Tag Archives: Plein Air

Paint Dexter First Annual Plein Air Festival August 13 to 17, 2013

19 Monday Aug 2013

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

This summer is even more of a whirlwind then last summer.  I traveled to two Plein Air Festivals, and I think I’ve caught the bug.  I want to go to more, and meet more wonderful people.  The artists, and the members of the community in Dexter, Mi are all incredible and wonderful people.

But, what was even more special this time is that I was able to share this event with two from my own group “The Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society.”  Kathy Hudak and Bobby Wagner.

Edge of the Rock Plein Air Painting Event in Beloit, Wisconsin

10 Monday Jun 2013

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

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

cropDSC_1642

It was an 8 hour drive to Beloit, Wisconsin.  I left home at 3:30 a.m. in order to be in Beloit by noon.  I just made it!  Chicago at rush hour is a trip!  I ended up at O’hare Airport.  Thankfully, it was not difficult to get back on the freeway.  Finally out of Chicago I end up in construction.  I’m just happy I never trust Mapquest when it comes to time.  I always add 2 hours.  It worked out perfect, but boy was I stiff and tired when I got here.

Beloit is a small town of 30K people.  I have to say that I’ve been treated like a celebrity.  I even was stopped in Walmart by a lady who saw my plates.  “Are you from Canada?”  She asked.

“Why… yes.  How did you know?”

She had her young grand daughter in tow, and she proceeded to explain to the child that I was from Canada…. and that I probably still had snow. The child looked terrified of the lady in the big straw hat.  I’m sure I looked a wee bit out of place.

I’ve had that response from quite a few people here.  I think they equate Canada with Sault St. Marie.   I’ve been explaining that I’m actually almost due east of them.  Their eyes get wide when I tell them we have hardly any snow, and that my hubby’s had to mow the lawn in December.  Even more interesting is that we have to go North to get the the USA.  They seem a bit perplexed, and still introduce me as The lady who came all they way “down” from Canada.  But, they are wonderful people and I’m so happy that I came.

I’ve managed to paint three paintings so far.  They’ve been predicting heavy thunder showers, but rain has held off since I got here.  It did rain on my way here.  Since Saturday, we’ve had beautiful weather.  Just a bit of wind, and a threatening sky.  I don’t mind because a stormy sky is interesting, and a challenge to paint.  Just what’s needed for a Plein Air convention.

I’m hoping that our group from Windsor will come here with me next year.  I’m very pleased I did.

 

2013 Edge of the Rock Plein Air Painting

26 Sunday May 2013

Posted by in Art, Event, Plein Air

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

Elizabeth painting on the Detroit River, the famous US/Canadian Ambassador Bridge in the Background

Painting en Plein Air on the Detroit River

I’m very pleased to announce that The Beloit Inn, has accepted me as their Artist in Residence during the Edge of the Rock Plein Air Painting Event June 5 – 15th in Beloit Wisconsin. I wish to thank Nicki Meyer Executive Director of Friends Of River Front plein air festival for this great honour and wonderful opportunity. I also with to thank Nicholas Johnson, General Manager of The Beloit Inn for his generosity.

Back to Sketching in the Great outdoors

07 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Art, Flowers, Plein Air, Sketch, Willistead

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

YES! Spring has sprung, and I’m out doors with our group again. What a beautiful day it was on Monday. We had six members of our group out painting and sketching today. We love to start off on the Willistead Manor Grounds in Windsor. Williestead Manor is in the heart of Walkerville, and hosts many events, most notably the annual Art in the Park event.

PS:  This painting was gifted to Sandy Kincade, the Director of the Edge of the Rock Plein Air Painting event.  She and her husband Chuck were such a blessing to me.

A Beautiful Fall Day at Ojibway Park

22 Monday Oct 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

What an incredible beautiful warm and sunny day for a paint out today! It’s a toss up what I like better Fall or Spring. The vivid reds are mostly finished. It seems the colours arrive and leave so quickly. There are still some beautiful yellows hanging on.

Four turtles kept us amused as they tried to sun together on a floating log. They reminded me of lumberjack contests, where the contestants compete by trying to spin the log so the other man falls off. The last man standing wins! They a family of mallards makes their way downstream feeding on vegetation as they go.

Mary was writing a note for Judith, when a stunning orange dragonfly paid her a visit.  It landed on her note, and stayed while she continued to write.   These are the reasons I paint en Plein Air.  There is no studio in the world that compares.

Chatham Ontario Art Camp

20 Saturday Oct 2012

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

It’s always a great time with the Chatham, Ontario Arts Council group. Thanks for having me back once again.

artCampDSC_0414 by photographerpainterprintmaker
Lunch with the Chatham group is always a pleasure.
artcampDSC_0427 by photographerpainterprintmaker
It was a very windy and damp day.  In the afternoon, we moved inside the Chatham Cultural Center where we finished our paintings.

The Gathering (Colchester Beach)

17 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by in Art, Landscape, Plein Air, Watercolour

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Labour Day is two weeks gone, kids are in school,  the beach is deserted, and the air is crisp.  I walked down the beach to get closer to the Canadian Geese. I wanted to get photographs of them in flight. White caps crashed on the shore as the wind played havoc with the lake. I slowly approached the geese… camera ready. Wary of me they waddled down the beach a few honking their displeasure. They finally decided I was too close and took flight out into the lake a few yards away. The waves violently tossed them around, and I became concerned for their safety. What if one drowned because of my desire of a perfect photo? I gave them their space, and they safely returned to shore. I will think twice about disturbing wild life for the perfect shot.

A good part of the morning is always spent discovering the perfect composition. I was very fortunate to find a sheltered area. It was a lovely spot at the edge of the road looking through some trees. Wind and Plein Air painting quite often yields disaster. Many a painter has found hand prints in their work, broken easel’s, or had to chase their paper down the road or even into the lake! Winter is fast approaching. I hope the beautiful fall weather holds out. I love painting in the fall. However, I do hope we have some snow this winter. Winter painting needs snow and in Essex County, the most southern part of Canada, we had very little last year.

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

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!

Hyram Walker’s Distillery from the other side of the tracks.

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by in Art, cityscape, Plein Air, Watercolour

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Hyram Walker's Distillery from the other side of the tracks. by photographerpainterprintmakerPainting Hyram Walker's Distillery from the other side of the tracks.

Today found us doing a bit of Urban sketching.  Even though Hyram Walker’s Distillery is now owned by Wisers, no one in Windsor calls the plant Wisers.  Walkerville will always be Walkerville.  Anyway, in our group the Windsor & Essex County Plein Air Society we are starting to try out themes for our paint out locations.  Todays them was Urban Sketching, or street scenes.  I thought I’d try a bit different composition.  Not sure how successful this particular subject was, but I will try it again sometime soon.