New 6″ x 8″ oil paintings + Weekly Special
New 6″ x 8″ Oil Paintings
Before I share some of the new 6″ x 8″ oil paintings, I am wondering when the heck is spring going to arrive???? Snow on the deck just a day or two ago. The forest is still cold and gray. Spring arrives sooner on my ridgetop farm but the forest seems to be still sleeping. The multiflora roses are greening up and the tiny flora on the forest floor is emerging. But bare tree limbs still dominate.
After hiking and painting in the forest out here in Brown County for many years, I know that April 18 to April 28 is usually the peak of spring bursting forth in the woods. That magical period just before the flora closes the forest canopy and drops a green curtain on the long range views.
At this point, I am worried that I will be away at a show by the time spring arrives in the forest.
So here is a sampling of the new 6″ x 8″s I have been working on to take to the shows:
As I prepare for the first show on the road in two years, I must admit, I am both excited and terrified. I’ve only done one art show and 2-3 wedding trade shows in the past two years and they were all up in Indianapolis which is pretty much local in my book.
Dallas Disaster
Several years ago, my first outdoor show of the year, in early spring, was in Dallas, Texas. I got to the show venue and started to setup when I realized, much to my horror, that I had forgotten to pack the two major trusses that support the roof of my booth tent. Yikes! I was fifteen hours from home so running back to the studio to grab them was not an option! I ended up walking the park, amongst the artists who were setting up, asking if anyone had a spare tent. Thankfully, someone had an extra pop up. Whew! Disaster averted. But that is my big fear is to get to a show, a long way from home, and discover I forgot a vital item.
So, I just tell myself, as I pull out of the driveway, I can always buy what I need, if I forgot something.
More new 6″ x 8″ Oil Paintings
When I do a show on the road, it is a big production.
I spend the whole day before I leave prepping food and juicing. Packing clothes, coats, boots and anything else I could possibly need is done. If I could stuff the kitchen sink in the van, I probably would.
An air mattress and sleeping bag are always in the van. A cooler full of food, a heater, a fan, and a large cell battery are essentials. Clothes for any type of weather from snow to scorchers are carefully packed in my “turtle shell” home. Even if I am going to Miami in August, I will have some long johns somewhere in the van. If I find a hotel or other sleeping accommodations are too toxic, I can always sleep in the van.
I’ve got almost all of my booth gear loaded in the van. But have been holding off on loading the artwork.
One reason is because I am still varnishing and framing paintings. But another reason is that I do not want the paintings banging around in the cargo van, traveling over these horrible roads here in Brown County. I used to have a minivan I used for local errands but it went to auto heaven about a year ago. So the only vehicle I have is the cargo van. Otherwise, I would load the art and leave the cargo van parked until I was ready to head to a show.
The potholes out here are big enough to swallow a small vehicle. The good thing about the cargo van is that it is able to navigate these craters with minimal damage. The minivan was scraping bottom on some of these roads before she gave up the ghost. But the paintings are another matter. I do not want to bang up the frames and risk cracking corners.
But I really like to get as much done in advance as possible.
The weather is an important factor, too. Ideal for a sunny, warm, day to sort, pack, and load. Last minute scrambling is not my style. I like plenty of time to allow for snafus and missteps. There will always be a last minute emergency to deal with. And, if not, I can enjoy a few minutes of peace, relaxing.
Hope you have enjoyed this preview of some of the new, 6″ x 8″ paintings. Time for me to get them varnished and framed! But before I go, check out this week’s special, a new, gallery wrapped canvas print of a gorgeous spring scene in Yellowwood State Forest.
Weekly Special: Late April Spring in Yellowwood
This week, I created a new canvas print featuring a gorgeous spring scene, painted “en plein air” in Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County, Indiana. This scene perfectly captures that magical, fleeting time period when one can still see through the trees with the spring colors bursting forth.
To celebrate the release of this new, gallery wrapped, canvas print, until midnight April 27, 2022, you can use coupon code AprilCanvasPrint to receive a 20% special savings and free shipping! The canvas print is printed and then hand stretched on wooden stretchers and shipped to you perfectly packed to arrive safely. The image wraps around the edges so no frame is needed. The canvas print even comes with the hardware you need to hang it immediately.
While I cannot guarantee such speedy delivery, I have been getting these prints delivered to my studio within just four days of when I placed my order.
Thanks so much for tuning in!
Happy trails,
Charlene
