Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Plein Air Painting Experience Now On Airbnb!

POSTED ON MAY 24, 2022 BY CHARLENE MARSH

Plein Air Painting Experience Now Live On Airbnb!

Super excited to announce that my “Plein air oil painting in Brown County, Nashville, Indiana” cultural experience has been accepted and approved by airbnb. The experience is now live! Airbnb has strict standards for meeting the “3 Pillars of a quality experience” including Expertise, Insider Access, and Connection to be able to list an experience on their site.

Over the years, I have often been asked if I would be offering a painting workshop or class. While I have thought this is a good idea, I am always stuck on how to offer a plein air workshop that would meet the needs of the attendees. Location, weather, size, advertising, schedules, price, payments, accommodations, classroom size, experience, and more are all considerations.

So when I discovered airbnbs “art and cultural experiences” I was thrilled! You can plan a plein air painting experience based on your schedule. You can either plan a trip to Brown County just for a painting experience or schedule a painting session if you happen to be in the area. Whatever works best for you! You can check the weather to see if you want to go out and paint that day or schedule a different day with better weather. Although, sometimes the best paintings are in the worst weather! But it can be challenge if you are just trying it out for the first time.

I love the flexibility of this program.

Here are the details of the “Plein air oil painting in Brown County, Nashville, Indiana” experience from airbnb’s website:

What you’ll do

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from an artist who has mastered the art of painting the majestic Yellowwood State Forest in all four seasons.

We will meet at Yellowwood Lake. Turn at the Horsemen’s Camp and Boat Launch sign on the south end of the lake. We will meet at the Boat Launch parking lot.

From here, we can paint views overlooking the lake, the cascading waterfalls of the spillway, or along the creek on gravel beaches in the forest.

All levels are welcome. You will get as much or as little individual attention and guidance as you want while I paint along and guide you to create a plein air, oil painting. You will leave with your own, completed plein air, oil painting.

All supplies will be provided including plein air easels, oil paints, palette knives and brushes, mediums, painting supports, and paper towels.

Experience the joy and peace of painting in nature and capturing a bit of that energy in a painting to take home and enjoy for years to come. Create a special memory in a magical place in Brown County, Indiana, the Art Colony of the Midwest. Discover what the early plein air painters found when they first came to Brown County in the early 1900’s and what kept them coming back.

I can be somewhat flexible with scheduled times. Please contact me to adjust the time.

Charlene Marsh Plein Air Painting, airbnb — Charlene Marsh Plein Air Painting

What’s included

Equipment

Creative supplies

Plein air easel
Oil paint
Paint support
Medium
Brushes and palette knives
Paper towels

Meet your Host, Charlene

I have specialized in painting, “en plein air”, Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County, Indiana for over twenty years. I backpack out into the forest with my oil painting supplies in all four seasons to paint on location.

My paintings are in thousands of public, private, and museum collections throughout the world. The paintings have won numerous awards including Best of Show in plein air exhibits.

I have taught and demonstrated oil painting to all ages in a wide variety of venues including schools, art centers, museums, and local, state, and national parks.

Capturing the beauty of the forest in all four seasons and bringing the peace and joy of the forest into our living spaces is a passion.

Charlene Plein Air Oil Painting, airbnb — Charlene Marsh Plein Air Oil Painting

Introductory Pricing

The “Plein Air Painting Experience” is normally priced at $150 per person but, until June 22, there is an introductory price of $120, a 20% special savings. Right now, I can accept two painters per session. When you go to the experience on the airbnb site, you can see the dates available and book your session. I hope to expand the group size to 6-10 in the future and offer group discount rates.

Upcoming Shows

Getting back out to the shows is such a joy! Connecting with patrons, collectors, and fellow creatives is so inspiring and invigorating! Shows are downright addictive. I always feel recharged when I return home — well, after a “zombie Monday” of recovery. But upcoming shows give me a goal post to aim for to get new work ready. Luckily, I enjoy driving long distances and listening to music along the way, flipping through radio stations to tune into the local music.

So, here’s what’s coming up in the next few weeks:

June 11-12, 2022: Old Town Art Fair, Chicago, Illinois.

June 18-19, 2022: Leeper Park Art Fair, South Bend, Indiana

Gratitude!

Thanks for following along! I value and appreciate YOU so much! I could not be an artist without my fans, collectors, friends, and family. Your support is invaluable!

Happy trails,

Charlene

P.S. Check out my revamped Shop Original Oil Paintings page. You can also get a gallery wrapped canvas print HERE. THANKS!

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Broad Ripple Art Fair-This Weekend

POSTED ON MAY 10, 2022 BY CHARLENE MARSH

Hello Friend,

I will be exhibiting my paintings at the Broad Ripple Art Fair this weekend!

May 14-15, 2022, 10:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.: Broad Ripple Art Fair, Indianapolis, Indiana.

I am in booth #248 in the Artists Lot.

Here are a couple shots from my trip to Memphis, Tennessee. Bridge over the Mississippi River.

And the Bass Pro Shop in Memphis. This pyramid was originally built for hosting sports events but it wasn’t very practical. No nose bleed seats in the rafters! So they sold the building to Bass Pro.

Here’s a new, 8″ x 6″ oil painting I will have at the show:

Broad Ripple Art Fair, oil painting — “Sciscoe Creek”, 8″ x 6″, oil painting, ©Charlene Marsh, Code #050722 S 8×6.

Thanks for following along!

Happy trails,

Charlene

Thursday, April 21, 2022

New 6″ x 8″ oil paintings + Weekly Special

POSTED ON APRIL 21, 2022 BY CHARLENE MARSH

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:

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest, oil painting

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.

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest, oil painting, New 6" x 8" oil paintings

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

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest, oil painting, 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.

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest, oil painting, New 6" x 8" oil paintings

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.

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest, oil painting

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.

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest, oil painting

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.

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest, oil painting

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

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Sunny Snow in the Forest

POSTED ON APRIL 6, 2022 BY CHARLENE MARSH

Sunny Snow in the Forest

“Sunny Snow in the Forest” is one of the paintings I am getting ready to take to my upcoming shows. I plan to have twenty, new, 6″ x 8″ paintings ready. Five paintings for each season. Course, there is always some overlap in the seasons, as they change, sometimes quickly and sometimes more slowly.

Weekly Special

For this week’s special, I am featuring a canvas print of daffodils blooming next to Lanam Ridge. The gallery wrapped canvas print comes in two sizes, 18″ x 24″ or 24″ x 36″. Use coupon code DaffodilPrint to claim a 20% special savings and free shipping. This offer expires at midnight on Monday, April 11, 2022.

Thanks for following along!

Cheers,

Charlene

Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Medical Freedom Rally

POSTED ON MARCH 28, 2022 BY CHARLENE MARSH

Medical Freedom Rally

So this painting from the Medical Freedom Rally is a divergence from my usual forest and nature paintings. Since I juried into the art fairs with the forest paintings, I am busy getting new ones ready for my upcoming show schedule and will share those shortly.

But today’s blog features this painting of a scene from the medical freedom rally held at the State House in Indianapolis in September.

The rally was organized by Dr. Dan Stock and the Cyril and Dorothea’s Foundation for Medical Freedom and held on the steps of the State House with numerous speakers including politicians and health professionals.

You can see another painting from the Medical Freedom Rally, “Defy Tyrants”, in an earlier blog post from this year. I have a couple more paintings in the works. Lots more ideas from other events as well. Too many paintings to paint and too little time!

oil painting, Indianapolis, Indiana — “Medical Freedom Rally, State House, Indianapolis”, 6″ x 8″, oil painting, ©Charlene Marsh.

Normally, I paint on location or from life and then use those paintings as the inspiration for the studio paintings.

Using Photos

But for events like rallies, concerts, rummage sales, state and county fairs, weddings, and other action packed events, I prefer to shoot hundreds of photos. Then, I can go through the photos and pull out the best ones for a painting. Or, combine different photos to come up with a refined composition that still captures and reflects the energy and spirit of the event.

This little painting is loaded with action. I ended up using both palette knives and brushes to paint it. With the brushes, I can get more details. Probably got a bit too tight and too detailed on this painting.

Palette knives help to keep the painting loose. I especially like the heavy, impasto effect of the paint applied with knives. But details are hard to capture especially on a painting this small. So, it is a balancing act.

Painting events with lots of people is a nice change of pace from the forest paintings. I just need to get looser with them. When I paint in the forest, I take off my glasses which helps to fuzz out a lot of detail so I focus on the major elements. That keeps me from getting too caught up in the details. If I can’t see them, I can’t paint them!

Signature in the wet paint:

Painting people is not new for me at all. In fact, I spent ten years painting models at the Life Drawing Co-op on the IU campus as well as hosting my own drawing co-ops out here on my farm.

Finished Painting:

Thanks for following along!

Happy trails,

Charlene

P.S. You can purchase this painting HERE.

Philippians 4:8

Monday, March 21, 2022

Frames + Snow in Yellowwood + the Weekly Special

Before I dive into the latest painting, I wanted to mention the ongoing frame supply issues concerning both the inventory and the prices. Please scroll down or click here for the Weekly Special (use coupon code RedbudsInYellowwood for 20%special savings and free shipping).

Frame Dilemma

So, I wanted to paint some 6" x 8" paintings for my upcoming shows. In the past, these have been my "bread and butter" pieces. I love painting them and people love buying them. My inventory of these 6" x 8"s is down to just two, unframed, forest paintings. I like this size because while it is relatively small, it is big enough to really capture a scene and packs a punch. I love working in this size.

Red Frames - OH NO!

A few years ago, my frame supplier changed the frame finish for these 6" x 8" frames and instead of "mahogany", the finish came out "red." The mahogany frames had outsold everything else 2 to 1. So with the new, red finish, my sales plummeted. A frame is so important to final presentation of a painting! I kept looking for a suitable replacement frame but nothing else compared.

I guess enough people complained, including myself, they finally retooled the frame finish and made it "mahogany" again. But it took a couple of years. Not having my "bread and butter" best sellers was brutal.

Mahogany Frame:

6" x 8" mahogany, plein air frame.

Shut Down

Then the shows shut down, many for two years. Many have not come back. Nevertheless, I love doing the art shows, interreacting with people and connecting over artwork. Gradually, I have started to piece together an exhibition schedule.

And started creating some new 6" x 8"s so I would have new, fresh work for the shows.

6" x 8" Frames

Recently, I double checked to make sure the 6" x 8" frames were available. Yep, they are in stock at the moment. Other sizes are sold out until mid-June.

But now, these gorgeous little, mahogany frames, if they are in stock at all, have shot up in price. WAY up in price. They are 2-3 times as much as I used to pay and the price shot up 15% overnight this week. YIKES!

5" x 7" Frames

Soooo....do I keep making more 6" x 8"s or downshift to 5" x 7" paintings? I have the 5" x 7" frames in stock although I have some other paintings in them now. Small paintings on a 5" x 7" panel that serves as a liner. Like this:

0329 S 5x3 no2 Redbuds Along Owl Creek

Redbuds Along Owl Creek, oil painting, in a 7" x 5" frame with a 1" white liner, 0329 S 5x3 no2, ©Charlene Marsh.

Maybe I am making it too complicated. Maybe I should just go with what I have. Hard to know what the future holds and if anyone will even be buying paintings at the shows this year. Everything seems so unstable and unpredictable. How I long for the days I simply put together a show schedule and then just focused on creating beautiful paintings to sell at the shows.

New 6" x 8" oil painting

Anyway, onto a new painting, a 6" x 8". I have already painted several but do not have any frames for them at this time. So, not quite sure yet if these will go to a show or not.

Detail:

Snow in Yellowwood, brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest

Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2

This little painting is inspired by one of the plein air snows I painted this past winter.

Signature detail:

Signature detail, Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2

Detail:

Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2

Another detail:

brown county, indiana, yellowwood state forest

Snow in Yellowwood, 021822 S 6x8 no2

Finished painting:

Weekly Special

Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print, Redbuds in Yellowwood State Forest Along Sciscoe Creek.

The Weekly Special is a brand new, canvas print just released today made from a plein air oil painting of redbuds in bloom in Yellowwood State Forest next to a little waterfall along Sciscoe Creek.

I specially prepare each image file for each size so that the canvas print comes out the highest quality possible. The canvas print is available in two sizes: 24" h. x 18" w. and 36" h. x 18" w. The image wraps around the edges of the stretcher bars so it doesn't need a frame. The canvas print comes with hanging hardware so it is ready to hang in minutes.

Use coupon code RedbudsInYellowwood for 20% special savings and free shipping. The coupon code expires at midnight on Monday, March 28, 2022.

Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print, Weekly Special, "Redbuds in Yellowwoods State Forest".

Thanks for following along!

Happy trails,

Charlene

P.S. You are always welcome to visit my gallery in Brown County, Nashville, Indiana. Come for a day trip or make it a multi day vacation. Visit BrownCounty.org

Monday, March 14, 2022

The Head of the Sciscoe Creek Valley, February 10, 2022

POSTED ON MARCH 14, 2022 BY CHARLENE MARSH

The Head of the Sciscoe Creek Valley, February 10, 2022

Scroll down for this week’s new Weekly Special!

Record cold and first daffodil

Outside the snow is falling and the temperatures have plunged into the bitter territory again. In fact, the weatherman is predicting record lows, for this time of year, down in the teens (F°) the next couple of nights, as I am writing this on March 12, 2022. I saw my first blooming daffodil yesterday, March 11.

Spring is Coming!

In a day or two, the temperatures will soar to lofty, balmy heights, kissing 70° F. Spring is just around the corner!

spring daffodils — Spring Daffodils. March 11, 2022.

Back to Winter!

But, for now, it is winter again as I share what is likely the last plein air snow scene of the season.

From My Ridge

So, this painting was done overlooking the Sciscoe Creek Valley and Yellowwood State Forest from the back of my property. The head of the creek is just a few hundred feet further to the north which would be on the right side of the painting, out of view. The creek starts at the intersection of Lanam Ridge Road, where I live, and Dubois Ridge Road which is just few hundred feet from my driveway.

Sciscoe Creek Valley

So, here, at the head of Sciscoe Creek, the waters are small and tumble quickly in fast waterfalls after a heavy rain or snow melt. The rushing water fills the air with a low din in the background throughout the forest. Most of the time, the creek is easy to traverse and cross by foot, stepping over it, rock by rock for stepping stones, or tiptoeing through it or taking a big jump over it.

Scary crossing

But when we get a heavy rain, it can be raging. And a bit scary to cross. Twenty feet wide and two feet deep. The rage doesn’t last long, often just a few hours after the rain stops. But on rare occasions, I have struggled to find a safe place to cross. On those days, I make sure to wear my knee high Arctic Muck boots that are sure to keep my feet warm and dry.

Windy on the Ridge Top

This day, February 10, the snow was starting to melt but slowly enough that the creek is not so raging. I stay up on the ridge top which is much windier than down by the creek. And even though the temperatures climb to a relatively “warm” 40° F, it is cold. The wind makes it feel much colder. I am glad I dressed in layers and have a scarf wrapped around my neck.

As always, when hiking and painting, I am wearing one of my rash guard shirts that dry quickly and keep me toasty warm.

The vista atop the ridge is magnificent.

From this vantage point, I can see four layers of rolling ridges off in the distance with the creek traversing the valley. The valley opens up wider and wider as the creek moves further down the valley. But up here, the hills are tighter and closer together in the narrow valley.

Darkest Darks

The darkest values are mixed using Ultramarine Blue and Cadmium Red Medium and blocked in first. I adjust the darks with some Cadmium Red Light and Cadmium Yellow. The darkest values are the creek and the banks. I hold off painting in the trees so I can carve out the rolls and folds of the hills first.

Snowy Shadows

Using Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red Medium, and Magenta, I mix an array of violets and periwinkles for the snowy shadows. For the sun kissed highlights on the hills, I use Titanium White with a touch of Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Red Light, and Magenta. I mix the violets with the darks to make a neutral, middle value that recedes for the background hills and trees.

Sky and Trees

Next, I paint in the sky using Cerulean Blue and Titanium White. The trees are painted after the hills and sky. They really enhance the sense of depth in the painting. I work back and forth between the foreground and background and add the pale, peach, beech leaves that cling all winter long.

The signature is added in the wet paint while still in the field.

The Head of the Sciscoe Creek Valley, February 10, 2022

The finished painting:

Field Notes

“40° F, sunny, 2-4 p.m.. On my property at the end of the ridge overlooking the Sciscoe Creek Valley. COLD! Windy on the ridge. Dressed in layers w/ a scarf. Clinging beech leaves.”

The finished painting in an antique black with gold lip, closed corner, museum frame:

And in a silver, closed corner, museum frame:

Let me know in the comments which frame you like the best!

Weekly Special

This week’s special is a gorgeous canvas print featuring daffodils to herald in spring! The print on canvas is available in two sizes, 18″ x 24″ and 24″ x 36″. The image wraps around the edges so it can be hung without a frame. Use coupon code SpringDaffodils to receive a 20% special savings off the price of the print and free shipping! The special ends Monday, March 21, at midnight.

Print on Canvas, Daffodils by the Goldfish Pool, oil painting — Print on Canvas, Daffodils by the Goldfish Pool.

Purchase here:

This blog’s plein air oil painting, “Sciscoe Creek Valley, February 10, 2022”, is also included in the special. Use the same coupon code, SpringDaffodils, to receive a 20% special savings and free shipping. Expires on Monday, March 21, 2022 at midnight.

Let me know in the Order Notes if you prefer the silver or antique black with gold lip frame. If there is no preference noted, I will make an artistic decision about the best frame for the painting.

Thanks so much for coming along with me out into the forest, in the Sciscoe Creek Valley, again this week!

Charlene