Daley Plaza-October

Finally had a chance to add some color to a sketch done late October at Daley Plaza. Altho a sunny day, the plaza was shaded and the breeze strong and chilled. I never took my paints out, just did a pencil drawing and took some photos. This was our last outdoor meeting for the sketch group, we will do a monthly outing to an indoor location until warmer weather returns.

Coalition Gallery Artist Exhibit

I have had the honor of being accepted as a Coalition Gallery Artist 2011-2012 at the Chicago Artists Coalition. There are 16 in our group and our first group show opens tonight at the CAC space on Carpenter Street in the west loop. My painting, Falling Into Place, is a part of the show. Opening tonight is from 6-9 pm. This will be an exciting venture!

A Piece of Autumn

Have not had a lot of time for painting outside this October. Altho we had nice weather, other activities took priority. Did sketch with the group at Daley Plaza last Monday but I only completed the pencil sketch and need to add some color. This small work was done in the studio but inspired by the season!

Painting at Olive Park

Two weeks ago today was a lovely warm and sunny day and I was out at Olive Park to sketch and paint with our group. After finding a good view in a shady spot, I set up and started work on this section of the skyline. It was windy and beautiful clouds were in constant motion. Time passed quickly as well so I only got one painting done that day.

Back at the Zoo

Last week it was back to the Lincoln Park Zoo to sketch. Our original plan was to work on the new Boardwalk but shade was scarce and the sun warm, so we opted for the shade near the Gardener's Cottage above the north west end of the lagoon. The quaint cottage of stone and wood was surrounded by trees and plantings and served as my subject for the afternoon.

Belmont Harbor

Monday was a trip to Belmont Harbor for an afternoon of sketching and painting. Another lovely day, we were finished and back home before the rain moved into the city. The boats are a challenge since they are in constant motion even when not in use. Sailing lessons for children started while we were there, colorful little sail boats moved in and out. I took some photos of them so will try to do something from those.

Millennium Park

Last Monday I was at Millennium Park to paint/sketch with group. We were lucky to get one of the few nice days that have come along recently, moderate warm, low humidity and no rain. There are some large, colorful sculptures in the park for the summer so we set up near them, a view of the water spouting faces was in the other direction. I decided to do the sculptures which are very dynamic pieces. I have another small one started that I need to finish. It was a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon.

Lily Pool #2

Just finishing the second watercolor from last Monday's trip to the Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park. I am glad we did not have today's heat and humidity last week!

Painting At The Lilly Pool

After Monday morning's nasty storm, the skies cleared and we were able to spend a lovely afternoon painting at the Alfred Caldwell Lilly Pool at the north end of the Lincoln Park Zoo. It is a beautiful spot, a real treasure. We found shade and good views on the west side of the pool and the time passed quickly! This is a detail of the watercolor I did in my sketchbook and I started another small one that I need to finish yet. I will post it when it is done.

Painting By The Chicago River

On Monday, June 27, we were out to paint along the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue. It was a beautiful afternoon. After a week in Ogle County painting the rural landscape, I had to transition back to city girl. This was a great location and I hope we get a chance to return to it.

The End.....

So the Field's Project 2011 has come to an end. It was another great experience, a wonderful host family, interesting artists, great locations to paint! Only the weather was a problem at times, too much damp, rainy, humid air for successful watercolor painting a couple of days. But there were other things to see and do, as always. The Bocker's railroad spur and storage operation in Polo was amazing to see, a visit to the John Deere Historical site was interesting and I stopped in the Next Picture Show Gallery in Dixon to see the IWS National Exhibit with another artist. This was my fifth time to be a part of the Field's Project, I could probably do it 5 more times and still not feel like I have seen and done everything. Hopefully, there are some good paintings to come out of this year's experience. The photo above is of the 13 artists that were a part of the 2011 Field's Project and was taken after the pot luck dinner on Saturday night at Mix Park in Oregon, IL

Home Again

It was a wonderful week, even if the weather did not fully co-operate. I had a perfect host family and learned much from them. Weather was perfect today for the closing Art Fair and I ended up doing well with sales. I am tired! Will do a wrap up tomorrow. This little painting was my last attempt at capturing the Mud Creek Valley where I was staying and I love the simplicity of it!

Last Day

I spent yesterday finishing this and several other small paintings. Last night was the pot luck dinner for all the artists and host families and committee members. As always, a wonderful evening of good food, funny stories and a few tears with our new extended family. Today is the art fair and then it is will be time to head home.

Making Progress

Brighter day..... Brighter colors!

The Last Day.....

Today is the last working day of the Field's Project. Had breakfast on the deck with my hosts Kent and Kathy and now will set up out there to work on finishing a few of my starts from the week. Beautiful morning, probably the nicest day we have had, wish it had been like this all week! This is the view of the Mud Creek Valley from the deck.

Work in Process

Painting at the Croft Centennial Farm.

Fly Over

I am just back from morning flight over the field designs, skies are clearing and I am going out to the Croft Farm to paint. The three designs are a petroglyph type figure of a man fishing, a corn stalk and a footprint on a patterned field.

On Tour

Did a tour today of the new railroad spur and corn storage complex that Gary and Judy Bocker have built in Polo, IL. It is quite amazing. Did not paint today, was on tour most of day and did take a lot of photos. Did a little sketching. Tomorrow morning we fly over the field designs. Hope the gray clouds and showers of today are gone.

Home Work

Rain persists, so after dinner I used a photo and a sketch from yesterday to get something done for today! This is the corn crib on Ocken's farm. While the tractor was out to work the view thru the barn intrigued me. I think I will probably do a larger painting of this after I get home.

Rain, Rain...

Rain Rain Go Away

Could not get out to paint today!

Took some photos and did some pencil sketches but awful day to do watercolor outside.

Hope to work on something this evening at home!

Tuesday Night Rainbow

We had a brief thunderstorm last night but the sun came out and gave us a beautiful rainbow as the storms moved east to the Chicago area.

Tuesday Afternoon

The rain went south and north of us today, very windy with ever changing skies. This painting is almost done, just need to attend to a few details. We had a short but dramatic thunderstorm tonight with a lovely rainbow afterwards.... a good omen for the rest of the week!

Windy Morning

It isTuesday morning and we are at the Ocken farm on Union Road, near Polo. It is quite windy and rain will likely move in later but this is a great location. Have to hold on to paper and paint drying much quicker than it did during yesterday's rain and humidity.

Yesterday!

Sunday morning I got a tour of the home and property here, beautiful place. In the afternoon I sat out on the deck and painted the view of a section of Mud Creek down the hill from the house. It is nice to have a covered outdoor space to work.

Rainy Start

It is raining on and off this morning but we are at the Vogl farm anyway. I am set up just inside a shed sharing space with Ruth doing an oil painting and the old tractor. This was my first small painting of the day.

Home Away From Home

Here is home for the next week while I am at the Field's Project. I am staying with Kent and Kathy Lawrence and this is the Kickapoo Mud Creek Nature Conservancy dwelling in Oregon, IL. It is just beautiful here and I am learning a lot about the Mud Creek watershed area that they are working to preserve and energy saving buildings! Hope to paint for a little while this afternoon before our dinner event tonight.

Painting At The Zoo

Yesterday was a perfect day to paint outdoors and we were at the Lincoln Park Zoo. There were five members of the Sketch Group and it was decided that the giraffes might be good models for the day. One was very co-operative and spent the time eating an extended lunch. I have never painted animals so it was an interesting challenge. The zoo is a beautiful location, I could go there every week and always find something different to paint!

Lurie Garden

Yesterday was a visit to the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park with the Sketch Group. This was our first chance to work outside this year and it was a lovely warm Chicago day. The garden looks lovely altho we missed the tulips at their peak. I did two watercolor sketches, one in the book and one on separate paper. It was great to be outside to work again!

Painting at Navy Pier

Monday wad Sketch Group and we
met at Navy Pier. Had hoped to be outside but it was chilly, windy and sometimes rainy at the lakefront, so we went up to the Crystal Garden. I tried to do a looser rendition of the trees than I did last time we went there. It was fun painting and visiting. Next time we are meeting at the Lurie Gardens. I love that location!

Art Spree Photo

Here I am, at my space at the Thompson Center during the Illinois Artisan's Art Spree two weeks ago. Thanks to the staff for sending me this image.

Art Spree at Thompson Center

My exhibit space for today and tomorrow, set up and ready to go!

Art Spree!

Today I am trying to get organized! I will be at Thompson Center on Thursday and Friday for the April Art Spree event. Hope to see lots of people there!

Signing print edition

This photo shows me signing and numbering the print edition at Millikin University on Saturday afternoon.

A Print Project

I have spent today and part of yesterday working on an echoing based on one of my watercolor sketches. This had been a wonder collaboration with the Carriage House Press at Millikin University. Working with students and art professor Lyle Salmi, we produced an edition of 11 prints. This was a great experience!

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

A new small piece from the studio.

Works In Progress

The weather in February was not for outdoor work so I have been in the studio. After the Holidays it always takes me a while to get back into the routine. Right now I have several paintings in various stages and getting ready to start a new, larger piece too.

Painting At The Field Museum

Monday afternoon several members of the Sketch Group met at the Field Museum for our February outing. I decided to visit the dinosaur hall which I found has been wonderfully updated since I was last there! Altho rather dimly lit, I did manage to do a few watercolor sketches of some of the exhibits. This sketch is from the Maiasaur exhibit. I did several rather quick sketches, challenging myself to work without doing any preliminary pencil drawing.

Thompson Center

Today I was gallery sitting/working at the Thompson Center in Chicago. I have three paintings in a group show with 18 other members of the Illinois Artisan Program. This week long exhibit is part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Artisan program. The small watercolor here is of a sculpture in the atrium, it was right across the table so it was easy to sketch and still interact with visitors to the show. Aside from the chilly air in the atrium, it was a nice morning and thanks to those that stopped to visit!

Salt & Pepper At The Corner Bakery

Today the Sketch Group got together at the Corner Bakery on the corner of Rush and Cedar to work a bit and plan for 2011. We roughed out a schedule for the first part of the year and a list of possible locations. Visits to some exhibits will be added to our activities this year! With the time we had left, I worked on a drawing of a few items on the table and added color after arriving home. It was good to see everyone and wonderful to get back to work!!