Have A Wonderful Easter

What a wonderful day today is.  I hope you have a wonderful Easter.

Pottery and Painting

So I can't seem to figure out what to do first. Pottery or painting. I decided to do both.

Hand-built Pottery Bird House with Bird Bead

High Fired to Cone 5 My Uppity Beach Buttons, Bird Beads and Bird House

"Dark and Overcast" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas 11" X 14"

Making A Big Deal Out of Nothing

We have all experienced trying to find something interesting to paint when we are outside painting. The classic story was told in yesterday's landscape class.  The plein air artist drives around for hours trying to find something to paint outdoors and the sun goes down.  Hence, you lost a day of painting. This happens to all of regardless of artistic skill or level.
The solution. Don't focus on the perfect picture.  Find something ordinary right in front of you such as an uninteresting tree, car, sign, rock, etc.  Draw and paint it as a focal paint with contrast, sharp edges and then add the surrounding objects with little detail.  Paint them as shapes.  Put the highlights on your focal point at the end. Yes - you still need to think about composition. I love this idea. Sounds simple but can you do it?
Here is an example. I spent less than an hour and a half on this in class just to get the understanding. I simplified the street scene from the original photo as a wall instead as businesses and trees.
Fun!

"Rendezvous" Study 9" x 12" Oil on Canvas Paper

Why Is Fishing Always The Best Time Ever?

I got up at 4:18 AM this morning, loaded my car with fishing gear, worms, high tech fishing supplies, my fishing bucket and drove 1 1/2 hours in the dark to a secluded lake. When I arrived, it was freezing cold, overcast and windy. I hiked my gear down to the water over rocks and lots of goose poop.  I ended up with worm parts in my nails and rainbow glitter power bait in my hair and all over my pants.   My lips were blue by the time I decided to pack it up and start home six hours later.  I probably spent 100 dollars on gas, gear, supplies, gate fees and I didn't even get a bite.  It was the best time ever!
I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

Floral Study With Transparent Under Painting

This is my floral study with transparent under paintings that I painted today.  The goal is to keep the beautiful under painting while layering opaque color over it. You have to be very "present" when painting this method; else, you will lose the under painting.

Floral Study On 9x12 Canvas Sheet

New Painting For Sale At Manley Art Center, Brookings, OR

I have artwork for sale at the Manely Art Center in Brookings, OR. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 until 4. Look for my work on the panels in the classroom. I am fortunate to be sharing the panels with artists Kathy Huxley and Verna Pooler.
This work will be on display until the end of April.

Where Did the Time Go?

I spent the last two weeks sprucing up my garden, weeding, planting and mulching.  The vegetable garden beds needed new peat moss, vermiculite and compost.  So I hauled 20 bags into the back yard to amend the soil in the raised beds. (I am a square foot gardener). 
Then I decided it was time to pressure wash the sidewalk, gutters, windows and driveway.  I noticed the moss overtaking my yard and had to address that issue.
Of course, due to this winter's high winds I had to replace the flag stand that sheered off my art studio.  Since I had the drill out I installed a coat hanger for my exterior entryway. It is a must with all the rain we get and no one wants to bring a wet, dripping coat into their house. Then I finished framing paintings for a show.
That is when I noticed I should wash the interior windows. It went on and on.
Now, I can take a break and get back to painting... but first, my husband wanted dinner. I had live crab I cooked the night before and cooled in the refrigerator so everything was prepared pretty fast.
I still wonder-  where did the time go?

We named  him "Dinner".

My husband, Gerry, loves Auburn Alehouse beer.

Thank You For Purchasing "A Year and A Brush With Brookings/Harbor, Oregon"

I want to thank those of you who recently purchased my first publication of "A Year and A Brush With Brookings/Harbor, Oregon".  The book contains last year paintings along the Southern Oregon coast. I appreciate your support and I hope you enjoy it!

Eva Marie Tanner Klaas

Saved By Fed Ex and Amazon

My laptop charger arrived as promised by Amazon and Fed Ex. Two day delivery and on time. When you are out in the middle of nowhere, they can be your best friend. And it was inexpensive - less than 12 dollars for the charger and delivery.  Hurray.
So I will play catch up with my posts. Last weekend, I spent three days in Susan Sarback's advanced techniques class in Fair Oaks, CA. Excellent workshop. The instruction primarily focused on her painting method using brush and included three different approaches using her color technique.
Here are the studies.

Paint mixed on the canvas

Opaque paints layered the canvas

Transparent under paintings and opaque painted layered on top

Again, transparent under painting and opaque painted layered on top

Where is My Power Cord?

I have had a wonderful week painting in a workshop. I will post as soon as I find my laptop power cord. I took my laptop and case out with me and haven't seen my power cord since. Thank goodness I was able to order another one. But at this point, I am at 30 percent battery power and can't post for a few days.