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.