Sendero

Sendero

16 x 20 in.. oil on panel

donation to Wildflower Center Art Auction

sold

I said I'd post this yesterday, and I'm a day behind--my apologies.  The Wildflower Center hosted a reception Thursday evening for all participating artists, an event I always enjoy.  I get to explore the walls of donated art, but more importantly, get to connect with artist friends I've come to know over the four years I've participated as a donor.  Local artists Chris DeDier, Lisa Beaman, Laurel Daniel, and Valerie Walden were all participating.  As much as painting has added to my life, the bigger bonus is the wonderful people I've come to have something in common with all over the country--and world, for whom I am so grateful.

-julie davis

Shady Spot

Shady Spot

9 x 12, oil on panel

sold

Wednesday was another beautiful day, and I took advantage by heading out to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center to paint.  I always love the clusters of oaks typically seen here....they're not only like small families, they pretty much are small families.  

The Wildflower Center is having it's annual gala tomorrow evening; I've donated a painting to the art auction again--such a favorite cause of mine.  It's a larger version of Sendero, posted earlier this year.  I'll post the donation 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

Repetition

Live Oak Study, 6 x 8

sold

Tell me I'm not the only one who paints the same subject day after day.....did I mention I was struggling with greens?  I feel much better about this live oak (same one I've painted for days) than any I've done in ages--just because I think I was more successful at balancing the contrasting green values (not including the ground).  I won't speak for the rest--did this in 30 minutes this morning at 6 a.m., but I'm on the right track, I think.  

-julie davis

Studying, studying

Live Oak Study, 6 x 8

This week has been filled with tree studies.  For those who don't paint, it may be impossible to relate, but the difficulty of getting the right green in the right amount in the right spot....it's made me want to pull my hair out over the course of the last several weeks as I've been doing more plein air painting.  I'm determined to get it, though, and feel like I've made progress.  

-julie davis

A Little Spring

Bluebonnet Clusters, 6 x 6

When you live in Austin, it's almost obligatory to go out to the LadyBird Johnson Wildflower Center in the Spring, and it certainly is if you're a plein air painter.  I was intimidated to tackle the gorgeous scenery on my own, but I went out anyway on Monday.  I'll admit this was my fist time to go outside painting totally on my own, no class, no group, no friend (is that initiation for being a "plein air painter?").   While painting, I overheard (many things) someone saying this was not a good year for bluebonnets, but there were plenty to be found.  I've always said if you're going to paint bluebonnets, you'd better get it right, because people are passionate about them.  I am, too, but I think of this as a "nod" to them, so maybe I got away with it?

-julie davis