foothills & highlands

Soft Early Fall

2011-05-29T14:14:00.001-05:00

9"x12" oil on RayMar panel
$120 including shipping
Michael's Fine Art (Dalton GA) will have an artists' reception for "The Sky is Blue...Sometimes" exhibit on Friday, June 3rd, beginning at 5:30pm.

Light Up the Sky

2011-03-03T15:48:00.001-05:00

16"x20" acrylic on stretched canvas
$260 plus shipping

collaboration

2011-03-02T10:12:00.001-05:00

I've been invited to participate in this collaborative painting.
The first paint applications included a base coat of acrylic applied to double primed #12 canvas. A rough lay in of architectural shapes in pale green followed. Drips and spatters indicate where a garden "might" be...we're unsure at this point.
The finished painting will be abstracted...that we know for sure.

Light Up the Sky - progressing

2011-03-01T16:56:00.001-05:00

16"x20" acrylic skyscape
I've worked a few more layers onto the sky, using mostly my fingers. A few sweeps here and there with a brush can be seen upon closer inspection. The colors are bold because I've used Golden Fluid Acrylic paints straight from the bottle, mixing them on my fingers and on the brush. A few more layers and I should be finished. Finger painting is fun!

Light Up the Sky - in process

2011-02-26T14:38:00.001-05:00

...underpainting a 16"x20" sky scape, using Golden Fluid Acrylics...
Building the darker clouds will begin soon.

Beneath our Sky

2011-02-23T10:46:00.001-05:00

20"x16" acrylic on stretched canvas
The painting will be displayed at the North Chattanooga Civic Center, beginning March 4th, with works by the
North Georgia Sky Painters Society.

Patrick - Green Man

2011-02-08T11:57:00.001-05:00

I did some tweaking on this fantasy portrait of Patrick, my son-in-law. I wasn't totally happy with the original, shown below. The nose and mouth just weren't right. He was the inspiration of the piece, so I wanted it to look more like him than I had originally painted. I reworked the nose and mouth, adjusted the background, retouched the waterfall, and freshened and reshaped the tree. Bringing in more warm tones helped offset the otherwise cool feel of the entire piece.
I'd also like to say a big "Thank You!" to Janet McGrath for her insightful suggestions which made this finished portrait possible.

Beneath our Sky

2011-01-22T14:36:00.000-05:00

I'll soon begin a 40"x30" painting, capturing the sky and clouds from my photo. This favorite painting site is the Tunnel Hill Civil War Battlefield, located just 2 miles from my home. How lucky am I to have such a treasure so nearby??

Against the Flow

2011-01-06T17:50:00.001-05:00

Artists who paint outdoors, en plein air, during the Winter months have my admiration.
I guess 'wimpy' would be a good description of me right now. I'd much rather stay inside and work on paper collage.
This one is shaping up to be an underwater scene featuring seaweed and a school of fish...one of which is swimming "Against the Flow".

collage time again

2010-12-01T16:59:00.001-05:00

With cold weather waiting to pounce, I'll soon be working on collage papers. These are completed, but I have boxes of painted and stamped papers just waiting to be assembled.

You can see the process and resulting papers at http://prettypaintedpapers.blogspot.com.

Rural Rhythm

2010-11-04T10:56:00.001-05:00

Working on an 11"x14" oil on a gorgeous November day...

haunted....

2010-10-30T12:13:00.001-05:00

OK, so I didn't complete a Halloween painting.
The next best thing is posting this photo of the haunted ruins located at Barnsley Gardens near Rome, GA.
I've been there on a bright sunny Summer day, but there's still an uneasy air about the location. The gardens are beautiful and meticulous --- and the ruins are well-kept.
But still........

Let me explain...

2010-10-23T20:52:00.001-05:00

On Friday, October 22nd, Donna Hilley (owner of Artistic Gifts and Framing in Dalton, GA) hosted an Artists' Open House. My husband had delivered my tents, display screens and artwork around 8:00am. I hurriedly began setting up for the event. Then 'hubby' drove back to the location with a - surprise! - sausage biscuit from Hardee's (yum). In the meantime, Donna had furnished donuts (yum, again). I'm rarely without a diet Dr. Pepper or diet Coke. I hope that explains this photo of me with a sausage biscuit, a donut and a diet Coke.

artistic license

2010-09-26T17:18:00.002-05:00

At the Rock Spring (GA) "Show & Sell" arts/crafts festival on Saturday, I decided to paint something that shouted "Autumn!" Luckily I was near the most colorful booth on the grounds. It was a fun day so I punched up the colors and let them be happy. Of course, it was my privilege to take some artistic license with the scene...omitting here, moving there, adding bits from another booth.

art show transportation

2010-09-24T10:20:00.001-05:00

Since my van is temporarily 'kapoot', my little Oldsmobile Achieva has become my art show mode of transportation. This morning I packed it with my 10'x10' pop-up tent, 4 tent walls, 4-25 lb sand bags, 4 motorcycle tie-downs, 8 folding wooden display racks/rails, 1 folding table, two paint roller handle extenders and a 10' piece of conduit (cut in half), 4 metal magazine racks (used as print racks), 2 canvas bags containing necessary tools for set up...I think that's about it.
In case anyone is wondering about the paint handle extenders and conduit --- I slip the conduit through a hem in a tent wall, attach each end to a handle extender with a 90 degree joint, and attach the other end (using a bungee cord) to a tent leg or sand bag. This contraption, when extended, makes a great shade or rain fly.

I'm so lucky that the back seat folds down to make my little car into a van (of sorts). I'll be setting up at an annual art/craft fair in Rock Spring GA this afternoon. I only hope I have room for my artwork, my easel (I'll be painting all day tomorrow) and my cooler stocked with ice and Diet Dr. Pepper.

Tunnel Hill paint out

2010-09-20T16:14:00.001-05:00

Each year the Art Alliance of North Georgia participates in a paint out during the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. We have a tent for artwork display and another as an artists' base of operations. Several wet paintings...done right on site...were sold (much to the delight of the artists).

A Land Apart

2010-09-17T13:21:00.003-05:00

9"x12" oil, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8th (completed at 12:10pm)...$120 (including shipping but NOT the frame)...This was painted a few days before the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. I popped it into this frame for display at our Art Alliance of North Georgia tent.

please try to ignore the glare

Tunnel Hill Battle Paintout

2010-09-10T12:18:00.001-05:00

We'll be painting both days at the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" --- and you're invited to join us!
Two tents are already set up for the artists - one is for display of artwork done onsite and the other is a base of operations.
There is no participation fee except for the $5 main gate entry.
The Tunnel Hill Historical Foundation has graciously allowed us to set up (FREE) - so we're asking each artist to make a donation to the THHF. This can be a percentage of any artwork sales or another amount determined by each artist.
For more information, please contact me at beejw@charter.net
or call 706-270-1626.

A Song Singing - repost

2010-08-25T14:05:00.002-05:00

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima...$85 including shipping...This was painted at Prater's Mill, near Varnell (GA) exactly one year ago today. I've never seen this water blue, even under the bluest sky. The sound of water rushing over the dam sings a melody of the coming Fall.
Prater's Mill Country Fair will be on October 9th & 10th this year. Ya'll come on out to see us there.

I must be nuts...

2010-08-13T16:08:00.001-05:00

Evidently I've completely forgotten how much work an art fair can be. I applied to, and have been juried into, the annual Creative Arts Guild's Festival held in September in Dalton, GA. The staff and volunteers at the CAG see that the artists are given FREE breakfast both days...and a FREE dinner on Saturday night. Nice. This photo was taken a couple of years ago around 7:00am before things started hoppin'.

Like Last Year

2010-08-10T15:05:00.001-05:00

7"x5" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air...This little archway trellis leans - so that's the way I painted it. My friend said she had taken it down, straightened it and re-set it. But it still leans. I think it has a charm all its own there amongst the flowers and grasses. This painting can be seen at Ringgold Frame Shop in Ringgold GA.

The Red Earth

2010-07-21T15:32:00.001-05:00

Painting the idea of heat and cold is sometimes difficult. I did this small oil on sanded board last year in the middle of July around 11:00am. I tried to capture the heat but also the cool undergrowth in the background.
This painting has sold.

framing for an exhibit

2010-07-16T15:47:00.001-05:00

I've spent most of today in my studio...but I wasn't painting. There were several paintings to be framed, re-framed, backed, wired, etc. I know it's a necessity but it isn't nearly as much fun as putting brush to canvas with the smell of oil paint in the air. I've often dreamed that I'd love to just paint, then hand over the wet canvas to someone else who would do the framing, etc. Oh, and while they were at it, maybe they'd set up the shows, exhibits, art fairs, galleries, etc.

Provost HQ

2010-07-14T15:16:00.002-05:00

12"x6" oil on stretched canvas, painted en plein air on May 15, 2009, at the Battle of Resaca(GA)...$80 including shipping...This Confederate tent was set up under a clump of trees on a hill's crest overlooking the battlefield.

They Fought Bravely

2010-07-13T09:07:00.001-05:00

12"x6" oil over acrylic on stretched canvas, painted en plein air on May 5, 2008, at the Confederate Cemetary in West Hill Cemetary in Dalton, GA. This painting is $80 including shipping.

Sunny September Morning

2010-07-09T08:29:00.001-05:00

8"x10", oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8, '09...$85 including shipping...I realized that this late morning painting of a Tunnel Hill (GA) meadow had not been posted here. I've painted this scene dozens of times and each time it's fresh and different.

July Afternoon Late

2010-07-07T08:46:00.001-05:00

12"x9" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 4 (completed at 8:10pm)...$135 including shipping...Since I'm usually painting outdoors during morning hours, the idea of painting in the afternoon took a bit of adjustment. The light and shadows play differently and I could quickly run out of daylight...just in time for a nocturnal painting.

North from Snodgrass Hill

2010-07-06T10:23:00.001-05:00

6"x12" oil on stretched canvas, painted en plein air, alla prima, on May 22, 2009...$80 including shipping...Last Spring I painted at Chickamauga (GA) Civil War Battlefield. It was around noon when this was completed, so the shadows are short beneath the treeline. I prefer painting in early morning, but it's good to paint outside my comfort zone.

July Afternoon Late

2010-07-04T20:10:00.001-05:00

12"X9" oil, plein air painting in progress...I got a call to meet an artist friend around 6:00pm at the Tunnel Hill Civil War battlefield this afternoon. Since I'm accustomed to painting during morning hours, I thought it would be great to catch the setting sun on the hay bales scattered about.

Away from Everyday

2010-07-03T13:46:00.001-05:00

5"x7" oil on RayMar panel...$40 including shipping...This one was posted earlier in June, but I tweaked the water a bit, making it darker.

finishing touches...

2010-06-29T19:41:00.001-05:00

I've been putting some finishing touches on several "almost done" paintings. This 12"x6" oil over acrylic was started en plein air last year at the Confederate Cemetery in Dalton GA. Here it's getting a 5% touch-up.

Last Summer's Hay

2010-06-26T17:25:00.002-05:00

This is one from the 'vault'. I painted it (shown here in process) early last Summer after the first hay cutting. Allergies have kept me away from the hayfield this year, so I'm reminiscing and hoping to get out there again soon.

Hopin' and Dreamin'

2010-06-21T10:12:00.001-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Saturday June 19th (completed at 10:40am)...$85 including shipping...This was my first time at the Dalton Saturday Market, so I didn't know what to expect. I found friendly folks selling produce, plants, and various hand-made (well made) items. The gazebo caught my eye as I set up my easel. Light always changes quickly, so it's a challenge to get shadows in their proper places. The gentleman wearing a hat and red shirt seemed oblivious to the mill of people and sounds of the childrens' zylophone. He was "hopin' and dreamin'".

Liberty Tree in process

2010-06-15T14:28:00.004-05:00

14"x11" mixed media painting progressing...The subject is a Liberty Tree planted in Dalton GA. It's one of 14 trees grown from seeds of an original Liberty Tree. I've worked on the ghostly image of the original Liberty Tree, using acrylic paints and sepia ink. There are still more small branches to be added. I've started over-laying the trunk and a few limbs of the Dalton Liberty Tree. My idea is to show our tree as it grows today echoed by an original Liberty Tree.

Dalton’s Liberty Tree, a tulip poplar, was grown from the last of the original Liberty Trees, which American rebels met beneath while planning their revolt against Great Britain. Fourteen trees, one for each of the original 13 colonies and another for George Washington’s home Mount Vernon, were grown from seeds taken from the Maryland Liberty Tree before it died in 1991.

Afternoon Storm...Maybe

2010-06-12T10:18:00.001-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air on May 31st (completed at 2:00pm)...$85 including shipping...Instead of painting the seashore scenes I'd planned, I painted this hazy, lazy afternoon looking across a wildlife sanctuary in Nags Head, NC. Each afternoon it looked like rain clouds would roll in, but rain came only once briefly.

Nag's Head Sunset

2010-06-11T10:46:00.001-05:00

5"x7" oil on RayMar panel...$40 including shipping...Sunsets were wonderful as seen from the top deck of our rented vacation house in Nags Head, North Carolina. In this painting, I had neglected to bring any yellow paints! But luckily my small panel had been pre-toned in yellow, red and blue patches.

Luxury Air Conditioning

2010-05-27T09:12:00.000-05:00

9"x12" acrylic multi-media painting...As a base, I used a sky study painted in acrylic on paper-backed canvas. I then attached sections cut from two experimental paper compositions; one was a futuristic aquarium, the other was a funky windmill. If you look closely, you can see portions of a metalic frog, a water lily and double bubbles. The flag (attached only at the right side) in this piece has a patch defining the word 'windy'. The signature paw print indicates this is my cat's favorite bird watching place.

At Day's End

2010-05-22T14:06:00.003-05:00

10"x8" oil on gallery wrap canvas...$85 including shipping...After painting en plein air at Chickamauga (GA) battlefield last Summer, I snapped a few parting photos before packing up. It was late and the clouds foretold a coming shower. There is a bit of glare on the lower left corner.

Equine Red Tape

2010-05-20T09:59:00.000-05:00

10"x10" acrylic multi-media painting...Sometimes a painting is just a jumble of colors, lines, and nondescript designs. Then something magical happens. In this case, tracing with red paint, I followed what I thought were haphazard lines. The resulting image popped and there was a horse's head...complete with ears, eye, mane, and bridle. The 'red tape' phrase comes from the patch of words taken from an old dictionary. Click...then click again...for a closer look.

Of Things Past

2010-05-12T09:54:00.000-05:00

12"x10" acrylic multi-media painting...The thesaurus block represents the word "junction". Click on the image - then click again - for a detail view. We've all had junctions in our lives and, looking back upon them, they are "Of Things Past".

Cat Bird's Seat

2010-05-08T18:32:00.003-05:00

...11 1/4"x10 1/4" acrylic mixed media painting...It's interesting how two failed compositions, which I had worked on for hours, can be sliced up with a paper cutter and used as pieces in another painting. The bird's body contains bits of a dictionary page showing the meaning of "window dressing". I think the bird makes excellent window dressing. Click on the image, then click again, to see the words.

Keeping the Faith

2010-05-07T09:27:00.000-05:00

...portion of a 12"x12" acrylic mixed media painting...There are a lot of hidden designs in this painting. I used a small hand carved rubber stamp featuring 3 flying doves to apply the darker green on either side of the cross. The intersection in the upper left features a Celtic cross printed in golden irridescent paint.

Tracery of Shadow

2010-05-05T08:25:00.000-05:00

...portion of a 12"x12" acrylic mixed media painting...I'm not sure exactly what the gold symbol is. It was part of a sheet of stencils from a mandala book. If anyone knows, please let me know.

Everything Went Swimmingly

2010-05-04T15:50:00.000-05:00

...portion of a 12"x12" acrylic multimedia painting...Everytime I look at this painting I see a big fish, which kind of explains the title. Although fish swim, the word 'swimmingly' actually means "...with great ease of success". I'd like for all my endeavors to go swimmingly.

Much to Whisper

2010-05-01T10:00:00.002-05:00

...portion of a 12"x12" acrylic multimedia painting...This one is done on clothing pattern tissue and, if you look closely, you can see some of the markings peeking through (which are part of the design).

Back to Forever

2010-04-25T11:20:00.000-05:00

...a portion closeup...

...clicking on the image will show more detail...

...12"x12" acrylic mixed media painting...I left a few areas dimentional in this piece. The flag containing the quote (which reflects the sentiments of the subject) and the small orange extention in the left/center cast small shadows. The entire piece hasn't yet been trimmed, so unfinished edges still show.

To Begin Again - SOLD

2010-04-23T10:25:00.000-05:00

12"x12" acrylic mixed media painting...SOLD and framed at Artistic Gifts and Framing in Dalton, GA...Other painted papers (les papiers colles) are available there and by contacting me at beejw@charter.net.

Comes a Romance

2010-04-21T17:49:00.000-05:00

...portion of a 12"x12" acrylic/mixed media painting...

Dreams I Have

2010-04-08T17:13:00.002-05:00

...portion of a 12"x12" acrylic painted and stamped tissue painting...I usually place the signature paw print on the lower corner of these paintings. However, turning this one 180 degrees would also echo the title.

My Metaphorical Garden -- SOLD

2010-04-06T18:57:00.003-05:00

...portion of a 12"x12" acrylic painted/stamped tissue painting...Although some of these painted papers have a theme or recognizable subject, this one simply features color and design. It recently sold at Artistic Gifts in Dalton, GA.

I've never thought of myself as an abstract artist...and I still don't...but working with this medium seems to spark other areas of creativity.

Heart Shaped Soul

2010-03-31T15:41:00.003-05:00

...a portion of a 12"x12" acrylic painted/stamped painting on garment pattern tissue...Clicking on the image will show intricate patterns and colors. See more at http://lespapierscolles.blogspot.com/

Color Changeling Bubbles by BJ Wright

2010-03-26T14:43:00.003-05:00

...portion of a 12"x12" acrylic painted and stamped (on clothing pattern tissue) painting ....Reds and yellows merge into oranges, yellows and blues merge into greens...it's wonderful how the eyes will optically mix the colors. Overstamping with blue/purple serves to brighten the colors even more. I thought it might be whimsical to imagine square bubbles.

Permission to Play

2010-03-23T18:10:00.002-05:00

...a large portion of a 12"x12" acrylic painted/stamped paper...I originally saw a mountain under square drifting clouds when this image emerged. But after turning it 180 degrees, I smiled as I saw what appeared to be a boot. Thinking "there was an old woman who lived in a shoe; she had so many children she didn't know what to do"...I named this playful image "Permission to Play".

Droll and Delightful

2010-03-16T18:33:00.002-05:00

12"x10" la papier colle (painted pasted paper)...This is an example of an acrylic painting composed of stamped, painted, inked, torn, pasted and manipulated papers. It's been a lot of fun, and quite liberating, working with this mixed media. More examples and processes can be seen at http://lespapierscolles.blogspot.com/.

Meadow Memories

2010-03-14T14:00:00.001-05:00

11"x14" oil, painted alla prima, during a TV interview on March 8th...$160 including shipping. Ron Arnold, the Charter Media reporter, had asked me if I'd feel comfortable painting while we did the interview. Since I often talk to people while painting en plein air, I agreed to set up my easel and 'paint away' while we chatted.

This meadow scene is a composite of several places I love to paint. And I hope the weather warms very soon so that I can get back out to these meadows and see Nature's wonderful colors.

"Oh! I Have Slipped the Surly Bonds of Earth"

2010-03-10T20:54:00.001-05:00

40"x30" oil on gallery wrap canvas - $600 plus shipping - This is another entry for the sky painting exhibit at the Chattanooga Unitarian Universalist Church. Waiting until the last possible day, I decided to use the fastest drying oil paints in my tool box. I chose raw sienna (for the yellow), burnt sienna (for the red), Prussian blue, mauve (blue shade), and flake white. Hopefully they will be touch dry within two days.

The exhibit rules stated that no more than 5" of the canvas could be land...the rest being sky. I used my imagination in designing the landscape and another of my previous paintings to determine the sky colors.

The title comes from a poem written by John Gillespie Magee, Jr (June 9, 1922 - December 11, 1941).

plein air palette

2010-03-06T19:11:00.001-05:00

Although I've painted en plein air with only 3 primaries plus white, I prefer having a wider choice of colors in cool and warm ranges.

The cool row (near left to right) is lemon yellow, yellow ochre, permanent rose, alizarine crimson, ultramarine blue, a cool green (I don't remember which), burnt umber and titanium white.

The warm row (far left to right) is cad yellow, cad orange, cad red light, cobalt blue, viridian green, burnt sienna and titanium white.

The lower right corner holds (top) raw umber (bottom) transparent red ochre.

I've used various color palettes in the past, but I always come back to these colors. There has been speculation as to whether ultramarine blue is warm or cool. My personal view is that its temperature depends on the other colors surrounding it. Many people consider yellow ochre as a warm color, but again I feel its temperature is dependent upon the neighboring colors.

I don't use black in my plein air palette. A wonderful black can be mixed with viridian or sap green plus alizarine crimson. Another black comes from mixing burnt umber plus ultramarine blue. Mixing 3 of my darkest colors presents another black. There is very rarely a pure black in nature. (A lovely green apple color can be made using lemon yellow and just a speck of ivory black...but I still don't carry a tube of black when plein air painting).

When painting greens, I begin with a blue plus a yellow and add hints of other colors until I get the right hue. Although I have green pigment on my palette, I only use it in small touches in other mixtures. And sometimes I never touch the tube greens while painting.

"According to Plan"

2010-03-01T15:38:00.001-05:00

40"x30" oil on gallery wrap canvas...$600 plus shipping...During an artists' open studio on Saturday, several painters completed sky paintings destined for an exhibit at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Chattanooga TN.
I chose a sky depicted in the book "Painting Nature in Oil" with photos by John Shaw and paintings by S. Allyn Schaeffer. Although I changed the composition, colors and landscape sliver, I feel I must give credit to the above people for their excellent book.

Not a Knot

2010-01-25T09:58:00.002-05:00

This shows a portion of a 12"x12" acrylic painted acid-free tissue paper. Since my scanner doesn't accommodate a 12"x12" paper, I really much photograph the entire 12"x12" painting to get the full effect.
Layering the paints, stamping and stencils lets my mind run free...seeing all the possibilities in subjects and themes.
All these painted papers are inspired by techniques taught by Anne Bagby http://www.annebagby.com/.

Pillars of Thought

2010-01-23T16:16:00.002-05:00

12"x12" acrylic paints layered and stamped on acid free tissue paper. This is another example of the 'pretty painted papers' that resulted from working with techniques taught by artist Anne Bagby http://www.annebagby.com/.
After randomly applying layers of acrylic paint (beginning with opaque then adding transparent), a design or theme will appear. Letting the paper tell me what it wants to say (or be) gets me "off the hook" in deciding its subject. With the addition of a few final touches here and there, the paper is finished.
The only decision I must make now is how to properly display the finished piece. Will it be attached to a stretched canvas or clayboard? Will it be floated on gatorboard and framed under glass? Will it be matted as a watercolor? Will it be finished with a gel medium or varnish? So many options!

paper painting processes

2010-01-19T17:21:00.002-05:00

These are two rubber stamps being carved for making "pretty painted papers". Using the stamps to apply acrylic paints in layer upon layer results in unusual designs. More painted paper images will be posted soon.

Fabled in Verse

2010-01-17T19:42:00.003-05:00

After taking some time away from plein air painting, I was looking for a different "something" to do during the Winter. My friend, Sandra, had attended a painted paper workshop taught by Anne Bagby (see her website at http://www.annebagby.com/)

Sandra and I spent two days experimenting with the wonderful ideas that come with painting on different types of tissue paper. The entire process is hard to explain...so I'd suggest you visit Anne's website to see the exciting things she does with paint and paper.

Beginning with a 12"x12" paper, layers of paint, stamping, stenciling, etc are applied. The paper can be turned until a theme or object becomes clear.

A Fabulous Friday in Fall

2009-12-18T15:47:00.002-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on November 13th (completed at 11:20am)...$85 including shipping. In trying several different painting ideas, I had pre-toned some canvas panels using alizarin crimson, cad yellow and ultramarine blue --- brushing the thinned paint on in a somewhat planned but otherwise haphazard way. Letting the toned canvas peek through serves to unite the painting. The pear trees, with their red foliage, contrasted with the evergreens nearby. As noontime approached, shadows were quickly disappearing. Although it appears that black paint was used, it was actually a mixture of ultramarine blue and burnt umber.

Live of a Tree -- revisited

2009-11-12T17:43:00.000-05:00

11"x14" oil on linen panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on November 6th, '08 (completed at 11:30) - $160 including shipping - contact me for purchase. Sandra and I painted at Mountain Cove Farm on this warm, breezy November day. The 1800+ acres were ablaze with the glory that is Autumn. Evergreens poked their heads through the warm red, orange and yellow hues and the mountains were shrouded early with a lavender mist.

Looking Again....

2009-11-09T20:03:00.001-05:00

10" x 8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on November 5th (completed at 4:30)...$85 including shipping...contact me at beejw@charter.net for purchase.
Sandra and I set up our easels in her front yard on a simply gorgeous day with Autumn blazing all around us. Looking directly across the road, this small stand of trees caught my eye. I had seen them dozens of times before, but in looking again.....

The Civil War in Four Minutes

2009-10-19T12:25:00.006-05:00

Sometimes I'm asked why Southern people still talk about the Civil War. "It's over, forget it," they say. I explain that we remember it because our ancestors fought, and many died, almost 150 years ago. We remember it because it was fought here in the South - on the very land we walk on. We remember it not because of hatred, but because of heritage.

My great-great grandfather was a Georgia Confederate soldier then. He returned from the war and helped raise my grandfather. Maybe that's why I'm here today????? My great grandmother, who lived to be 101, once told me (as a child) that she remembered hearing cannon fire when she was 4 years old.

If you think about it, in the grand scheme of things, it hasn't been that long ago. We remember - lest we forget.

Please take four minutes to watch this video...http://www.maniacworld.com/civil-war-in-four-minutes.html

Waiting

2009-10-17T09:58:00.001-05:00

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima on September 20th 2009 (completed at 1:05pm)...$85 including shipping...The annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment weekend was rainy, muddy and overcast. But that didn't dampen the spirits of the artists who painted onsite both days. This painting shows one of the many sutlers who braved the elements.

Meadowlawn Morning

2009-09-25T12:55:00.002-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8th (completed at 10:30am)...$85 including shipping....This was a rather interesting painting being somewhat of an experiment. I had pre-toned the panel using random areas of ultramarine blue, yellow ochre with alizarine crimson designating the focal point which was the stand of trees in the upper left. In the actual painting, my palette consisted of yellow ochre, indian red, prussian blue and white. I may have used a touch of ivory black in the greens. Using a limited palette in the toning process, then using another limited palette in the final painting is something I'll explore further.

Tunnel Hill Battle paintout

2009-09-22T14:30:00.001-05:00

It rained several days before and both days of the Tunnel Hill Battle paintout. But we were undaunted and painted anyway. Our paintout was part of the Worldwide Paintout sponsored by International Plein Air Painters.
I had other duties, so this is the only painting I completed. Here is a web album of other artists at work...
http://picasaweb.google.com/beejw1a/BattleOfTunnelHill09?feat=directlink

I love my Soltek easel!!

2009-09-06T12:55:00.002-05:00

Several people have asked about my Soltek easel and how it works. I love my Soltek easel! I've had a half dozen easels - from a Julian French easel to a lightweight metal Winsor & Newton. But the Soltek is the Cadillac of easels.

(Click on the photo to see more details)

The Soltek sets up in about a minute. It holds stretched canvas or panels from about 5"x7" to larger than a 16"x20". It's totally adjustable as far as height, and even adjusts for uneven ground. There's a sliding mechanism in the legs that lets you adjust by the fraction of an inch.

The body consists of built in boxes that hold lots of brushes and all the paint you'd want to carry. It comes with a neutral gray palette that cleans like a dream. Nothing seems to damage it...not even high strength paint remover.

There are little "wings" that fold out on either side to hold used brushes, turp, etc. I use small rectangles of non-skid shelf liner to hold used brushes so they won't roll into each other. The non-skid liner also helps keep my palette in place.

Closing up in a breeze. The palette fits perfectly into the box, the "wings" close over it, and the "mast" folds down to lock it into place. With the touch of a finger, the legs telescope back into themselves and I'm walking to the next painting site. There is a wide padded shoulder strap that can be positioned in several ways, as well as holes where I use a bungee cord to hold a roll of paper towels. It also comes with a clip that lets you attach a wet painting or panel to the closed easel for transport back to the car.

It can even be used as a table easel. The box shelf can be positioned horizontally or at any angle that's comfortable.

Worldwide Paintout 2009 in Tunnel Hill, GA

2009-08-29T15:04:00.001-05:00

As part of the International Plein Air Painters' World Wide Paintout, the Art Alliance of North Georgia is sponsoring the "Tunnel Hill Battle Paintout" during the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment on September 19th & 20th. For driving directions, see more information in the sidebar to the right. And for photos of last years event, see the web album at http://picasaweb.google.com/beejw1a/THWorldwidePaintout?feat=directlink

Bethlehem Blooms

2009-08-29T09:22:00.001-05:00

7"x5" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 26th (completed at 10:30am)...$35 including shipping...Bethlehem Gardens in Varnell, GA, is 7 acres of growing things, lovingly planted by the hand of Ms. Ruby. She cares for her gardens and 39 cats (yes, 39) with the thought that all living things are by the hand of God. She graciously invited us to paint among the potted plants and flowing fountains. And after about two hours, she surprised us with freshly sliced cold watermelon. Ms. Ruby is a Southern lady indeed.

musing...reflecting...pondering...bowling

2009-08-27T10:17:00.002-05:00

Painting en plein air is like bowling...there are hundreds of things to think about (all at the same time). In bowling, the object is to knock down all the pins. In painting, the object is to ---- well, there's the kick. Does the artist render the painting as an identical twin of the object being painted? The artist may chose to do that, but there are hundreds, thousands, millions of other possibilities. Changing the background, the foreground, the colors, the shapes, adding or omitting items, moving things around a bit (or a lot) - there's just so much to consider when doing a painting.

There are also choices of subject. Do I paint the whole world? Or just one little corner? Or just one flower? Where do I set up my easel? Where do I stand? Or do I sit? Or perhaps crouch to get that perfect perspective?

Did I remember to consider the sun's movement across the sky when I chose the subject and easel placement? How will the subject remain lit as I paint? Or will the tree shadow encroach too soon? Will my canvas/palette be well lit but still in shadow during the painting process? And if not, where did I put my painting umbrella? (There is broken sun/shade falling across the canvas in this photo...which made painting more difficult.)

Choices --- every artist makes hundreds during the creation of a single painting. A photograph captures just what the lens sees - no more, no less. A painting is filtered through the eyes and mind of the artist, which makes each original painting a unique piece of artwork.

And original art makes a unique gift. Christmas is coming (again) this year.

A Song Singing

2009-08-25T14:50:00.001-05:00

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 25th (completed at 10:00am)...$85 including shipping...Falling water has such a soothing sound, like a continuous and never ending song. We painted at Prater's Mill, near Varnell (GA) this morning. I've never seen this water blue, even under the bluest sky. The uneven dam allows the flowing water to make unusual waterfalls.

"Worldwide Paintout" in Tunnel Hill, GA

2009-08-22T19:19:00.001-05:00

It's less than a month until the annual "Tunnel Hill Battle Paintout". See the sidebar (to the right) for more information and directions.

Namesake - SOLD

2009-08-20T15:07:00.005-05:00

6"x6"x1 1/4" oil on gallery wrap canvas, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 18th (completed at 10:30am)...SOLD....The historic tunnel that gave Tunnel Hill (GA) its name is a breathtaking monument to the determination of the human spirit. More information can be found at http://www.tunnelhillheritagecenter.com/. You'll also find information about the annual Civil War reenactment held in Tunnel Hill.

not my favorite activity...

2009-08-15T14:39:00.001-05:00

Framing is not my favorite art activity. It doesn't come in 3rd...or even a distant 5th. But it's a needful thing when you're an artist. I could just take my completed paintings to a frame shop and drop them off after choosing a moulding. But I'm a "hands on" type of artist. So I'm involved from the time I order a panel or stretched canvas until the completed painting is framed and hanging on a wall (preferably a customer's wall).

A Path Early

2009-08-14T13:19:00.003-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 13th (completed at 11:00am)...$95 including shipping....This was painted at the historic Varnell House, built in 1847, in Varnell, GA. For awhile it served as Federal headquarters during the Civil War and was struck by "minnie balls" during several skirmishes in the area. As I stood at my easel on the old path leading up to the house, I could imagine the history taking place here over 150 years ago.

Like We Did Last Year

2009-08-11T13:28:00.002-05:00

7"x5" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 11th (completed at 11:00am)...$35 including shipping...The trellis has been there, sitting as it is, for years. It has been taken down, straightened, and repositioned. Yet it still leans. It is its habit to lean.

From Ancestral Places

2009-08-08T15:24:00.001-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 1st during the annual "Cherokee Days of Recognition" at Red Clay State Park near Cleveland, TN.... $85 including shipping....

Cherokee Garden

2009-08-06T18:56:00.001-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 1st while early fog obscured the mountain and nearby meadow. This small garden is part of the replica Cherokee village at Red Clay State Park near Cleveland, TN. Its vegetables are the "three sisters" - corn, beans and squash. Sunflowers were an added treasure. Purchase this original painting for $85 including shipping.

Let the Sun Shine

2009-08-05T08:02:00.001-05:00

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on August 1st (completed at 10:25am)...$85 including shipping...This was the second plein air of the day at the "Cherokee Days of Recognition" held at Red Clay State Park near Clevenland, TN. This sunflower stood in a small garden near the replica settlement.

today at Red Clay

2009-08-01T17:42:00.001-05:00

I painted at Red Clay State (TN) Park today during the annual "Cherokee Days of Recognition". These were shot in (bad) indoor lighting, but at least you can see that three paintings made their way home with me. I'll get better images and post them soon with the accompanying explanations/stories/thoughts.

Finding the Way Through

2009-07-29T15:45:00.002-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 28th (completed at 1:20pm as lightning started flashing)....$95 including shipping...I recall a science teacher once saying that water finds the path of least resistance, not unlike some of us. We had started painting around 8:30am at Barnsley Gardens near Adairsville, GA, when the sun was perfectly seeking out corners in the ruins. As we ate lunch, the clouds began to bank and we knew we wouldn't have much time before the rains came. Being overcast, the colors were muted and subtle, yet still wondrous.

Red Earth

2009-07-23T13:29:00.001-05:00

4"x6" oil on sanded panel, painted on July 14th around 10:00am ... Just before time to pack up after a morning of painting, I picked up this little sanded panel and put down some paint. The rough surface slurped up the paint and I could feel it wearing down my brush. It's an interesting surface...don't know if I'll use it again...but interesting.

The trees were glowing as the sun raced across the sky. Paint quick, quick, quick.

out of town...

2009-07-15T17:15:00.002-05:00

Just letting everyone know that I'll be out of town from the 16th until late on the 22nd. I'll be posting paintings soon after I return. While I'm gone, please feel free to check out past posts. Also http://southernpleinairpainters.blogspot.com should be interesting.

Willow and Weeds

2009-07-15T08:42:00.002-05:00

7"x5" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 14th (completed at 9:35)...$35 including shipping...While painting at Crown Gardens and Archives, an artist can find inspiration everywhere. This willow caught my eye as the sunlight filtered through its flowing branches. More information about Crown Gardens and Archives can be found at http://whitfield-murrayhistoricalsociety.org/blog.php

What Kind of Day...

2009-07-14T14:22:00.001-05:00

7"x5" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 9th (completed 9:35am)....$35 including shipping...I let the shapes of the tree and grasses dictate the direction of this little painting. Upon closer investigation, the reflected light at lower right/center appeared as the center of a breaking ocean wave.

A Different Kind of Day

2009-07-13T17:40:00.002-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 7th (completed at 10:30am)...$85 including shipping...The morning began soft and dream-like. As the sun rose over the mountain, shadows deepened and colors popped. I saw the gravel road as a stream, so I painted it as such.

Morning Stretch

2009-07-11T13:31:00.001-05:00

7"x5" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 7th (completed at 8:18am)...$35 including shipping...The clouds were changing colors faster than I could mix the paint and put brush to canvas. Nature painted the sky and this mere mortal painted a canvas.

Soft Morning

2009-07-10T13:52:00.002-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 7th (completed at 8:00am)...$95 including shipping....The clouds were banked in a myriad of colors as the sun struggled over the mountain. Photography of this particular painting was difficult. The yellows are much softer and purples are more muted in the original. Apparently I'm entering the 'purple period' of my painting career...it seems to emerge in my more recent works.

three this morning

2009-07-07T13:21:00.001-05:00

I did 3 plein air pieces this morning, but photographic conditions were terrible after I got them home. I set them into frames and shot them with indoor lighting...bad indoor lighting. The next best thing was to render the image into black and white, and hope for better photographic lighting soon.

blues, yellows, reds

2009-07-06T15:22:00.001-05:00

7"x5" oil done while playing around with blues, yellows and reds. The morning sunlight was absolutely orange when it hit the hay bales and crib corner. Beyond the distant misty field, the mountain was blue/purple. The tree bark was shining almost red. This was a fun little piddly, cartoony way to spend time listening to the birds.

Kaleidoscope Morning

2009-07-04T12:54:00.001-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 3rd (completed at 8:25am)...$100 including shipping...What a wonderful morning to be a plein air painter! It was perfect, perfect. I chose to include just a few hay bales which were scattered across the meadow. The sun hit the red foliage just as I was adding the final touches.

Morning Shadows

2009-07-03T12:23:00.001-05:00

7"x5" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 25th (completed at 8:15am)...$30 including shipping...The early morning sunlight cast a wonderful yellow/orange glow...but it was gone in a flash. Just enough time for a small one.

Exploring What's There

2009-07-01T07:54:00.001-05:00

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Tuesday June 30th (completed at 9:55am)...$85 including shipping...Sandra and I explored Crown Gardens and Archives in Dalton (GA) and found a painting in every direction. This small addition to the main structure was set deep in shadows and as the sun crept in, I began painting using only yellow ochre, alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue (and of course white). I had challenged myself to use a very limited palette. Next time I think the mixing will go faster.

Early at the Tunnel

2009-06-29T13:30:00.001-05:00

7"x5" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 24th (completed at 8:20am)...$35 including shipping...The historic Tunnel Hill railroad tunnel is hidden in this plein air study, but is somewhere beyond the darkness on the lower left side. The sun had cleared Chetogeeta Mountain, turning the sky almost instantly from a golden haze to a clear blue. Taking the road to the left carries the viewer to the mouth of the tunnel.

Hay's In

2009-06-26T16:39:00.002-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 24th (completed 8:00am)...$85 including shipping...Getting outside to paint in 95+ degree heat is nuts...so I get out really early to miss the heat. The early sun quickly rose to show its orange light on the recently baled hay. It's hard to believe this was just 3 days into early Summer.

First Hay of Summer

2009-06-24T12:38:00.001-05:00

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 18th (completed at 9:10am)...$85 for painting only, $120 framed (as shown)...The hay was freshly cut and the meadow lay golden in the morning sun. Crickets and birds were the only sounds heard, except for the westbound freight train.

Among the Tree Shadows

2009-06-23T12:49:00.002-05:00

10"x8" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on June 17th...completed at 9:30am...$85 including shipping. The house hidden behind the trees is the Clisby Austin House, located in Tunnel Hill GA. The adjoining property hosts the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment in September. As shown in the painting, the hay was ready for mowing. I'll return soon to capture the bales.