Hot Rocks

Here  is my latest oil painting.  This was also painted during Lorin Willey's class at Raven Gallery. I had a blast working on this one because the rocks are so freaking phallic.  I didn't realize it when I was first searching through photos for painting inspiration. Needless to say the photo really inspired me.

Sugar River Kayaking

Chuck and I got up at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday to load the kayaks on the car and meet our friends, Ron and Cheri, and John and Ruth at the launch site in Attica Wisconsin at 10:00 a.m.  We were busy the night before at the artist reception and silent auction for the Wauwatosa Plein Air Affair, and then eating Mexican food at Hector's with the other 2 Martini Girls.  Had a wonderfully twisted idea for a still life, but more about that later.

The Sugar River is quite wide in most places, but unfortunately, about 3 weeks ago, there was a really bad storm that came through and downed almost 2 dozen trees--nearly blocking the river in as many places.  So what we figured would be a 2 hour trip at best, turned out to be a 5 1/2 hour trip to reach our destination.  It wouldn't have been too bad, but it seemed that each time we approached a blockage, the current would push us up directly parallel to the tree trunk in the water.  Our kayaks, although only about 14 feet long, would get wedged between tree branches in the water and the shore.  Then we would have to push and pull against the tree trunk to try and get the bow and stern perpendicular to the trunk to slide through the 4 foot opening between the shore and the tree.  Hard work and my shoulders took the brunt of it.  It was difficult to stop and take photos for fear my kayak would hit another tree, but will try to upload tonight.  I'm getting behind in that respect.

Once we were on shore, we loaded up the kayaks and headed over to the Oakhill B&B to shower off, and then to New Glarus for dinner at the Glarner Stube. 

On Sunday, we decided to take it easy, and Chuck let me know, in no uncertain terms, that he would not be kayaking that day.  Cheri and Ron, and friends Mary and John left right after breakfast to kayak the stretch of the river between Albany and Broadhead.  There are lots of tubing excursions on that stretch, so the outfitters are probably very good at removing any downed tree debris.

We decided to head back to New Glarus and visit the Primrose Winery, where we tasted and purchased a few bottles.  On the way we stopped in Monticello.  I took photos of a really cool old gas station, some of their historic buildings, and a very nice park with a lagoon.  After lunch at the Glarner Stube, we headed back home via the scenic route.  What a wonderful weekend.

Marcia's Art stuff: Stop and breathe

Marcia's Art stuff: Stop and breathe

Stop and breathe

Why do I stretch myself so thin when it comes to scheduling my time and activities? Because I don’t want to miss anything; not one day of living this wonderful life. I want to socialize, learn, play, teach my grandchildren, help, travel, make love, enjoy every minute. There’s no time to be angry, dissatisfied, or discontent. However, there is time to stop and breathe, to take stock of what takes priority and how to better organize the never-ending list of “to-dos”. When I wear myself out, scheduling too many things in too short a time, it is then that I must look around and really see.

Marcia's Art stuff: Afternoon Breeze

Marcia's Art stuff: Afternoon Breeze

Afternoon Breeze

As I walked back from the Criminal Justice Facility to the Police Administration Building this afternoon, I took the route across MacArthur Square. I had to stop briefly and absorb the warmth of the sun on my shoulders. There was a balmy breeze blowing across the plaza, and I turned to look west at the County Courthouse from the top of the stairs that lead down to the fountain. The plaza was vacant except for the 2 statues that keep constant vigil. The blowers from the parking garage below hummed, and the sun was so bright that I had to close my eyes for moment.

Sex Pot Hair

Saturday I had to meet the Martini Girls, Marcia Hochstetter and Debbie Callahan to do some plein air painting, and I was running a little late.  When they called the house to find out where I was, and I said I still had to style my hair....they quickly informed me that I was going to wear a hat anyway, and not to blow dry my hair--so I didn't. 

When I got to the gallery, Debbie said my hair was "very sexy looking", and in an email she sent today has dubbed me "Sex Pot Hair".  I kind of think that it looks more like "my hair on drugs", but "drugged hair" just sounds limp and lifeless. Chuck likes it--a lot apparently.  He said it looks kind of wild. Wild indeed. Guess I had better take some pics and upload them soon.  So why am I so obsessed with my hair right now?  Maybe because my friend Troy suggested I change hairstylists, so of course, then I'm wondering "what's wrong with the way it looks?".  Hmmmmm.  We'll see.  I must say it's easier to throw in some Morrocan oil and let it air dry then to blow dry it all the time.  It's actually kind of liberating--no fear of humidity (humidity is now my friend), no fear of rain, or swimming, or even while kayaking.  If only I can live with the reflection in the mirror.

Too busy

Have I not been writing because I have nothing to say?  Absolutely not!  I've been too busy with art related stuff.  Exhibitions and receptions, and yes, having fun with friends at exhibitions and receptions.  And painting up a small storm.  We were in Colorado for a week, and while there I started writing a blog which promptly disappeared when my laptop ran out of battery.  Here is what I had written: So the first day in Colorado we drove into downtown Boulder to walk around, and had lunch at "Felafel King".  The next day we drove up Canyon Road to Nederland.  We stopped into the tourist office and the very nice gentleman gave us some directions to a picturesque spot to paint the landscape, which turned out to be Brainard Lake.  It was magnificent!  I spent about 3 hours painting the lake, glacier and mountains that were in front of me at an altitude of 10,300 feet. 
On Wednesday, we stayed at the house (Judy and Michael Goodson, Chuck's cousins), and painted and sketched a little.  Thursday we got up early and drove down to Colorado Springs and went to the Garden of the Gods.  I set up my easel there and painted for about 3 hours, again.  Only this time I came away with an awesome painting, and quite a sunburn.  Friday we stayed at the house again and painted flowers in window boxes and pots.  Saturday we drove into Denver with Michael and Judy and went to the Denver Museum of Art.  I have to admit, their collection was not as good as the Milwaukee Art Museum, except for the Southwest exhibit.  They had some very nice Albert Bierstadt paintings of the Rockies, and several Remington sculptures.
I've been extremely busy since getting back.  First getting an LMA exhibition organized, and then with the South Shore Frolics Art Fair.  First outside art fair I've done since the 1980's.  And now I'm going to be painting at the Wauwatosa Plein Air Affair this week.  I'll be lucky to get one painting finished!
As always, looking forward to oil painting class with Lorin Willey this Thursday at Raven Gallery.