Paintings from Florida

Here are some of the paintings I worked on while in Siesta Key.
The first is a group of bottles and glasses that I set up in the kitchen. While my other paintings with wine bottles are in very neutral colors, this one reminds me of the friends that came to visit and brought paintings to critique from our plein air painting trips. The center painting is en plein air from a house outside the Selby Gardens gate. Barbara and I were in search of "color" that morning. The fog was heavy and she showed me how to paint the sky very gray and then punch in the color when the fog lifts. Guess what? It worked! I think it needs a little more work here and there, but I like it.
The last painting was started at the Artists in the Gardens paintout in Epcot last April. I carried it with me to Florida because I kept thinking that it needed something. By adding some variations in color to the blossoms and hitting the highlights again with whites, I think that did it. I may do a larger painting from this study. What do you think? That is what is nice about doing smaller paintings, you can work out the problems and then paint a larger version from them.
I have a few more to post from that month away including some en plein air watercolors and some watercolor studies of ballerinas who posed at the Sarasota Art Center.
Just a few more weeks until spring!
Durinda

Parting Shots

I am home to the mountains of northwest Georgia after a wonderful month at Siesta Key. There is never enough time to paint everything, see everything, visit with everyone, and go everywhere while there so that is why I keep going back! This year I so enjoyed painting with the Sun Coast group of Plein Air Florida and with friends who joined me, including Mr Buttons, the neighborhood cat who checked on me every day.

Photos: Lunch in Venice with Fran White and Susie Covert; Susie painting outside the restaurant; Barbara Perotti in the Ringling Rose Garden; Sandra Babb at the Myakka River; Ali Light with her work at the Canvas Cafe; and grandgirls Camryn and Caylea at the beach house.

I brought back lots of plein air paintings and large wet canvases in the car! I am now looking forward to the Wednesday oil and watercolor classes this week and the new watercolor class that begins next Tuesday.

Have a great week and stay warm!

Durinda

My Oil Painting Gear

I had originally thought I would be sending out my blog more frequently from Florida, but I found that I was too busy painting!


For those who are painting outdoors with oils, or who aspire to do so, I shot my paint gear today before loading it once again in the car. What you can't see is my backpack on wheels that holds everything except the panel carrier and the tripod. Actually, I can strap the tripod to the pack so I can roll it easily, but if I am getting out fairly close to the car, I don't bother with it. The tripod is one for cameras and it holds my pochade box with an attachment.



The largest panel I can use with this easel is a 12 x 16. I prefer the linen oil primed panels. I also have a cardboard carrier that I like since it is lightweight and easily packable.



I use filberts or brights brushes and a few rounds. For larger works, I also like flats. In the studio, of course I have a wider variety of brushes, but outdoors, it is better to carry only a few.



My paints of choice are Gamblin's. As many of you know, I owned a gallery/teaching studio for three years where I also sold art supplies. After trying many brands, I have been impressed with Gamblin's quality and consistency. You also see Gamsol which is the thinner. When going out on location, I usually pour some into a jar and not carry the container. For the photo, I wanted to show the name so you would remember it. I use their Galkyd and Galkyd Lite mediums in the studio. They help speed the drying time of oils without getting sticky. When I paint outside, it is usually going to be "alla prima" and hopefully finished in two hours so drying layers or glazing is not an issue.

I recently added Gamblin's Quick Dry White to my plein air paints. Mixing it with the other paints helps speed their dry time as well. You can check out their line of products: www.gamblincolors.com. You can order their products through Jerry's or others. Let me know if you have any questions about the paints or gear and if you have any comments about what you have used.

For those watercolorists, I will post my palette and gear next. I enjoy my watercolors outside too.

Now, get to painting!
Durinda

Sketching Callaway- May 3 & 4

Callaway Gardens has posted the 2008 workshops on their website. Sketching Callaway is my new workshop that will take place in the gardens May 3 & 4. We will be working in a sketchbook with pens and watercolor pencils. One of the education staff will work with us to identify the different plants in the area. My goal is to have everyone create a "Garden Journal" with notes, thoughts, and sketches.

The webpage is: www.callawaygardens.org/foundation/info/education.workshops.aspx

Their phone# is 706-663-5153

Or email: education@callawaygardens.org

If you are interested in the workshop, please register with the education department. As many of you know, I have been fortunate to paint in the gardens several times and belong to the Callaway Painters. It is a beautiful setting. Accommodations are available in the gardens and in Pine Mountain. You are sure to enjoy this opportunity!

New Classes in February

Starting February 19, a six-week course in Beginner/Refresher Watercolor will meet mornings and a Beginner/Refresher Oil Class will meet in the afternoons at the Happy Painters Studio on Lookout Mountain. This is a step-by-step class covering all the basics of handling and mixing colors, values, and composition. We will work from still lifes and photographs. One of my loves is to introduce people to the pleasure of painting. I am looking forward to working with those who want to learn a new medium or just refresh their skills and get back into painting. If you are interested, or know someone who is, please email me for registration. The class size is limited to six.

Durinda@Durinda.com
423-802-9787

Warmest Season's Wishes

From Our House to Yours

May your Christmas Season be warm, colorful, and shared with others!

Bill and Durinda

Caylea Williams Wins First Art Award in Turkey Contest

This is my pretty Princess Caylea who came to the art opening at Hollis Gallery. Today in the Chattanooga TimesFree Press the award winners for the Turkey Coloring Contest were posted and Caylea won Third Place for the 2 - 5 yr olds. I had saved her our copy of the turkey to color when she came to visit a few weeks ago, but she said she had already colored one and her mom had entered it in the contest. Caylea received a gift certificate from Wal-Mart. She loves to draw and create her own "books" with stories she writes. I predict lots more awards in her future!