My 2013 year review - April to June

August evening on Bréhat
SOLD

Settle down for a long post as I take a look over the second quarter of the year...

Back in April something of a sea change was underway. After several years of painting almost exclusively from life and most of that outdoors I began to produce some paintings in the studio that I was pleased with. A large part of the 'secret' seemed to be that if I had already painted the subject on site I could draw on the experiences of actually being there observing and could also muster up something of the enthusiasm and excitement that I feel whilst painting plein air.
Previously attempts to paint purely from photos had resulted in frustration and boredom for me, and stiffness in the finished work. This really was a breakthrough.

Here are a couple of those studio works together with the plein air studies that kicked them off -

Sketch painted at the fish market, you can see that I was very interested in the WC sign!
8" x 10"

Fresh fried fish, Essaouira
Studio painting
16" x 20"

Sketch painted on site at Belmont tower
10" x 12"

Sledging at Belmont tower
18" x 22"
SOLD

In April I had a week in France with my family with a bit of painting time thrown in, and travelled to Bristol to give workshops for the SAA again.

The month of May brought the most wonderful painting trip when I was invited to Florida as one of the featured artists in the Forgotten Coast great plein air paint out. Whereas 2012 will be remembered for painting in the rain 2013 was shaping up to be a year of sunshine!

Early morning at the marina, Mexico beach
SOLD

Sunrise over the marsh
SOLD

I had such a fantastic time and was made to feel so welcome by all the other artists and event organisers. I met so many kind and lovely people. The subject matter was great, the weather was great, I was fed and watered and driven everywhere by my great friend Lori Putnam. What more does a girl need?

Best pals- me, Lori Putnam, Sandie Yarbrough and Dawn Whitelaw

One of the sweetest plein air painting events ever happened to me during this trip to Florida, with the watermelon man. You can read the story if you want to by clicking here!

Me and the watermelon seller

Watermelons for sale
SOLD

One of the highlights of the trip was the Quick Draw event. Unfortunately for the morning of the event it was pouring with rain but that didn't deter all the invited artists and many other keen painters from coming along and joining in the fun! There was music, dancing, coffee and doughnuts! How like me to remember the coffee and doughnuts... 

Anyway the rain didn't dampen our spirits and I was thrilled to win an honourable mention award amongst such prestigious company!

Me with my medal and the painting titled
'View from the restroom'

Here are a couple of other paintings from the trip -

Early morning shadows on Mexico beach
SOLD

Morning light at devil's elbow

Greg La Rock and other artists painting at Cape San Blas
SOLD

Lazy afternoon at the marina

Oyster boats in the early morning light, Eastpoint
SOLD

Shrimp huts on Water Street
SOLD

Also happening at the time I had a painting accepted for the Society of Women Artists exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London, and another article published in The Artist magazine. The subject this time was painting cats in acrylics and I used my own three cats as models.

Ginger Charlie and Pumpkin

Firmly back in the UK June was Patchings Festival time. Again I had taken a stand in the Painters marquee for this four day event.

I was enormously honoured to have all three of my entries accepted for the Patchings/The Artist magazine annual exhibition, the opening of which coincides with the Festival and takes place in the Barn gallery. I'm so fortunate to have Patchings art centre almost on my doorstep, at around 40 minutes drive from home. I've met many good friends through being involved with the Patchings festival.

I was even more delighted to hear that one of my paintings had been selected for a prize in the exhibition. I won the Royal Talens award which was £250 worth of art materials of my choice. I decided I could do with a new studio easel and the other nice thing about that is that the easel I'd been using for the past 20 years was also a prize that I'd won with a small self portrait on the Channel 4 show 'The Big Breakfast'!

Workshops continued apace in this quarter with 'Painting from photos', 'Figures in a setting', 'Still life with flowers in acrylics' and 'Introduction to gouache' amongst others.

Daler Rowney System 3 workshop at Patchings Festival
They did so well!

Corner of the Barn gallery
Painted as a plein air demo during Patchings Festival 2013

That brings us right up to UK summer time, what an action packed few months that was! Tomorrow I'll have a look around the July to September period, lots more travel still to come...

  

Royal Society of Marine Artists success

After the water spout, Eastpoint

Great news everybody! After a nerve wracking last few hours waiting for the final selection results to be announced I found out that this painting 'After the water spout, Eastpoint' has been accepted to hang in the exhibition!
You may remember that this is a large studio painting (about 30" x 36" framed) based on a study from my May plein air trip to the Gulf coast in Florida.
The Royal Society of Marine Artists exhibition takes place at the Mall galleries from October 16th to 27th.
I am absolutely delighted, and feel encouraged to continue to develop plein air paintings in the studio on a larger scale.

After the water spout, Eastpoint

After the water spout, Eastpoint
Oils 24" x 30"

This is a recently finished studio painting, based on sketches and photos from the plein air event in Florida. The early morning light was glorious and I had just finished painting the oyster boats facing towards the sun when I turned around and saw this subject right behind me! I wasn't able to paint it at the time but I thought it would make a perfect subject for my venture into studio paintings.

I started off with thin turpsy glazes of colour. I do enjoy doing more of this thinner work in a studio painting, because you have the luxury of being able to walk away and let it dry in between layers. 

The beginnings

Soon after establishing the mid tones and darks I wanted to put the sky colour in to get a better idea of how it would all be working together. The sky had to be dark enough to eventually show off that white side of the building that was lit by the rising sun.

Moving on

Nearly there

From then on it was a case of building up the darks and the lights, until the painting said what I wanted to say. I did at the last minute decide to add a figure and a car, but tried not to make them stand out in an obvious way. If you didn't even notice them, that's great!

Detail

It was important to me not to go too far and add all kinds of extra details that I wouldn't be bothered with if I was painting the subject 'en plein air'. The sketchy treatment of this foreground feature probably sums it up.

'Say what you need to say in the painting then get out. There is no use chattering on after you have made your point'

I never remember who said that, but I always remember those words!

Wet morning on Water Street

Wet morning on Water Street
8" x 10"

The first painting of my first day of the Florida trip, in the rain in Apalachicola. I loved the reflection of the red plastic storage container on the wet concrete, and the green fishing nets sprawling along the ground. I was standing in the same spot as with yesterday's painting, but this view is looking to the right of that shrimp hut.

Shrimp hut on Water Street

Shrimp hut on Water Street
11" x 14" Sold

I painted this one on my first day of the Forgotten Coast event, in Apalachicola. It rained the whole day as I recall, but we had a great spot to paint under cover, and this was my second painting of the event. I was delighted that this one sold in the wetroom. I feel especially happy when something sells which is not usually what you'd term a picturesque subject because it contains litter, trash cans, graffiti etc. It wasn't even pretty weather! I love to reveal the beauty in the unexpected. 

Here are a few progress shots from the day...

Sunrise over the marsh at Cape San Blas

Sunrise over the marsh at Cape San Blas
Oils 9" x 12" Sold

Another early morning one from my Florida trip. Again I was really inspired and 'in the flow' and pleased with the results. I was especially excited with the distant fishing boat and it's figures, to me they seemed as though brightly lit and so of course I painted it that way. I love the contrasting textures of thin, glazed paint and thick opaque paint in the lighter areas.

This one also sold in the wet room exhibition.

Oyster boats at sunrise

Oyster boats at sunrise, Eastpoint
Oils 9" x 12"

Here I am, back in the UK and unpacked. I spent a lot of today cleaning and tidying my studio and writing my new three page work 'to do' list - daunting!

When we stayed overnight in Carrabelle last week we wanted to get up very early to get to Eastpoint, and when we arrived we were greeted with this fabulous view. There was a whole line of boats with men standing, sitting and leaning on each one, talking to one another. They were obviously waiting for something but I didn't know how long they'd be there so I set up and got to work quickly.
Apart from the very real risk of the subject disappearing altogether, conditions were quite tricky as I was looking straight towards the sun and it was already hot by 8am. There was an unpleasant smell wafting over from the giant mound of oyster shells piled up behind us. I used the triple whammy of baseball cap, sunglasses and easel umbrella to enable me to see the subject without blinding myself!

As I say, I worked quickly and the boats stayed put for about half an hour before gradually leaving, one at a time. I was told the men were reseeding the oyster beds and they had to wait in line before accepting delivery of a bucket load of oyster shells from the big heap and then taking them out to sea. Sorry I can't share a more technical explanation!

The other tricky aspects to this were
a) getting the right tonal value for the water to fall into place with the silhouetted boats and show the sparkle of the sunlight
b) getting the colour right of the water, often tempting to go too blue with water, and there was obvious pinkness reflected from the sky but what I was really after was this subtle silvery grey.

That was all quite a lot to think about before breakfast but I was really pleased that I'd managed to capture an honest impression of those aspects of the scene that had excited me.

It sold almost as soon as it was on the wall in the wetroom, and it was one of those paintings that could have sold ten times over! Everybody wanted it!

Early morning light at the Marina

Early morning light at the marina, Mexico beach

I'm packing and getting ready to travel but still time to send you a picture, this is my very favourite painting from the week. It was a magical morning, the water was still as a mirror and the light was crisp and fresh. Not only that but I was painting with my very great friends Lori and Dawn and we were all on fire that morning!
I was worried that I might be sucked into too much detail with the boats and the buildings behind, particularly as the sun rose higher and more and more information was revealed to me. However I managed to avoid the traps and successfully captured exactly the impression I was after, I was really thrilled with it. I'm quite surprised this one wasn't sold at the exhibition but it's gone to a good home anyway with a brilliant artist traded for one of his gorgeous works.
I was invited to a wonderful after party last night at a beautiful house and watched the sun setting over the beach. I'm going back to England filled with so many happy memories :-)

End of Forgotten Coast event!

One of my two walls of paintings

Well, it's all over and I'm on my way home tomorrow. It's been an amazing, wonderful two weeks and I am super impressed with the whole event! Everybody has been so friendly and welcoming and everything is so well thought through.
I'm not taking all my paintings home because six of the ten I framed up for exhibition have happily sold, including the lovely watermelon man!
I'll be able to show you some of the paintings that you haven't seen yet when I get back. By the way I'm completely better now so that's also good!
I'm so happy that I have been able to play a part in the Forgotten Coast plein air paintout, and I bring home my Quick draw medal as a souvenir :-)

The watermelon seller

The watermelon seller

There is such a nice story behind this painting. I absolutely loved this subject and the day before yesterday I was able to stop and paint it. I only had an hour and a half though because I had to give a demo somewhere else, and because it was by the side of a busy road lots of people stopped their cars to chat while I was doing it. So, it wasn't quite enough time and I didn't quite get it finished.
Yesterday was another (and my last) chance to get back there to finish it off. However, I came down with some kind of bug and woke up with a splitting headache, sickness and upset stomach.
I was so determined to get back to the subject that after the morning resting I asked my friend Sandie to drop me off back there. But all the way there I felt very poorly and when I got there and set up my kit I didn't feel good at all.
So I gave it a go but even standing up was such an effort. Being ill I suddenly felt a long way from home and I thought maybe I'd done the wrong thing in attempting it when I could/should have stayed in bed.
Then the man at the stall, who had noticed I was struggling came over with a chair for me to sit down on. I was very touched and while I was sitting on the chair shivering despite the heat he cut a watermelon in half and brought it over to me with a plastic knife and fork. I can't tell you how touched I was by his kindness.
I managed a couple of bites of watermelon with tears streaming down my cheeks, and then somehow I found those inner reserves of strength and was able to get up and finish my painting. The rest of the day and night I was still a wreck but very pleased I'd got it done and all thanks to the kindness of a stranger.

Heading back from Carrabelle

Afternoon light at the marina, Mexico beach 

This morning we left Carrabelle early and spotted a fabulous scene to paint in Eastpoint, of men on their oyster boats. I'll look forward to showing you that one another day, it was a challenge but really enjoyed it.
After a late breakfast I painted a produce stall by the side of the road near Apalachicola (and the vendor and a dog which keeps him company).
I really enjoyed it, absolutely loved the subject and had lots of passers by stopping to chat.
I didn't get it finished though with having only limited time, careful 'drawing in' stage and lots of chatting, so my big plan for tomorrow is to go back.
We then returned to Mexico beach for our painting demo afternoon where I painted this one at the Marina. I was attracted to the bright reflections of the boats and also the clouds.

TV show and student art day!

Me and Sarah and her painting

Another busy day here in Florida! We got up extremely early (4am) for our breakfast tv appearance on channel seven!
The filming took place at the welcome centre in Port St Joe, and as well as the three of us painting and being interviewed about the plein air event there was live music from a group of school children. I completed a painting while we were there, after the sun came up so that we could see the view that is!
We went from there to Eastpoint for the student art day. This is such a good event, where students from the local schools are each assigned an artist from the festival to tutor them while they paint for a couple of hours. They also receive lots of art goodies to take home with them. Then we all have a fabulous lunch together! This is my very talented student Sarah and her beautiful painting! Their paintings are framed and will be heading over to Port St Joe to join ours on display in the wetroom.
We left after lunch and headed over to the boatyard at Carrabelle to paint. I was really involved in a 8" x 16" of a couple of boats which took me far longer than it should have but I intend to frame it and take it along to the exhibition. At first it was cloudy but then the sun came out and I was ridiculously hot at times, standing in the full sun!
Amazingly I managed to muster up some more energy and went over to the comfort of a shaded area to finish off a painting of the boat called 'Jennifer Mitch' that I was painting here a couple of days ago. It didn't need much but it was great to just look at it again in the same light conditions and notice a few little changes.
We are now having an overnight sleepover at a pretty little cottage in Carrabelle before heading back towards Mexico beach tomorrow.

Sunset at Port St Joe

Sunset at the marina, Port St Joe

Here's an evening painting for you, the golden light along the row of boats was really remarkable. It was painted during a nocturne paint out with a large group of supporters! It was a very windy evening so I had to weigh down my easel and I kept my left hand on it at all times just in case.

Now I need to get some sleep because together with Lori Putnam and Dawn Whitelaw I am getting up at 4am to appear on a breakfast TV show painting in Port St Joe. Never a dull moment!

All the fresh wet paintings that the artists are framing and bringing in to the wet room can be viewed (and purchased) online at the website www.pleinairfl.com
Take a look because it's all fantastic!

Early morning shadows on Mexico beach

Early morning shadows on Mexico beach

Another great day here in Florida. This is my first painting of today, the light and weather were perfect when we arrived on the pier in Mexico beach. It was 6.30 am when we arrived, and the shadows were long and violet stretching across the soft white sand. Very beautiful!

Artists painting on the beach

Greg La Rock and others painting on the beach

Yesterday afternoon lots of us were gathered on the beach at Cape San Blas. I had only walked about thirty yards on the sand when I saw Greg La Rock painting at his easel and the sand dunes in front of him with the distant figures, and I knew I'd found my subject.
Lots of people came on to the beach to watch the artists in action, and it was so much fun chatting to everyone.

I have now framed this painting and dropped it off at the wetroom which is a fabulous temporary exhibition space where artists will drop off their still wet paintings each day and the public can view and purchase them.

Remember if you'd like to see more photos have a look for my Facebook page - Haidee-Jo Summers artist

View from the restroom

What a great day, I won a prize today!
This morning it was the QuickDraw event at Cape San Blas, and I won an honourable mention prize - how fantastic is that?!

Let me explain the title of my painting, 'View from the restroom'. The QuickDraw was taking place between 10am and 12pm. By ten minutes to ten the heavy rain started, and it didn't stop until about 12.30! Perfect timing!
It was more a case of choosing your shelter than choosing your subject, if you know what I mean! I was painting from the shelter of the porch on the restrooms (or toilet block as we would say in England) as was Lori Putnam, Tracey Frugoli and Nancie King Mertz, all of us looking in different directions.
Hence, view from the restroom!

The organisers really look after us artists here, and we had music to keep us entertained, doughnuts and coffee.
I was really honoured to win a prize.

After everything was over here we went for a big shrimp lunch and then painted on the beach for the whole afternoon where, I am pleased to report, it didn't rain at all and in fact it was very warm and sunny on and off. It was bliss!

I can only attach one photo to my blog each day while I am here, but if you would like to see more of what's going on look for my Haidee-Jo Summers Artist page on Facebook where I'll be sharing more pics of the paintings I'm doing :-)

Florida here I come!

Great work from the figures workshop

I'm on the plane on the way to Florida, taking off in five minutes!
It's been a hectic few days (maybe that's an understatement!) so I'm sorry I haven't been in touch!
Just had to show you these paintings from my workshop yesterday called 'painting with figures in a setting', aren't they just amazing?!
These were all completed in less than two hours, as in the morning everyone was hard at work with drawing/design exercises and watching a quick demo.
I am absolutely bowled over by how well everybody did ! :-)

I'll see you in Florida!

Going to Florida!

I am so excited because in eight days time I will be travelling to Florida, as one of the 23 invited artists to take part in Florida's Forgotten Coast plein air paint out - my first ever plein air event in the USA!

I've got quite a lot on my plate at the moment trying to organise everything in preparation for my time away. Today I've been thinking about frames, art materials and panels that I will need to prepare for the trip!

Recently I was interviewed by Wes Locher for the Star newspaper and you can read the article by clicking here.

Also you can read here all the information about the event so that you can see where I'm going to be painting and who with, and as usual I will do my best to bring you daily reports while I'm away!