A LOVER-LY WEEKEND

My Mickey Award shot by my 5 yr old grandgirl

Blossom showing my art set up

Front: Barbara Perrotti, Dorothy Gardiner :Back Durinda, and Diane Johnson
at the Artists' Reception on Thursday night

English Doorway, oil on canvas, Sold















The Artists in the Gardens weekend was LOVERLY! The gardens were awesome and that is quite a feat given the cold weather that Florida has had this winter. I enjoyed seeing my art friends at the reception and lunches as well as painting in the "United Kingdom". The Epcot cast members take great care of us, providing water and sodas throughout the day. Friday and Saturday the weather was perfect and then Sunday it clouded up and poured later in the afternoon. We were packed up at lunchtime and didn't go back on the streets. I had a few sales, which is always an added bonus, and talked to some really interesting guests. The children are the most fun. I had two young boys who came right up to me and said, "I'm an artist too!" I just loved that!

If you get the chance, visit Epcot during the International Flower and Garden Festival in the spring. The plein air artists are there only the one weekend, but there is lots going on throughout the festival. I am so honored to have taken part in my fourth year and hoping for a return in 2011!

Now, go play in your yard!
Durinda

On the Woad Again....

In the UK gardens at Epcot in '08

My husband thinks the neighbors don't know I live here, it seems like I have been gone more than I have been home this year (true). We are leaving today for Disneyworld and the Artists in the Gardens weekend. Each spring Epcot hosts the International Flower and Garden Festival with all kinds of gardening exhibits and beautiful flowers in the World Showcase. This is my fourth year to be invited to paint plein air in the park. There will be sixteen artists scattered through the countries painting on location. It is always a fun weekend meeting guests and visitors in the park and getting to paint in such a wonderful location. The UK has the English cottages and gardens full of color. Last year I painted in Canada and it was equally as pretty. I can't wait to see what the horicultural department has done this year with the landscaping.

For your artists, I will be taking my Anderson easel. It has a swivel back that will lay flat because I will be taking my watercolors. I can either stand and paint or sit by adjusting the height. I will be using my transparent colors - no cadimums or earth colors. My Art comber is going again too. It holds everything in the basket and has the chair that pulls out. You never know when a quick rain will pop up in FL and it is good to have a place where everything can go plus it has wheels so it is easy to transport. A good sunhat, sunscreen, and I am ready to woll- eh, roll!

Wishing you a magical week!

Durinda

Paintings from Epcot's U.K.

What fun to see my paintings from Epcot again! The U.K.'s gardens were fabulous! I have never been to England, but if it looks like this, I am there! :)

I always learn something about myself when I paint. This time, I learned I need to learn a lot more about identifying flowers and plants! The vine that grew over the doorway and on the arch into the gardens drew a lot of attention from guests. It had purple blossoms that cascaded a lot like wisteria, but not really. It also had red berries! The birds and squirrels loved them. I had no clue what it was. I told people it was probably native to England. Sounded good, huh? Then, with D.J's help and the horticulturists, I found out that it really came from one of their yards in Florida. I can't remember the scientific name, but it is called The Potato Vine. Kinda took the romance out of it then!
The thatched roof cottage I call Pooh's Corner. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see him while I was there, because I was painting on the other side. I did, however, have another guest that I will post next time. I started that painting in the afternoon when the clouds started rolling in, so I need to "twink" it some before shooting it.

This was my first trip with my new Soltek easel. It took some getting used to. Thankfully, I had my pal gal Diane to show me how to lock the legs. I thought I was going to have to hold it the entire time! I was really glad I had it when we had to run for rain cover a few times. You just fold it up and go!
The paintings are all in oil. Email me if you are interested in a purchase. I can throw in a pizza box too!
Durinda's Art To Go....