Getting Outside!

Plein air painting has been pretty good this fall. I'm more motivated to get out and paint due to lack of space in my current in home studio. I've got it set up for encaustic, which does not leave room for an easel too. Now if only I could stay off Pinterest on the day I say I'm writing here. Some days the inspiration and cool finds just do not seem to have an end. Today was one of them....

I seem to have lots of painting ideas flying around in my brain, waiting to settle down and get on canvas or panel. I have to write down little notes about them when they surface, otherwise they risk getting pushed aside from the next idea. Once I have time to focus on paintings I can go to my little book of random painting ideas and see which one gets my attention. 

This time of year is my favorite for taking photos also. Some for the pure joy of capturing the moment and others will become paintings during the cold indoor months. Also a show coming up helps me to focus and get these ideas out in paintings. I've been reviewing my reference photos and choosing the ones that get my attention for new paintings in encaustic. 

First day Plein Air, on a wet underpainting, a bit mushy, but fun to get out and explore my new landscape in Montana

Windy second day out, in David Mensing workshop

Up Bridger Canyon Road, good place to park and paint.

On site vista

Day one cattails and trees

Day two, a couple days later, with a little color change

New favorite painting spot by the Story Mill

Day two, painting fast with impending rain storm, it moved in fast, but I made my sky choice before the cloud took over.

A few photos from the recent fall days, amazing to watch the changes in just a few days.

Sun lit trees!

First snows

Lingering color

Just at sunset

Time to get back to the Blog

Wow, moving from Alaska to Montana was a lot of effort. I did not plan to take such a break from my creative blog here. But somehow time just slipped by in the chaos of all the change. We are still settling in, but feeling more grounded.

I just got back from a great trip to Austin and San Antonio TX. Hot, hot, hot there, whew. I attended the 7th Annual Encaustic Conference, now named Encausticon. It was great to be surrounded by so many artists and all the creative ideas. Ate some great food in Austin and enjoyed some live music. Emily Wolfe at the Cactus Cafe, a fun quirky up and coming singer/songwriter doing a residency at the University of Texas.

About the second week I was in Bozeman I found out about a plein air painting class and was able to attend. It was a great class by David Mensing (from Idaho). I met a few local artists and am slowly finding some connections here. That is the worst part about moving is leaving your artist friends.

Just looking through my photos and decided that I need to post a few days on my trip to Texas. Lots of things to share.

First I'll start with my plein air studies from my oil class. It was so fun to get back to the brushes, even if I couldn't find all my supplies. David was a great teacher, so much information in 2 days. We didn't have much time to paint, but were given so much info that will last and add to future paintings. The class was hosted by Cobalt Moose Studios, which is a mother/daughter team of artists. They are both amazing artists and were so friendly and welcoming at their studio/home and property.

Blogger is being cranky and not letting me write more, so I'll save the rest for another day.

First day, painting-quick less than 2 hours

Second day, around an hour and a half

 

 

Last week

I managed to get out a second time last week for painting! This time to Carr-Gottstein Park, just a little ways north and west of last spot. These have quickly become my favorite painting spots in Anchorage. I'm enjoying the expanse of the grassy flats, changing mudflat and water lines and the mountains in the background. Adding a bit of discipline by limiting my palette colors has been quite helpful not to mention I have been able to cut out one bag out of the painting gear. Enjoying the warm burnt sienna underpaintings-this time they were dry, that helped a lot with the painting process! Still working small-well 8 x 16 and 8 x 8. Liking the horizontal format, but also enjoying the challenge of the squares. The fireweed will be blooming anytime down over the bluff at the park-that should but fun. Gotta get there fast-have a road trip coming up with the husband and doggies soon.

Painting scene at Carr-Gottstein Park

What I saw-Pretty happy with this one, brushy and fresh

second painting-still unfinished

 We painted from just after 7pm until around 10pm, time to quit-as I had been optimistic and had worn shorts-got a little chilly. The scene above is looking towards Kincaid park, beautiful view as we were leaving.