Digital Photograph at State Botanical Garden

"Orange Suprise" - Digital - June 2015 - SBG

"Merry Christmas" - Digital - June 2015 SBG



"Flower Portrait" - Digital - June 2015 - SBG

" Hydrangea Suprise" - Digital - June 2015 - SBG



"Reflection" - Digital - June 2015 - SBG

When I signed up for Native Plant Certification at the State Botanical Gardens, I didn't know how much it would benefit my "art".    I recently bought a Nikon D3300 and it's been a challenge to learn who to use it.    When a class was offered on Digital Photography of Plants, I jumped on it.    The rule of thirds of composition was first on the agenda but the most significant approach was "getting closer".    I wasn't able to get my focus right on all these but it was fun to use the intricate structure of plants to add to the composition.   

Sometimes We Forget!!

"Garden Path" - Pastel - 9x13 - June 2015 - Cultural Arts Center

"Butterfly Garden" - Pastel - 9x13 - June 2015 - Butterfly Garden Cultural Arts Center

 

Sometimes life just happens and you forget to do things.   Plein Air Painting is one of them.   I've done some plein air painting during the last few years but usually at a workshop or intermittently.   I had just forgotten about the page and frankly had lost some passion for plein air since I couldn't get any other artist to come along.    I packed my supplies and headed to the Hydrangea Festival in Douglasville, GA yesterday and set up in the butterfly garden of the Cultural Arts Center in Douglasville, GA.    It's a tiny garden but it offered some nice views.    These are two quick paintings I completed.  Of course, I took photographs and I'll be revisiting the photos and the garden again.    

Hydrangea Festival - 2015

Art In Bloom - Cultural Arts Center - 2015

This show was an invitation to six local artist and is currently on exhibit through July 24, 2015.   The paintings are focused on gardens and many were painted in local gardens that are part of the Hydrangea Festival.     My paintings that are part of this show are "Hydrangeas in Jar", "Daffodil Morning", "Mountain Meadow", "Hydrangea in Pink", "Hydrangea Pots", and "Garden Pond".   

 

 

 



"Garden Path" - Pastel - 9x13 - June 2015 -CAC Garden

 Each year during the Hydrangea Festival local artist are invited to plein air paint in the gardens.   This year I visited the Butterfly Garden at the Cultural Arts Center in Douglasville, GA.   The day was hot but the shade offered a great place to sit and paint.   It was good to talk to visitors to the garden.    Visitors were also able to see the Art In Bloom exhibit currently showing at the CAC.

"Butterfly Garden" - Pastel - 9x13 - June 2015 - CAC Garden

 

One of the things that is always hard about plein air painting is "deciding what to paint".   This morning when I visited the garden, I first walked around to take a look at the garden from different locations.   I then used my view finder to look for a good composition.   I do have the supplies down to one square rolling box and a chair.    I had everything I needed.   Frequently in the beginning I'd get to a location and find that I was missing something.    My must have list is the following:

1. Several sheets of UArt paper.   I usually carry 9x13 - 200-300
2. 2-3 small boxes of pastels -   I usually just carry the small boxes that the pastel are packed in rather than my larger wood box.   It's lighter and I find that a plein air painting is just a quick painting sketch for me.   I'll go back and paint again with my full box available.
3. Pastel box -  I made a tackle box several years ago for all my mediums such as paste, watercolor and acrylic.   That way if I am going out to paint I just pick up the box marked "Pastel" etc.   Each box has the essentials such as scissors, pencil, view finder, pipe foam, rubber gloves, rubber bands, pencil sharpener, tape,  etc.
4. Empty paper folder to store paintings -  I save my cardboard folders that UArt paper comes in and reuse them to store paintings when I'm out painting.
5. Paper towels
6. Water and a snack
7. Insect repellent - I love the small packets.  They tuck in your pastel box and are easy to use.
8. Easel
9. Chair - in a bag with a strap to carry easily
10. Folding camp stool -   I use the stool to put my pastel box.
11. Foam Board - to mount the painting
12. iPhone - for taking photos for later reference
13. Rolling box - I love the square plastic box.  It has space on each side for picking up and a handle to roll it around.   Works perfect if you are in a location where you have a relatively smooth surface.   If I was going to be further out I'd take my rolling backpack.