Night at the Gala

What fun to paint the Salina Art Center Gala tonight!!  Everything and everyone glittered in their glam for this Academy Awards themed gala!  Show tunes played on the piano during cocktails as the crowd walked the red carpet.  I set up a little early to paint the event, so I would also have time to dine. Catered by Yaya's - the food was absolutely delicious!   I would come back to the table for a course,  then go paint before the next course arrived.  It worked out perfectly, with the painting finished at the end of the auction.  What a lovely event, people and venue!  I'm so lucky to live this artist's life!  And, this painting went home with the highest bidder!  Painting number 3321 in 3321 days. 

Blank Canvas Gala

 I have never been to Salina, Kansas before today - and boy was it a treat!  The historic downtown district is full of vintage buildings and small town charm, with artistic embellishments sprinkled about.  I first sketched 2 pen and ink paintings of Sante Fe and the front of the Art Center, before deciding to work in oil.  I started blocking in the space when the band arrived.  As they practiced, I painted them in.  Once the patrons arrived, all dressed in white for the Blank Canvas Gala, I started painting them in as well.  As the light shifted to evening, I made a few adjustments as needed.  All three pieces were auctioned off, with intermission for 70 mph winds and hail.  Three tornado warnings later and the worst hail storm I've ever seen, I am now getting this posted.  I sure met a lot of nice people here today.  I'm looking first to visiting again when I have more time. Painting number 3040 in 3040 days. 

Wine and Wedding Cake

Wine and Wedding Cake
Oil on panel, 8x10

Back in December, we attended my cousin's wedding down in Springfield.  We had such a good time, with so much of the family together to celebrate.  During the reception, my youngest daughter took this photo with my phone, posting to facebook a clever little phrase about my empty wine glass!  I've looked back at the photo several times, really loving the pink and red light radiating from the dance floor - capturing the mood.  My parents and I had all stepped away from our places - maybe we were on the dance floor or getting some cousin photos in.  So, today, I paint something different from my "normal" style.  I don't know if I've ever painted wine glasses before, so these may be the first.  I started with a midnight blue underpainting, sketching in with hard stick pastels (as usual).  I next moved to placing the reds, pinks and whites, pulling some of this color into the darks.  I'm going to let this one rest for now, and revisit it in the morning with fresh eyes.  I feel like I may need to break up some of those hard lines and add a little more white.  Painting number 405 in as many days, and it is snowing again!  Maybe I'll go back to painting snow tomorrow.......