just ask a person.  They are always pleased!



     I will paint another painting with her pointing at the pink dresses when I get home!  



     Here I am painting on Park Avenue.  A very nice man took my picture for me.  I used guerrilla tape to secure my painting easel.  I will need to use a different easel to paint much larger!  I dream about painting really large paintings!  Don't be suprised someday to see one!  

     We are staying here at my parent's house in Winter Park another day!  We slept in too late.  I guess we tuckered ourselves out last night painting.  My Mom and Dad are pleased!  Have a great day.  Get out and paint!   

"Too Many Dresses In Too Little Time" 12x18 Oil on Copper (Not Finished Yet!)

     Today I took John Caggiano down to Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida.  We had talked to a gallery owner the previous day who commented very few Park Avenue scene paintings have the Winter Park feeling to them.  So we were motivated!  It was 85 degrees and sunny!  We were slathering on sunscreen to our white New England skin!  We first walked all over Park Avenue to see where we wanted to paint.  Then I drove up to the spot, we unloaded our painting equipment, and then I parked the car!  



     I drew out two different sketches of this scene I painted.  I couldn't decide whether to allow the street to be in the foreground on the right or not.  I asked John which sketch he thought was best.  He liked this painting sketch.  So I spent over an hour carefully drawing in this painting with my archival ink pen.  Most of the ink seems to disappear into the oil paint.  It just allows me to have a game plan while I am painting.  I decided to try and block in shadow and sunlight areas first.  I have not painted this large for more than four years!  It was fun.  I changed my palette three times throughout the day so I had clean mixing area.  I used a half 250 ml of Titanium White!  I was so suprised at the quantity of oil paint I was going through with this painting.  I do like to use a lot of paint.  I like to see the paint texture and brush strokes.  

     I did knock my paint palette down onto the ground.  There are many patches of oil paint now on the brick sidewalk thanks to me. I knocked over my diet coke on my papertowels.  I somehow got paint all over my favorite shirt and shorts.  I used some of John's goop to get the paint out.  It didn't work.  I will wash these items and hope for the best later!  What a slob I was today.  This is unusual.  



    We had people driving by howling at us.  One lady said our prices were too high.  I told her what a Wekiva Paint Out painter told me to say, "Original art work is not for everyone!"  This did the trick.  She walked away so I didn't have to spend more time trying to tell her why original art work was not 29.95$.  

     I painted till 7:00 pm.  I was finished for the day.  John was still working intensively.    He was still working away when I decided we should pack it up!  I promised to bring him back tomorrow to finish our paintings.  It is always difficult to get John into the car before dark when out painting!  Most times he finishes after dark.  I have seen him trying to sign his name without any light.  Many professional plein aire painters work until dark.  It takes a lot of work to bring home a great work of art!

     In the evenings back at my parents house we eat, drink, and visit.  It sure is nice to be home again.  I am sorry to hear Japan is having such a tough time right now.  We spend most of our evening time watching and hoping things will get better for Japan.  

     Tomorrow we must paint Park Avenue again!  I hope to post a finished version of "Too Many Dresses in Too Little Time!"  
Have a great night!  Get out and paint!

    

"Ready To Launch" 6x8 Oil on panel by John Caggiano.  695$ framed and shipped.  Here is a painting John Caggiano did plein aire at Wekiwa Springs.  I thought you might like to see an example of his work since I have been traveling with John. 



     I took John today to one of my favorite places, the Little Econo River in Oviedo, Florida.  It was getting dark so we didn't stay long.  The sand here is powder white.  The river is a amber color.  Palm trees lean over the river.  It is very quiet place to visit.  I have seen wild boar with piglets running.  Some days I see lots of birds like white egrets and blue heron.  I have seen copperhead snakes laying near the river waiting for something to eat. 





     Here I am standing by one of my favorite places.  It is a clearing surrounded by palms.  When the sun went down it was a orange sky.  Very tropical!

     We are eating a lot of great food and resting up from a busy week.  The last few hours of the Wekiwa Paint Out many paintings sold so it turned out to be a successful event.

     Here are a few things I learned from the other painters.  Trish told me she has one voice or message per painting.  She doesn't like to say a lot in her paintings.  She uses a lot of muddy colors to allow her pure colors to sing. 

      Mitch told me he likes using turpentine by Sennelier or Old Grumbacher.  He said it needs to be clear and not yellow.  It should smell like a pine tree.  If it is cloudy or smelly then he said to send it back.  I asked him why he liked working with Turpentine instead of turpenoid or gamsol.  He told me he likes how tacky the turpentine and oil paint becomes on his canvas.   

      Another painter, I can't remember who told me this, her gallery will not accept low key Floridian paintings.  Or another words very dark Floridian paintings.  She told the painter they do not sell so she will not accept them.  I thought this was very interesting.  Stapleton Kearns had told me high key and low key paintings sell but not middle tone paintings.  So this means a Florida painter may be better off painting very light high key paintings.  High key paintings make a peaceful landscape. 

      Bob showed me great large brushes by Escoda that looked like house painting brushes but were made of soft hog hair.  He said he loves them for painting super large paintings.  They don't loose their hair.  He also had made a wood palette that slid into the hinges area of his wooden  Julian Plein Aire Easel.   

     Mikel showed me how he sprayed his oil paintings with a retouch varnish for a shine.  He said not to spray too many layers or an egg shell appearance would happen.  He told me also he likes to use 5 minute quick set epoxy to glue copper to an 1/8 inch masonite board (cut smaller than the painting) and then glue that with hot glue to a floating backer board to put in the frame. 

     I think John and I are going to paint down on Park Avenue tomorrow!  This is one of my favorite places in Winter Park.  The weather is great!  It is so nice visiting with my Mom and Dad.  They are enjoying John's company too.  Have a great night!  Get out and paint! 

     "Fireside Chat" 5x7 Oil on Copper Panel.  Sold today along with many other paintings.  I painted this at night with light provided by a booklight.  I had a great time.  The painting has more burgundys than the photo shows.  I left areas of copper showing in the left foreground and on the firepit itself where the alligator is cut out of the metal.  Some of the areas of copper are left for fire sparking out of the contraption.  Then I made the color of copper and added this to some sparking areas.  The two people painted walked over to see the finished painting.  They were pleased.  This painting sold today!

     I taught a copper painting workshop yesterday.  From 9 till about 2 pm, I told students all I knew how to sell work, paint work, and market themself.  Then they painted nice copper paintings of the trees and springs.  I asked them to pick a number between 1 and 20.  The number closest to 16 won my demo painting of a bright green canoe in the springs.  She was very pleased.  They both thanked me for the information.  I never realized teaching could be so draining.  I guess if you give all you have then you get tired.

    After my workshop was the Wekiva Paint Out Paint Out Patron's Party.  They charged 25$ a ticket to attend.  They had this gala event catered, wine and beer tent, and entertainment.  The paintings were great!  Painters had framed them in wonderful frames.  The men painters wore suits and the ladies wore dress attire.  The patrons dressed up too.  Only one lady was arrested.  She came to the event dressed nicely but very intoxicated.  She tried to eat in the food without a plate dropping food into the food area.  She had food on her top too I guess for later.  She fell down once.  The cops threw out her wine.  She left but came back.  Then she was thrown out with her Mom in tow.  All other patrons behaved themselves.  There were a few paintings sold.  The painters all enjoyed themselves.  

     We went back to the Wekiva State Park to our cabins.  The painters all went to a campfire.  One guy had a guitar and sang a blues country song.  Some painters were roasting marshmellows and gram crackers.  The mood was a bit mellower than the previous days.  We were a bit solemn about very few painting sales.  Before we were full of hope and now we were just solemn.  We were all tired from working ten hours or more a day painting.  I went to sleep early.  John said some were still at the campfire until after 2:00 am.  

     The next day we were to be at the Wekiwa Springs State Park for a paint with the pros Quick Draw event from 12:00 pm-2:00pm.  We carried our heavy painting equipment a long way to the Springs to paint.  I decided to paint the boil.  Christoph was painting next to me.  He was frustrated his model didn't show up.   He needed a girl in a bikini to model in the water.  He tried to imagine a model there.  It wasn't working.  I told him, "I will get you a model!"  I walked over to three ladies in swimsuits sunbathing and explained a professional painter needed a few ladies to model in the water.  They jumped up and ran into the springs.  Then Christoph asked me to get them over in the sun closer to us.  So they swam over giggling.  Here are a few photos.







     It was great taking photos of them.  They were so beautiful.  I thought the springs and their youth went well together.   Christoph was very pleased with me!  I solved his problem!

     Later I headed back to Wekiva Island to see how the painting sales were going.  I made sure people knew the paintings were coming down in a few hours.  If they wanted one they needed to do it now.  I think this helped.  I sold all of my paintings except two.  I did give one as a gift to Leslie Long the director of the paint out.  She worked very hard.  Here is a few of them.



"Wekiwa Oak" 8x10 Sold. 



"Florida Native" 5x7 Sold



"Canoe Time" 8x10 Sold Today too!



"Canoe Canoe?" 5x7 Oil on Copper sold at auction a few day ago.

      I will rest up at my Mom and Dad's house in Winter Park for a few days.  Then we are heading to Charleston, South Carolina to paint!  Have a good night.   What a wonderful time I had.  I learned a lot from this event!   Get out and paint.  I sure did!

"Florida Native" 5x7 Oil on Copper Panel.  sold

     We woke up this morning and had Franco take us on a pontoon boat ride down the Wekiva River.  We had Franco drop John Caggiano and I off so we could paint the view from Second Flat.  Second Flat is a little island in the Wekiva River. 



     Here is John Caggiano painting on the island.  We kept hearing giant grunting gators lurking nearby in the lily pads.  Gators sound like dogs barking.  I kept a look out for water moccasins and gators.  We are so far away from civilization.  Our boat driver, Franco, was off somewhere fishing.  We had his cell phone number but neither of us had cell phone reception.  



     Here I am sitting down on a few tree roots painting on the island as well.  I normally stand now to paint.  I did some pilate exercises which strengthened my back muscles.  Now my back doesn't hurt anymore painting standing for 8 hours straight!  This is a huge benefit painting.  I think this is one reason my paintings lately have become a little better.  When a painter stands, it is easier to back up to take another look at the painting.  The painter can see mistakes in the painting and fix them quickly before the painting gets further developed!  But today I decided to take it easy and sit down.  



    Trish, a fellow plein aire painter visited John and I on the island when we were painting.  She is a really great painter.  I asked her what was the single best thing she did to improve her success as a painter.  She answered, "I looked at the resume and websites of other great painters to see which galleries and shows they were doing.  I did what they were doing.  I also looked at dead painter's work and alive great painter's work.  I made sure my paintings were as good as theirs."   I liked her answers.  Anyone who is successful usually mirrors other successful people.   



"Canoe Canoe" 5x7 Oil on Copper Panel.  Sold at Auction for 325$ Framed. 

     After painting all day on the island, we headed back to Wekiva Island to do our sunset paint in.  All plein aire painters painted on the boardwalk along the Wekiva River.  Many people were there watching us work.  I drew 10 thumbnail drawings before I started to paint.  I looked for the most dynamic composition.  I wanted a good image.  Then I started to paint.  I sanded down my copper panel.  I squirted out paint.  I was painting when two women came up to ask me about my copper.  One blocked my view!  Oh no.  This wouldn't work.  So I told her I didn't have xray vision.  She laughed and moved.  I gave out business cards while I painted.  I decided to start talking to them.  They were nice people.  I like Floridians.  They are bubbley and fun.  They enjoy laughing.  I miss this sometimes up in Maine.  People can be reserved and proper in Maine.  Winters are tough on them.  They can be very somber.



     After painting, I framed up my painting seen here in the foreground.   I walked around Wekiva Island showing patrons my painting to be auctioned.  This was a good move I think.  The light was still good.  I showed them the copper showing and explained why I painted on copper.  People really liked this!  When the auction began, a large sunset painting was auctioned for 600$.  Another middle size work went for 450$ by a local great painter.  I was a little nervous.  The auctioneer did a good job announcing my copper painting.  There were several bidding.  The final sale was 325$ for this 5x7 painting.  I was relieved!  I was surprised another plein aire painter had bid too for my painting.  The final bidder collected antique copper paintings and other metal items.  She also had a golden retriever named Lucky!  I asked her to send me a photo of Lucky.  The auctioned continued with many painters not selling their painting.  Most paintings sold.  

     I had a glass of wine and relaxed.  I had a free Italian Sausage.  They are certainly spoiling painters with food and drink here.  I had a second wind and painted the Wekiva Springs fire pit with people in chairs.  I will show you this tomorrow.  Forgot to photograph this one.  Whenever there are painters and wine there seems to be lots of laughing going on.  We chatted for hours. 

    Then we all went back to the cabins.  We went to one of the cabins where a group of painters were gathered.  They were having a pirate party.  There was a pirate tile on the dresser.  There was a skull with a pirate hat.  There were other pirate items.  They were drinking some whiskey and talking about to marry or not to marry.  I sat down on a bed nearby out of the way listening.  One of these painters is very shy.  He will talk amongst one or two people but not more people than that.  He held the   pirate skull and made the jaws move.  Then he talked.  He talked a lot!  Someone commented how talkative he was with the skull.  Someone said maybe he should carry the skull with him everywhere!  The painters all laughed loudly.  We all liked him and know him.  Someone else would talk about something and inorder to answer the shy painter needed to hold the skull. I went off to sleep.  I guess the pirate party continued way into the night.  I liked their Richard Schmid book.  What a great painter.  

    Today John Caggiano and I decided to go to my parent's house to visit and paint.  John is fixing up a few of his plein aire works in my parent's screenroom.  It is 70 degrees but overcast.  It is a good day to paint indoors. 

     We are headed to another dinner party tonight!  What fun we are having.  The big patron's party is Friday night at Wekiva Island from 6-9.  This should be fun too!  Have a great night! 

"Wekiwa Springs" 8x10 Oil on Copper sold.

     Today I carried my equipment a mile down to the Wekiwa Springs to paint this scene!  My skin has red marks from no-seeums and welts from mosquitos and scratches from Florida vines!  I am a mess!  I forgot how warm weather also brings air borne varmits!  It was 85 degrees and sunny today!  I had on my shorts and tank top again with sandals.  I like wearing this type of clothing as I grew up here in Florida.  I worked all day long on this painting.  I love the crystal clear water here at the springs.  I like this painting.  I framed all of my paintings and put them on the wall in the tent.  Here is a photo of them.



     I have plenty of room for more new paintings.  We have several more days left to paint. 



      Here is a pretty hawk watching me paint!



     Here is my hawk friend again.  What a beauty!



     Here are a few catfish in the water.  They are larger than your whole arm! 



     Here is a cat from last night's dinner party.  He had a strange look on his face.  I am not sure why.  I like cats too!  

     Have a great evening!  I am going to relax for a while! 

"Canoe Time" 8x10 Oil on Copper Panel  Sold.  Thank you.

     Today I painted all day at the Wekiva Island with John Caggiano.  I had a lot of fun painting this painting.  I may have Larry Moore look at a few of my new Wekiva paintings.  I want to learn more!  I think this was a successful painting.  I will be interested to hear what Larry thinks.  



"Playtime" 5x7 oil on copper panel.  Sold.

     I was on fire today.  I slept 14 hours last night.  Some of my better plein aire works occur after lots and lots of sleep.  I think it takes a lot of energy and concentration to paint well outdoors.  When I am tired everything is more difficult.  I like these bright green canoes here.  I asked someone at the Wekiva Island for a canoe.  I placed it so I could paint it all day without worrying someone would take off with the canoe.  I had this happen last year! 



     Here I am painting.  John took this photo.  I like it.



      We painted from 11:00 am till 6:45 pm.  I drove the car up to where John was painting.  I let him know I was leaving in 15 minutes!  We needed to be at a dinner party at 7:00 pm.  It was dark anyway!  So John packed it up for the day.  He helped read the directions to the dinner party while I drove.  Everyone was there already!  They had many wonderful foods for us like an alfredo over a dumpling, chicken marsala, a tomatoe linguine, pizza, and salad. They hired a wonderful guitarist and singer!   They had a full bar.  I am not a drinker.  I like to have one drink maybe twice a year.  I am here at the dinner party blogging away! 
 


     Last night was very cold.  We had very little bedding for the cabin.  John only had one little blanket and a pillow.  He yelled out, "I am freezing!"  "It is colder here in Florida than it is in Massachusetts!"  "Tell your Mom I need more blankets!"  I am not sure how John does it but he is a funny guy.  Everything he says can be pretty funny.  We did discover the heater this morning. 

    We ate a lot last night.  There is a dinner pavilion at the Youth camp in the State Park where we are camping in individual cabins.  Leslie Long, the paint out director, has stocked the pavilion well for the painters.  John and I ate like squirrells for hours.  Infact we had other painters comment on our continual eating.  We had bowls of chicken soup, sandwiches, yogurts with fresh giant blueberries, chips, a half a bag of fresh popped popcorn, a cereal bar, and four cups of orange juice each.  I probably forgot to mention other things.  We were sampling!  We talked shop with other painters. 

     I learned about a company online that prints postcards for free with painting images and information on one side, and their advertisement on the other side.  I will have to chase down Christopher to get the name of this company for you.  Good knowledge. 

    One of the painters here, name can not be mentioned, but very very sucessful told us his painting sales are not good but his pot farm is kicking butt!  He tried the meth lab but it was too hard on his lungs.  We laughed very hard.  We added too it the meth lab would be very dangerous!  He agreed.  Painters have a great inventive sense of humor.  They make up scenarios!  It is a wonderful feeling to be with other painters.  I noticed some of my mannerisms are common amongst other painters.   I don't just describe in words about what happen, I might be very animated.  This is a very popular thing!  It makes you feel very comfortable being with other people similar.  Everyone is getting along very well.  I am tired tonight!  I could use another good nights sleep!  

     Tomorrow night we are painting together at Wekiva Island for a sunset painting.  They have hired an auctioneers to sell our paintings afterward.  I was talking with John about the auction prices for these paintings.  I told him I hoped there was a set starting price or all of the paintings may be bought for 5 and 10$ each from the bar patrons!  We laughed at this prospect!  I hope not!  They are very well organized.  I imagine things will go fine!  

     I hope you are enjoying the plein aire event through the blog!  I had better wrap this up!  People are leaving the party!  Good night! 

"Wekiva Oak" 8x10 Oil on Copper panel.  Sold.  Thanks!

     This is the painting I did today!  I started at 11:00 am and finished by 6:00 pm!  This is a really pretty Oak tree.  I was hoping for a tropical, happy, dramatic oak tree!  John likes this painting.  I am still struggling painting green things!  But I decided to just have fun.  I think I did fine painting green today. 

      John worked until dark!  He always does this.  I drove the car up a walking path, on to a path, and through the woods.  There was no road.  I made do.  I wanted to get as close as possible so John wouldn't have to walk too far with his painting equipment.  I think he liked this!  So we drove next to Wekiva Island where we have internet access.  They are playing regae music for us.  It is 70 degrees.  I am wearing a tan top and shorts!  Amazing temperatures here.  The people working at Wekiva Island, an outdoor tiki hut type bar right on the river, are very nice. 






    I like this squirell sitting in the palm tree.  There are suppose to be monkeys now in the Wekiva area.  These monkeys escaped in Ocala during the filming of Tarazan in the 1960's.  I hope a monkey makes himself known during our stay!

     The canoe boy told us the scarriest story while he worked in the Wekiva State Park.  He was helping a family into a canoe.  He turned around to see a large bear walking down the path towards them.  He yelled out, "Evacuaaaaateeeeee!!!!  He told me there was an elderly man sitting on a bench all day watching the people load into their canoes.  This man ran very very fast down the boardwalk.  All of the other twenty people followed him down the boardwalk.  Then the canoe boy sounded off the air horn.  The bear retreated into the woods and came to the boardwalk.  The bear was face to face with the people running down the boardwalk!  So the people turned around screaming and ran back to the canoe basin were the canoe boy was!  I asked him what happen to the bear?  He said the bear disappeared into the woods.  Later the park ranger explained the bear was looking for a lost bear cub.  Yes the bear did find her cub. 

     I hope you had a great day too!  I hope to paint all day tomorrow.  They are having nightly dinner parties for us.  I will continue to blog somehow!  Thanks for reading this blog!

"Canoe Beach" 5x7 Oil on Copper panel.  Framed in gold wood and shipped for free! sold.  Thanks.



     Here are John Caggiano and I painting at the very busy canoe beach in Wekiva State Park, Longwood, Florida.  We are both participating in the Wekiva Paint Out.  You can check out their website here:  Http://www.Wekivapaintout.com 

     We had a great day painting for many hours.  My goal was to have a light, tropical, warm painting.  I had a canoe painted in on the left hand side.  But I decided to remove it.  With two strokes it was gone!  The canoe man was very suprised I could remove the boat like that.   It was difficult painting green stuff again.  The temperatures were in the 70s.  Plein aire painting is just great here!  Except for the no seeums a tiny little bug that flies around and stings you.  Other than that the day went well! 

     John's painting looked great!  Come down to the Patron's Party on Friday night from 6-9 to see all of the paintings done by 30 top painters!  The party is 25$ a person but the amount is deducted from the price of the painting!  I am going to be wearing a new dress I purchased!  So that is even more reason to come to the Patron's party as I never ever wear a dress.  John helped me pick this little black dress and assures me this dress will look great! 

      I am really enjoying spending evenings with my parents.  I miss them.  I miss Robert, Daisy, and Duke too.  But I am going to make the most of this painting trip!  John is having a great time too.  He travels well, has a good sense of humor, and paints great.  I am lucky to travel with him to break down the traveling expenses.  Have a great night! 

     Today I showed John Caggiano Wekiva Springs State Park and Wekiva Island where we will be painting for the Wekiva Plein Aire Invitational March 6-12.  Here is a photo of the boardwalk that shows amazing Florida vegetation.



     Here are two ladies we do not know kyaking in the springs.  The sand is pure white and the water is very clear. 



     This is one of my favorite spots the Wekiva canoe area.  People can rent canoes and kyaks by the day or half day.  The water is a consistant 72 degrees year round!  I painted here at this location a lot last year's plein aire event.  I love to paint those canoes! 



     Here I am looking at a lake behind the cabins we will be staying at during the actual event.  There is a lot of birds on the lake.



     Here is a herd of wild turkeys near a lake. 



     I thought this would be a fun painting!  Lots of work!





     It rained today or we would have painted.  By the time we walked all over the state park I think we were wiped out!  We decided to take it easy.  We have traveled a long way to get to Florida.  Have a great night!  If you live near Longwood, Florida and would like to see the finished paintings for the Wekiva Plein Aire event, I would like to meet you.  On March 11, Friday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm I will be giving a copper painting workshop at Wekiva Island.  The price of this workshop is 50$ for the day and will include a copper panel.   Have a great night!

     Here is John Caggiano with a chicken hat!  We were at South of the Border today on our road trip.  John needed a hat.  He gave me permission to show me his choices.  Which one do you like?



     I liked the rasta look myself.  Look at those nice dreadlocks!




      Here is John's more feminine side.  What do you think?  Would this be a good painting hat?



      I think the Wagnerian look really is good for John.  He does love opera!




     I think this hat would be great for painting in the rain or a blizzard!



    This is a snake medusa hat! 

     We made to my parent's house in Winter Park, Florida!  John decided on a boring taupe safari hat!  I hope you enjoyed this photos.  John Caggiano is a good sport!  Have a great night.  Tomorrow we are heading to Wekiva Springs to paint!

"January in Jeffersonville, Vermont" 6x6  This painting just sold off my website!  Yahhooo!   I really loved this painting.  Good choice if I don't say so myself!  I will ship this to the owner when I get back to Maine!  Daisy and Duke will celebrate with me!  Ice cream for everyone!

     John Caggiano and I left Bearskin, Massachusetts yesterday at 1:00 pm.  We decided to stop and check the air in the tires.  John thought it was a good idea to run around the car taking the caps off of the tire air nozzle.  I put the dollar in quarters into the machine.  Then I tried to put some air in the tires.  The machine didn't seem to be working, air came out of the tire.  John took over.  The same thing was happening with him!  So we took off in the car leaving our tire air nozzle caps in the street infront of the air machine.  We got to another gas station and did put air in the tires.  We realized we had lost our tire air caps.  I was laughing so hard because one of the blog readers asked how long it would take two artists to drive to Florida!  We did go back to the first gas station and found our tire air caps.  Then we sped out of the gas station laughing at ourselves! 

     We drove for an hour before we were seriously hungry.  We stopped at a Italian deli for a snack.  An hour later we were happy again on the road!  John is from New York so I asked him to drive up into New York city.  He became really tired before we were approaching New York City and fell asleep murmuring directions incoherantly.  I was a little worried but realized the signs were showing the way to the city.  Traffic was really heavy.  I have taken a lot of advanced driving improvement classes when I was younger for many speeding tickets.  I was doing the one one thousand rule with car spacing but the New York drivers were changing lanes diagonally!  I let them all have the right away.  John woke up and noticed my passive driving skills.  I think this worried him a little.   I was letting people cut infront of me.  I allowed a large space in between cars. 

     We arrived at John's Mom's house in Brooklyn, New York at 10:30 pm.  He grew up in this home so it was interesting to see where he had lived.  It was a very nice house.  His Mom had recently passed away.  I felt sad we were there.  John seemed fine.  He was doing a few errands there.  I was offered the Mom's room but elected to sleep on the couch.  We left there at 12pm.  John was cooking up some breaded fish sticks for a snack later! 

    He drove us out of New York City.  I took over driving after a few hours.  Then I drove us 8 hours into South of the Border.  We decided not to drive all night long.  We would arrive at my Mom and Dad's house at 5:00 am.  Then we would have slept all day until 9:00 pm.  We might have appeared like vampires!  So we decided to stay in South of the Border area.  We will get up and drive 7 more hours rested.  Hotels are really cheap down South for some reason.  We could each have a room for 50$.    It looks like we will even get a free continental breakfast! 

      Roadtripping is a lot of fun with John Caggiano.  When we left New York, we were talking about so many subjects we realized we were in Maryland!  How did that happen?  John was trying to remember any other states we passed.  He couldn't.  He suggested we had been abducted by aliens and now we had been put back into the car?  I couldn't remember any of the states either.  It was really wierd! 

     So now I will sleep.  I am tired from driving all day.  I think we drove over 11 hours today.  We made great time.  Gas prices were cheapest in New Jersey at 3.06$ a gallon.  The most expensive was 3.66$ a gallon in Virginia.  Snow was gone leaving Connecticut.  It was warmer in New York at 47 degrees!  Today I almost changed into shorts to celebrate 64 degrees.  Maybe tomorrow I will wear a short sleeve shirt and shorts and sandals!  What a treat! 

     Robert called a few times today during the day to see how we were doing driving.  When Robert got home he discovered Daisy had eaten 4 of my starfish I had on the window seal.  These starfish were the size of your hand from all over the world.  Normally Daisy helps herself to apples in a basket in the kitchen when she gets hungry.  We had run out of apples.  Daisy was just doing what she could do to survive.   She likes an afternoon snack sometimes.  I guess these starfish were all she could find to eat!   After all, they were crunchy, fishy, and tastey!  Maybe Robert should go get some apples!  Duke is doing fine receiving his Lymes Disease antibiotics twice a day!  

     I hope you enjoyed our roadtrip escapades!  Till tomorrow then, get out and paint! I hope we are in Florida tomorrow! 

      I woke up this morning and headed to Bradley Wharf.  The snow is almost gone.  It was a beautiful sunny day!  Here I watched a fisherman loading bait into a skiff.  Giant seagulls stole a few of his sardines.  He said, "They stole some of my bait.  It is ok.  It's cold out so I will let them have a few fish."  What a nice fisherman. 







     If you look closely you will see a bunch of small little birds.  They were sunning themselves.  I watched them for a while flying around, flapping their wings, and snuggling against the warm wood.  One bird is on top of a rolled up bunch of rope.  He was particularly happy with his warm rope nest!



      The street is almost clear of snow.  I liked the look of the red pewter shop and the shape of the shadows in the foreground. 

      When I woke up this morning I read a note left by John.  It read, "I am finished!  Wake me up at 10:00am."  I decided to let him sleep in anyway.  He was up till 5:00 am working hard.  I went to the post office to mail off my paintings to a client!  So Sue you should have your paintings soon!  Daisy and Duke will enjoy their ice cream treat when I return to Maine.  I want to take photos of them in action! 

     It is so windy out today!  I bet the winds are greater than thirty mph!  I think Paul Goodnow, a painter and excellent frame maker is stopping by to drop off frames to John.  I hope we will leave for New York today!  I have never ever been to New York.  I would like to see Coney Island!  Have a great night.  Thanks for reading about my journey!