Wine Down the Music Trail....in the rain!

David and I picked up and travelled with art in tow to Wine Down the Music Trail Festival at the Blue Cow Pavillion (i.e. the Floydfest site) near Meadows of Dan, VA and at the edge of Rock Castle Gorge. We were able to set up on Friday, the 4th. Saturday came, and with it, great music, a little rain, and a couple of sales. Being under "the big top" with the wineries was great, especially when it rained. Which we learned VERY well on Sunday. Talk about a monsoon. It stormed straight from 2pm on. The festival essentially got washed out, and at around 3:30-4pm, everyone in our tent decided there was nothing left to do but sample the wine some more. Luckily we had sweat shirts with us, as the temps dropped to the low 60's very quickly. It was great being next door to our friends from The Chocolate Spike in Christiansburg. Their fudge ROCKS, especially with a good, strong red wine!

In the end, the festival was a bunch of fun, we got to meet some really cool new folks, we made some money, and got to drink some amazing wine! Not a bad way to spend a weekend, and WAY better than the 100 degree temps at Sidewalk earlier in June.

Be on the lookout for new works and new outings coming soon!!! I do have 5 new works at The Cheshire Gallery in Roanoke this month of July, and I am on a "feature" wall. Check it out!!

Until next time, may all your trees be happy trees!

joli

Rocky Top Outing (with cows!)

David and I enjoyed a wonderfully HOT day at the top of the family property in Floyd, an area we call Rocky Top. I started a painting of an expansive view towards Pilot, looking down across the property, our house in the distance. We had some visitors shortly after I began painting.....Dad Wood's cows! They literally came out of the woods, down the hill, and the herd encircled our set up with the Isuzu and my easel for a little while, then they made their way down the slope to the creek. We had to dodge a few storms, so I painted VERY quickly. The result was a picture very loosely painted. I am still working on the finished product and not sure if I want to tighten up the image yet. I love the painterly quality and might keep it.

Sidewalk Art Show 2008

HOT HOT HOT!

That was the buzz this past weekend, where the cool water rags, umbrellas, and sunscreen were free flowing! Saturday was really miserable, but my fellow artists and I stuck it out in the heat to greet those art patrons that had braved the elements. Sunday was much more enjoyable, with a cool breeze and interested lookers and buyers. I felt the weekend was a success....I sold a couple of works, and enjoyed speaking with devoted repeat customers who had come to see me again. After visiting with my fellow landscape artists, I decided to schedule a plein air painting day once David and I are in the house in Floyd. Be on the lookout for a schedule on this later in the summer.

Thanks to my friends,partons, and amazing hubby and "art mule" David for supporting me during the show, and hope to see you again soon next month at Wine Down the Music Trail Festival in Floyd.

Happy Painting!

joli

New Works at The Cheshire Gallery

I have three new landscapes at The Cheshire Gallery in Roanoke, VA that will NOT be in my Sidewalk Art Show display. I encourage you to check them out while in town for the art show the weekend of June 7-8th. The Gallery is located on Campbell Ave up the street from the city market. Or, if you need additional information about the pieces, do not hesitate to email me and I will be happy to help you.

See you at Sidewalk!

Memorial Day Outing

My husband David and I took off for the day on Memorial Day, checking out the Blue Ridge Parkway and a favorite outlook towards Rock Castle Gorge. A recent accident has hindered me with a freshly broken right ankle, limiting my travel and ability to get around a bit, but David helped me out this day. He got a crash course on how to set up my easel and paints, and he passed with flying colors!

Although not one of my best efforts on location, and a challenge with balancing on the stool, it felt wonderful and freeing being on location again. Enjoy the pics and insight into my process once again.

Until next time, happy painting!

Blown Away!!!!!

On one of my recent outings, I made it to the top of a nearby hill on a beautiful, sunny late afternoon. What I didn't expect was the wind! It is actually easier to paint in the rain than in the wind, as your painting can act as a sail that takes you away with the bigger gusts.

After getting set up, and getting into the painting mode, there was little I could but batton down the hatches and hang on for the ride! I anchored my easel with a heavy art bag and bungie, and at times had to prop my pallet in between my body and my easel to keep it steady.

In the end, I got the painting done, despite the elements!

Field Outing

This Spring has been very challenging for outdoor painting! The wind, the rain, there have been small windows of opportunity, which I've jumped on, sometimes taking longer lunch breaks from my "day job." Limiting myself to two hour sessions, and sticking closer to home, I've captured some beautiful scenery and had some "good starts," which I will polish in the studio.

My outdoor sales shows are coming up, with the Sidewalk Art Show in Roanoke the first weekend in June. Check out my show blog entry for dates and times.