Plein Air work + Some more good news!

"September Symphony" 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper

The weather conditions here in Portland have been incredible and, like any plein air artist, I push everything aside to go out and paint NOW...especially when the weatherman predicts rain within a week. I'm working on a high from all this color, I tell ya. No time for the computer, cooking or doing laundry, because this girl needs her time out to create. So posted here are works from the past 7 or so days, with a bit of good news at the end. Above is my favorite from the painting marathon of Pope Lake in the morning hours.

Read on...

"Rentenaar Barn" 8x10" Pastel on sanded paper

On Sauvie Island, (my favorite place to paint in the fall) just off Rentenaar Road is this barn that has a dusty, rusty color. I painted this one before and posted it in the previous entry here. Yes that's the same barn, but different view and day.

"Pasture Dike Divide" 8x10" Pastel on sanded paper

Then continuing on down Rentenaar Road, over the dike is another place jokingly called "Africa," deemed by my fellow plein air artist Kat Sowa. The day started out overcast with soft edges and cooler colors, but the sun eventually warmed up, and gave way to mellow shadows and autumn color.

"Pope Lake", 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper

Then back over to Pope Lake for a second try at this scene, but painted in a quick 45 minutes.

"Challenging Sundown", 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper

Lastly, I painted at Youngberg Vineyards just outside McMinnville, OR., after tasting some of the regions best Pinot Noir. It was quite the drive out there with stops along the way, but

I found this to be the best of all. The spectacular sunlight was beaming from underneath the oncoming low cloud cover, giving a dusting of warmth on top of the Oregon White Oaks as the sun retired from the day.

So it's Monday and raining here in Portland, but good news can remedy any dreary day. Today, another email came in from the Pastel Society of America and I quote:

"Congratulations! Your painting, 'Curbsides,' which is currently in PSA’s 39^th Annual Open Exhibition been selected to be included in a show at the Butler Institute of American Art. At the end of the PSA show in New York, your painting will be wrapped and held for transport to the Butler. Tentative dates for this show are December through January. Kindly let us know by Friday, September 30, if you would like your work to be included in this show."

And I replied back, "Are you kidding? Absolutely YES you can include it!"

This little guy is racking up the mileage, eh? I'm definitely going to open a bottle of Pinot with my husband tonight to celebrate. Humbling, yes, but happy!