River Rocks "Quick Paint"

The folks that were in charge of the "quick paint" didn't communicate well to those of us participating in the event. I was about ten minutes late, so my hour painting was more like 50 minutes. I was a little intimidated to do a figure painting in public since it has been a while since I have done any figure drawing or painting. But I dug in and got 'er done... Unfortunately I was not informed that the paintings needed to be framed upon completion, so my beautiful assistant (A.K.A. Mom) ran to the store to grab a couple of frames. A very nice gentleman was there with framing wire, and we made it work. I didn't take any pictures before it was under glass, so this is as good as it gets:You can see the actual colors a little better here:

And for round two, Landscape painting. I went a ways down the road, so again it was about a 50 minute painting. It didn't start until 8:00 at night, and the lighting was changing FAST. Totally different reference about every fifteen minutes. It was a challenge.

This isn't a very accurate photograph either. The colors are quite a bit brighter. But you get the idea...

It was a really fun evening. I haven't done anything like this for a long time. It was a beautiful night, everyone was very friendly, and as it turns out, I still remember how to paint plein air.

River Rock Festival, Day Two

The skies cooperated for a few hours this morning and I was able to squeeze in this plein air painting. This is an 8 by 10, soft pastel on texturized mat board, and took just over two hours.

River Rock Art Festival, Day One

Today was the first leg of the annual River Rock Art Festival in Idaho Falls. It snuck right up on me! I found myself this morning with an itinerary of painting and artsy stuff, and no babysitter for my three little stinkers. Oops. So we loaded the car to the hilt with snacks, toys, entertainment, laptop with DVD's, all the goods, and my art supplies too. I located a suitable painting site on the map and we made camp. The kids watched two full movies while I painted. They had a super time, and so did I. Here is my first painting. I have to turn in three by Friday morning. Hopefully I can squeeze in another tonight after the Mister gets home from work...

Hawaii, Plein Air

I was planning on finishing dozens and dozens of paintings in Hawaii. Well, it turns out that Hawaii is this really tropical, amazing, relaxing, breathtaking place, and I wanted to enjoy it! I ended up sight-seeing and playing on the beaches much more than painting. But since I did lug all my cumbersome painting supplies 3000 miles across the ocean, I figured it would be quite a waste not to paint ANYTHING. The first day I forgot all my boards, so I just did a sketch on paper:

I was so amazed by all the different colors of turquoise! My palette was not completely decked out for all the tropical hues.

I only managed to paint twice more, once on Waikiki, such a beautiful place. This cute old Chinese woman kept coming to check on my progress. She didn't really speak English, but seemed to approve. She kept pointing to my painting and then to the water saying, "Same, same!" Too bad I didn't know how to say "You want to buy it?" in Chinese...

and one last painting on another beach which I do not remember the name. (Sunset Beach maybe?) It was in the upper 90's this day, and the sand was totally burning my feet. One arm got sunburned. It was really windy too. Not ideal painting conditions.

I took hundreds of photos which may or may not make their way into future paintings...

My Website

Still in progress, but here it is...

http://brittanylane.webs.com/

Off to Paint...

I've been neglecting my paintings in getting ready for my upcoming trip to Hawaii.  I have my art equipment pretty much packed up, so I'm not going to get much accomplished before I leave on Wednesday.  Expect lots and lots of tropical plein air landscapes upon my return...  I've researched out some great sites and I'm so excited to get painting!  ALOHA!!

Thank You Mrs. C.

This is of course a painting for a "thank you" to my son's 1st grade teacher.  She has been so awesome this year!  I completely admire her dedication and patience.  My son has improved a great deal in many ways under her watchful eye.  I hope he is lucky enough to have great teachers like Mrs. C. throughout his life.  

My son chose the objects for the still life, and insisted that it had a flower because, "They are Mrs. C.'s favorite!"  This painting is 10 by 10 inches, soft pastel and pastel pencil on texturized mat board.  (And is not for sale.)

Tropical Beast of Burden

Soft Pastel on Texturized Matboard, 9 by 11 inches

Lower Eagle

In the North-Northwest they have these really cool trees that look like evergreens most of the year, but are actually deciduous and turn bright yellow and drop their needles in the autumn.  They are so striking!  My husband goes on a manly-man motorcycle/camping trip with the guys every fall and this is one of the gorgeous places they go.  It's pretty remote and hard to access, so not a lot of people get to see it.  A rich guy flew to the lake in a helicopter one year while they were there.  Ruined the fishing for a couple of hours I guess.  I'd love to see it for myself someday, but on horseback, not motorbike.  

I painted this roughly based on a photograph my brother-in-law took.  It's soft pastel on texturized mat board, 12 by 15 inches.

Just Passing Through

Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board, 7.5  by 8 inches

Teton Overlook

Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board, 6 by 8 inches

Plum and Pussy Willow

Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board, 7 by 10 inches

Factory Window, Spring

Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board, 9 by 11 inches

Whew.  I've been busy.  I neglected my painting a little bit last month. (And I had such great intentions....)  There are a few in the works.  I've been drawing and scheming, but most of that isn't blogworthy.   Here is the fruit of last weeks labor.  We went to SLC and I was enchanted by all the windows.  I have one more.  Maybe spring will decide to come HERE one of these days.  

Cold again today.

Stumbled across my painting online...

My painting is on the front of the arts council web page.  Cool.  Gotta love any "face" time I can get.  Check it out here.  Scroll down a bit to the art show info.

Emerging Tetons

8" X 8" Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board

Warming Up

Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board, 11" by 14"

Three Low Clouds

Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board, 9" by 12"

Little Bird Shakers

Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board, 8" by 8"

Between Storms

Soft Pastel on Texturized Mat Board, 14" by 18"

Lemons and Sunshine

Snowing again today.  I'm craving just a little bit of sunshine...