Hi!
Michigan has some of the most awe-inspiring wildlife areas. My favorites are the marshlands with waving grasses, water lilies, and swallows swooping low overhead.
So after the rigors of the art festival when I needed a break, I took a morning off to watch the sunrise at Pointe Mouillee.
As I tried to capture the splendor with my phone's camera, I was reminded of the words in some of my favorite hymns and decided to use some of them as titles.
You might recognize some of them.
I have done this before, but now I'd like to create a more cohesive series centered around two or three of my favorites.
These two pieces should be dry enough to varnish by about Sept 1.
Now for the announcement I spoke about last week.
I need a deadline to push me forward, it seems. Otherwise, it's too easy to get caught up in the endless to-do lists that hover over us all.
I also need to get a better plein air easel. The one I have is rather heavy.
So I entered the STRADA Easel Challenge. That means creating something from life (not photo references) every day for the whole month of September.
This won't be any problem during the upcoming Cheboygan retreat, as we will be painting from life anyway.
I see this as the perfect push for doing lots with this landscape series in a short period of time.
On rainy days, I'll set up a still life for some more work in the 'Saved Seeds' series. After all, I have no desire to imitate Debbie Reynolds by singin' in the rain.
Even if I don't win one of the 5 STRADA easels, I will have produced enough new work to fund one.
Here's the link to STRADA's website in case you'd like to participate yourself or know an artist who would. https://www.stradaeasel.com/
In the meantime, go find a quiet and inspiring place where you can sing your heart out. And whether you sing well or poorly.....
I have an idea some birds nearby may join you.
Jan
P.S. Artist Retreat is one month away!
