Seasons in the Studio

Fine art Inspired by Nature: Illustration in watercolor and pencil, White Line Woodcuts, Photography

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Studio Update November 28, 2023

 Good News!  

 I was just notified that my photograph "The Tree of Life"  was accepted into the 9th Regional Juried Photography Exhibition at the Rehoboth Art League.  There were 147 submissions by 52 artists for this exhibition, 37 artists works were chosen.  I'm pleased to have my work selected.

I took this photo in Washington State, very early one morning.  I had it printed in a very large format, 20 x 30 because it was such a majestic subject and a small photograph wouldn't do.  I stood on the beach shooting photographs as the sun rose, waiting for the moment when the light flooded through the branches.  The space underneath is big enough for an adult to stand!

12/1/2023- I'm updating this post to give a little background about this image.  This is located on the Olympic Peninsula.  The Olympic mountains are spectacular and often snow and ice covered, however they are not volcanic.  They were instead formed from the compression of two tectonic plates.  During the last ice age, there were glaciers that were thousands of feet thick in this region.  This site is the terminal moraine of a glacier.  The waves pound it during storms and the erosion is fierce.  Along the coastline you can see entire trees that were ripped out of the ground and tossed into the ocean, then thrown back up on the beach.  This one is still hanging on.  It is known locally as "The Tree of Life".

 The exhibition will be opening in January at the Rehoboth art league.  Gallery talk on January 6th.

Rehoboth art league  https://www.rehobothartleague.org/exhibitions/upcoming/9th-ral-regional-juried-photography-exhibition/



Sunday, November 5, 2023

Studio update November 5, 2023

 It's been a productive month.  I usually try to update more often but I get caught up in the work sometimes!

I finished a large detailed drawing of Lake 22 in the Cascades last month.  It's a really beautiful and special place and even though I did an earlier sketchbook drawing of this subject, I wanted to come back to it.

Lake 22
12 x 18 inches
Graphite on Canson paper

I have also come back to a favorite scene in Maine, as a painting and a drawing.  The large drawing is in the early stages, and I'll share later but the painting is progressing nicely. I've made woodcut prints of this subject, and painted it once long ago, but I'm still intrigued by it.  All those white boats...


 In for the Night
Watercolor on Arches 300# paper
22 x 15
 
I am finished carving the large block for the print "Worms for Sale" and am pulling a second print of "The Bell House".  More updates later.  I'm keeping busy!!


Friday, September 29, 2023

Studio update September 29, 2023

 I finished the pencil drawing today of the Rockport Harbor boat, "Poem"  I'm pleased with the way this turned out.  Working on prints and a more drawings, never enough time!

 


"Poem"

Graphite and charcoal on Canson Mi Tientes paper

12 x 18 inches



Saturday, September 16, 2023

Studio update September 16, 2023

 I'm spending my time this fall working on several landscape drawings, new prints and a watercolor or two.  In the evenings, I'm crocheting new pieces for competitions I want to enter next year.  Not enough hours in the day!!!

Congratulations to all the artists on the Lewes Artists Studio Tour this year.  The weather was perfect and there looked like a nice crowd.  I wasn't a participant this year but will be back next year!!  I did get to visit some studios and was thrilled to be able to see the work of so many talented people!!  https://www.lewesartistsstudiotour.com/

This week, I'm sharing a completed print from the Chowder House series, and a work in progress, a drawing from a scene in Rockport Harbor, ME.  I'm choosing new and more challenging subjects for drawings and prints.  The graphite drawing will take a few weeks to complete, I will post updates.  New prints are in the works as well.  Have a look!


"Chowder House Bling"
18" x 24"
White line woodcut
 
"Poem"
20" x 28"
Graphite on Canson paper


Nearing completion of "Poem"


Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Studio Update: September 5th, 2023

 I've been working on printmaking these last few weeks.  I completed the new version of Happy Hours, changing the background and I'm pleased with the result.  I'm nearing completion of the second print in the Chowder House series.  I'll post that a little later!


"Happy Hours"
11x17 inches


Saturday, August 12, 2023

Studio update August 12, 2023

 It's good to be back to work after my excursion to the pacific northwest.  I do miss those landscapes though!  I've been focusing on a large drawing for a new print the last two weeks.  It is inspired by a scene in Maine, a black and white photograph I took in 2001 back in the days when I shot film.  The reference photograph is very small, about 3.5 x 5 inches.  I had to hand enlarge the drawing twice to get it to the size I wanted for the block print.  The image will be around 15 x 22.  I have wanted to take on this subject for years, so it's exciting to be working on it.

 UPDATE 8/23/2023  I had to order a custom woodblock for this so I'm in a holding pattern for a couple of weeks until I receive it.  In the meantime, I finished another version of "Happy Hours" today and am working on the second print in the "Chowder House" series.  I hope to have some photos this weekend!

 "Worms for Sale"

Thought I'd leave you with a parting shot from the window of the airplane.  Mt. Rainer is the large mountain you see but Mt. St. Helens is on the right.  It's the first time I've been able to see both volcanoes at the same time.  Mt. St. Helens is closed for the time being because there was a major landslide that closed off the road.  Someday I will visit it!


 



Sunday, July 23, 2023

Studio update July 23, 2023

 I'm just returning from a trip to the Pacific Northwest.  I had the opportunity to take some great photos and do sketchbook drawing.  Such amazing landscapes out there!  We spent a few days on Whidbey Island and experienced lovely sunrises!

I'll be back to work in the studio in a few days but in the meantime, here are some images!  ALSO, I'm exhibiting Lobster Trappings III at the annual members show at Rehoboth Art League.  Show is up until late August.

UPDATE:  See the story about the Hudson Valley Art Show in the Cape Gazette:  https://www.capegazette.com/article/lewes-artists-selected-national-juried-exhibition/261811

 
Sunrise on Whidbey Island
 
 
 
Within an hour the landscape becomes surreal!
 
 
 
Deception Pass Bridge from the river


 
Lest we forget where we are!!!

 
Here's what's going on in the sketchbook!
 
 
A study for a larger drawing,
AND a couple of brown bag sketches, just like art school!






Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Studio Update June 28, 2023

 I've returned from the opening of the Hudson Valley Art Association show in Old Lyme Connecticut.  It is such an honor to be included in this exhibition.  The catalog of the exhibition isn't online yet, when it is I will post a link.  The work is stunning in this show!  I did take a photograph of my work hanging in the museum.

Here is a link to the catalog for the exhibition: https://lymeartassociation.org/hvaa-90th-annual-show/

 I have completed two new proofs for prints.  The Chowder House is just as I hoped it would be.  The second print I have had to re-cut the block and make some changes.  Working on the new print now from that.  There will also be a second print of the Chowder House series.  Hopefully soon!


"Shadow Box" Graphite on paper, being exhibited at the Hudson Valley Art Association exhibit, Lyme Art Association. 


"Chowder House" Artist Proof, White line woodcut print


"Happy Hours" Artist Proof, white line woodcut print.  This one is being reworked.


Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Studio Update June 14, 2023

Time flies!!

I'm working on printmaking these last few weeks.  Carving new blocks and printing.  Also submitting work to juried shows.  It's a busy time of year!!  Never enough hours in my day!

White line woodcuts take time.....

"In for the night II"

 Lobster Lane II


Friday, May 5, 2023

Studio Update May 5th, 2023/Update May 23

 I have been working on drawings and prints this week.  Two prints are near completion, and I have completed a large landscape drawing.  One of my drawings needed some reworking and I'll show what I'm doing with it as well. Prints will be posted soon.

I was notified that my drawing "Shadow Box" was accepted into the Hudson Valley Art association show this summer.  This is a great honor.  I'm thankful to the jurist and the association for accepting my work.

I have finished two proofs of prints and am working on the first of the series of both.  More to come.

"Bass Harbor Morning"- 24 x 30 Graphite on Canson Mi Teintes paper


"A day in the woods"  18 x 24 inches  Graphite on Bristol
I'm reworking it.

This was the original drawing
 


Friday, April 28, 2023

Studio Update April 28, 2023

 I've been working on new prints and drawings.  I'm posting some of the sketches for the prints and the newest large drawing I'm working on, Bass Harbor Morning.  It's a stormy day here today and the prints in progress didn't photograph well, I'll post them later.  The three bottom drawings are new prints, either in progress or ready to be carved.  Looking forward to posting new photos.


Bass Harbor Morning, 24 x 30 Graphite on Canson paper.





Sunday, April 16, 2023

Lobster Trappings III Featured in Cape Gazette!

My print, "Lobster Trappings III was featured in an article about the art exhibit for Women's fest at Camp Rehoboth this month.  You can see it here:

 https://www.capegazette.com/article/fest-art-open-camp-rehoboth-april-21/256510 

 What an honor to have my work selected.  I can't wait to see the entire exhibit!


 

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Studio update April 13, 2023

 I just completed a new botanical drawing, "Autumn's End".  When I collected these leaves it was the beginning of fall and they were so vibrant and colorful I couldn't wait to paint them.  I was called away on a family emergency, and when I returned they were dried and very different from the day I found them.  I thought they still made an interesting subject.  I rendered them in pencil, over many hours.  I'm pleased with the result.  

There are many new white line woodcut prints in the works.  I haven't had a chance to photograph them yet.  Next week I hope!

"Autumn's End" Graphite on Bristol, 14 x 17 inches


Thursday, March 30, 2023

Good News!

I was notified that one of my prints, Lobster Trappings III was juried into a show.  Very excited to be a participant in this important event.

Camp Rehoboth Women's Fest.  Celebrating women in the arts! 

The FEST ART 2023! exhibition will be on display from April 21 to May 25, 2023.

 

https://camprehoboth.ejoinme.org/schedule 

 

Here is an article from the Cape Gazette about last year's (2022) exhibit:

 

https://www.capegazette.com/article/fest-art-open-camp-rehoboth-april-7/237317

 

I'll post anything new as it's published. 

 

 


Sunday, February 26, 2023

Studio update February 26, 2023/ UPDATE 3/26/23

Update 3/26/2023

I had to be away for a couple of weeks because of a serious illness in my family.  I am back working in the studio starting Monday.  Many new works are in progress.  Thanks for stopping by!

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 I've just returned from a trip to the pacific northwest.  I had the opportunity to work on a detailed sketchbook drawing of the oddly named "Lake 22" in the Cascades.  I'm glad to be home but miss that amazing landscape.  Hopefully I will be able to return this year.

I finished the drawing of the Wabi-Sabi shadow box before I left town.  I made this shadow box many years ago at Sundance.  It's a great study in textures.


Lake 22, sketchbook drawing
 
 

Wabi Sabi shadow box- Graphite on paper

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Studio Update-February 7th

 I've been working long days to get some pieces finished.  I'm hoping to enter some of these in shows this coming year.  I welcome the quiet and solitude of February to work without distractions.  Here are a few new prints, drawings and works in progress.

"Owl's Head lighthouse"-18 x 24 inches.  This print was a challenge because of all the detail.  I also wanted to mix the greys myself because the lighthouse is so monochromatic.  I'm pleased with it.  So glad I went back and saw it in autumn, it influenced how I treated the background.


"Hendricks Head Lighthouse 2"- I love this lighthouse and its red roof!

 

"Shadow Box" Pencil drawing.  This is almost finished, but I wanted to share a progress photo.  I'll share the final drawing in a couple of days.  I enjoy doing these hyper-realistic drawings!


This is a sketch that I haven't decided where it will go.  I need to redraw it on a better piece of paper!  It might end up as a big drawing or something more.  It's huge!  It started out on one piece of vellum and I had to add another.  Right now, about 22 x 30.  Grand rocks in this scene!

And a big oops....

 I never take my tea anywhere near the art.  Today I did.  Sometimes you just have to start over.  I had even put the Chinese characters on the paint tubes.....Grrrrr....


Tuesday, January 24, 2023

New Print- "Savannah Road Magnolia"

 I just completed this white line woodcut.  I think it might be my favorite floral yet.  I found the subject challenging because the top half was backlit and the bottom half had a lot of shiny leaves, plus it's very detailed.  I pass this magnolia all the time on my walks to town and this particular day the red seed pods were really striking.




Monday, January 9, 2023

Works in Progress/Updated!

 Thought I would share a few of the many works in progress in the Studio this January.  These are all white line woodcuts, and appear a little distorted because they are still on the blocks.  Various stages of completion on them.  I have more I'll post later and some drawings as well.

 

 

Owl's Head Lighthouse, Maine


Hendrick's Head Lighthouse 2, Maine
Because those red roofed lighthouses are so fun.... 
It's almost finished!


Savannah Road Magnolias, Lewes
The print is still on the block so it looks a little distorted.
It's almost finished!