Purple Dahlias

 Last week my plein air group, PALS, met at the dahlia garden at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. There were dahlias of assorted colors like these purple ones.

Peconic River Herb Farm Shed

 Like the painting posted yesterday, this painting was started on site but finished at home. My plein air group went to one of my favorite places, the Peconic River Herb Farm in Calverton. There are so many wonderful places on the property to use as painting locations like this one. I'm not sure what is inside that yellow door, but I thought the whole thing looked interesting. I know that to the left there is a entrance to a storage area which I've never been in (yet) where there seem to be planters and lots of hidden gems.

I'm really happy with the way this painting came out. What do you think?

Vanderzalm Greenhouses

 My plein air painting group has been going out on Tuesday mornings since May. I painted this at the Vanderzalm Greenhouses in Bellport. I started it on site, but didn't have enough time to finish it there. We had a stretch of rainy days so I decided I should work on some of my unfinished pieces like this one while I was indoors.

Christmas in the Air

Tuesday was the last day for the year that my plein air group, PALS, met to paint. Our last location is always the Bayport Flower House. By this time of year it is usually too cold to be outside painting (unless you are in a mobile studio) so we happily paint the decorations inside. There is an entire large greenhouse filled with nothing but poinsettias in all different colors. There are so many choices for paintings. This year I selected this Christmas milk can filled with ferns, pinecones and big bells. Several of my paintings done here have been used for my annual Christmas card. Our last day there always fills us with the holiday spirit and spurs us on to get ready for our annual exhibit and sale.

 

Last Plein Air of the Year

 Today I took a ride into Sayville to sketch. Here is my last plein air sketch for 2021!

Wishing all of you a healthy, happy, safe 2022!

Rhodies

 Last Tuesday I was able to join my Plein air group for some painting at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Our destination was the rhododendron garden which was in beautiful display. It was a bit of a walk for me with my problem hip, but I persisted and was glad I did.

At the Dock

I am so lucky to have so many places her on Long Island where I can get to the water. Although I don't sail I enjoy looking at sailboats. In my opinion they are much more elegant than motor boats...and a lot quieter. This was done en plein air along one of the canals in Patchogue. I was facing a housing complex so they must have their own dock.

 

Seatuck

Today my sister-in-law volunteered to spend time with Jerry early in the day so that I could have some time to go out and sketch with my friend, Suzala. We met at Seatuck Environmental Center in Islip which is near Jerry's rehab facility. Today was a beautiful, mild day, perfect to spend a few hours outdoors (semi-bundled up) sketching en plein air. We sketched for a few hours and it was nice to work on something bigger than a postcard.lol This is 8 x 10. It was great to get out and then be able to be back with Jerry by about 2:30.

Speaking of Jerry, he had something new added to his physical therapy at the end of the week.

 He was able to actually take a few steps on his prosthetic leg with the help of two therapists and the parallel bars.

Mickey Mouse Ornament

Things have been busy so last night I had just enough time to sketch an ornament off my Christmas tree as my artwork for the day.

This weekend was my plein air group, PALS had our 10th Annual Art Show in Sayville. We had a really good turnout both days. Here are a few photos of the gallery, paintings, and gift items. I think all the artists involved sold merchandise and this was probably the best show we've had for sales. It is a great group and most of the artists have been part of the group since we started 10 years ago.

I sold three paintings, some alcohol ink tiles, ornaments, and cards. Here are the paintings that have new loving homes.

"Side Garden" purchased by the actual owner of the house. He remembered the day I painted it and grabbed it as soon as he saw it.

"Smooth Ride" painted on location in Venice in April.

"Rocky Coast" painted on location in Maine.

Greenhouse Doorway

I had hoped to have this finished, but it still needs some additional work. Last week my plein air group went to the Bayport Flower House to paint. We usually head there for our last outing before the holidays. This year we planned to go there two weeks in a row. We walked into a greenhouse that was filled with every color poinsettia you can imagine...but I saw this doorway at the end of the aisle and knew I had to paint it. It was a rainy day and the windows were all steamed up with a few clear spots where you could see the outside. How could I not paint it? I was lucky I did it that week because when we went back the windows weren't steamed up and it looked different.

Inktober Day 15 - Waterdrinker Family Farm

Today my plein air group, PALS, met at Waterdrinker Family Farm in Manorville. There were animals and a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, a sunflower field, and assorted other autumn decorations. I did an actual painting first facing the farm building and then did an Inktober Day 15 sketch of one of the arrangements of hay bales, flowers, etc. The painting is 8 x 10 and is nearly finished...just a bit more tweaking.

#inktober

#inktober2019

I will be out of town for a wedding for the next few days but have scheduled Inktober posts for the days I will be gone. I may not be able to get to visit your blogs but I will catch up on all of your posts when I get back.

Inktober Day 2 at the Peconic Herb Farm

Yesterday my plein air group, PALS, met at the Peconic Herb Farm to paint. I did a view of one of the flower arrangements outside one of the greenhouses. It isn't quite finished yet, but it is close. 

I was happy we were there because for a long time I have wanted to sketch/paint this window filled with glass bottles that is inside one of the small buildings. I used my Elegant Writer Pen to sketch this for Inktober Day 2.

#inktober

#inktober2019

Spring Is In the Air!

Yesterday I met my friend, Suzala in Northport to sketch. On the way I noticed they had quite a bit more snow than we did on the south shore. Sitting in the car with the sun shining made us decide to give plein air sketching a chance. So we parked down by the water where the kayaks are stored and found a patch where the snow had already melted and wasn't muddy. It was warm enough to sit our wearing a coat...and no gloves or hat!!! There were still kayaks out which seemed unusual with the snow still on the ground. This was my first watercolor sketch of the day.

When I finished I turned slightly and did a quick ink sketch of Suzala.

Here is my sketch against my subject and a photo of Suzala at work.

Suzala had about an hour before she had to leave so we headed into the center of town. We sat in the warm sun on the steps of a closed office to sketch the view across the way. I started with the car in the foreground and as soon as my pen reached to sketch the roof the owner got into it and of course left. lol That's one of the hazards of plein air painting. lol I continued with the cars across the street and then the buildings. I didn't have time to add color so I think I'll leave this just as a line sketch.

All in all, our sketching day was a pleasant surprise.

Sanctuary

Last week my plein air group went to paint at a hummingbird sanctuary overlooking Long Island Sound. We did see some hummingbirds but many of them have already started their voyage to warmer climates. Of course the birds who were there were much too fast to sketch, paint, or take photos of.  The gentleman who runs the sanctuary gave us a tour and told us about the plants that attract the hummingbirds. On the property was this enchanting small one-room building which contained a bed, dresser, table and lamp. I can just imagine reclining there watching the scene in front. With all the flowers it felt like being somewhere tropical, not Long Island. 

Flower Field

On Saturday my friend and I drove out to the north fork of Long Island. We have a few favorite spots, and Sep's Farm Stand is one of them. The fresh produce attracts us but they also have a lovely field of flowers to paint. I was very thankful for my plein air umbrella that can attach to my chair, because it was really hot out in the sun.

New Portrait & Paint the Great South Bay Reception

On Tuesday evening our portrait goup met and Paul kindly posed for us.

Sunday was the reception at the Paper Cup Studio for the Paint the Great South Bay plein air event. Each of the 32 artists who participated were able to put in 2/3 pieces which will hang until Sept 27th. 

If you look on the back wall, this is where all the paper cups we created are displayed. Here I am talking with another of the artists.

Marianne Thorvaldson & Me

Gina (chairperson) gets an orchid from Pauline Hazard.

"The Lane"

"By the Dock"

Gina Lento (chairperson) and LuAnn Thompson (gallery owner)

Gina with her painting "Varneys"

Pauline Hazard with her painting.

Me with my painting.

Ann Baum with her painting.

There was a great turnout for the reception and three paintings sold. Yay!! The paintings will hang for a few more weeks so we are hoping there will be more sales. The commissions from this show go toward our student scholarships.

Paint the Great South Bay - Part IV

Luckily Saturday brought nicer weather for Paint the Great South Bay. I headed over to Bellport in the morning to do one last painting. "The Lane" is a small courtyard next to Costello's Cafe. I was originally going to do mostly dark shades behind the gate to make it pop, but then these two ladies came along and sat down. How could I resist? This is 8 x 10 and is also hanging in the show.

Here I am set up on the street in Bellport.

As you can see, cars love to block my view when I'm painting. lol

ATCs

Here are two more ATCs I've done for my landscape exchange on WetCavas.

This is "Ireland II" which was sent to my friend, Ai, in Thailand.

This was done from one of the photos I took in Ireland.

This was sent to Joanne in Oregon and is titled "Short Beach". 

It was done en plein air.

On Saturday I needed to get out and do a plein air, but it is still much too cold to sit outside. My handy car/studio worked well for this one. I sat along Montauk Highway near Shirley to paint this.