THURSDAY W I P

Well, this is final, whether good or bad.  (The painting has not been flattened, so there is a bit of a curl if it looks a bit odd!)

I kind of lost my enthusiasm as it kept getting darker and darker.

I did try to lighten a bit on the upper left.

Oh well, it is what it is.  Definitely not a show stopper!

I'll probably try it again in the future.

Now, onward and upward (I hope)!!

THURSDAY W I P

A friend critiqued the painting and let me know that there was a line that followed the crack in the upper white dome straight up through the bricks and off the page!  Until she said that I hadn't noticed; then it was all I could see (of course).   

I think I was able to fix it, at least make it less noticeable.  

Then I added more color to the window shutters and darkened shadows a bit more; added some more color to the top right bricks.

Then it dawned on me how dark this painting is getting.  Yikes.  Will have to decide if I want it to be lighter, as it actually was with the whitewashed brick, or if this darker is OK with me.

Stay tuned.

THURSDAY W I P

The area above the window has been worked on, but I think it's too dark.  Will have to work on that.

Added more color to the rusty area around the window curve and on the shutters.  Darkened some shadows.

THURSDAY PAINTING (W I P)

I worked on deepening the shutter shadows and the designs around the side of the window as well as the bricks.

THURSDAY PAINTING (W I P)

Next a light wash of turquoise on the shutters, a bit more rusty in the arch and added more color to the greenery.

THURSDAY PAINTING (W I P)

Next I added the shadows and wood where paint had peeled off.

Then I added more of the rusty looking areas in the arch and under the pediments on the sides of the windows.  (Is that the right word for the fancy concrete on the sides?  If anyone knows, let me know!)

2016 ART RETREAT - Final

There was a trip to Cheap Joe's in Boone, and a tour by his niece, Meghan . . .

In Joe Miller's office.

The call center.

Strolling down the aisles in the warehouse.

Part of the shipping department.

 . . . followed by lunch in a beautiful little mountain town!

A WONDERFUL time was had by all - we can't wait until next year to do it again!

To the Ladies of the CIAG/esp - YEAR 15 AND COUNTING!!!  Thank you for another wonderful week - the best friends anyone could have.  I love you all.

THURSDAY PAINTING (W I P)

This painting comes from a photo taken several years ago in Lawrenceburg, IN.  One evening my husband and I were coming home and the evening sun was shining just right on an old house that I had never really noticed before.  We stopped and I took several photos of the front of this old brick house which had been painted over in white and which was obviously showing wear.

Every now and then I would think about painting this, but never got around to it.  Just recently I realized that someone has purchased the place and spiffed it up.  In other words, all of the charm of the old, worn out paint is gone!  Good thing I took the photo when I did!

I have high hopes for this one, even hoping that my greenery will turn out well - we shall see!

If anyone knows the names of the fancy concrete work on the sides of the windows, please let me know!

2016 ART RETREAT

This year our Annual Art Retreat took place in the mountains of North Carolina in a beautiful rented home.  Low temps, NO humidity and a constant breeze - we all decided we need to live here forever!

Very spacious for the six of us (4 beds, 3-1/2 baths with a wrap around deck.  One of the best parts was that the kitchen was just off the living room and open concept, so when it was our day to cook, even though we were in the kitchen, we still were also in the conversation!

There were great views of the mountains:

There were bubbles - So now you know what 60-ish women do on an art retreat!!!

There were cows:

And even a goat!

There was a 5-course meal prepared by a professional chef!  The daughter of one of the women is a chef in Charlotte.  She stopped by on her way to Indiana on vacation and surprised her mom by cooking dinner!

THURSDAY W I P

Well, looks like I forgot to take a bunch of photos - unless they are currently lost in the "new computer"!

Obviously, much work was done on the flowers, the cup and saucer and the tea.

Tea Time