Dallas and Beyond...

INTERVALS - 36 x 60

So there I was... riding along some beautiful avenue in the Turtle Creek area of Dallas, on the way to the first gallery on our "to see" list and my phone rings. I'm surprised to note that it's from my newest rep in Asheville and the good news is that a prominent collector in the area (did I get his name? noooo....) has added to his collection with the largest canvas I'd recently left with them. The above painting now hangs between (didn't get that name either) and an Ansel Adams photograph. You bet I'm thrilled! Off to a good start in a new gallery. I've asked for a repeat of the info I didn't catch... I don't do well on cell phones.

So that's how my holiday in Texas began... it was fine from day one!

There were six of us but due to logistics, two cars were needed as we made our way this way and that. Our hostess's daughter generously loaned us both her condo in town and her lake house on Lake Corsicana a little over an hour south of town. We were well taken care of... pampered, even! It was an exceptional retreat and we enjoyed!

I won't go into a list of all that we saw... both museums and galleries in both Ft. Worth and Dallas... we kept moving every day except for the one day we stayed at the lake, kicked back and rested up for more. Exhausted, we skipped the openings Saturday night as we'd seen most of the work, even visited with the artists as installations were underway or winding up... kind of more fun that way anyway. I must say, the directors of most of the galleries we visited were extremely generous with their time and information, even when they knew we were artists (usually a turn off) and not likely to be clients.

 We made good use of the porches!

  The changing views were incredible!

Cynthia and Cheryl McClure... thank you so very much!

Studio on Wheels...

So there I was... trying my best to be a plein air painter and not doing a very good job of it. Wanted to give Miss Prius a chance to share in the responsibility as I'd seen this work for others and thought it a neat (read: easy) approach to painting outdoors. And it was all that, but don't expect to see charming little w/c's from this effort... unless I do something miraculous with the photos back in the real studio! I have untold new respect for the plein air genre and all the artists and their beautiful paintings that capture the wonders of nature before them! Point of fact: I've tried outdoor painting a number of times and have never made it work for me, not even in my own backyard. I don't expect much different this time but I'm enjoying!

Actually, much of my problem had to do with too much socializing and not enough attention to the goal at hand... but hey! it was a fantastic day and lots to talk about. Just being there was good mo-j0!
Lake Nicol was a delight... nearly deserted, no homes lining the shores, only a couple of fishermen sans motorboats... a perfect day in a perfect place. This little extension includes a new pavilion with constant shade and gentle breeze. Next time I'll spend more time out there as the water views are 360 degrees. Very glad to have met up with this group of painters and am enjoying the ride ;) The paintings will come...

Alabama Art Colony

The Convention Center at Children's Harbor where Alabama Art Colony is held.

The cabins...

The main workshop area...

Harbor House which the Independent group used.

Interior of Harbor House... before all arrived.

I've been an active member of Mississippi Art Colony (MAC) since 1987 and credit the high level of expertise by the artists who are regulars and the excellent invited artists who come twice a year to critique with my continued growth and development. Career momentum took hold and I slacked off for a few years, participating in few art gatherings but recently began to realize this is not good for the artistic soul... one MUST be part of an intellectual give and take or this 'one' gets very stale. So I not only returned to MAC but also signed up for another Colony which is only an hour and half away... Alabama Art Colony (AAC). The two groups are very similar but also very different.

At AAC, two workshops are normally given, this year Harry Ally conducted the contemporary painters and Dot Svensen worked with the plein air painters. For the first time, an Independent Group was added and I was one of the twelve painters included. Hugh Williams, Professor Emeritus Auburn University, has been instrumental to the development of both the Mississippi and Alabama venues which explains the high standards and expectations at both. He suggested the Independent Group and it will evolve year by year to best suit all involved. I simply ate it up and hope to be a regular at the annual fall sessions and still attend MAC as often as possible.

The facilities are fantastic! It's a fairly new 'camp' designed for seriously ill children and their families... corporate, big budget sponsored and kept super clean due to the needs of delicate immune systems. So okay... I'll learn to spread drop cloths and not sling paint! The photos above don't begin to do the area justice... but you get the idea...