Ice House, Hollis, NH

Friday was a perfect day for painting in watercolor outside. The sun was shining. The air was warm and dry. I drove to Hollis, NH and met up with the NH Plein Air Painters. Early in the day, I painted this ice house next to an apple orchard that is in a town(?) park. After a lovely lunch at a diner in Milford, NH, NH artist Sharon Allen and I painted a local landmark, a lighthouse on a lake. I have a general idea of where it was. The wind picked up in the afternoon, and I struggled to keep my easel from flying away. Having said that, the bugs were fierce and that's unusual on a windy day. Must remember my bug spray next time! The painting went together quickly and I'm fairly happy with the final.

Weantinoge Plein Air

Getting ready for the next paint out with the Weantinoge Land Trust. They created this beautiful poster that will be updated as the new sites are announced. Next paint out is at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford. Beautiful property with rolling hillsides, barns and a Christmas Tree Farm. The associated Silo Gallery has offered to show some of the paintings of the land trust properties in January 2011. Hope the artists come out and paint. The last (May) paint out was well attended . . . weather wasn't too great!

Sping Flowers Have Arrived!

Spring is a beautiful and refreshing time of year! It's hard to focus with all the new things growing and all the beautiful colors popping up. I'm enjoying my little flower garden that, this year, rewarded me with outstanding tulips! I planted some beautiful pansies, also. Yesterday, I had the idea I would paint in my own yard . . . and I did. Somehow I managed to paint other things and not the flowers. I think I'm afraid I can't make a painting as beautiful as the experience of seeing the flowers first hand. But, in the winter months, a beautiful painting would be a feast for the eyes. and the colors energizing.