Backwood Oaks, 10x8 + show news.

Backwood Oaks, 10x8" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan

Just back from the Pacific Northwest Plein Air art reception at the Columbia Center for the Arts. The energy was high and so were the temps. It was great to see all the work that had been created over the 5 day event and all was hung so beautifully. This year's plein air artists worked hard in the high temps, some not so grateful that summer had finally arrived in Oregon. As for me, I'm glad for the warmer temps...this coming from a California gal, but still can't wait for the Fall colors to come. I entered into the gallery reception and was greeted by an honorable mention for "Road to Mosier". Can you say "SMILE"? This year's juror was plein air artist Jim Lamb. Thank you Jim!

On our way back home from the show we took a circuitous route, via the family farm in Creswell, OR. We passed on the eastern side of Mt. Hood with it's fires and yellow smoke, stopped off in Bend for a cold drink and then back in towards the Eugene area where Creswell greeted us. I painted this one (above) from the yard looking south. Loads of smoke in the air made for some hazy color.

Me next to my work "Road to Mosier"

Then more newsworthy news...

Last week I was called by the Pastel Society of America office to notify me that my piece "Curbsides" won the Pastel Society of Hawaii Award in the 39th Annual PSA show. I'm really humbled by this placement as it hangs in the National Arts Club alongside the likes of Daniel E. Greene, Jimmy Wright, Barbara Groff, Duane Wakeman, and more. I am torn that I will not make the awards ceremony this time because of the many bowling balls I'm juggling right now. What a trip that would be though, eh?

"Curbsides" 12x9" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan

So, to put it straight, it's been a really great week. Woo hoo!

Rise From Water, 24x24

"Rise From Water" 24x24" Pastel on sanded paper ©Brenda Boylan

I have been in the studio a bit on and off, and have finally pushed to finish the demo piece that I started at the American Art Co. back in June. My summer painting practices have been rather slow at best, and it frustrates me a bit because this is the best time of year to be out painting. (school starts in a couple of weeks, YEAH!) I guess I have been saving up for the big push of 5 full days of plein air painting in Hood River, OR. in the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Event. The adventure starts tomorrow, bright and early, and hopefully I can paint a couple of good ones to share for my next post. Yeah!

Another one worth mentioning

"Dawson Creek Lilies" 12x16" Pastel on sanded paper

Nearly a week ago I visited the Columbia Center for the Arts to show the Plein Air work to my NPS buddies after we finished with the paint-out. As we walked around the corner someone noticed a yellow ribbon on the frame of my piece "Peoples Choice"! What a surprise this has turned out to be! Of course I'm thrilled, again, to have earned recognition from this show. The show had only two pastelists participating and my odds were nearly nill with all those incredible "Oilies" on the wall. Maybe there is something going on in the pastel world, or possibly people like them for their color? I think it's the color that gets all the glory, don't you? Anyway, still walking on air!

Dawson Creek Lilies, 16x12

"Dawson Creek Lilies", 16x12" Pastel on sanded paper

Dawson Creek is a manmade water park complete with fountains, bridges, and small rushing waterfalls and graceful pathways that meander behind the Hillsboro Library in Oregon. I'd painted here before, but this time around there were water lilies which is one of my most favorite subjects to paint. What caught my eye was the bright sunlit grasses growing at the base of this stand of trees and the clear reflected sky from above. This is a bit larger painting than what I usually commit to for plein air painting, and hopefully this piece will be my pass into the juried Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2010 Show and Paint-Out this coming August 26~30 at the Columbia Center for the Arts.