Painting Small Towns

Having a plein air painting buddy is a great way to push yourself to get out there, paint, and improve. Just knowing that someone is expecting me to show up adds a point of accountability forcing me out of bed when I'm tired, and making an effort to overcome my natural 'hermitiness'.

This week we met on Woodland Street again, but a few steps further north. This was my view.

"Rich Street" - oil - 11"x 14" - L. Wiedemer

I used a canvas board with super heavy gesso applied for added texture. I neglected to get in progress photos because I was hurrying in an effort to beat the heat. This time I just dove in sketching my design with thinned paint - no toning the canvas today.

By the end of our session I was baking in the sun. Next week we will try starting a half hour earlier.

I tinkered a good bit with this later in the studio. I decided to add some flower pots on the left, put a few birds on the wire, and deepened some shadows.

See Dick Draw See Jane Paint

A new painter friend and I met in downtown DeLand, Fl. to paint this morning. DeLand is full of charm and it can be difficult choosing one scene over another. This time we settled on painting the artsy cafe across the street called Dick & Janes.

It's cute isn't it! My friend was painting in watercolor and I was using oils on a 11" x 14" canvas covered board.

I toned the canvas lightly just to get me started. Then sketched in my design with thinned paint.

At this point I was 95% finished and we decided to break for lunch.

I just added some lettering and I think this might be done.

Stay tuned to see what we will be painting around town next week!

Do you paint your hometown charm? Do you prefer to go solo painting or with a friend? Let's talk about it.

Studio Solutions

Since moving I've been a bit more disorganized than usual. I've carved out space for my desk and a few essential tools in our living room. It's not ideal. And even less ideal is having my flat files and work table languishing on the screened porch in shrink wrap.

With no room inside of the house for me to set up shop we decided to explore our options. We asked around town about renting space, but there was nothing available at the time. Maybe in a few months...  I can't wait an indeterminate length of time for a maybe.  Another negative was the potential cost.

Option two was to buy a shed. So we shopped around, comparing size, price, features, materials and cost. Finally, we settled on a 10' x 14' Weatherking cottage shed.We were all very excited on delivery day. Even the dog was beside herself with excitement. Though I suspect she thought she was getting the worlds biggest dog house. Click on the 'Got a Minute?' video below to watch the delivery and set up.

What do you think about this studio solution? Please comment if your studio is a shed and let me know how it is working out for you.

Expanding My Territory

We are finally getting settled into our new digs in Deland, FL. Moving is such an ordeal and this one seemed fraught with extra complications. Most of that is behind us now and I'm expecting delivery of my new studio/shed sometime next week. I'll do a whole post on that when it arrives.

We are located about a half of a mile from the St. John's River. So with most of our unpacking and organizing done I've managed to head out to Ed Stone Park a couple of times to paint the river.

This is the first one I did a week ago. I focused on this mossy tree with it's branches stretching down into the river. It's an 8" x 10" gallery wrapped canvas in oil.

I went out again today and chose a different view.  Here are a few pictures of my progress as well as the view.

I love the light hitting that small clearing

I toned the canvas and put in my basic plan starting with the darkest darks

"The Clearing" - oil - 8" x 10"

Is it a Paint Out or a Party?

Tomoka State Park

I spent this past weekend with the wonderful artists of the Florida Womens Art Assoc. at the Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach, Florida.

It was our annual paint out or artist party, whichever you prefer to call it. I took this picture at about mid day on Saturday. What a beautiful day!

In the morning we were able to watch a demonstration by Ruth Vines which was as entertaining as it was informative.

Then in the afternoon I did a very small painting of the scene on the left. Using a limited Zorn like palette gives the scene more mood don't you think?      

"Tomoka Boat Ramp" - 5"x 5" - oil - Leah Wiedemer

This one sold soon after I brought it into the recreation hall we were using and put it on the table. The thrill never ends when someone hands over hard earned cash for one of my paintings. I'm very grateful for my collectors.

There was still time to watch another demonstration. This time it was a portrait demo by Kathleen Lusby. One of our members posed in period garb for Kathleen. I appreciated how she took the time to teach and explain why she made certain choices.

At the end of the day we had a pot luck supper and elected our new officers.

Since I'm currently living like a gypsy while we wait to close on a house one of our members very kindly let me stay the night at her house. Artists are such fun! I had the best time wandering through her home and admiring all of the beautiful art work. Thank you Babs for your wonderful hospitality.

Sunday was a bit gloomier, but I was still able to paint outside during the morning hours. So I did two more mini paintings.

"Rain on the River" - 5"x 5" - oil - Leah Wiedemer

"Kayaks at Rest" - 4"x 3" - oil - Leah Wiedemer

 Did I mention that these first two canvases had been prepped with super heavy body gesso? I like how it adds texture and makes the paint look thicker than it really is. You can really see the difference by comparing it to "Kayaks at Rest"

Marilyn Masters did our final demonstration in the afternoon. The good people at the Tomoka State Park had 3 re-enactors come in period regalia to pose for us. Marilyn painted a man dressed as an East Florida Ranger and invited us to paint along with her.

Well, I couldn't resist taking her up on her invitation to paint a live model.

Here is a shot of our model James.  And below that is my portrait attempt. I think I'll work on it a bit more and then maybe I'll give it to James as a thank you for posing so long for us. James explained that the tri cornered hat he has on is slightly inaccurate in that the trim should be white and not yellow. I promised to change it in the painting after it dries a bit.

East Florida Ranger - oil - 8"x 10" - Leah Wiedemer

So that was my weekend. A paint out and a party all in one.  I love hearing from you so please leave a comment.

DIY Plein Air Carry All

I searched for the perfect bag and finally decided it doesn't exist. So I decided to make my own out of  recycled fabric and whatever I could find in my sewing basket. My husband donated an old pair of blue jeans to the cause, so that made the rest easy. I just added an assortment of old buttons, a couple of snaps and some leftover fabric from curtains I made years ago.

It holds an amazing amount of stuff. My husband said that it reminded him of Mary Poppins' carpet bag the way I just kept pulling large items out of it. I put a rectangular piece of mat board on the bottom so that it will sit flat.
 All of my awkwardly shaped gear goes in                                                                                                without a problem.


Yes, it is rather funny looking, but my daughter once told me that she thinks I would do almost anything if I thought it was funny. Well, maybe she is right. One thing I didn't demonstrate in the video is that I can connect the two handles making one long one if I want to wear it as a cross over bag. It's just a matter of buttoning them together.

So this is my bag. Custom made weirdness.
My 'Got a Minute?' video is about 2 minutes this time. Hope you can squeeze it in. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Painting Sunshine on Canal Street

Our plein air painting group finally caught a break with the weather, so we met on Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach.
The sun was shining with nary a cloud in the sky.

If you know Canal Street, you are aware that it is popular with tourists and locals alike. It is lined with quaint shops, restaurants, and galleries. I love to hear the comments of people who stop to look. My favorite this day was "Oh! Fancy!".

This is where I set up. I started out enjoying the shade cast by the building across the street, but all too soon I found myself in full sun and beginning to burn.

I wear sunglasses to help me to not paint too dark in full sun. But even the shades couldn't eliminate all of the glare on this bright day.

Here is my "Got A Minute?" progress video. It even came in at just under a minute this week! Now who doesn't have a spare 57 seconds?

Back in the studio I took this picture of the finished painting.

"Canal Street" - oil - 8"x 10" - Leah Wiedemer - $280

Please leave a comment and tell me your thoughts. - thank you!