Saturday, October 30, 2010

Another Bean

Here is a second watercolor sketch from the outing to Milleninum Park.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Painting The Bean

Yesterday was the October outing for the sketch group and we met at Millennium Park. Altho only three of us braved the coolish and damp forecast. We were rewarded with a partly sunny, dry afternoon and we set up at one of the tables and tackled "The Bean". It was the first time I have tried painting it and getting the scale right is a challenge. I may still add a few details to this sketch and I started a second one that I will post later.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

More Fish!

Here is another fish sketch from trip to the aquarium.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Painting at the Aquarium

Last Monday the Sketch Group's last outing for the month of September and we decided to take advantage of a free admission day at the Shedd Aquarium. We set up around the circular reef exhibit and after our eyes adjusted to somewhat dimmer lighting than we are used to, we all set to work. The constant movement of fish and people is a challenge but it was a most enjoyable afternoon. I would like to go back again, the view was always changing.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Painting At Belmont Harbor

It was a perfect clear and dry day in Chicago, a wonderful day to spend some time outside painting. We met at Belmont Harbor this afternoon and it was difficult to choose a subject, there was just too many good views. This watercolor sketch is of a few boats in the harbor with the lakefront and some buildings in the background. I started another of the lakefront and city skyline but it is still a work in progress.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Painting On Location

Last Monday was painting outside with four others from the regular
group. It was a beautiful day, perfect for working outside, and we
enjoyed our time at Marino Park at Rush, State and Cedar. This small
triangle of green space was a busy spot but we found some space to set
up and choose our subjects. The small work pictured here is of the
flower filled hanging baskets on the lamp posts.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Taos Sketch

I found time during our last afternoon in Taos to do a few small
watercolors of different views from the upper deck of the house. This
one is the view to the north of the town looking at the mountain range
that is home to the Taos Ski Valley. It was a warm afternoon and altho
the clouds were building we never did get the rain we could see in the
distance.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Taos Opening

Last night was the opening reception for this year's Taos National
Exhibition of American Watercolor. This exhibit is put together by the
Taos National Society of Watercolorists and this year they featured
works by all of the signature members in one gallery and works by
their local members in the second gallery. My painting "Pieces", the
lower painting seen in the photo, was chosen for the exhibit and I was
pleased to be able to be there for the opening. I have been a
signature member of the TNSW for several years.

Monday, August 9, 2010

IWS "Small Waters" Opening

Friday night was the Opening Reception for the Illinois Watercolor Society's "Small Waters" Exhibit at the Elmhurst Art Museum. The exhibit includes 44 original works by artists from 9 states, all of which are 144 square inches or smaller. The reception was very well attended and we heard comments from our juror, Nancy Fortunato, prior to the presentation of awards. My painting, "One Piece Of The Puzzles" is in this exhibit which will be open thru August. This show is worth seeing!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Painting At The Lily Pad Pond

Yesterday was a perfect day to be outside to paint and the Sketch
Group was out at the Caldwell Lily Pad Pond at the north end of
Lincoln Park Zoo. It is a lovely spot with lots of trees, plants and
ledges of rock. The pond is well supplied with lily pads of all sizes
and is home to birds, ducks, frogs and butterflies. Here are two
paintings of the lily pads that grow in the pond.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Women In Grains Exhibit

Friday, July 16, was the opening reception for the Women In Grains
Exhibit at the Woolen Mill Gallery in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The
exhibit was organized and curated by Catherine Bouzide, a Chicago
artist that I first met in 2004 when we were both a part of The Fields
Project. The work included range from 2D to ceramics, metal sculpture
to video and more. Art by 18 women from across the country make up
this varied show that covers a wide range of agricultural themes. The
exhibit closes August 7 and is definitely worth seeing. The photo
shown here is me with my painting, Agri-Puzzle. I have three
watercolors in the exhibit. Many thanks to all that made this show
possible!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Lincoln Park Zoo

Monday was the first June gathering of the Sketch Group and we headed
for the new Nature Boardwalk at the Lincoln Park Zoo. We found some
shade under a bridge and the view in both directions was great. I
chose the southern view of the pond, park and skyline. The northern
view was pond, park and the Cafe Brauer. It was a beautiful day to be
outside painting. The new boardwalk is going to be even better as the
plantings mature and grow. I could probably go to the zoo everday for
a month and find something interesting to paint each time!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Subway On Washington

I did the pencil sketch last week and finally had some time today to
add some color. The Sketch Group met last Monday at the Chicago
Cultural Center for our outing. We spent most of the time looking at
the Romare Bearden exhibit upstairs which was large and fascinating.
So I only had time to do a couple of quick pencils drawings from the
stairs on the Washington side of the building before time to head home.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Flower Sketch

Here is a quick watercolor sketch of some blooms that were next to me
while painting at Navy Pier last week.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Navy Pier Visit

Yesterday, Monday the 10th, was our monthy outing for the Sketch
Group. This month we went to Navy Pier. Of course, we had hopes for
sunny and warm but windy and cool prevailed so we stayed inside. The
Crystal Garden was the best place to set up and it proved to be a
comfortable spot to work. I decided to work on this view of some of
the potted palm trees first. I hope to go back to the pier on a nicer
day when I can work outside!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Another Sketch from April

Here is an unfinished sketch done in April at the Lincoln Park
Conservatory. The koi fish are in the pond in the orchid room and are
always a challenge. Next Monday we will be meeting at Navy Pier to
sketch and paint which should be a great location!

Monday, April 12, 2010

April Flowers

Today I was at the Lincoln Park Conservatory with several members of
our sketch group. The Spring Flower Show is in full bloom and almost
made it too hard to choose what to draw or paint. Here I was looking
at buttercups and other unknown (to me) blooms and before that it was
the azaelas and buttercups. From here I moved on to the Koi pond but
need to spend some more time on that!

Friday, March 12, 2010

Sketch Group Outing

Last Monday was our winter monthly outing for the sketch group I
joined last summer. During the winter we have been meeting once a
month but I have missed the last two. This time we met at the condo
home of one of our members. Unfortunately, a very foggy day limited
our lakefront views so I did a watercolor and ink of what I could see,
a bit of the Inner Drive and a bit of The Drake Hotel. Not sure where
we will go next!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Exhibit At Black Walnut Gallery

I was invited to show 4 of my watercolors at the latest group exhibit at the Black Walnut/Robert Wayner Gallery. These are recent works that were a part of the exhibit at North Central College. The work is on display until the end of March.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Solo Exhibit at North Central College

This afternoon I delivered my work to the Oesterle Library Gallery of
North Central College in Naperville. We hung 31 drawings and paintings
plus 2 showcases with sketchbooks and small on location paintings. It
looks great! The opening reception is Sunday, January 10, from 1-3 pm.
I will be there to talk to all visitors! The show will be up until
February 18. Thanks to gallery director Nickole Lanham for all her work!