Windblown

I'm thinking I had a bit of beginner's luck the first day. Day 2 of plein air painting on Cape Breton Island wasn't quite as smooth. The set up went well. Again I chose a spot on the beach facing this craggy bluff where the bald eagles nest overlooking the ocean. I'd been painting for a while and was firmly embroiled in the muddy middle (what I call that gak stage where you wonder whatEVER made you think you could call yourself an artist...), but trudged onward...when suddenly the large rubber band I use to attach the brush holder to the box s-n-a-p-p-e-d! Wet brushes flying in the air and landing in the ...sand. It was just the seagulls and I who witnessed this debacle and we laughed out loud at the absurdity of it! Luckily I had a few more clean brushes along. I relaxed and smiled the rest of the way through the painting thinking how lucky I was to have my feet in the sand...painting on the beach. This painted ended up being one of my favorites from the trip.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Tilbury Rock

We're back from our annual 2-week wilderness camping trip to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was GRAND! And even better because I painted…a lot! This is the first painting I did. Legend has it (at least in the Ferguson Family anyway), a luxury ship called The Tilbury crashed on the rocks off this coast many many moons ago. We've always called it Tilbury Rock. Some people are still hoping to find treasures here. ;o)

So... on to my plein air experience...

Just before leaving I’d ordered a Pochade box for myself so I could try plein air painting in earnest.  I wanted something small, lightweight and simple to set up and use. I decided on the 6”x8” thumb box from Guerrilla Painter. All my paints and the turp filled brush washer fit inside the box under the palette. I also ordered the world’s smallest brush cleaner (a tiny leak proof covered plastic cup with its own removable insert).  There’s also a cool easel adapter that slides into the top part of the box allowing for more panel sizes. And lastly I ordered a universal tripod mount. If you order it with the box, they install it for you. Nice!

 
On the first beautiful day I set off carrying my equipment. I wasn’t going far so just carried the tripod, Pochade box, brushes and paper towels.

I chose a spot overlooking the ocean to set up.

Before leaving home I had created a brush holder by drilling several holes in the cover of a plastic container. I attached it to the pochade box with a thick rubber band. I also used a couple of small bungee cords to slip though my paper towel roll and hook onto the rubber band. The towel holder worked perfectly….but not so for the brush holder which I’ll talk about in tomorrow’s post. 

 Here’s my set up with paints ready and panel adapter in place. 

Not a bad view!

Putting in the finishing touches…wild white beach roses. Day 1 of plein air painting was a blast! And much to my surprise, being very comfortable with the ease of studio painting, I was eager for more. I'll be posting the paintings I did and more images over the next week.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Two and a Half

This is the last post for a while. We'll be wilderness camping for 2 weeks on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Leaving in the wee hours of tomorrow morning. My new pochade box is all stocked and ready to go! I'm anxious to try my hand at some serious (well...sort of :o) )plein air painting on the beach! 

I will ship any sold paintings as soon as I return. 

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

X and OOs

More stones from the shores of Oregon. They are soooo beautiful! The greenish one with the holes in it has crystals embedded in the holes! How amazing is that? 

Oil on panel, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Art Opening

I loved the kind of yellow-green color of the spider mums with the pink rose. I toned the panel with Yellow Ochre, decided I liked it as a background so kept it. I've broken out my Permanent Rose for the color of the recent roses. Here's some inspiring painting music.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Sipping Nectar

My photographer friend gave the ok once again to use his photo as painting reference. I'm grateful for his gorgeous images and generous sharing!  I like the full range of colors in this one. And here's some fun music and an amusing video.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Rosey

I begin every summer by thinking things will slow down. I mean, it's summer... right? But every time, I'm surprised all over again by how busy it gets! It's all good...and I'll paint when I can!  I began this one on a panel toned with Permanent Rose which I rarely do, but it worked out just how I'd hoped.

Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 + $10 domestic shipping

 
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com