Bella Sinclair Award and My Latest Study

Oh, the lazy days of summer.  Lately I just feel like enjoying these days because before we know it, we'll be going into autumn.  Time for walks, sailing, festivals and endless barbeques.  Okay, back to reality - the above painting is one that I did as a study for further work.  I'm always trying for that glow!  

And I was very pleased and honored to receive the Bella Sinclair Award for "Friendship, Sisterhood, Sharing and Caring" from Laurel Daniel.

I've received some awards in the past and I must admit that I usually have mixed feelings.  Although I'm very grateful and flattered, I feel slightly uncomfortable naming only certain fellow bloggers.  Because most bloggers I meet on the internet are wonderful people in their own ways.  Therefore, I consider the wonderful ladies in my own Critique Group to be my sisters because they are exposed to my faults and weaknesses!  They are:  Loriann Signori, Karen Phipps,  Jala Pfaff, and Melinda Esparza.  

Evening Shore

Evening Shore

Oil on Linen

8x10

Just a small, simple painting today.  I'm feeling lazy from sailing on Lake Michigan yesterday.  It's like the words from the song "summertime and the living is easy".  

Linen instead of Canvas

Ridge Path

8x10

Oil on Linen

This painting is the first I'm posting that is done on linen instead of canvas.  I couldn't believe what a difference it made to the glazing process.  It's more expensive than what I'm used to painting on which is acrylic primed smooth canvas.  

But the results were worth it to me and I've quickly become addicted.  So what am I going to do with the canvases already in my possession?  I might give them to my brother.  In the last few years we started hauling out canvases and paints whenever there is a get-together or family party.  People who haven't touched a paintbrush since they were kids are encouraged to add "something - anything" to the canvas.  Usually I start out by painting some sort of form, or my brother will, and pretty soon people get caught up in the fun. 

At the end of the party, we'll draw numbers and someone gets to keep the painting.  Everyone seems to love it!

Sunrise, Again

Sunrise

22x28

Oil on Canvas

This painting is finally completed.  It's taken a very long time because I'm still learning about the tonalist process.  Another reason it's taken so long is because it's a much larger painting than my original study which was only 8x10.  To see the study, check here.

Of course, the more I keep on this path, the more I learn.  And the more confident I become with the process.  I need to work on some more large canvases, since I'll be the solo artist displaying at Glen Ellyn Public Library in September.  But for now, I'm taking a summer Fourth of July break out at my brother-in-law's farm.  Nothing but swimming, hiking and listening to the frogs.  Have a great Fourth, everyone!