Category Archives: Moleskine

Julia Kay’s Portrait Party

22 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Art, Moleskine, Portrait, Watercolour

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Julia Kay is an amazing, and wonderful woman who’s totally obsessed with drawing a self portrait every day, even at times in her sleep! Well, maybe she’s not totally sleeping but nodding off. As I’ve said many times, Flickr is a wonderful photo sharing sight that has an incredible supportive arts community. That is where I came across Julia Kay. I’ve joined her group. The unique thing about her group is that you are not allowed to submit self portraits, instead you submit photos’ of yourself for others to draw. Julia warns everyone that if they are squeamish about the way they maybe depicted in someone’s photo it would be wise not to participate, as the diverse styles are not always flattering. Once I submitted my photo it didn’t take long for people to start drawing and painting away on traditionals and digital media. I am inspired by all the different ways of seeing this group expresses. I encourage you to have a look at the group, and especially at Julia Kay’s work.

As for me, well I may not get a portrait a day in, but I will accomplish something and more than if I’d not joined at all. Oh, and I’ve not drawn or painted many portraits so I’ve a lot to learn in the process. It’s too cold to paint outdoors so this group will keep me from getting rusty over the winter.

Have a look at Julia’s selected sets from her Daily Portrait Project, in which she’s been making an image of herself every day since 3/15/2007.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliakay/collections/72157621793904933/

Willestead Manor Grounds, East Entrance

23 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in Art, Landscape, Moleskine, Watercolour

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Another scorcher, and high winds to boot. So, again I opted for the Moleskine. I try to keep it simple on these days. One of our members, Gary , paints in oils. The wind knocked his easel, and he ended up with two big hand prints in his painting of the manor. Discouraging to say the least.

Malden Park Pond

16 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by in Art, Landscape, Moleskine, Plein Air, Watercolour

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It’s been so busy for me this summer. so, I’m going to play catch up on my blog tonight. This was a blazing hot day. So I decided to keep it simple and got out my Moleskine. Two page vertical spread. The pond was green/brown, not at all inviting. The Canada Geese didn’t seem to mind though.

Join Me Plein Air Painting In Tuscany in May 2013

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Art, Event, Moleskine, Plein Air, Sketch, Watercolour, Workshops

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Hosted by Toscana Americana Workshops

Watercolor en Plein Air in Tuscany with Artist/instructor Elizabeth G MacDonald May 8-15, 2013 Cortona, Italy

I am very excited to offer a workshop in Tuscany next spring 2013.

In this workshop I will be focusing on sketching and watercolour en Plein Air.  The day will begin with a short discussion, demo and question period.  Throughout the day, each student will receive individual instruction.  We will Alternate between quick sketches in a journal, and larger paintings. As an urban and a landscape painter I am at home painting in any environment.  The focus will be on capturing the rapidly changing light and contrasting values as the day progresses.  You will also learn how to interpret colour using a limited palette. I will teach you how to edit what you see en Plein Air to create your cherished memory of Tuscany.  As an added bonus I will show you how to use photography as a tool to plan your composition,photograph your work for the web or to make art cards from your paintings.  These keepsakes can be shared with friends and family. You will learn how to work Plein Air painting into your daily life.  I will be only demonstrating watercolour, but if you are an experienced painter who wishes to do your own thing you are more than welcome to participate at the same cost.  You may bring any mediums you like with you.  However, if you bring oils do not bring thinners, as they are prohibited from flights.  You may purchase thinners at the local art store.

This workshop is suitable for the beginner or the experienced painter.  Click these links for frequently asked questions, workshop information and registration rates.

I wish to introduce you to the joy of painting in the largest studio in the world, the great outdoors.  When I paint en Plein Air I experience nature and the world in an intimate way not experienced by the casual observer. The experience exhilarates me. I am also a photographer. When I capture nature and life through a camera lens I feel more like a voyeur, stealing a moment in time.  However, when I paint I become immersed in my surroundings with all my senses.  I am alert, and the scene becomes a part of my existence.  My heart yearns to interpret what is before me. By painting en Plein Air I go beyond copying that stolen moment in a photograph in the studio. I live the moment. I live the painting. The experience becomes a memory not soon forgotten.  When people see my work, I’d like them to experience a bit of what it was like to be there.  There is no greater joy for me then when I introduce others to painting en Plein Air.

Ciao!

Recommended supplies, partial list.

Friends of Pike Creek Park, Beaver Dam

11 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Art, Moleskine, Plein Air, Watercolour

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Painting at Friends of Pike Creek Park by photographerpainterprintmaker

It’s been too long since I added a blog entry. Forgive me! I will be writing to you about our wonderful first ever group show soon.

Even though the day was cloudy with a few sprinkles I managed to stay dry, and find light in the midst of this very grey day. The mosquitoes even left me alone for the most part. This watercolour is of a beaver dam in a little known conservation area just south of Windsor, On. It took a keen eye to find a scene, but we found some great ones!

Over 200 year old Jesuit or Joshuah Pear Tree

26 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Art, Landscape, Moleskine, Plein Air, Watercolour

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There is quite a history behind this very old tree. It has proudly stood on the Iler family farm for over 200 years.

I found a lovely story about these trees, the story also has a link to two Detroit News newspaper articles.

www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Folklore/english/legende…

35th International Sketch Crawl – Brrrrr!

21 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by in Art, cityscape, Landscape, Moleskine, Plein Air, Sketch, Watercolour

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The sketch crawl started out cold, (-1 C or 30 F) cloudy, and breezy (26 km/h or 16m/h out of the north). Brrrr. When I left it was partly cloudy, a balmy 7 C or 44 F with winds at 30 Km/h or 18 Mp/h out of the NE. It’s no wonder everyone left early. I managed to find a cozy spot though… in my car! I actually think I got a lovely sketch out of what would have been a lost day.

YAY!! Post #100!

34th World Wide Sketch Crawl

21 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Art, Moleskine, Plein Air, Watercolour

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Well, winter put a bit of a damper on my painting until today, that is. I signed up our Plein Air group to participate in the 34th World Wide Sketch Crawl. I’ve been wanting to get out and do some snow scenes. Finally the weather co-operated!  I was the only one of the Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society to make it out to sketch today.  We were all to meet at the Tim Horton’s on Walker Road, by the Chrysler plant. But, it seems life threw the rest a curve ball.  No worries, I’m sure they will make it out to the next event.  If they don’t well I will definitely be sketching, even if I have to do it from the shelter of my van.

You would think living in Canada would guarantee snow. Well, trust me it doesn’t, especially when you live in the most southern point in the country.  But today it was cold as heck. However, I did have my van to keep me warm while I painted the coach house at Willestead Manor, in Windsor, On. Canada. The thermometer in the van read 17°F or -8.33333333°C (to infinity and beyond). I do so like Fahrenheit so much better then Celsius. 17°F sounds so much warmer then -8.3333 °C (to infinity and beyond) ever will. I digress…

Even the van could not totally keep the cold away from my toes forever. So, I warmed up with a Tim Horton’s black coffee, and also celebrated what would have been my Dad’s 100th birthday.  He was here in spirit. How do I know? He saved the last Oooey gooey good Boston Creme Doughnut for me, that’s why!  You see, Boston Cream was his favorite. Sorry, the doughnut didn’t make it into the photo.

Now for a wee bit of a clarification on the image above. No, the roof is not falling off the Northern addition to the coach house. I think by the time I got to that side of the painting my brain was frozen. Also, (lame excuse for bad drawing number two) sitting in a van is not conducive to backing away from your work to check your progress. I usually stand when I paint, so this really sucketh rotten eggs. But, I show my mistakes as well as my successes, because I’m masochistic that way. Now, now please don’t tell me how wonderful this is. I know, when it sucks, K! Why is it you never notice these goof ups until AFTER you take the photo? Blarg! Oh.. I still had fun, and I will go out and do better next time!

Mill Street Windmill Replica

04 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by in Art, cityscape, Landscape, Moleskine, Plein Air, Watercolour

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The spring may have been wet, but we have been blessed with some very wonderful days this summer, and this one was one of them. Monday July 4th found us on a historic site for both the US and Canada. This replica of a 19th century grist mill is located across the street from the Duff Baby House.

The Duff Baby house is listed on Canada’s Historic Places web site. They say:

“As a colonel of the militia during the War of 1812, Baby was one of 600 soldiers captured by American troops. The house survived attack, occupation, and looting by the Americans, but required numerous repairs following the war’s end. ”

What a place to be on July 4th! A place steeped in historic events between the US and Canada.

You can read the entire article here:

http://tinyurl.com/Duff-Baby-House

Plein Air at the Amherstburg Navy Yard

28 Saturday May 2011

Posted by in Art, Botony, Moleskine, Nikon D90, Photography, Plein Air, Watercolour

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RodiDSC_2315, originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

My best two female friends and I ventured out to Amherstburg this morning to paint during the Garden Tour. We were not disappointed as the gardens were in full bloom. I’ve taken to doing smaller watercolours in my Moleskine. I have fallen head over heals in love with this book. I bought two larger one’s when I was in California, but I’ve yet to take the plastic off them. We have an exciting summer planned for the Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society in this our third summer.

Just an incredible day in Amherstburg. I wish we could have stayed longer.