Painting Out with the ' WILDERNESS PAINTERS'

I have been looking for a group to paint out with whenever possible and this week I found one.  Last Friday my husband found an article in the local paper about the wilderness painters.  A diehard group that paints out "plein air" no matter the weather.  After receiving the link online I decided to jump in and contact the group coordinator and find out the details

   Sunday morning was lovely.  The perfect lighting and temp.  No rain in the forecast.

  I ventured out, grabbed my supplies ( it had been since last October that I had ventured outdoors to set up) 

   Cantigny Park was the destination.  I arrived shortly after 8:30 am.  Met the group.  A wonderful group of folks who are SO talented. ( I can't wait to learn from them all...just by observing).  We all  found our own spot.  Mine was in the middle of the park,  blue spruce,  golden yews... so pretty.  Shortly after setting up... a red tailed hawk set down just about 10 feet in front of me.   You realize just how peaceful it is painting out... it is quiet and it is just you, nature and your palette.

  I finished my painting  and hearing the bells tole, I packed up and headed back to the lot to meet the group.  What wonderful work!

     I had such a nice time..I can't wait until next time.

                 Please see the link for the paintings and more information on the wilderness painters.

              

Fun With a Welding Torch!

I just wanted to share a fun piece I made while with my family to Door County several summers ago.  

We happened upon a wonderful place called Hands on Art Studio.  I LOVE the concept as Door County is known for its art studios scattered about the county.  What a lovely way to create some art of your own after being inspired in the galleries that abound.

My family landed on the site and dispersed around the studio, Aubrey and Hannah worked on mosaics and frames crafted from wood,  Aubrey created a tile for the silo where the money goes to a favorite charity.  Colin and Tony hit the welding studio to put together a wonderful metal sculpture of a "guy"... for our garden.

  

I decided to work on a sculpture.  They have a "metal buffet" for you to choose pieces from.  I chose 3 different pieces for the legs... thought to use a metal bowl piece as a birdbath... and a metal "s" shaped piece to suspend the bird feeder.  I then created a glass piece in their fused glass studio and tacked it to the frame I had welded to make it a more interesting art piece.

  

 I just love the way the light catches it!   

I love the way it looks in my eclectic garden!

  I hope you all have a chance to visit beautiful Door County sometime in your life...and while you are there stop by the "hands on art studio"  it is a treat for artists of all ages!

 

THANK YOU TO ALISON FROM ETSY ADMIN!

ANOTHER THANKS IS IN ORDER...ALISON I LOVE YOU.... I APPRECIATE YOUR FEATURING MY ITEMS IN THE STORQUE ARTICLES.  I HAVE BEEN SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE MY ITEMS CHOSEN  OFTEN!!! A HEARTFELT NOTE OF APPRECIATION TO YOU!

    MARTHA

Thank you for including me in your Treasury

  GO ETSY BLOGGERS!!!

Just a quick note to send a thank you to Mysticwynd for including me in her latest Etsybloggers Team Treasury.   I really appreciate it and Love to meet new bloggers.

         THANKS BUNCHES,

                 MARTHA

     

Old Fashioned fun!

It's time to hit the road and head out to see the Golden Gate Bridge...

My childhood stomping ground. 

 This time around it is with Thelma and Louise 

( aka Leslie, my sister ...and Jinny...you might as well call her my other sister.) 

 For a week of wine country, antiquing, cable car riding, highway 1 driving, 

beach loving, kayaking, sunset watching...wedding going

 ( ok that is the true reason to be heading West)

...but I can't wait to take it all in!

What fun we will have!  maybe the East Coast will be our NEXT big adventure!

      come along for the ride!