I am so happy to be back to a regular schedule!!! The kiddos started school again last week, and after getting on to more reliable (and quieter!) schedules and days, I've finally sat back down to think about my next piece.
Maryland Federation of Art's annual Collector's Choice event is approaching again in late October. I donate a signature piece each year, a duty and a privilege, so that great art can be both viewed and acquired by both novice and decided collectors. This event is one of the best things going in the Baltimore-D.C. corridor, because a ticket at $185, entitles two attendees to drinks, food, and a ticket number that will undoubtedly be chosen during the evening, where as the ticketed guest may take home an original piece of art.
The most fun (I have to admit) is the way in which numbers are chosen, and listening to the oooh and aahhhhs as folks make a tidy list of their top favorite works, then wait for their number to be called. Only two hundred tickets are sold, and the sooner your number is randomly picked, the more likely you are to get your one of the works at the top of your list.
In addition to donating a new piece, I always purchase a ticket so that I too can go home with a new piece to add to my humble collection. It's pretty exciting! One year, I even delivered a piece to an attendee who chose a very large (!) piece, but didn't consider the fact that it did not fit into their minivan. This is why I often drive a big pickup. Yes, I look a little honkey. But, I always have room for whatever I need to take with me whether it's a 5'x8' painting, or a dining room table and six chairs from a great yard sale! I don't know how I lived without a pickup...
So, as promised, I prepped a canvas and started a cool little landscape that may or may not end up being named, "Red Rock, Green Valley". I intend this 11x18 to be for Collector's Choice (unless it is snapped up before hand and I need to paint another piece). Here's what I've got so far, over about four hours time:
To celebrate a new school year, I also organized my paints and such so that they are easier to find while I'm working...they also look pretty darn cute in wooden cigar boxes (thank you, Hubby!).
Adding some chunky paint for texture here.
Adding some contrast here and depth with washes.
I need to let today's very heavy, wet paint, dry before adding more layers. This piece is looking a bit like patchwork, which is a different approach for me, but I'm always up for experimenting with my mediums to get new outcomes.
Thank you for stopping by my studio today, and if you are feeling the effects of hurricane Florence, we are praying diligently for your safety of you and your homes.
See you tomorrow!