NWC Biennial Art Competion Submission: "Sky Watcher"

Theme:  "Art's window on the impact of weather on the human experience"

"The National Weather Center Biennale is the first exhibition of its kind - a national juried exhibition presenting art's window on the impact of weather on the human experience. The exhibition opens on Earth Day 2013 and is sponsored by the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma, The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma, and the Norman Arts Council." 
see more info on the NWC website:  http://www.nwcbiennale.org/  Also check out the National Weather Center website:  http://www.nwc.ou.edu/  Great information!!!

As a farmer's wife and science teacher for 30 years, I've always been facinated with meteorology.  Watching the changes in cloud formations is a favorite of mine.  I'm really excited for the NWC event.  I submitted "Sky Watcher".  Cross your fingers that it will be selected for the show.  The inspiration for this painting was a demonic looking wall cloud and my husband (a wheat farmer in Northeastern Colorado). We were actually spared that evening, but our neighbor wasn't as lucky. When you study the cloud (though not intentional) you may see the image of a several creatures ready to devour the field. I came up with three. How many can you see? (Thanks husband Gary for pointing that out)

 Farmers live on the edge, never knowing what this year's weather will dish out;  hail, drought, flooding, tornado etc...  Their lively hood is dictated by the weather.   We have lost several wheat crops that had the potential to finally enable us to show a profit devastated in a matter of minutes. Then, have to wait an entire year for the possibility of a harvest.

Show entry deadline is Oct. 1, 2012.  Hoping "Sky Watcher" is selected.

Finally Finished????

Think I'm finallly finished with this. Let me know what you think...  Debating about a title: "Skywatcher" or "Defiance".  

 

 I will be entering this in the The National Weather Center Biennale show in Norman, Oklahoma.  "Art's window on the impact of weather on the human experience"  Cross your fingers that it will be selected for the show. 



"Sky Watcher" (36 x 24) WIP

Here is this morning's progress.  Starting to take shape.  Have more to do on the cloud, details on Gary, and details on the wheat field.

(I'm thinking of changing the name to   I Dare You!!!   Is that too presumptuous?)

"Sky Watcher" (24" x 36") WIP

Started this a couple of days ago - thought is was ok to show progress at this point. 

I'm using a reference photo taken from our deck, looking west, as this horrible looking bench cloud moved it's way across our nearly ripe wheat field.  I am going to superimpose husband and wheat farmer - Sky Watcher, into the blank vertical white space below the cloud looking up.  Have to decide if he's going to be raising his fist - shaking it at the cloud in defiance, or hand on cap in disbelief that this cloud may have the potential of wiping out yet another year of work.  Thankfully this particular cloud skipped over us, but we were pounded a couple of days later by a less ominous looking weather cell.



What do you think?  Comments and critiques very much appreciated!!!

"Where We Goin'?"

Just about finished - have to work on darkening some shadows and finish the gallery wrapped edges.  Hope to have it done in time to enter the Wray, CO art show first weekend in May. 

I'll have to say, this is one of my favorites.

CCAG Spring Show

Unbelievable!!!  How can this be??? 

As I walked into the CCAG spring art show Sunday to pick up my art, I was greeted by a couple of my fellow artists.  We visited for awhile and finally was told that "In Their Footsteps" had been sold.  I was in disbelief - and yet saw the blank spot where my painting had been hanging.  I never in my wildest dreams expected to sell anything.  I'm very honored that someone liked my painting enough to buy it.

I was also honored with the People's Choice award for this painting. 

Phillips County Art Show

Had a pretty good showing at the Phillips County Art Show in Holyoke, CO this past weekend. "The Banjo Player" was awarded Best of Show First Place,  "In Their Footsteps" was Peoples Choice, "The Apple Peeler" was second place in oils and "Scottish Highlanders" was awarded third place in oils.  WOW - what a great feeling - couldn't believe that my paintintings showed so well!!!!  What an honor!!!!

Please Help Me Decide



The Apple Peeler



I'm thinking about getting giclee prints made of some of my artwork that can be offered for sale at a much lower price than an original.  Please help me decide. Vote for your favorite piece using the poll on the top right.  Thank you very much for your input.

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 Suggestions?  Please leave a comment to this post.

Our Daily Bread



Scottish Highlanders







In Their Footsteps





Red Bucket Construction Company

        







"Our Daily Bread" (24" x 18")

Finished with this still life.  Originally I had a kerosene lamp in the place of the candle, but didn't really like it so I took it out.  I do plan on using the lamp in a different painting. 

Think this will be a nice complimentary piece to "The Apple Peeler" 

"Where We Goin?" WIP (20" x 24")

Currently on my easel. Working from the reference photo (lower right).  Have the basics and will start adding details and deeper shadows to bring out more sunlight.

Wonder where that path will lead?   

 

Thanks for looking!!!

"Red Bucket Construction Company" (24" x 18")

I'm officially calling this finished.  I added stronger shadows under the arms and a bucket handle.  I enjoyed working on this so much.  Ready for the varnish coat and a frame.

Thanks for looking.......................

"Untitled" (48" x 30") WIP

Beginning a commission painting of a wide open prairie - no trees - no buildings - just the wide open space of the high plains.  Want to give the impression of the "see-nothing-forever" landscape of the high plains.

Have the prairie roughed in - started with a yellowish/green under painting. No details yet.

  Currently working on the sky.



 
 
 
 
 

Starting to add a bit more detail to the foreground grasses. 

Let me know what you think so far.  All comments and critiques are very much appreciated!!!

Possible Title?

How's this for a title:  "Red Pail Construction Company"

Watching Paint Dry .........

Has it been a month since I posted something new?  My easel is not standing empty, but I don't have anything to show just yet.  I'm currently working on a large prairie scene, and a still life done in a similar style to "The Apple Peeler". .  I also have a couple of paintings that are anxiously waiting to be back on the easel for that final "fiddle factor".   Hope to post something from my easel later this week.

The title of this blog post, "Watching Paint Dry" is an interesting concept.  To many it conjures up ideas of being very bored - just watching paint dry.  You've heard the old saying, "As much fun as ............."  Some may think it to be a total waste of time.  Others may think it a bit off center and a foolish way to spend time.  I, however, find watching paint dry a relaxing way to slow down - be quiet - think - contemplate.....

So, take some time from the business of your day.  Get a cup of your favorite hot beverage, sit and enjoy "watching paint dry". 

Untitled - Finished??? (24" x 18")

Lowered the horizon and added a few clouds on the left.  Think I'm finished.

Comments and critiques very much appreciated!!!

New Composition for currently "Untitled"

I started this painting based on a photo reference of Owen and Austin on the beach. (see earlier posting below)  LOVED the photo, but as a painting, the composition just didn't flow ... left the viewer just going off the left edge with nothing to pull the eye back.  I changed the composition of the original photo and this is what I came up with. I'm thinking that I should lower the horizon line and add some clouds????  Leave it alone and just finish the details???  Please help - Your comments would be most appreciated
 (Note:  the deap ocean color on this pic is much bluer than the original painting.)

"The Apple Peeler" (24 x 18)

We bought an antique apple pealer at an auction...lots of gears and really cool mechanics.  Gary thought it would make a good subject for a painting.  Skeptically, I agreed.  Actually, don't think it turned out half bad.

On a side note:  I started to rework the Owen and Austin painting.  As I said in a previous post, the composition just wasn't working.

Composition???

I've been studying the painting I'm doing of Owen and Austin sitting on the beach.  There is something about the composition that just doesn't seem right.  The more I look at it, the more I think I'm going to have to change the placement of the boy on the left.  Focus starts on the right, then moves left, then moves left and off the canvas...nothing brings the eye back into the painting.  And so........... I'm going to change the orientation of the boy on left and hopefully this will fix the composition problem. 

Happy Painting!!!!

Untitled (24 x 18)

Made quite a bit of progress today.  Interesting shadow and reflection in the wet sand.  Have the reference photo included in the last post.  Think it's fairly close.  Will let it dry then work on details

Any ideas for a title?  Thanks for looking.

What's on my easel......

Just started - Owen and Austin at the beach.   It's still a pretty rough sketch.  Don't have a title yet.  Hope it turns out.

Let me know what you think.