Painting Monet's Garden - Day 2

Since the trip was so easy to do, I left my husband back in Paris when I went back to Monet's Gardens alone. I figured I could paint more if I didn't feel guilty about him getting bored. The garden wasn't as crowded as the first day, but every so often big tour groups would come through. The day was beautiful and I was in my glory! There were just so many lovely spots to stand and paint. I made sure I painted another version of the view of Monet's House that I had sold the first day. A woman from Taiwan came over to look at the paintings. We started talking and I showed her all the work I had done there. She wanted to buy a painting too and had a hard time deciding between two of them. She searched through her bag, but apparently she had left some of her money with friends and only had enough to buy one of them (the first one posted of the water pond). She was so excited about buying it, and took a photo of me with the painting. I gave her my blog address so she could see the other paintings I've been doing, and my email address because she promised to send me a copy of the photo she too when she gets back home to Taiwan. She was at the beginning of her trip and was going to be gone for a month.

Painting at Monet's Gardens was really special and emotional for me. It definitely was the highlight of my trip, and lived up to everything I imagined about it.

Painting Monet's Garden - Day 1

Wanting to visit Monet's Gardens was the reason I started to plan our visit to France. It was going to be my birthday celebration (a big birthday). Monet's Gardens in Giverny is about a 45 minute train ride from Paris, so it was very easy to do. I wasn't sure if they would let people paint there, so I took along my postcard sized watercolor paper, my field kit of paints, watercolor pencils (just in case I couldn't use paints), my waterbrush, and micron pens. When I got there I was so emotional that I started to cry...it was just so perfect!!! My husband said it was his second favorite place to visit ever. The grounds were gorgeous, even that late in the season, and nobody stopped me from painting. There were a few people doing quick sketches, and then a class of teenagers came with their watercolor materials. They were all over...sitting on the bridges and on the paths. For most of the paintings that I posted here I was standing while I was painting. I did find a bench to sit on to paint the one of the house, and sat on the ground to do the last one of the flower beds leading to the house.

While I was painting a couple came over to talk to us and wanted to look at my painting. They were from Hawaii and asked if I had done any other paintings there. I showed them the ones that I completed earlier in the day. They wanted to buy one of them. I really didn't want to sell one since these were my souvineers of the trip, but they were very persistent. They were at the end of their trip and said they would rather buy something beautiful and original than something from the gift shop. They bought the one of Monet's house with the flowers in front of the windows. I felt like a real Parisian artist!!

Next I will post my paintings from my second day at Monet's Gardens.

Artists & Friends Gallery Show

Right before I left for France, I did a show at the BAFFA Gallery in Sayville, NY with a small group of local artists. Here are photos from the show. The first one is of myself in front of my wall of art. The other artists are Marion Marino, Lydia Peterson, Laurie Samara-Schlageter, Doug Broadhurst, Carol Musac, Carol Corbett, Alma Pancir and our fellow artist/organizer Marianne Thorvaldson.

Paris Scenes (Posting #8)

Here are my last two 4 x 6 paintings done in Paris. "In Front of the Master" was sketched in the d'Orsay Museum, which has a wonderful impressionist collection. It wasn't easy to sketch the people. They usually moved on before I got anything done, but there were a few who stayed put looking long enough for me to get their shape down. I didn't think they would allow me to paint in the museum, so I added the color as soon as I got outside. "Restaurante Le Consulate" was painted in Montmartre. I was attracted to the colors on the building. The man sat there well long enough for me to sketch and paint him. That is the good part about painting Paris cafes and restaurants...people sit for a very long time. Next I will post my favorite part of the trip...stay tuned!

More of Paris (Posting #7)

These are the last of my 4 x 6 paintings done in Paris. "In Front of the Master" was done in the d'Orsay Museum which has a wonderful impressionist collection. "

More Paris Highlights (Posting #6)

Here are a few more 4 x 6 paintings from Paris. "Paris Shadows" was done of a window across from our apartment. I loved the morning shadows. In the middle of the Luxumburg Gardens is a huge pond where kids sail these huge boats that they rent. They use long sticks to move them along. "Sailing in the Park" shows that scene. There are so many wonderful views from the bridges in Paris, and "View from the Bridge" is one of them. "Tuileries Garden" was done in this lovely park with all kinds of fountains and statues. You can never run out of painting opportunities there.

Paris Life Paintings (Posting #5)

Paris has such life to it. I loved wandering the streets to find new spots to paint. There is a square up near Montmartre that is filled with artists painting and drawing. They paint portraits, draw cartoons, do silhouettes, and have easels set up and are painting and they are busy selling their work. It has such atmosphere! I tried to capture that in the painting of the Paris artists. These are 4 x 6 and are titled: "Caroussel Below Sacre' Coeur," "Montmartre Village," "Paris Artists," and "Vendors Along the Seine."

L' Tour Eiffel Paintings - Posting #4

The Eiffel Tower is something that I had to try painting and sketching. It is so massive that you sort of get lost in it when you're looking at it. Our rental apartment in Paris had a view of the tower, so I was able to paint it at sunset and at night. The titles of these are:

"Alnog the Seine" 4 x 6

"Night View of the Tower" 4 x 6

"Tour Eiffel" 2 1/2 x 3 1/2

Along the Seine (Posting #3)

Here is my third group of paintings in Paris. There are so many bridges and so much along the Seine. I had so much fun painting there. In order these are : "Tour Boat on the Seine," "Photographer's Dream," and "A Walk Along the Seine." All are 4 x 6.

Dining in Paris (Posting #2)

Here is the second installment of paintings done in Paris. These were done in ink and watercolor. The cafes and restaurants all have such character there. In order these are: "Parisian Lunch," "Paris Europe," and "Clair de Lune." My problem was always finding someplace to sit and sketch and paint. Often I ended up standing and leaning against a building.

Paris Flowers (Posting #1)

I am back from my month in France with lots of paintings. These 3 were done in Paris. The flower markets and stores were just gorgeous!!! In order they are titled: "Flower Market", "Cler Fleurs", and "Les Floralies." I could have painted every flower store in Paris! These are all 4 x 6 which I find is an easy size to deal with when traveling. I'll be back tomorrow with some more. I usually painted 2 small paintings a day, so I have lots to post.

Bonjour

I had intended to upload my sketchcrawl paintings and my photos from my gallery show that took place the last two weekends, but I don't seem to be able to upload any photos today.

I won't be posting for a while. My husband and I are leaving tomorrow for 4 weeks in France. I plan to be back with LOTS of paintings done while I'm away. Until then, Bonjour!!!

Beach Fences VI & VII

Here are 2 more paintings of beach fences. Each is 4 x 6.

Beach Fences V

This is another of my beach plein airs. I had fun with the sky in this one. 4 x 6

Beach Fences IV

This is another plein air done in watercolor and ink. As you can probably guess, I love doing beach scenes.

Morning Meeting

This is 11 x 15 done from a combination of photos I had taken one morning in Myrtle Beach. The reflections were a challenge to do and it was hard to get the birds to stand out against the water and sand. I'm fairly happy with it.

Carmine's

I don't often work from photos at this time of the year, but I worked on this a little at a time. It is 11 x 15 and was done from 2 photos that I took at a favorite restaurant of mine in Manhattan. I combined them to give a "taste" of Carmine's.

Landscape and Sky

I am so far behind!! This was also done for last week's WDE on WetCanvas. This is 7 x 10 and was done in watercolor and ink.

Ceramic Corner

This is 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 and was done for the WDE on Wet Canvas. I poured the undercoat for the background tiles. It was fun to paint a still life for a change.

Jordan Pond

Here is another painting from Acadia National Park. This is Jordan Pond, a peaceful spot if I ever saw one. The restaurant there has the best popovers and you can sit out on the lawn. This is 4 x 6.

Acadia Cliffs

This was painted on location in Acadia National Park in Maine. I started it in watercolors but the view was just too much to handle without adding a lot of ink work for the details. This is 8 x 10.

Pemaquid Lighthouse

This is one of my favorite places to visit in Maine. Climbing down on the rocks wasn't so easy carrying my backpack, painting chair, and stool. But the views are worth it. Due to the heat and humidity, this is only 4 x 6. I'll have to go back in cooler weather to paint there again.

Boothbay Cove

This is another watercolor and ink from my trip to Maine. This is 8 x 10. Luckily I had a nice shady spot to paint from, since it was very hot & humid that day.

Pemaquid Beach

While I was visiting Maine we spent a day at Pemaquid Beach, which is quite different from the beaches here in NY. This was part of the view if you were standing near the water, facing the beach. This is 4 x 6.

Birches

This is a watercolor and ink done while in Maine. In fact, this tree is right outside my sister's back door. It is 4 x 6.

Ocean Point Beach

I spent last week in Maine visiting and painting with my two sisters. This is 5 x 7 and was done in plein air at Ocean Point near Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It is a beautiful spot, despite the excessive heat we had while we were there.

Waterfall

This is a 4 x 6 ink and watercolor done for the WDE at WetCanvas.

Log by the Dunes

4 x 6 ink and watercolor done on location the other day. I think every part of the dunes is just waiting to be sketched or painted.

At the End of the Dock

This was done the same morning as "Across the Marsh" below. I decided to try one more since it hadn't started raining (but was windy and humid). This is 8 x 10 done in watercolors alone. I had just enough time to finish this, walk back to my car and throw everything in the trunk, hit the ladies' room, and get into my car before the predicted rain started. I timed it perfectly!

Across the Marsh

I did this 4 x 6 on Sunday on the grounds of the Maritime Museum in Sayville. The skies were overcast (artistic license was used here) so I decided I'd better do something small so I would have time to finish it before it rained. It was windy and damp but I kept on painting.

Jasper National Park

This was also done for the WetCanvas WDE. It is ATC sized (2.5 x 3.5) done in ink and watercolor.

Pretty in Pink

This is ATC sized (2.5 x 3.5) done for the WDE event on WetCanvas. It was fun to do this tiny and see how much color I could get into the petals. The only drawback to the tiny size was painting the stamens which didn't show well as light as they should have been. I had to darken them

Mom & Child

Here is another ink & watercolor done at the beach. This is 3 x 5 and was done in my moleskin journal.

Beach Scene

Just a little beach sketch done yesterday in my moleskin journal.

Underwater

This 5 x 7 ink and watercolor was also done for the WDE on Wet Canvas. It was fun to play with the underwater background.

Coconut Palms

This 4 x 6 ink and watercolor was done for this weekend's WDE on WetCanvas from a photo supplied by crispur2005. Christine, thanks for the wonderful photos.

Oyster Pond View

Our forecast yesterday was for rain starting in the afternoon. I tried to find a place to paint before the rain started. This was out on the north fork of Long Island about an hour east of me. I pulled off the shoulder of the road and painted this 4 x 6 from the car. Before I finished this it was showering, followed later by lots of rain.

"Beach Fences III"

4 x 6 ink and watercolor done at the beach yesterday. The dunes can have a different look no matter where you look.

"Zebra" and "Nutria"

Here are two more ATCs (2.5 x 3.5) from the exchange I'm doing on WetCanvas. Doing animals has been a lot of fun!

Lighthouse Path

4 x 6 done at the Fire Island Lighthouse. I did this after viewing the art show on exhibit there. I had two paintings in the show, one of which was another painting of this same lighthouse with the dunes in front of it. I found out yesterday that the painting sold. Now I'm sure I'll go back and paint it again.

Church in the Field

I met a local group of painters on Tuesday to do some plein air painting at a site that has several replicas of historical buildings. This is the small church and is 8 x 10. I think I lost the church steeple a bit, but I was happy with the way it came out.

Just Peachy

5.5 x 8.5 done from my own still life setup. The peaches looked much better than they tasted. I had fun doing lots of layers on these.

23rd World Wide Sketchcrawl

Usually I go out for the World Wide Sketchcrawl, but I had company this time. My sister and niece were staying with me and we took my niece to the airport on Saturday. She flew to Austrailia as an exchange student for the upcoming semester. My sketchcrawl mostly revolves around Kathleen: 1)sleeping; 2)her suitcase, purse, sunglasses, and waterbottle; 3)Kathleen checking things on her laptop before we left for the airport; and finally a view of my hanging plant when my sister and I got back from the airport.

Angel Fish and Seahorse ATCs

Both of these are 2.5 x 3.5 and were done for the exchange I've been doing on WetCanvas. They both safely swam to their new owners. They were done in ink and watercolors.

Mother and Child

This is 4 x 6 and was done the other day at the beach. It is always a challenge to paint the ocean and sky in plein air on a sunny day. The paint dries almost as fast as you put your brush on the paper.

Over the Fences

This was done in my moleskin journal and is about 3 x 5. The structure is the top of the beach building that houses the concession stand, lifeguard's office, etc. This was done in ink and watercolor on location.

Glowing Yellows

This is a 3 x 5 done in my moleskin journal. It is some of the flowers at the Flight 800 Memorial Garden at Smith Point Beach where I often go.

Perfume Bottle

I don't paint glass very often, but I was doing this as a scavenger hunt item. The painting is only 3 x 5 . The perfume bottle belonged to my mother. There are a pair of them and she always had them on her dresser. Now they sit on mine.

Tibetan Girl and Monkey

Both of these were done for the WDE on WetCanvas from references by Gail. I thank her for the vairety of images. "Monkey" is ATC sized and done in ink and watercolor. I'm using it as part of my alphabet exchange. "Tibetan Girl" is 4 x 6.

Mary's Hibiscus

I did this 7 x 10 painting back in May. I used the hibiscus plant that I bought for my MIL for Mother's Day. The painting has been sitting in my living room since then while I pondered if I wanted to do anything to the background or leave it white. I think it will stay white.

In Bloom

7 x 10 watercolor done for the WDE on WetCanvas from a photo supplied by KreativeKay. Many thanks to Kay for this wonderful blooming cactus reference.

Beach Fences

We did have a few hours of sun on Friday, so I went to the beach and did this ink & watercolor postcard (4 x 6) there. Unfortunately the clouds and rain have been back since then.

Bitten

Here's another 4 x 6 food painting done when I couldn't get out to do plein air painting.

Tomorrow's Lunch

With rainy skies and no way to do plein airs, my eyes turn to FOOD! This is 4 x 6 and was fun to paint and eat!

Pot of Zinnias

This is 7 x 10 and was done for the WDE on WetCanvas from a reference by Dewi. I never tried painting a pot like this before and it was really a challenge...not only the design but getting it a deep enough color.

Yellow and Green

This is 4 x 6 and was done at the arboretum the same day as the swan below. I was trying to include a lot of negative painting in the foliage for a project going on in WetCanvas. It isn't easy on such a small scale.

Swan

On Friday we had a touch of sun for a while so I headed to the local arboretum where I was greeted by this swan and his family. Of course once I got set up and had him sketched he came out of the water to investigate. He stayed for a bit and then took off with his family. I captured enough of him and then painted the foliage. This is 4 x 6.

Canopied House

With the wet weather we have been having here in NY, my plein air painting lately has been done from the front seat of my car. This is 4 x 6 and done in ink & watercolor. At one point while painting this I had to close the car windows because the rain was coming in. lol

Ready to Create

I did this a while ago but never got it posted. This is ink and watercolor and is about 6 inches square. I always wanted to try the reflections on an aluminum can, and it was fun to do.

ATCs for My Exchange

Here are a few more of the creatures for the ATC exchange I'm doing. These have arrived at their new home. In case you can't identify them they are an urchin, a quawk, a hippo, and an egret. All are 2.5 x 3.5 in and done in ink and watercolors.