October, Red Bud Isle

October, Red Bud Isle

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

donation to Trinity Episcopal School auction

Fall is such an exciting time to be outdoors painting.  Not only is the weather completely perfect, but the deviation in color from the usual expanse of green is just plain fun.  I spent several days over the past week outdoors, and this piece is from Monday morning.  

The remainder of this week I'll be in Kerrville, Texas participating in the Kerrville Outdoor Painters' Event.  To say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement; I'll post from there as I can with updates. 

-julie davis

On the Rocks

On the Rocks, 10 x 8

Show update: Wendow in Austin will be hosting a large portion of my work until February or so. The work will be up as of Tuesday, December 1--wine and cheese from 6 til 10 that night. If you can make it, I'd love to see you there! Wendow is having several events that week to kick off the Christmas season--if you live in Austin and haven't been there, definitely check it out--it's one of my favorite stores here. The owners have fabulous taste in antiques and other home furnishings and accessories (not to mention art!).

This post is a scene from our class up at Mt. Bonnell (overlooking Lake Austin). Again, somehow I became enamored with the trees and rocks instead of the water.

-julie davis

Salado Creek Rocks

Salado Creek Rocks, 12 x 12

It's been nice to have the time this weekend to do some "larger" work.  I've had time to think more about how I'm composing a piece, and to put some finishing touches on them.  I included the reference photo here, but I also used a piece I'd done on site as a reference for this one--just closed in on the rocks this time.  

The photo of this piece doesn't quite show all the colors I put into the rocks--warm pinks and yellows, blues and oranges.  I spent more time on the creek and greens, but the rocks were the fun part.  I think it ended up a little too green altogether, and my horizon line is too high and not dark enough, but when I stand back from this one, it seems to work, and becomes more abstract the closer I get.

Salado Creek, by the way, is in Salado, Texas (pronounced Sa-lay-dough).  Salado is a charming and artsy town between Austin and Waco, and Andreeva Academy is located there (where I took the Jill Carver workshop).

-julie davis