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Posted on 10/12/2012 5:04:45 PM
By Coraly
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One of the small plein air pieces done in the Teton park.
Due to a computer error at the Santa Cruz cultural council this Spring, I was not sent the on line application for Open Studios this year. I was busy speaking in the Spring at two women's retreats, at Mission Springs and then Mt. Hermon, so the application deadline just flew "over my head!" So, I'm sorry to say I'm not having 600-800 guests come by my studio this Fall, as in the past 7 years! I'm trusting that God is sovereign and knew I'd need time to recover from a difficult summer of health challenges.
I'm so thankful for my wonderful painting trips before all this medical "stuff" happened. After the Carmel Art Festival competition, where I sold several paintings, Lee and went to Yosemite, stayed at the Awanhee Hotel, and I did about 10 new pieces. Most are in the current Paint the Parks show around the area in different County Bank buildings.
After Yosemite, I took 5 gals from our SC plein air group up to our house at Tahoe for 5 days, and we painted all around the lake. It was beautiful weather, we had very light crowds and we got some great paintings. They loved my Sierra "paradise", and it was great fun to share some of my favorite painting spots with them. I also taught them to play hand and foot (a beloved family card game) at night, and we had some memorable times at Sunnyside and Garwoods laughing and having yummy food after long, delightful days of painting.
I also attended Scott Christianson's advanced painting workshop on the eastern side of the Tetons in late July. So, Lee and I first went back for a week to the Teton National Park and Jenny Lake Lodge, our favorite spot in the park. I brought home 30 new paintings. Several were quick sketches, and now I'm starting to paint some larger studio pieces from those. Scott was very firm with me about not letting myself be content with just being a plein air painter, but using those fresh, lively pieces for inspiration and information, in order to do more intentional, carefully designed, and larger paintings in the studio. (I also made some great new artist friends, and Lee went fly fishing with one of the husbands and caught over 20 fish his first day out!)
Last week Lee installed my beautiful new Hugh's 3000 easel and larger taboret from ASW with a big pallet area. So, I'm all ready, finally, to begin doing larger pieces! I've just finished one, 20x24, of Jenny Lake Reflections. (I went out to do the smaller plein air before 7:00 AM, and there was a bear spotted just down the trail from where I stood painting for almost 3 hours! So glad he didn't come have me for breakfast!)
We've already made reservations to return next summer to Wyoming and the Tetons for our anniversary in June. Whenever I go, I'm overwhlemed at God's majestic Creation. The natural magnificience is astounding and makes me reflect again on His power, glory and especially His love for us...to remember He created such beauty just for us to enjoy! There are endless, inspiring places to paint there!
If you'd like to come by the studio to see some of my new paintnigs, buy some cards, purchace a painting, order a consignment paice or plan Christmas gifts, etc., please just call and set up a time. (423-5088) I'd love to see you!
