Intoxicated by Plein Air

Largely employed by the sunny weather, I have nearly abandoned my studio life.... and the electric eye. Alas, I take a moment to check in with you and the world beyond my measure. I love the warmer weather and its lure of adventure and color.  My journey is swift and so is this update.  Be well my friend, as I have not forgotten you.  

~Brenda

"An Alternate Route" 12x16" Pastel  Los Gatos Plein Air ©Brenda Boylan

"Brunch at Zeppo's" 12x16" Pastel  ©Brenda Boylan

Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts "Sponsor's Award"  

"Purple Penumbra" 16x20" Oil ©Brenda Boylan

Willamette Valley Lavender Festival Plein Air event, Honorable Mention

Bolts of Lavender, 16x12

"Bolts of Lavender" 16x12" Pastel on sanded paper

©2011 Brenda Boylan

This has been one of those weeks where the days wiz by way too fast. Then BOOM, it's gone! I spent a lot of time preparing my daughter for a trip to a law forum in D.C. for a week. She's growing up too fast but letting her stretch her wings is wonderful to see. I didn't have much time to finish up the oil that I started last week, but I did get out twice to plein air paint. This one above was painted at the same lavender farm as in the last post and pretty much the same scene. So beautiful to be there looking at such beauty that it was intoxicating. The fragrance of lavender, the sound of the bumble bees, and the hot sun on my skin. Ooooh summer is here...finally, in Oregon! Our warmer season in the Northwest started late giving the lavender a delayed bloom, although some of the varieties were in full color.

Then last Friday was the Caswell Gallery First Friday Art Walk where 5 of us gallery artists (Michael Orwick, James McGrew, Christy Perrine, Bev Joswiak, and myself) painted our hearts out over the course of the evening. Here I am having a most interesting conversation with my easel, painting from a photo of the same scene as this painting above.

'The stance'...or is it a dance?

Next weekend is the Lavender Paint out show in Beulah Park, Yamhill. Stop by to see some beautiful art and of course to smell the lavender! Info in the sidebar to the right --->