Join us for the 2nd annual "Painting the Region" Plein Air event helping to support the North Florida Land Trust's preservation efforts.

This year's event showcases three natural and picturesque venues of downtown Jacksonville (formerly known as "Cowford"): The Jacksonville Landing and St. Johns River, The Springfield Area Historical Neighborhood, The Riverside Area Historical Neighborhood. This event features:

• a seven-day juried event for landscape artists and art patrons to help support preservation efforts by the North Florida Land Trust
• Arts advocacy by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville
• activities and daily events for the public
• meet and watch artists at work
• purchase an original painting of local interest

www.paintingtheregion.com

Gamble Rogers Marsh/Moonset received honorable mention.  The moon (upper left) was faintly visible as it was setting in the West that morning. 






Taking Flight received second place in the Destination Flagler magazine competition.  It was also painted at Gamble Rogers Park, but on the beach side.

Gallery of Local Art invites all plein air artists to participate in its third annual Flagler Beach Paint Out.  Flagler Beach Paint Out 2010 will run April 1 through April 8 and will be followed by a public reception April 9.  Artists are welcome to paint for as few or as many days as they choose.  Artists will have the opportunity to join fellow artists for receptions, breakfasts, lunches and dinners.  In an effort to make artists as comfortable as possible, they will have access to an oceanfront beach house for coffee, tea  and lemonade throughout the week.  A week's stay at an oceanfront beach house in nearby Beverly Beach will be awarded to the first prize winner in this judged event.  A work will be selected for the cover of Destination Flagler Beach.  Flagler Beach is celebrating its 85^th birthday, Friday April 2, with special events planned.  This will be a fun week to be in Flagler!

http://galleryoflocalart.com/paintout2010.html

Some titles come easily.   Others can be more illusive.   
Here are a few possibilities that are being considered.

Alligator Sunning (the obvious and current title)
Alligator Sun Salutations (cobra to be specific)
Gator Bake (might be a redneck)

Any suggestions?

Windy days can be a challenge, especially at a concrete plant. Sand is a main ingredient after all. The sand on this plein air painting can be easily scraped off after the paint dries.

Have you ever noticed that your handwriting leans a certain way?  Most people have a natural tendency to this.  It can also carry over into an artist's painting as well and can be very apparent when working with vertical lines.  To see the painting with "fresh eyes", I turn my back to the painting and look through a mirror.  If the lines lean a certain way, I can see it and make corrections.

The Music festival was this weekend in downtown Deland.  Music filled the air while we painted en plein air.  The weather was perfect.  I did two palette knife paintings...what fun!  Copper Crown sits atop the Volusha County Courthouse.  The Mix is at the intersection of Woodland and ? where this gentleman brought his dogs down for an afternoon stroll.

Mt. Dora is my hometown. You can imagine how excited I am to be the poster artist. This is not just a painting of a scene. This is a painting from the heart. Standing by the fountain with my boys, Dylan and Ashton, is my mother, Doris. My father, Bob and my sister, Vonnie are on the bench under the arbor watching the boys play. Steve & Judy, my dear neighbors are sitting under the palms.  My husband, Keith and I are seated under the cafe' umbrella. There's also a story behind the bike, but you can ask me about that in person. Come to the Mt. Dora Art Festival being held Saturday & Sunday February 6th & 7th. Bring a poster by my tent and I will be happy to sign it for you. Hope to see you there!