HOOSIER SALON OPENING

Wednesday evening, July 29, was wonderful for me!

It was The Hoosier Salon Preview and Awards night in Indianapolis.  For once it did not rain when I drove up and we didn't get lost getting there - but we did get lost on the way home - and so it goes!  Thank goodness for GPS!!!

For this event reservations are required - which allows patrons to view the artworks and buy before the general public.  This also allows artists and patrons to make connections.

But it's also kind of "sneaky" - they don't let you know if you are about to win an award, but they know if you will be present to accept, due to your reservation!

Anyway - once again, in about mid-pack, my name was flashed on the screen - I won an award for Outstanding Watermedia and . . . the painting sold!  To the same man who purchased last year's painting, but this time I got to meet him.

I met a few new people, and had the unexpected delight to see a woman who lives just a few miles from me - it was her first time entering and her painting was accepted.  I was excited for her, since last year was my first time entering and exhibiting.

Art openings are always fun anyway, but especially so when your painting is selected for an award.

So - you may be asking "what painting sold ?"  Just look up at my blog header - "Luscious" has gone to a new home!

SUNFLOWERS - 2

Here are more of the students' paintings - continuing the sunflowers - with mine in there somewhere!

This was after our second session using the fluid acrylics.

BEGINNING SUNFLOWERS

Both classes have started a sunflower painting.  Here are the starts from the morning class - using fluid acrylics!

I'm providing the paints, brushes and palettes (styro plates) for them to experiment with since none have used the fluid acrylics before and I hate for people to spend a lot of money just to try something.  I have an array of these paints, primarily DaVinci and Chroma, but a few Golden thrown in - they are smaller size so I'm thinking they came into my possession via the Golden company's demonstration and give away programs.
If they like it, I'm sure they will be going out to purchase MORE PAINT - just what we all need, right!!!

All of the paintings are from our first day of working on them.  Mine is in there somewhere but I can't tell which it is without looking at the back where I wrote the student's name.   I know mine is NOT the best looking one!

So far they seem to be enjoying this experience.  Not everyone will be here each week - but I'll try to keep up with photos as the weeks pass.

PIGGIES!

Since so many of you have asked about the pigs and piggies - I thought I'd include some photos.

Here are Mom and Dad - whoa, not such a pretty sight!!!!

But here come the little piggies - they are about to be fed and they know it!  The rooster is "Ranger" who was bequeathed to us by my son's fiance's aunt - who raised him from a chick and hand fed him, so he's still pretty tame.  Our rooster decided he didn't like him much, fought him off - even though he's smaller than Ranger - which left Ranger to fend for himself.  So he moved in with the pigs and seems quite content!

We started with 5 piglets - one of the males was sold.  2 of these are female who will remain with us to procreate when the time comes.  Two are castrated males - who will be quite tasty, I'm sure!

Yum - - - B A C O N!!!!!

LAST OF THE PETUNIAS

Well, here are the last of the petunia paintings - students' work.   Some are not finished yet, but it's time to move on to another project.

FINDING PETUNIAS - 2

Here are a few more petunia paintings from my students.

Some of us followed what the instructor told us to do (!!!) and some went home and created a whole new petunia painting!

Since art is subjective - anything goes.  As long as you keep painting!

FINDING PETUNIAS - 1

In class I just taught a technique for "finding" your subject, using a photo of petunias.  The first few photos are of my demo.

We sprayed water on the paper.
Then, using the photo reference, paint was applied loosely in the general shape of the flowers.
The class chose to do blue petunias, so I applied various shades of blue,
some violets and pinks for the flower areas and greens, blues and yellow for the green around the flowers.

When the first layer of color was dry, I began "finding" petunias.
You have to use your imagination - and your photo is simply a beginning reference point.
At first you think you don't see any flowers, but all of a sudden they begin to appear!
Then I deepened the greenery around the flowers, and adding some areas of shadow within the flowers.
At this point, I only want to indicate the flowers through the use of negative painting.

Here is how the day ended - with the flowers indicated.  The background may or may not be complete. 

Now here are some of the students' work:

You can see how she has begun finding her flowers, and has even added some of the centers.

More petunias being found!

And more!