Old Barn

?????

We are in Door County and last week I went out and painted one of my favorite barns on Hwy 57 just south of Jacksonport.  I have photographed this barn many times but could never see enough from the photo into the dark barn to paint it.  While I was painting plein air, the owner stopped by to see what I was doing.  He told me this was one of the most painted barns in Door County and that I may be one of the last people to paint it with the "old roof".  The new "metal roof" would be installed any day! I have been trying to come up with a title that might address this information and can not come up with any good ideas.  So I thought I might enlist my "blog buddies" for ideas. Do any of you have a suggestion for a title of the last painting of the old roof?  I'd love to hear from you. 

Sunset Paint out at Balducci's

   The final painting event was a sunset paint out and Balducci’s, a farm and winery just outside of  Augusta.  We had the day to get our paintings ready for the sale on Saturday or finish and frame any paintings.  I decided to paint on the property where I was staying.  The Hoefts had hosted the Private estate event in a previous year, and their home has a beautiful setting on the Katy trail overlooking the Missouri River.  Jeannine and Steve have become personal friends during my weeklong stay and  I wanted to paint a “keepsake” of my wonderful experience.  We finally had a perfect day; sunny, warm, and not windy.  I sat out in front of their home and set up my easel to paint the vineyard to the north of their home.  Once again, the sun provided a full spectrum of vivid colors.  Steve was working on the lawn and I asked him to pinch me because I thought I had died and gone to heaven!  My painting, “Vineyard Vista”  will be a constant reminder of an exceptional week.

Jeannine and Steve were wonderful hosts!

Entrance to the wine cellar

View from the vineyard

"Pinch me!"

"Vineyard Vista"

 The sunset paintout at Balducci’s Winery was a perfect ending to the week.  The surrounding farm and vineyards are set on several hills that provided a great place to experience the setting sun.  Artists and spectators dotted the landscape as the sun dropped into the west.  I spotted an old wagon (more wheels) near the entrance of the property.  The setting sun was creating some interesting colors and shadows to the wagon and the surrounding trees. 

This was a perfect subject for my final painting.  “Sundown at Balducci’s”  depicts the end of a day but not an end to my visits to Augusta Missouri.

Teddy, Tammy and I at Balducci's

Guests enjoyed watching the artists

"Sundown at Balducci's"

What a week!

 Pleasant Hill Winery was the sight of the final judging and art sale.  Individual 5’ square areas were designated for each artist to display the paintings they completed during the 10 day event.  Each artist was to submit 2 paintings for the judging in the morning.  Prizes were awarded for each medium.  The art sale began at noon.  I met many very talented artists during the week and I look forward to participating in future Plein Air events. 

Historic Augusta

Historic Clay House B&B

On Thursday, after a brunch at the Clay House B&B, artists were invited to paint  historic downtown Augusta.  This was quite a contrast from the day before.  The little downtown area of Augusta is full of old stores and homes that have been “recycled” into Inns, B&B’s, eateries, and shops.  It was another sunny day, so the flowers and trees added color to the streets.  There was a painting around every corner and a plein air artist capturing it. 

 As I drove around, I spotted an old horse drawn buggy on the lawn of a little Inn.  The area was full of antique articles but I kept going back to the buggy.  It was setting in front of a tiny log home on the property and the sun was creating some interesting shadows on the lawn and the building.  I decided to challenge myself with this old buggy and try to “keep it simple” in my interpretation.  About half way through, I had second thoughts and wondered what made me think I could pull this off in such a short time.  Another artist had selected the same buggy and after we discussed our problems, I decided to persevere.  The result, entitled “Rough Ride” not only describes the vehicle but also my journey in completing it!

Rainy day at Augusta Shores

On Wenesday, plein air artists were invited to paint at Augusta Shores, a beautiful development of upscale homes, surrounded by lakes, green areas and outcroppings of stone.  The residents planned a great day complete with box lunches , a wine and cheese reception during the judging, and a wonderful chili supper.  The only thing the residents couldn’t provide was a nice day.  It was cold and rainy ALL day!  As I drove around this beautiful area in the rain, my eyes rested on 2 bright red kayaks that were lying on the shores of the boat launch area.  This was the only spot of color in the area!  I drove down to the boat launch area and opened up the hatch of my minivan and set up my easel.  I have read about Monet and the other Impressionists who painted in all types of weather, but this was a first for me!  I used my new umbrella to cover my palette and proceeded  with a smaller canvas.  I enjoyed imitating the rocky shoreline with my palate knife and adding the bright red boats to the composition.  There were several other artists painting in the area.  Just like running a marathon, when you feel the support of others, you do things you probably wouldn’t do on your own.  This was a good lesson to learn today. 

My entry, “No Kayaking Today” got several looks at the reception that evening.

Watering Holes on the Katy Trail

"Springtime at Sugar Creek"

Day 2 was an event called “Watering holes along the Katy Trail”.  Artists were asked to sign up for one of four locations along the Katy trail that were breweries or wineries.  This divided the artists and provided a variety of locations for the judges.  I chose the Sugar Creek winery and proceeded about 7 miles east of Augusta to the location.  Tuesday was very sunny and windy.  The difference in the colors I saw was striking from the day before.  You don’t realize how much light effects the color of things until you try to imitate it in a painting.  My second day entry, Springtime at Sugar Creek, showed a full range of bright hues from the crimson red maple trees to the budding green leaves on the early vines.  What a feast for the eyes!

Artists gathered at the nearby
 Klondike Park for the judging

The winner by Joshua Bean
of Colorado

Private Estate Event , Augusta, Missouri

When I arrived in Augusta on Monday, April 25^th, I was comfortable with the area and ready to begin my first ever, week long plein air painting event.  The first day was called a “Private Estate event.  The location was kept secret until registration in the morning.  After we received our “sack lunch”, we caravaned to a private estate complete with a vineyard, pond, and pastures with two beautiful Arabian horses.  The down side was that it was about 60 degrees and rainy all day.  We all found shelter in the out houses, barns or our cars and proceeded to be inspired by the incredible scenery.  The owner offered to open his garage for me and I saw a beautiful view stretching all the way to the Missouri river, from my sheltered position.  I forgot about the cold and proceeded to the task at hand, create my interpretation of the scene in front of me and to do it in a few hours.  What a challenge!  Here is the results of my first day.

Artists took shelter everywhere!

"View to the River"   You could see all the way to the Missouri River.  I loved the different layers of color
the view to the river supplied, even though the hues weren't bright because there was no sun.

Augusta, MO Plein Air Event and Workshop

                                        Billyo Workshop at the Augusta Plein Air Event

       I learned about the Augusta Plein Air Event from an artist friend who had attended it for the past 5 years.  She said this was a fantastic event sponsored by the community of Augusta, Missouri and open to all artists.  It is a 10 day event with different businesses and local wineries sponsoring daily events with daily purchase awards.  I planned to arrive on Mon. April 25 and to participate in the last 5 events. 

      When I got a notice they were offering a plein air workshop on the first day of the event, taught by Bill O’Donnell, a well-know plein air artist, I decided it would be worth an extra trip to the St. Louis area to take the workshop. Gary and I made it a little “getaway” and we went a day early and visited Hermann, MO, a quaint area near Augusta that has many wineries.  On Wed, April 20^th we drove to Augusta and Gary spent the day taking photos while I attended the workshop. I love to  look for “isms”  when I take a workshop.  “Isms” are little nuggets of information by the presenter that capture the essence of the experience.  Here are a few of Billyo’s “isms.”

     Start painting with a middle value, then add lights and darks.  Big shapes first.

     Look for “hidden colors”  in whites.

     If a painting reads well in the dark, it will read better in the light.

     If you use more than 5 brushes on a painting, you’re insecure!

      Before we left Augusta, we had a chance to meet the lovely couple who had agreed to provide me logding during the next week’s event and visit their home complete with a view of the historic Katy trail, a vineyard and an incredible wine cellar.

"Painting on the Katy Trail"   (my painting during the workshop).

My next 6 posts will highlight my experiences and paintings during the 6 days I spent in Augusta.