Mid-day at Montelle Winery

Mid-day at Montelle Winery
Oil on panel, 11x14

For the first time in all these years, we had a beautiful day for painting at Montelle!  In the past, I have braved through, hail, sleet, driving rain, freezing cold, gale force wind - and any combination of the above!  This year, temps were warm, winds were light, and it was a joy to paint on the sprawling deck of Montelle Winery.  This place is known for their fabulous view of the rolling hills - and I have painted it through the very tall trees.  Having painted the full scene before, the trees grabbed my attention, leaving the landscape as the backdrop.  Upon finishing, I enjoyed a wonderful glass of Seval!  Montelle Winery was so gracious to host a social afterward, they really do spoil us up here!  I think this is how life is meant to be lived every, single day.  Painting number 1209 in 1209 days.

Old Dirt Road

Old Dirt Road
Oil on masonite, 9x12
purchase here

I love coming over the top of a hill to see this magnificent view spreading out before me!  And to think, we almost didn't drive down this because it was a dirt road!  Taking 200n east off of Burnt Prairie blacktop, we parked on the side of the road to unload our gear.  I set my easel up in the middle of this road, and was able to get my whole sketch and half a block in done before the first truck came barreling down the road!  I moved back out after he had passed, only to have to shift again.  By that time, I had enough done to finish a bit closer to the ditch, setting up our new bright orange cones - a gift from the planners of this event!  With so much depth in this painting, I was more careful in the application of paint, letting each layer build before moving to the next.  I have wanted to paint a road for a long time, but really didn't want to capture asphalt.....so this wonderful dirt road was the perfect solution!  What sheer joy it has been to paint in perfect weather, and to find such captivating subject matter!  And the icing on the cake?  I won a fabulous $150 gift certificate in the door prize drawing tonight!  COuld life be any sweeter?  This painting makes 1010 in 1010 days :)

September at Balducci's

September at Balducci's
Oil on panel, 16x12
Sunset Paint - Winemaker's Social at Balducci's Winery
purchase here

On location as the sun goes down

I set up on top of the hill west of Balducci's iconic barn with two other artists.  Honored to by asked to paint for this amazing event, the Wine Maker's Social is a crowning jewel of the Augusta Harvest Festival.  The evening was warm, with almost no breeze - and the landscape was lush!  I have painted the sunset here each spring for the last 9 years, but this is the first time in the fall.  The rolling hills were brimming with crops and the trees were so rich in color!  I had to work very quickly, as I painted a large size - and had limited time.  This painting simply fell off the brush.  Perhaps it was the glass of wine as I worked that relaxed my thoughts and allowed the paint to work it's magic while I watched.  The sun sets quickly, and it was very dark before I packed up my easel for the day!   This painting is 631 in 631 days and Day 21 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge.