First Plein Aire Painting Completed in Studio

I finally finished it. I cropped my reference photo to compose my painting and took artistic license as you will probably notice. I did this to try to convey a romanticism of this particular place. The little boy was actually there and fishing off of the spillway. He inspired me to paint this scene. I didn't want the boy to be the main focus, but an arrow to lead the viewer to my point of interest which is the spill way. I hope that I have acheived this.

ARTS FUNDING FEDERAL VOTE MAY 18th

I just received this email tonight. I hope this is not too late for others to consider.
This is important for all artists nation wide. Please consider this.

From: Chelsea, SuzieSent: Tue 5/16/2006 7:48 AMTo: director@ovac-ok.orgCc: dmarsailles@cox.netSubject: ARTS FUNDING FEDERALVOTE MAY 18th

Dear Art Advocates,
I found this important issue at Oklahoma Arts Council website this morning. THIS THURSDAY is the vote to add arts funding for fiscal year 2007. I hope you'll drop everything to communicate your desires on this issue to your representatives.

Thanks for your active and immediate support.

Suzie Chelseaartedsu@cox.net
artsue4u@cox.net
2001 N. Perkins Road, K112
Stillwater, OK 74075
405.614.0558
member of SAG, TAG, OAG, Bartlesville Art Association, National Arts Education Association and Friends of the Library


Arts Council link here:
http://www.state.ok.us/~arts/resources/advocacy.html

Part of their advocacy report here:

HOUSE SET TO ACT ON ARTS APPROPRIATION:

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT TO INCREASE NEA FUNDING (Link to yours is below.)

The House Appropriations Committee on May 10 approved the Fiscal Year 2007 Interior Appropriations Bill setting funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at $124.4 million, level funding as proposed in the Administration’s budget request. The Committee also adopted the Administration’s allocations for the arts endowment money, with a cut of $3.462 million from Challenge America to increase funds for administrative expenses by $1.843 million, for direct program grants by $1.117 million, and for State and Regional Partnerships by $508,000. The bill also sets level funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) at $141 million.
When the bill goes to the House floor for votes on Thursday, May 18, the bipartisan leadership of the Congressional Arts Caucus is expected to offer an amendment adding $5 million to $7.5 million each for the NEA and NEH. The additional funds for the NEA would restore money to Challenge America and add funds to direct program grants.

Please contact your state’s Representatives in Congress to urge their support for the Congressional Arts Caucus amendment to add funding for the NEA when the bill comes to the House floor on May 18.

Find your legislators and senators here: NOW please!http://www.state.ok.us/~arts/resources/advocacy.html

cc:director@ovac-ok.org OVACanniezplace@sbcglobal.net OAG
dmarseilles@cox.net TAG
velma@countryside-studio.com SAGhttp://webmail.central.cox.net/do/mail/message/mailto?to=rgenn%40saraphina.com Robert Genn of Twice Weekly Letter
National Arts Education Association

New Portraits, Plein Air Painting, & New Summer Open Studio

When I am not blogging I am busy with creating art. I am posting three recently finished portraits.

The first, "Sweet Dreams Billy", is the finished work of the previously posted wip of my son when he was but a wee lad.




The second portrait is of my brother "A Study of Pete in Blue".

























The third is "Self Portrait of the Artist" my first self portrait.

I am a member of PAPCO, Plein Air Painters of Central Oklahoma, and we went to Red Rock Canyon at Hinton, Ok. last Saturday April 22nd. It was windy and warm, but very productive for everyone. I think I will even have a finished painting from this trip.

I am hooked, now probably for life. There is nothing like it and it is impossible to describe. It is something that has to be experienced to be understood.

There are some good trips planned for this year. We are a loosely organized group and anyone can join us. We meet the second Tuesday and fourth Saturday of each month during the spring, until it gets too hot ,then again in the fall, until it gets too cold.

This next picture is what caught my eye for my first plein air painting. I took many photos for referrences to finish my painting.

I am looking forward to our next plein air trip to Hafer Park in Edmond, Okla. It will be May 9th at 9:30am. if anyone is interested in joining us bring your sack lunch, camera and don't forget your sunscreen/block.
Something new for this summer is an open studio at the Midwest City Library's lobby on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00- 4:00pm. (Reservations are not needed) This is open to any artist working in any medium. The only restriction will be that the subject matter of the art contain no nudity. This will start May 10th and May12th.
Well, it looks like I have made up for lost time, so to speak. It has been awhile since I have posted anything. Now that I am taking more pictures maybe I'll be tempted to share them here with the cyber world. My family has been asleep for a couple of hours now, maybe I should call it a night too.

A Work In Progress

Here is my first atempt at a watercolor portrait. It is a portrait of my son when he was small. He will be 18 next month.

Hangn' Round Town

Hangn' Round Town Please click on this link to access the TAG May 06,Colonies Art Exhibit prospectus. Only members of the member organizations may apply.

If you are interested in being a member you may do this in two ways.
First if you are already a member of some art organization, but your org. is not a member of TAG, they may join if they wish too. You may contact me, to schedule a time for me to address your membership about TAG.
Second, you may choose to join one of TAG's member organizations.

TAG - The Art Groups

TAG - The Art Groups Here is the link to follow the updates for TAG-The Art Groups.

Meet "Woody" Watercolor My Latest Work

This is my watercolor painting of an acorn woodpecker. I loved the challenge of creating the soft textures of feathers and contrasting them with the rough texture of the tree bark. Woody looks a bit surprised doesn't he. I think that is what endeared me to this image. I have another painting in progress of Woody, but his neighbor is gathering up his acorns. The title of that painting will be "Ah Nuts!"