Rebirth of a Blog

Winter was long.  Very long.  Jan, Feb, March...but as April turns to spring and spring into summer, sown seeds begin to grow.  

I have neglected my blog as I've just not had much to say.  Not much positive that is.   I have to admit that I stuggled through darkness and isolation in my little town in Alaska this winter.  Whenever I felt really low, I would force myself into the studio and fight the desire to dwell.  Whenever I felt good, I spent time in my studio practicing my work.  All in all, I try to rely on the saying "If I don't have anything good to say, say nothing at all."    The good news is, I'm back!  I figured there is a time for every season and although this is not my favorite season to be in I would ask what is the best thing I could do with it be.  The answer was a relentless, grow.  Brushstroke by brushstroke, my goal was to grow.   

So, as spring came, so did opportunities.  A wonderful woman saw some of my work and asked me to paint her family portrait.  It's always an honor to be asked and I have been diligently (and quietly) working on that.  

Also in April, Linda Jay Jackson of Helping Hand Nepal teams up with Rene Haag of Blaine's Art in Anchorage.  Up to thirty artists are scheduled to paint daily and then all paintings are donated and auctioned off to help aid those in Nepal.  This is my 4th year taking part in the event but this year's earthquake has made the need far greater.  

I started this painting using one of Linda's photos from a previous trip.  She is an amazing photographer with a earth sized heart. This painting, and the paintings of all the other artists, will be available for viewing on May 15 at www.blainesart.com   You may call or email bids after the 15th and bids close on May 29.  100% of proceeds benefit the health and well being of those in Nepal.  You can also donate direct to www.hhnepal.com

                                            

                                                                  "Woven Lives"

                                                           12x12   1/2" Gallery Wrap

On a side note, at the church I attend there is a pastor who has made numerous trips to Nepal.  He and his team were in the air on their way to Nepal when the devasting earthquate hit.  Their flight had to turn around and at the next available moment they flew into Katmandu and then the airport was closed again.  They are trekking to the less visited villages to help as they can and then returning to the city.   Perfect timing for those who are able and want to help.  

Hatcher Pass 25

Hatcher Pass 25

Another day visiting the pass after 5pm.

Sometimes the days are just busy and sometimes

that pays off big.

Summit Lake again was the destination.  

I rarely know exactly where I'm going to paint when I head up there so 

I often make it to the top in search of poetry.  

Sometimes I find myself back at the river, which I never mind 

and other times the poetry is everywhere!

What a surprise to find these paragliders enjoying the wind.

It was a tough choice to paint or see about a tandem ride!

Of course, the challenge was on, so I painted.

Ready for a tandem flight now though!!

Check out these great photos...

Who knew how long they'd be there and how fast I could paint these

floating, gliding, swinging, swaying strokes of color.

Not my best profile but you can see why

set up was fast!

Was I feeling excited? Yes...

What else?

Feelin' Small, but happy.

As I've said before,

the weather changes quickly in the pass.  

Spots of sun and lumbering clouds start this paint-out but changes quickly.

Then there's knowing when it's time to go.

I just love this photo Ken took.

I can get so lost in the moment I don't even realize what's going on.

I decided to go bright and just had a lot of fun with 

"She'll be Coming Round the Mountain"

8x8

Hatcher Pass 24

Hatcher Pass 24

After a busy day taking care of necessities around the house I was so thankful that my husband said, 

how about a drive up the Pass.   The sound of that was beyond refreshing.

Driving up there has become a little like breathing.  

I quickly grabbed my backpack and off we went for an evening drive.

Past the river, beyond the MotherLode, and continue by 16 mile run.

Then the decision, up to Independence Mine or over to Summit Lake. 

The bowl, where the mine lives, is notorious for the clouds to linger and invade. 

Up to the summit we go, maybe the paragliders will be there again!

(more on that later :)

A short hike and indecisive clouds made this waterfall the perfect spot.

Keeping things dry, barely :)

Blocking it in.

 

To many selfies but I just wanted to share the perspectives of this place.

Feeling small, and happy.

The Guardian  

As my husband loves to join me and often hikes and does photography,

sometimes he likes to just sit and as he and his dad have said,

"just watch Alaska go by"

"Love Like a Waterfall"

16x12

Oil

Hatcher Pass 23

Hatcher Pass 23

As the challenge continued and so did life, more than 30 paintings have been completed.

The blog, however, fell behind.   After a wonderful visit from my son and the 

Eight Annual Plein Air Event in Anchorage, the blog continues.

During the weekend, I set up my tent, my walls, and my art.  

It was good.  With the work of setting up done, I set up my tripod and painting box.

With a favorite photo from my daily trips to the pass I started a new piece.

It was fun sharing the process with so many people but I definitely spent more time chatting 

than painting.  No complaints though, it was a wonderful weekend seeing friends, 

meeting new ones and having the pleasure of adding happy collectors.

Before the crowds and under the trees

Getting back to the studio, it is completed

"Rekindled Love"

12x16

Hatcher Pass 22

Hatcher Pass 22

Well, I made it 21 days in a row blogging and continued to paint daily at  

Hatcher Pass until the 25th.   The Eighth Annual Plein Air Event in Anchorage took place and I started a painting of Hatcher from a photo but talking to people and 

sharing with friends took precedence and I still have to finish it.   

Then, I'm sorry to say,there was a matter of sorrow.

Prayers for peace and strength are being answered daily for my sweet friend.

Thank you God.

Then last weekend I taught a wonderful group of artists for a two day workshop. 

Two demos done there is sheer proof that I've been painting!

And best of all this, getting ready for my son's visit.  YAY!

So, at this point the 

30 Painting Challenge is still on but the timing is no longer chronological,

we are now on Angelini Time :)

Today I got to share my office with my son who is visiting from his 

college life.   It was very nice having a Sherpa for the day!

We thought about taking the elevator up at the office today 

but decided instead to take the stairs... okay path.

As I set up to paint, 

The guys continue to hike.

I see you up there!!!

And man are they fast.   Hiking, climbing and rock skipping,

(or maybe I should say boulder skipping)

they returned in just about an hour.

Paint fast Angelini, and enjoy the view!

"April Bowl Flow"

8 x 10

July 21

July 21st

Today was a spectacular day.  

It was so beautiful it makes more sense to tell the story with more photos than words.

A 3 mile hike on Archangel Trail led to a beautiful lake.  My friend Laurie stayed with me there while I painted while Sheila and Karen hiked on up to the huts

.  Standing there was like standing in front of a Thomas Moran or Edgar Payne painting.  They would have been right at home here.  

Let's start with getting there!  

Friends and their dogs, flora, creeks, rocks and sunshine = one great day.

Over the River

 

It was up, up, up all the way there.

What looked like an eagles nest that is falling apart had 3 little chicks in it.
They weren't making much noise and sat tiered as the nest slid down the tree.
Let's hope mom was just out searching for dinner. 

The Girls!  

Four very happy dogs!

The painting....

First, setting up.

The entire view!

Looking forward to more paintings from this location :)

And the painting.  Kind of makes me think about a father and son.  

"I want to be just like him"

8x8 on panel

July #20

July #20

Down by the River

The rush, the roar, the river.

A new perspective.  What felt natural was a wide format but if 

I just keep doing what feels natural, then how would that be a challenge?

So I chose the long format for a wide river and it was a challenge.

The block in...

This 'in-scene' photo shows me that my colors look more vibrant but that 

is the issue painting water on days when the clouds are moving in and out.

In complete sunshine, the water takes on a gorgeous turquoise hue, 

but when the shade takes over it grays down considerably.

Thus said, you have to choose your light and stick to it.

I have honestly struggled with this piece.

First the loss of my darks, and without the darks, 

the light won't shine.  Then, after scraping out lights and revisiting the darks,

I am slowly adding back the lights of the white water.

It has been said,

"That loose painterly, effortless look, can sometimes take a lot of time and work"

I concur.

I like it much more when it seemingly paints itself.

"Change of Direction"

July 19

July 19th

Returning to the Challenge.

I find painting the river to be a very natural thing for me.  

I am always drawn to water, 

funny that I'm a "Valley Girl", 

Matanuska Valley that is.

So as my hearts skips beats as I drive parallel the river, I head higher and higher.

And once again, the clouds encase the peaks.  

But THAT is the challenge!

Clouds doing the Two-Step with dollops of sunbeams.

Not only are there areas of clouds covering parts of the ridges, 

but there are areas of earth and rock that glimmer from hints of light.

It gorgeous!!!,

but changing places every minute like a chorus of musical chairs!!

The block in....

Choosing the moment and staying with it is the answer to chasing light.

"Sundance"

July 18th

Painting 18

Today started out hard for me.  

I am feeling Vitamin D-ficienct.  

The weather has been hanging between 60 and 65 lately but I need a day of 80!

So today the clouds broke!!! Yay! I drove up in the afternoon and as I climbed up the road following the river, switchbacking up the mountain, 

I found the clouds clinging like sticky fingers to the mountain tops.

Striving to learn more and push further, I decided to leave the river for a few days and work on finding a way to speak more emotion in the mountains.  

The clouds crept over the hills, slowly encroaching on my painting perch 

while I painted more green.  You know they say green in nature is the 

hardest color to capture while painting... and there is a lot of it.   

So I painted green hills with mountain peaks that my senses 

told me were there less my eyes.

Then the clouds began to lift!  A bit.  A hole to prove the sky is blue!

So, I will save my cloudy green painting for another day

and today share my second painting...

"In-Scene"

"Lifted by the Light"

8 x 8