Harley

A couple of weeks ago I did a demo for Austin Pets Alive.

I donated a Pet Portrait and a cute couple,

Brandie and Daniel,

won the drawing.

They sent me photos of one of their pets:  Harley.

 Harley

12 x 12 oil

Such a cute old guy, and a pleasure to paint!

Thanks for following along!

AIS: Impressions Small Works Showcase

Last weekend I flew to Costa Mesa for the AIS Paintout, Show Opening, demos and workshops.  I love painting in California, the light and atmosphere are special. The show was fantastic, filled with beautiful paintings.  You can see the award winners and a lot of the show by clicking here.

Ray's workshop group pic

I enjoyed taking a workshop with Ray Roberts on painting rocks and water.  Growing up on a beach I have a special love of the water.  Ray is a master of the subject and really explains the spectral highlights, AKA, sparkle.  Our first day was very sunny and the following was moody and foggy. These are my favorites out of 11 studies I did:

Wave Painting

Rock Painting.

Kathy Riedinger and I having fun at the opening.

The next day I crashed Peggi Kroll Roberts workshop for the second day of her two day workshop, Figures on the Beach.  I’ve been a long time fan of  both Ray and Peggi so it was a special treat.  I was able to buy one of Peggi’s paintings.  It’s of Ray painting, on the left, and part of our class watching him.

I think she needed to relax after judging such a big show!

Thanks for following along!

The Party Continues....

Ok Kids,

More gossip on Turks and Caicos.  Absolutely hands down some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever visited.  It rivals some in Koh Samui and Bali. I really loved the bougainvillea in bloom, the pathways, and white sandy beaches.  

Unbelievable!  But true:)

We had an Oscar party, thanks Susie, and a Mardi Gras party, thanks Cof, and a fantastic time before, after and in between. 

I would try to find a shady spot and paint in the a.m.  Sometimes I even had company! Thanks Deb:)

 I have to say that I’m really loving these water soluble oil paints when I travel.  Maybe it’s because I don’t use the transparent underpainting and just go in thicker sooner, cutting out a step, and the brushes are easy to clean so the paint seems to stay fresh.  Normally I’m not much of a cleaner and make myself feel better by saying that the residual color left on the brush helps me ‘create harmony’ :). I might add that I feel using too much turp really muddies things up, for better or worse.  It would be better if I remembered to use one brush for one color or value, but I don’t.  Hence the benefit of the water clean up. Easy peasy.

 Just sayin’.

 (Keeping it simple.)

Here are some of my efforts.

More info on these plein air paintings here.

Right around the corner: Plein Air Convention 2017

#PACE17

#pleinairconvention

#pleinair

@ericrhoads

If you haven't done so and would be so kind, I'd love for you to nominate me for the first ever Plein Air Wars!

Please go to https://pleinairwars.com/get-started

scroll down and nominate

Bruce Bingham

Thanks in advance for your help!

Thanks for following along!

Turk and Caicos- low down on the hoe down

Turks and Caicos Girl Party!

This is a vaycay that’s hard to let go of.  I think the frozen mojito at lunch put me in sort of island coma that let everything stressful in my life just sail away..  I was born on a beach and actually spent most of my time crabbing, clamming, and building elaborate cities in the sand. OH, and did I mention I was a mermaid, when I wasn’t being a cowboy or an Indian, sorry,Native American, and I do mean that with respect.  They got a bad deal.

There’s nothing like ‘island time’, hot sand and cool water, to put you in your happy place.  Good friends reconnecting, kayaking, snorkeling, and biking.  I’m also proud to announce that we got security called on us 3, yes 3 TIMES for having too much fun.  I know!  Thanks!

I don’t usually blah blah so much but I did want to mention that in spite of all the partying, I managed to paint a little bit.  I’ll break up all the gossip over a few posts, because I’ll have more to tell you about when I get back from the American Impressionist Show in Costa Mesa, CA, this weekend.

 More about painting and water soluble oils tomorrow....

Special thanks to my pal Mary Hall who I have been friends with my entire life for her efforts in doing a lot of the heavy planning.  I so proud of the entire group for making the effort to go. While we often go our separate ways due to circumstances, the most wonderful friendships are those where you can just pick right up where you left off  like you never missed a beat.  These friendships and experiences become jewels woven into the fabric of who you are. Treasures.

Right around the corner: Plein Air Convention 2017

#PACE17

#pleinairconvention

#pleinair

@ericrhoads

If you haven't done so and would be so kind, I'd love for you to nominate me for the first ever Plein Air Wars!

Please go to https://pleinairwars.com/get-started

scroll down and nominate

Bruce Bingham

Thanks in advance for your help!