Cameron Gardens Paint Out

Morning Light

Another satisfying paint out day this past Thursday at Cameron Gardens on Steamboat Island Road. This is such a beautiful rural garden surrounded by beautiful forests. It's truly an escape from the busyness of life. Diane Jacob owner of Cameron Gardens treated us like royalty with herb infused lemonade and fresh sweets baked by her neighbor. The weather was lovely, the turnout of artists was good, and we had a wonderful morning painting to our hearts content!

I painted for the first time with a new easel setup specifically designed for my portable pastel carrying case. It worked beautifully....and I am very happy with the results. Diane's comment, "you really feel like you are in Cameron Gardens" more than thrilled this artist. That's what it's about....trying to convey to the viewer the same sense of calm and retreat you felt as you viewed the garden and it's quiet spirit.

Yes, it was a very good day!

Painting Out with the Art League

Dappled

pastel

Each Thursday morning from May through September the Olympia Art League has a group of artists that paint out together at various sites around Olympia. Most Thursdays... weather permitting.... you will find me painting en plein aire (in open air) with this group. We paint around town, at private gardens, parks, nurseries, and various other venues and enjoy gentle critiques from each other at the close of our session . It is a great experience, and we watch each others skills grow from year to year, even from week to week.

These paint outs have definitely been good for my growth as an artist. I find I usually struggle the first week or two, but then get back into the rhythm as the summer progresses. Not long ago we visited Lattins Cider Mill and I set my easel up to paint a group of trees and their cast shadows. I wanted to capture the light through the leaves and the beauty of their dappled shade. Three short hours later I walked away with one of my favorite paint out successes. Just days before this session I had read an article from master pastelist Richard McKinley about changing values in small increments and not adding strong contrasts too soon. I kept this in mind as I developed my painting.....moving from middle values to darker and lighter in small increments. "Dappled Shade" is the resulting painting, and I feel very satisfied with the days efforts.