Leota's Window

 



Last week I went up to Leota' house to buy some rugs to sell in the Loft Shop.   She lives at the top of a mountain in a stone house that dates back to the 1700's.  It is  beautiful up there and her window sill is always worth a few photos.    This is a favorite.

 

Western Maryland Watercolor Society Annual Show

The Western Maryland Maryland Watercolor juried show is now showing at the Saville Gallery at 9 N. Center Street in Cumberland.   Each member who qualified to show their work was allowed to display 3 pieces.   This is one of mine.   I did it this winter when I had hit a wall and could not come up with  new subject matter.   One day  I noticed a geranium that I was wintering over in the studio.  Sometimes subject matter is right in front of us.  

Beginners workshop

For the last few years the Garrett County Arts Council has been offering a workshop called "So You Think You Want to Learn to Paint".   It is designed for people who have never painted. . . . no experience.    It is a fail safe workshop because I don't let people fail. The first day, we begin with "this is paper, these are brushes, this is paint", explaining each as we go.   We mix watercolors. 
On one day I do a demonstration and the students paint along with me.  This is one of the paintings from the class.   

 

The class is being offered July 8-10 at the Discovery Center on Deep Creek Lake.   For information call the Garrett County Arts Council at 301 334 6580.

Farms and Barns

I continue to be in love with the farms and barns of Garrett County.   The Plein Air painters arrive tonight for Mountain Maryland Plein Air event.    I am always curious to see where they paint and what they do with our beautiful area.   Their work will be at the Saville Gallery in Cumberland from June 1 - 14.  
I did this one early in the winter. I think of it as a "typical Suearnson" landscape.   They are still fun to paint.

Collage

I have spent some time this past "creative season" venturing into  areas other than watercolors.   I  saw a beautiful koi piece done by a member of our critique group.   I haven't done koi for a few years and suddenly wanted to try to do fish with collage.  I stain rice papers with watercolors creating a palate of differing values of each color.

Graphite

I bought a piece of graphite that is about 6 inches long and 2  inches thick.   It is a fistful of graphite.   Then  I got a large sketch pad (18 x24).  I stand and do large drawings, forcing myself to work large and loose.  It is great fun, tho the product isn't really terrific.
o yeah, the graphite is water soluable so I can go in with a wet brush.   Every day when I go to the studio I pick up the graphite and do a quick sketch.  Here is one. . . . . .

I'm Bacl/

 

 

 

Hurray!!!!  I think I have done it. . . finally. . . downloaded a picture.   I am sure I have lost my fans during these past months of not being able to post, but I will start all over and , hopefully, get some people back on board.       FYI:  It has been a busy winter in my studio.   I have finished many paintings, learned to draw with a huge piece of graphite, done some papier mache mobiles,and worked on collages.    I have had great fun but now the unfun part starts. . . . matting and framing.  

This sunflower piece, was done in the dead of winter when I really needed the hope of summer.  Maybe the title is "Hope".   It certainly gave it to me.

 

I do need to mention that I am on Facebook as Sue Arnson and have been posting stuff there for the past few weeks.    I will continue with the blog. . . .why?   It is fun.

Please feel free to drop me a note at suealoft@aol.com .

Apparently blogspot has changed the way to upload pictures.  I couldn't figure it out, but my friend Brad came by and mastered the problem.   That is why I haven't posted an entry for a while.

Hopefully the problem is solved.

Every year I plant amaryllis blulbs to brighten our world in the dark of winter.   This one was particularily cheerful and pretty.