Telluride...Again

It's almost the 4th of July and that means I am headed to Telluride this week for the Plein Air Invitational. I have lost count which year this is- my sixth or seventh  I think. But, anyway, it is always a treat and I welcome a few weeks in the cool mountain air. This year I am also teaching a workshop at the Ah Haa School of Art in Telluride after the show.

As in year's past, artists are invited to bring one studio piece with them, which can be sold along side the work produced during the week. This is mine. This is a small clearing I've passed many times on the way up to Woods Lake outside of Telluride. The evening light transforms the scene into something really special. This one was tough to photograph and the image doesn't convey the dark transparent richness of the foreground.

Aspen Twilight

18 x 24

Available at Telluride Plein Air Invitational

Here are some details.

Spring Break

Spring's Promise

20 x 20

I'm taking a short break from the Lennox Woods project. Tomorrow we head for Florida where I will be teaching a workshop next week at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. Steve and I lived in this part of Florida for many years, and of course, I was born and raised in Florida, so we are coming home. It will be a good group of 14 students, some who have taken classes or workshops before and several who haven't. We'll have fun and work hard.

My next workshop is this summer, in the beautiful San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. As long time readers know, I have participated in the Telluride Plein Air show for the last seven years which is held over the July 4th holiday. This year I'll be teaching right after the show at the Aha Haa School of Art. This is a gorgeous location and the school will provide great facilities for the class. Here's the link for more information and to register.

Deconstructing Telluride

I am back home and taking a day or two to decompress before getting back to the studio. The long drive home gave me plenty of time to mull over the events of the last 10 days. One of the things I love about doing this show is that it gives me the opportunity to talk directly with potential buyers. I have learned over the years that listening to them can provide very valuable feedback.

Here are a few things always make an impression on me:

~ Go Where the Collectors Are- this show works because it is held in a "destination" venue which attracts affluent visitors and second home owners.

~Listen For the Buyer's Reaction to the Work- current thinking about "permission marketing" encourages us to tell potential buyers "stories" about ourselves and the work. What I have found is that if someone approaches my work with obvious interest (oohhs and ahhs and pointing are always good indications) then they already have a "story" in their head about the painting. It is my job to find out what that is and support it by what I say, not tell them my story (unless they ask for it).

~PLPO - painting larger pays off


All of these (and more!) are things I discuss in my little book Studio & Business Practices for Successful Artists.

Telluride Plein Air- Days VI and VII

The event concluded today with the second day of the public sale. I can report six paintings out of seven found new homes so it has been a good show for me. As always, I am exhausted but exhilarated!

As I have written about before, Telluride is a special place to be on the 4th. The funky small town parade, led by veterans of the armed services, is capped off with a barbeque in the town park and a fireworks display this evening against the backdrop of the beautiful box canyon. It is quite a show. The other cool thing about it is a flyover by the Colorado Air National Guard. Usually, two jets come screaming down the valley and fly over town just as the parade gets under way. This year was even more amazing. The first two jets flew over, down to the end of the box canyon and then into a steep bank up the face of the canyon. Then, the third one came- so low I swear you could see the pilot in the cockpit!


As we watched him fly down the valley it seemed impossible that he would be able to climb fast enough, but of course he did- pulling up into a steep climb (and casting a shadow on the mountain) and then going into a roll above as he cleared the box canyon. Even long time Telluride residents were astonished!

Happy 4th Everyone and Happy Birthday America!

Telluride Plein Air- Day V

Sunbreak Down Valley

10 x 24

Just a quick post as I am running out to the public sale this morning. Last year, I struggled to get that "big view", so I decided to give it another shot this year. The idea for this painting is a clearing sky after a quick afternoon thunderstorm, a regular summer occurrence here. But, of course, this piece is much influenced by my love of the Hudson River School painters.

Telluride Plein Air- Day IV

Summer Aspens

24 x 18

Well, I've talked about it all week and here it is. Ta Da! At the risk of repeating myself, this image really does not do it justice. The lit up area behind the trees is warmer and the aspens behind that are delicate hues of mauves and greens. But, this is the best I could do.

We turned our auction pieces in tonight (this is mine) and I have to say, I was impressed with the caliber of the work. The silent auction is tomorrow night and then the public sale starts on Sunday.

Telluride Plein Air- Day III

As regular readers of this blog know, I am much influenced by the late 19th century Hudson River School painters as well as the Tonalists artists of that time. The HRS guys liked those big sublime views while the Tonalists explored more intimate corners of nature. I am definitely in the latter category. However, there are some wonderful HRS paintings of woodland interiors and this is one of them-Worthington Whittredge's The Trout Pool.



I thought about this painting when I went back to Leopard Creek to paint at the spot where Steve fished two years ago (see yesterday's post).

The Trout Pool

18 x 15

The idea I wanted to convey was the morning light streaming through the trees and bathing everything in a warm glow. As usual, the photography doesn't do it justice (really!) but I am pleased with it. In fact, I want to paint a larger more refined studio version for sure.

Telluride Plein Air-Day II

This is going to be a short post tonight- I may fall asleep before I finish writing it! Today I went back up to the aspen grove to work on the "big piece" again. Then I headed down valley to Leopard Creek. I have painted there many times. The creek meanders through open meadows and also through heavily wooded areas. A couple of years ago Steve and I went down to one of those spots so he could fly fish. I wrote about it here.

So today I went back to that spot to paint. So far, its the piece I am the happiest with. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll have something in "postable" form.

Later. Zzzzzzzz.

Telluride Plein Air- Day 1

Today was the first offical day of the event, although I think about half the artists have been here painting for several days. First thing this morning I went up to get a start on the larger aspen piece I hope to do for the auction. As I drove into the area I noticed quite a bit of new construction going on and-you guessed it- my spot was now a construction site! Luckily the area is large and filled with lots of aspen groves so after a little looking around I found a good spot. Since my composition was, for the most part, set and in my head, I just needed to have some good aspen "models" and color notes to work with. There was enough material for another smaller start as well .

Next I went back to my "hidden pond" location from last year and blocked in a small piece. All of these will need to dry before I can start adding more layers and glazing, so tomorrow I'll start on a new batch.

Tonight was the artist orientation meeting and it was nice to see familiar faces and to meet some new artists as well. Time to get some rest and start again in the morning!

Getting Ready for Telluride, Part II

As I mentioned in my last post, I like to think about what motifs I might want to paint and even do a few thumbnail sketches to try out some design ideas. Often artists who return to these events will choose to paint a few of the same or similar scenes from year to year. In Telluride, there are lots of "iconic" scenes and townscapes that get painted every year. Generally, I stay away from those subjects, but this year I think I might try a variation on that strategy.

Wyatt's Aspens
16 x 12
Private Collection

A few months ago I painted a small piece called Wyatt's Aspens which was painted from memory but based on a place in Telluride. The first year I did the show, I stayed with a host couple who lived in an area above the valley, near the airport. It is a beautiful, high place with gorgeous aspen groves and lots of elk. It was a wonderful place to paint. That first year, I remember being so surprised to see a hang glider sailing by high above the valley below but at the same altitude as me! It is not unusual to see airplanes on approach to the Telluride airport, winging their way right past you! I liked the way the small painting turned out, so this year I plan to attempt a larger version. Steve has made a beautiful tabernacle frame for it- so now, I have to do it!

Getting Ready for Telluride

Cottonwoods at Dusk
18 x 24

I leave in about ten days for Telluride, Colorado. As regular readers know, for the last several years I've participated in the Telluride Plein Air Fesitval, an invitational event bringing about thirty artists together from around the country to paint in the beautiful San Juan Mountains in the historic town of Telluride. Artist paint in and around Telluride for five days, followed by a silent auction and then a public sale. For the last few years I've blogged about the event and you can read some of those posts here.

So, I thought I'd write a bit about how I get ready for this event. For a number of years I did many of these shows (Laguna Beach Invitational, Carmel, Sedona) but now Telluride is the only one I do. Over the last five years my painting techniques have changed dramatically, and it is always a struggle to adapt the indirect methods I now prefer to the demands of plein air painting in an event like this.

The painting shown above is a studio piece. We are allowed to bring one studio piece to show and sell at the public sale. This painting is a good example of how I prepare for the event. Although it is based on the landscape in Telluride, it is primarily painted from memory. Having painted in Telluride for five years now, I have a rich store of memories and solid knowledge about the landscape there. So, a few weeks ahead of time, I like to make a list of likely motifs that I might want to paint. Often, this list will begin with ideas I had last year, but didn't have a chance to paint or perhaps ideas I tried but couldn't make work in the time allotted. I think about what sizes and what kinds of compositions I want to paint, and even do thumbnail sketches based on memory of some of those ideas. Cottonwoods at Dusk started this way, based on a memory of a clump of cottonwoods in the valley.

Telluride Plein Air- Day Six

The Hidden Pond

12 x 24 triptych

Last year as we were driving out of Telluride I noticed a small pond set back from the road and screened by a stand of aspens. I managed to get Steve to stop and find a small turn off which took us back behind the pond. That was the photo I posted earlier this week. Here is the piece I completed this year at that spot. Although it hasn't found a home yet (several others did today though!) , there has been a good deal of interest. Tomorrow is the second and last day of the public sale.

Tomorrow is the big 4th of July bash in Telluride. For a tiny town, Telluride does the 4th right. Almost every house in town is festooned with flags as are all the street lamps. About 8,000 visitors will crowd into this small town nestled at the end of a box canyon for a good old fashioned home grown parade. All veterans whether residents or visitors are invited to walk in the parade (Steve will walk in the parade again this year, USMC 1967-69). Right as the parade gets underway, two F-16s come screaming down the valley from the west , flying right over Main Street and then bank up and away over the San Juans. Later, the fire department hosts a huge barbeque and spectacular fireworks at the town park. Its a great place to spend the 4th and to say Happy Birthday America!

Telluride Plein Air-Day Five continued

Despite pouring rain, there was a good turnout for the silent auction tonight. Bidding seemed to be light but happily Evening on the San Miguel did find a new home. I want to thank everyone who has left comments this week- your encouragement means so much to me.

The public sale starts tomorrow and the forecast is improving. I'm dead tired but since I didn't deliver on that Sublime view I'd thought I'd leave you with a few images that fill that bill.

Trout Lake


Lizard Head Pass (elevation 10,000+)

Telluride Plein Air- Day Five

This morning we turn in our "artist choice" piece for tonight's silent auction. Immediately after that, the 90 minute quick draw will be held on Main Street. Tonight from 5-8 a silent auction and cocktail party for collectors will kick off the weekend's events. A public sale follows on Saturday and Sunday.

So here is the piece I chose. As you might notice, its not a "big view" after all. I painted two pieces this size, and pretty much all week thought I would choose the other one. But, today I decided on this one. Let's hope I'm right!

Evening on the San Miguel
16 x 24
Sold

P.S. It was pouring rain at 6 AM this morning but now the sun is out. Whew! That's Steve holding the painting up-sorry for the on the fly photography!

Telluride Plein Air- Day Four

Twilight at Leopard Creek
8 x 16
Private Collection

Yikes! How did it get to be Thursday!!? Here are a few more pieces I have finished (maybe?). Leopard Creek is a small creek down valley from Telluride. I've painted it several times and knew I would want to again. Its well away from all that Marilyn Monroe glamor of the landscape in and around Telluride and I like that.

Woods Lake Aspen
12 x 12
Private Collection

The elusive "big view" may have eluded me- as of this morning I am not happy with it and have been looking with more favor on a more intimate evening scene on the San Miguel river. Sometimes, a girl just has to follow her heart.

Telluride Plein Air- Day Three

A Day on the Dolores
Triptych - each panel 9 x 7
Sold

Just a quick post and then more later. The Dolores River converges with the San Miguel just a bit down valley from Telluride. I tend to spend more time near the San Miguel so this year I decided to paint on the Dolores too. Of course, the fact that Steve wanted to fish there might have had something to do with it.

Telluride Plein Air-Day One

We're here! We had a lovely trip - spending Saturday in Santa Fe and enjoying lunch with artist friends - Lynn Windsor, Barry McCuan, Steve Worthington and Meridee Mandio. Saturday night we stayed with Nancy Silvia and Hiroshi Murata at their beautiful home just outside of Santa Fe.





Sunday we headed through our old stomping grounds in northern New Mexico- stopping in Abiquiu for lunch. We arrived in Telluride about 4:30-a half hour too late to get my canvases stamped for the event. But, no matter- had a lovely dinner with our hosts Debbie and Gary Friedman and were treated to spectacular "last light" on the valley floor.



Up early this morning, got my canvases stamped, ran into Stacey Peterson doing the same thing, and now I am on the way out the door to paint. Stay tuned!

On the Road to Telluride

Telluride Dusk
20 x 20

It's that time again! Later this week we'll be heading out to Telluride, Colorado for the annual Plein Air Invitational. This will be my fifth year at this event. It will be great to see many of the returning artists and and to meet new ones. This year Stacey Peterson, Colorado landscape painter and blogger will be in the show, so I am looking forward to meeting her in person.

For the last three years, I've blogged almost daily during the event, and I'm going to try to do that again this year. Its a hectic, crazy week of painting which culminates in a silent auction/cocktail party followed by a two day public sale. All of this is against the backdrop of the gorgeous San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado and the tiny, funky, mountain chic town of Telluride.

As I've written before, this event is always a huge challenge for me- fitting my indirect painting techniques to the high wire act of plein air painting, and painting in a location which has extremely cool light and big, knock your socks off views. My usual warmer palette and preference for intimate corners of the landscape have to be modified to the task at hand. Although I plan to follow my usual pattern of looking for quieter corners of the landscape, this year I am thinking that at least one nod to the Hudson River School just might be in order. We'll see!

Home Again

We're home. July 4th in Telluride was terrific as usual. I wrote a bit about the celebration in the last post. One of the things I didn't mention, is that in addition to the fun funky part of the parade and festivities, this little town goes all out to honor Veterans. Every year, all Vets present on the 4th, whether from Telluride or visitors, are invited to march in the parade. This year my husband Steve (USMC 1967-1970) marched with about 25 others (including several artists from the show). The crowd cheers, small children shout "thank you", the band plays- it was very moving-especially since Steve and his comrades never got a parade or thank you when they came home. I was very proud.

The show ended on a positive note with another sale, and we headed home on Sunday morning. Driving through New Mexico, we were treated to what we used to call "Maynard Dixon skies" all day...



Then, a big storm rolled in and we saw this:

And, finally a moonrise through the storm clouds

Quite a show.

Telluride Plein Air Day 4

Last Light on the Valley Floor

12 x 8 -12 x 12 -12 x 8
Sold

This is the piece I finally selected for the silent auction (again, sorry for the horrible image!). It turned out to be the right choice. The triptych format garnered a lot of attention and bids! The event was well attended- Jill Carver won Artists Choice. Congrats Jill! The public sale starts this morning...gotta run!