Weekend of Painting

Weekend Of Painting

Friday I painted with our Plein Air group at Campbell Creek in Anchorage, had a great time.  Then out to lunch with them, good food, great friends.  Went home picked up my wife and we drove out to Palmer Alaska to pick up 3 paintings I had in a show out there.  Also stopped and saw "The Painted Ladies" paint out set up at the Palmer Museum.  They had a large tent selling their artwork and were painting outside also.   Again a wonderful group of artists and friends.

Donna and I went out to dinner on the way home.  All around a wonderful day.

Yesterday I spent the whole day in the studio painting away.  Finished off the painting of one of our cats Maple looking out the window.  Titled: WAITING FOR SPRING.  Sometimes we forget that it is not just us humans that look forward to the snow leaving and spring coming, leaves on the trees etc., but out pets also wait with anticipation.

I also pulled out the 20x30 painting of Lower Summit Lake I had started before all our guests arrived earlier this month and got back to painting on it.  Reworked the sky and then put in the distant mountains, then had fun smearing paint and just laying in some block underpainting colors of the midground area.  Will head out to the studio today again and work on the midground more today.

Spring Has Sprung

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN ALASKA

In the first week of May there were a few big events for our family.  In the last week of April Justin and Felicia flew up from Washington, Shaunna, Matt and our Grandson Joseph flew in from Colorado.   A family reunion for us all in Anchorage Alaska.  The weather was sunny and warm for this time of the year.  Still in the “brown” stage then, no leaves or grass yet.   Now 2 weeks later everything is popping out green now, and all the snow is gone.   We even had a Black Bear come up on our porch 2 nights ago and look in our door window.  Had to shoo him away, he was looking for food.  This is a yearly problem we have with living on the hillside in Anchorage, is bears and moose in our property.

Also on the May 1^st Ryan our youngest son graduated from UAA with a degree in Computer Science.  So we all went to his Graduation and had a party at Gallos Mexican Restaurant afterwards, family and friends.  Was a great time and the weather was sunny.

The next day was our Grandson’s First Birthday!  Joseph turned 1, how cool we got to have him here in Alaska for his Birthday.   We all went out to the Zoo in the morning then met at our house for a Birthday Party!   Joseph loved his Birthday Cake, once he found out the frosting tasted good, he dug in.  Was a blast.  Lots of pictures and presents.

The day after Joseph’s Birthday was my Mom ( Ruth Jacobson ) 86^th Birthday.   The whole family met at my folks place and went to the dining room for a Lunch to celebrate.

Then came Mother’s Day, a brunch at the folks again, Justin and Felicia were here still, my brother came, and Ryan also, so all the family was there to celebrate Mothers Day with Mom.

Now the family has all left and Donna and I are adjusting our life to back to our normal schedule.  We loved having everyone visit and miss them all very much.  At the same time we are so proud of how they all have created their own lives and careers and now have their own families.  They all more importantly are “Good People” can’t express how happy I am for that.  Now that they are home, Donna and I are back to our passions, Painting for me, Crafts for her.   Sure missed painting while family was in town, but it was worth it to have them all visit.

Next reunion will be in August for our daughter Christina’s wedding in Washington.  A busy family summer this year for us.

This weekend my brother Chris and I will go to the Kenai River and open up Dad’s Cabin for him.  The Salmon are starting their yearly runs, and we will be fishing soon.

Beginning Summit Lake painting

Beginning a 18"x36" Summit Lake Fall Painting - I spent all last weekend "gutting" my Studio and turning 2/3 of it into a bedroom for coming family visit.  But I could not call it a weekend without getting some paint on a new canvas.   

Justin (my son) and his girlfriend Felicia will be using the Studio/Trailor as a bedroom for their visit.   Shaunna, Matt and Joseph are staying in a hotel.   Our other son Ryan is graduating from UAA and everyone is coming to Alaska for his Graduation.  Also it is our Grandson Joseph's 1st Birthday.  Another celebration!.  It Will be Matt, Joseph and Felicia's first visit to Alaska.  We are looking forward to the time together.

So will I get to finish this before, during or after their visits?  Will let you know.

April First Friday Show at Stephans Fine Art Gallery

Yes a April 1st ( fools day - fits me just perfect ) First Friday Art Show at Stephans Fine Art Gallery in the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage Alaska.  The title of this show is " Sense of Vastness".  I will have 20 new paintings at the show.  Alaskan landscapes showing the beauty and color of Alaska, also will have one slightly different painting, come and see my new works, and learn a little about my paintings from me.  Lets have a good time!

Spouses of Artists - Love you Babe!

This little 7x5 painting was done in about hour and half.  A little Oil - Lonely Vigil.

My wife and soulmate when I showed it to her was very thrilled with it.  She gave all the praise she felt I needed, and then as I was heading back out to the studio she said "by the way the Light house tower is not straight"  she did not want to point that out first, although it must have been obvious to her.  ( I have straightened it out - but thought I would post the picture before I straightened it ).
Spouses of artists are special people, they put up with and sacrifice so much for their artist mates.  Art is what we eat, drink, sleep and breath.  In my case it is my Mistress, she is fickle and sometimes I have my way with her and everything goes well and magic happens.  Other times she is crabby and obstinate and I get frustrated.   But my wife is always there for me to come back to with a smile, hug and kiss.   I know how much my spouse puts up with for me to pursue my passion.  


Donna I can never express how much I love you and how much you are apart of my art.  All I can say is "Thank You Babe!  You are special!! XXX

Sunday Fun

Two small 5x7 & 7x5 paintings I did on Sunday.  Decided the skies would be the focal point in each painting.  One winter night and the other summer sunset.  In the first painting Winter Light I painted a remote Cabin and the Northern Lights.  Our artic winter can challenge the best of us, but one of the joys of winter is the Aurora light show any dark and clear night.  Always different and incredible to watch.   In the second painting Susitna Sunset 4 in the summer we have 20 hours of daylight, awesome, and the sunsets are slow and amazing.  This is the 4th in a series of them I have done, and many more to go.  Because the sun takes so long to set we have a incredible display on light at sunset.  A artists dream.

Sense of Vastness

I have a First Friday Art Show at Stephan's Fine Art Gallery  in the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage Alaska the First Friday of April.  The title of the show is  Sense of Vastness.  I will be having around 15 new paintings, they will be highlighting the Vastness of Alaska.  Alaska has over 5000 miles of coastline and if placed in the continental US it would stretch from the east coast to the west coast.  The incredible beauty and different types of climates is amazing.  Come to my show to learn more about my artwork and say "hi".