Plein Air, Day 3

WIP: The ChewChew Station

Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
6" x 8"

This was the third and final day of the Mt. Dora plein air workshop with Gregg Kreutz . And it was another hot day (around 90 degrees). I actually got sunburned!

After Gregg did an inspiring painting demo of the marina first thing in the morning, I headed back into town. Even though yesterday's train station painting didn't turn out the way I had hoped, I still had the bug to do the old train car. Next to the train car, there's a modest diner called, The Chew Chew Express, which hosts a casual outdoor patio. The umbrella tables in bright morning sun in front of the old train car caught my eye.

I remember attending an artist talk by photographer Sandy Skoglund, who discussed how the background of an image lets the viewer know where they are. I was sure to paint in a few palm trees amidst the greenery, since this is Florida I am painting!

I have a few more touch ups on this painting, and it's done. Thanks for taking a look and following along with my plein air workshop this week.

See you next week!
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Plein Air, Day 2

WIP: Mt. Dora, Fifth Avenue

Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
6" x 8"

Today was the second day of the plein air workshop up in Mt. Dora. I put in a long day today, and actually worked up TWO paintings. (Hey, I said I was trying to pick up speed!)

The one you see above—a view of Mt. Dora's shopping area—was my morning painting. It's better resolved than my afternoon painting, a view of the train station.

There are a lot of painters in Mt. Dora this week for the paint out. Everyone has been very friendly and mutually encouraging. And there are many courageous paintings underway—views and subject matter that are pretty challenging to capture in just a few hours or a single day. I was reminded of a quote by Georgia O'Keeffe: "To create one's own world in any of the arts takes courage."

Thanks for taking a look. Tune in tomorrow to see what unfolds on Day 3. We are hoping to paint down by the lake.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Plein Air Workshop Day 1

WIP: Yellow House
Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
6" x 8"
SOLD

This week I am taking a plein air painting workshop up in Mt. Dora, a town located about an hour away from Orlando. Since the elevation of Orlando is only 14 feet above sea level, I guess that Mt. Dora can flaunt its 184 foot elevation.

Mt. Dora is a charming village on a good size lake, with nice old trees, a train station, a yacht club, lovely parks, good restaurants, and unique shops.

The three-day plein air workshop is being taught by Gregg Kreutz, a traditional fine art painter from New York. He did two painting demos today. Amazingly, his paintings took only about 30 minutes each and captured a good likeness of the scene before him.

The image posted shows my morning effort, still in its cardboard holder. Although I spent about 2.5 hours painting on this piece, it isn't quite finished, but coming along. I am hoping to pick up a little speed during this workshop.

Thanks for taking a look. Tune in tomorrow to see what unfolds on Day 2.
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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Backyard Boat

Backyard Boat, 2010
Original painting
Oil, alkyd on gessoed canvas panel
8" x 8" unframed
Contact Artist to purchase

Dear Readers,

I've been entertaining visitors the past few weeks, and have been away from my computer. So I apologize for missing my weekly posting schedule. I did, however, finish the painting you see posted today.

Having been in Florida for awhile, I notice that there are a lot more boats in people's backyards than out on the many lakes that make up so much of the landscape here. I was prompted to do this painting by the thought of how we all put off, postpone, or give low priority to the things that give us pleasure, provide fun in our lives, fulfill our interests, engage our passions, and make for happy memories.

I know I can be a workaholic, and figure that every one of those folks with a boat in their backyard is a workaholic, too. In a society that values wealth above all, we forget that time is the real treasure to spend. I set the time of day as late afternoon for this painting, to remind me that the day is short and can slip away before you realize it.

Thanks for taking a look; and I hope you get your boat out of the backyard this weekend.

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Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.