Here I go again... This coming Saturday, July 31 — I will be painting outside the Timmel Gallery in downtown Saugatuck from 10 am to 5 pm

It is supposed to be lovely day — 79 degrees, partly cloudy. Perfect weather for me to be outside all day! If you're in the area stop by and say hi!

The Gallery is located at 133 Main Street and is right on the village green. Owner Joel Timmel, is a really cool person with an incredible knowledge of art. He also rescues Scotties who spend the day with him at the gallery greeting the patrons.

Timmel Gallery

This month has been so rewarding for me. Great adventures, new vistas, connecting with old friends, spending time with my mentor...I cannot remember the last time I have been so enriched!  And it seems to just be getting better!

Three years ago I started working with the children in Waukegan...Two years ago I started The Visiting Artists Program; Understanding Through Art with my friends and fellow partners Sandra Bacon and Ron Kempner. I have been diligently working on the paper work the past two years to acquire 501 (c) (3) status from the federal government. When I finished it, the paperwork measured over an inch thick!

This month I received my approval letter. The Visiting Artist Program is now an official not-for-profit organization.

Now I get to do more writing. Grants!  With income coming in I hope to step up our presence in Waukegan and reach more children.

I'm still working hard in the studio getting ready for my solo show in September 12, at the Old Town Art Center in Chicago.

I am also hoping to have a catalog available at this time.

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Colorado. The wedding was beautiful and was held at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Littleton. The hotel we stayed in was at the base of a mountain range, so 5 minutes away there were hiking paths and spectacular vistas in every direction.

The temperature neared 100 degrees, but there was no humidity so it really was not bad.

Since my offspring like to sleep late and I get up with the sun,  it was perfect for my exploration of the area. I only had two mornings to paint. The first morning I set out looking for a spot to work and I found lots of them. My problem, as a city girl is that I am  very apprehensive about critters I am not used to coming within my eyesite! This was intensifed by names of the trails such as Rattlesnake Gulch!

I realized I had two options..paint where there are lots of people around (so they can hear me scream) or just stay near my car.

I chose near my car. The piece below was executed around 7 a.m. just as the sun was stroking the top of the mountains and highlighting the trees.

I  think I am now ready to paint at Rocky Mountian National Park. I will try to get there next year. After that, will I be ready for Danada in Alaska?  Another option..find a partner to travel with!

Am I really allowed to have this much fun!  Life is good!

I just noticed I have over 13,000 hits on this site! The last time I looked it was only 7000

Thank you for your visits..keep coming back!

I am leaving for Denver this week, just a short trip for a little sightseeing and a family wedding.

And on this adventure, I will be exploring a new opportunity that has come my way, namely the chance to paint a wedding reception. I will be capturing the essence of this wedding reception at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

I also plan on taking my children to the top of the world, or so it may seem to them. We will take the cable car up to Pikes Peak. I could drive up, but I understand it is a very narrow road and I don't do very well with heights. I need to be able to shut my eyes when I need to, not such a good idea when you are driving!

My delightful nephew Greg, who is an officer and a teacher in the Air Force, met his future wife on “Match.com”!  Their story reads better than any "chick flick" I have seen. Greg is a wonderful person. Right after my husband died, he was in Chicago getting his masters degree, and we would meet once a week to paint together around Lincoln Park.  What a joy it was!

Megan and Greg are the ideal couple. I wish them a long and happy life together.

I also plan on getting a few quick studies done. Have not painted in the mountains before, but I like new challenges, and this should be a great trip!

I arrived at Washington Island about 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening. First I opened the house, checked all the rooms, and pulled down a few cobwebs. The place looked so inviting.

By 7p.m. I have grabbed my gear and headed down the road to say “hi” to my favorite grove of trees.  It was sheer bliss.

Accomplished 13 paintings.  Plus spent a day in the woods, clearing a path. This allowed me to observe and mentally record the exact changes of the color in these woods.

Notes to self:
10 a.m.: chartreuse leaves layered with deep tones
Noon: deep dark woods
3 p.m.: the chartreuse glow comes back!

Saturday I leave for the Island.

One solid week...no children...no TV.  Cells phones don't work there. I will even forgo the news...the world will survive, and I will be one with the earth.

The sun on my back, the wind in my face, paint brush in hand.

I get to do.

My passion. Paint the landscape from sunrise to sunset.

Yes. this retreat includes time for catching up with old friends and meeting new ones painting all day... stories, great food and wine at night.

I am so looking forward to this...it is... all encompassing and it will nurture my creativity for a year.

To a tiny island in Lake Michigan. Where I speak to the creator... and get answers...where all five senses are filled at once, and I get the chance to interpret this…in  paintings!

No news next week I will be...gone painting!