Niagra Falls

We decided it was time to take a break from Garrett County and see a bit of the world so we traveled to Niagra Falls.   We went to the Canadian side and had a wonderful time at The Falls.   Our hotel overlooked the falls, giving us a wonderful view.

We rode the Maid of the Mist and saw the falls from below.

If you haven't been there. . . . GO.

suealoft@aol.com

http://www.theloftshop.com/

Gallery Hanging

The day began with 5 of us gathered at The Gallery at 206 E Alder Street, Oakland, Maryland to rehang the gallery.    The walls were bare and there were 60 paintings waiting to be hung.    We contemplated their fate and then snapped into action.    90 minutes later the Gallery walls were hung with some really nice work.
We do this three times a year, and each time we start I am convinced that it is just not possible to have it work.    At the end of the day, it looks terrific.
After lunch, we went back and did some work rearranging the displays on the floor, giving the Gallery a fresh new look.
Thanks to Pam, Fred, Madalyn, Debra for the great work today.
Here it is. . . . .

                                                      suealoft@aol.com
                                                      http://www.theloftshop.com/

End of summer

It truly is the end of summer here in Garrett County Maryland.   The leaves are changing, the nights are cooler but we have had just  wonderfully sunny days.   Last night was the first night of real rain that we have had in months.   
My flowers are still resplendent which prompted me to paint a flower painting ( I haven't done flowers in a long time).    It really captures the colors of the flowers on the deck and at the shop.

suealoft@aol.com

http://www.theloftshop.com/

Art and Wine

The Saturday after Labor day is the Art and Wine Festival held at the Garrett County fairgrounds.  Last year the event raised $33,000 for the American Red Cross.   I would guess that it will be closer to $40,000 this year.   It was a picture perfect day and the crowd was huge.   Last year was the first time we had taken the shop and we had a great time.   This year was even better.   It was great fun greeting friends and customers, meeting new folks and being with fellow artists. 

We finally have a packing system, which certain makes it easier to go to festivals.

There they are. .  . . .The Arnsons

Annie Simcoe's sewed collages are terrific. She recently bought a house near us.

Welcome to Bittinger, Annie

It was a happy crowd.

Remember.  .  .  .  the Saturday after Labor Day

See you next year September 10, 2011 Art and Wine

suealoft@aol.com

http://www.theloftshop.com/

New Stuff

It has been a great summer for painting and a slow summer for The Loft Shop.   The  economy has finally caught us.    Because I have a pretty good inventory of watercolor paintings, I have been expanding my creative efforts. 
I took a collage/watercolor class from Gerald Brommer at Springmaid Beach a couple of years ago and  recently started doing some more collage work.   It is fun to do, with surprise results.   I have many kinds of rice paper which have been stained with watercolors.    I collect the papers according to color, put them in plastic bags, creating a palate of  the papers.   I begin the process as I would a painting, with value sketch and transfer the sketch to a heavy paper. Next I begin ripping, tearing and glueing the papers onto the sketch.   Here are a couple of recent works.

Landscape  5x7

View at Lee Anne's   16x20

Painting Day

Today was the day I invited the members of the Western Maryland Watercolor Society to come out to our house to paint.   Five gals drove out from Cumberland to spend the afternoon painting, eating, chatting, sharing painting information and having a good time.    It was a warm day in Garrett County and all of us sought refuge on the front deck where it is cooler.  I don't know about them, but I am inspired by just being with them. 

  suealoft@aol.com
http://www.theloftshop.com/

Chautauqua New York

Alan and Sue spent part of last week in Chautauqua New York.   The first full day we were there Alan golfed and I stayed at the Great Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast and painted before we went to a state park, lolled in the sun and swam.  It was super day.  The second day we spent at the Chautauqua Institute.  What a fabulous place.  That evening we went to hear the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.  It is truly a remarkable place.  For more information look it up on the web

We visited Jim Reno, a potter, in Mayville, NY.

 

The Gingerbread houses are darling.

Alan got into the Victorian spirit.

As did Sue.

Our B & B

suealoft@aol.com

http://www.theloftshop.com/