Morning Walk

Morning Walk, 8 x 6

This morning I met some painting friends out at the Bull Creek Greenbelt. The creek was full and rushing with water, the cottonwoods were bright green, and the weather was amazing. Thanks to my pals for getting me out there today!

-julie davis

Lost Creek Footpath

Lost Creek Footpath, 8 x 6

Our Plein Air Austin painting group just returned last night from a weekend annual trip--what a fantastic time we had! There were 23 of us--we went to the Hunt/Kerrville area and had two and a half days of non-stop painting and camaraderie with great friends....and the area was gorgeous. So much to paint. I wasn't as thrilled with my product as I'd hoped to be, but I learned plenty and am energized to work on some larger pieces in the studio from the studies I did. I'll post some of that work in the coming days.

As far as this piece goes, the last time our plein air class was at Lost Creek (a neighborhood here in Austin), we painted along part of the Barton Creek Greenbelt that runs through it. This trail was a little off-shoot of the main trail, and led down to the water. I can't seem to resist a trail right now....

-julie davis

Distant Fenceline

Distant Fenceline, 8 x 10

I've had a photo in my stash for a while that I took that intrigued me--finally I had a moment to play with it. It's a bit more abstract than I typically enjoy, but it was fun to do, and I got it out of my system.

-julie davis

Rain-soaked Fields

Rain-soaked Fields, 10 x 12

Painting in the studio sure feels warm and dry after a day like we had in Lockhart (yesterday's post). That day was a challenge: wind, drizzle, dogs, cool temperatures.....so Monday I took the scene on again, only this time with my memory, my study, and a photograph (perhaps equally challenging). But I was warm and dry:) Personally, this one feels more composed....could be that's just how I felt.

-julie davis

Underwater

Underwater, 8 x 10

donation

Here is the plein air piece I mentioned yesterday. It was a very overcast day--the windy, drizzly kind where full-on rain is inevitable. Tomorrow I'll post a piece I did in the studio of the same scene--just purposely changed things up a bit.

-julie davis

Up the Road

Up the Road, 12 x 10

Apologies for the resolution on this one--I'll try to retake tomorrow--if you can see lines on the painting, let me know. I can here, but not in my photo file, so it's that mysterious photo gremlin at work, I guess.

Our local plein air group met last Thursday at a beautiful location in Lockhart- so many opportunities for inspiration. This road led in and out of the property. The weather that day was overcast and windy, and a bit wet, but I took reference photos--this is from one. I upped the sun factor, we'll say. The piece I painted on location, more representative of the weather, will post tomorrow.

-julie davis

Inviting Entrance

Inviting Entrance

When I met Becky Joy at the Wildflower Center yesterday, I took several photos on the grounds--it's a wonderful asset and fantastic right now for photographers, artists, and anyone who loves nature. This is the path that leads to the main entrance from the parking lot--appropriately understated and inviting.

*the link above for the Wildflower Center takes you to the catalogue for the Gala Art Auction for this year. Scroll through the art--it's full of good stuff and I am fortunate to be a donor again this year!

-julie davis

Field of Green

Field of Green, 6 x 8

It's been much too long since I last blogged, but we've finally finished the hill country remodel, and I think I'll be getting my painting life back! To that end, I painted with a new friend this morning at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Becky Joy was in town from Arizona for the Salon International in San Antonio last weekend, and we met to paint. Becky is a fellow Windrush Gallery artist, and it was great to meet her--and now I have someone to paint with when I visit Arizona!

-julie davis

A Fresh Start

A Fresh Start, 12 x 9

Yesterday our class went out to Lost Creek again here in Austin--the greens are popping everywhere and I was a bit overwhelmed with the hue of them. This tree in particular must have just leafed out last week--a true fresh start.

-julie davis