8/29/2017 4:59:53 PM
In attendance: Raymond Burns, Lynn Mehta, Jack Pardue, Bill Schmidt.
Lynn Mehta, Raymond Burns, Bill Schmidt underneath the Wilson Bridge.
The weather was wonderful on the Sunday, August 27th, 2017 Paint Out at Jones Point Park in Alexandria, Virginia. It felt unseasonably cool and pleasant in the mid-70's. The light was an interesting combination of sun and haze over the Potomac River. There was a cool breeze.
Jack Pardue painted near the point. Lynn Mehta and Ray Burns painted at the historic Jones Point Lighthouse while Bill Schmidt set up comfortably underneath the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
There was a lot of activity in the park; people fishing, playing soccer, biking, strolling along the trail, sailing down the river.
Lynn, Ray, and Bill held an interesting critique underneath the Bridge. Bill stayed on to continue his painting of people fishing on the point.
Lynn Mehta and Raymond Burns discuss art in front of the Jones Point Lighthouse.
Jack Pardue painting.
Bill Schmidt painting underneath the bridge.
Jack Pardue's gouache painting on the easel.
Painting by Raymond Burns.
Painting by Lynn Mehta
Paintings at critique: Left to right: Raymond Burns, Bill Schmidt, Lynn Mehta
8/11/2017 6:34:31 PM
Hosted by member Brenda Kidera at her home & gardens
Comments by: Christine Drewyer
In attendance; Ed Ahlstrom, John Bellinger, Marietje Chamberlain, Christine Drewyer, Mimi Hegler, Brenda Kidera, Mary Kokoski, Andrei Kushner, Lisa Mitchell, Barbara Nuss, Bill Schmidt, Bob Thoren
Guest artist, Lida Stifel
The predictions for our weather for the Sunday paint out as of Thursday the 27th of July was rain, rain and thunderstorms. This after a blistering two weeks of scorching temperatures in the high 90’s. Our response to who’s coming to paint included WSLP member Ken Petrie.
Predictions and plans are not always what they seem. The weather was the most idyllic summer day that we may ever have had the pleasure of painting in! We lost our dear friend and painting buddy Ken shortly and unexpectedly only weeks before we gathered. His joyful presence was so missed.
As it turns out, if you put a perfect sunny day, with none of the typical Maryland humidity, a spectacular setting, filled with gardens in full bloom, a koi pond and lush background of deep woods, one very friendly dog named Lily and oh, did I mention a fabulous lunch, well that would all add up to a spectacular painting experience!
With the woods surrounding us in every direction, we were serenaded by bird song and a display of butterflies and dragonflies, and oh yes the word tic did seem to surface quite a bit!
Bill Schmidt had a unique fashion statement which help alleviate this problem without the use for bug spray. Bill wore his socks on the outside of his pants!
By 11:30 the smells of freshly baked bread and blueberry lemon pound cake were wafting out over the grounds and gardens and stimulated our artistic sensibilities to finish up for a critique. We shared a glorious lunch that Brenda had prepared for us and we ate and drank some fruit of the vine (ahem, we didn’t drink & draw) and much laughter and feasting ensued! Lily, the opportunistic canine managed to find the most vulnerable suspects from underneath the picnic table and laid her head in the laps of those most susceptible and gazed up in the most endearing and starved expression possible.
We had a vigorous critique which was filled with praise and laughter as it was pretty hard to do a bad painting under such lovely circumstances. It was one of those most memorable days, filled with what our dear painting group is famous for; camaraderie and friendship, laughter and the pleasures of painting outside together.
Somewhere, we could feel the echo of Ken’s unforgettable laughter too. I’ll bet his scenery is even more beautiful than our perfect Sunday at Brenda’s home, but it would be hard to imagine how.
Having lunch at Brenda's house
Marietje Chamberlain
Christine Drewyer
Lida Stifel
Lisa Mitchell
Robert Thoren
Bill Schmidt
John Bellinger's painting
Christine Drewyer's painting
Mimi Hegler's painting
Barbara Nuss' painting
Marietje Chamberlain's painting
Christine Drewyer's painting
Andre Kushnir's painting
Lisa Mitchell's painting
Bill Schmidt's painting
Robert Thoren's painting
Ed Alstrom's painting
8/8/2017 12:15:02 PM
In attendance: Web Bryant, Ray Burns, Lisa Mitchell, Sarita Moffat, Bobbie Pratte
We painted at the Green Spring Gardens this May. Arlington County has a number of small well kept gardens. Some have old manner houses, or hot houses. This small gem has both. Man made ponds and well planned gardens are great for plein air. The day was cut short by early afternoon showers, along with our usually nice lunch and critique.
This spring in Washington has brought a number of weather firsts. This is the earliest I've seen fireflies. As I’m writing this in early July I can say it’s the most fireflies I’ve ever seen in summer time. They are wonderful to see and inspire ideas about trying to paint a landscape showing therm rise at twilight.
Another bug of summer is making early noise. The cicadas appearance is early. It has even been mentioned in The Washington Post. The noise was striking when you step from your car. The big orange eyed bug would drop next to you as you painted. This was was more August then May.
The last bug to mention are the deer ticks. As a group we spend a lot of time outside. Lyme disease is no stranger to the group and to painters in general. Bug spray and sunblock are a must now. Hopefully when this is read as part of or history the heating world will be a footnote to images of or paintings.
Ray Burns
Sarita Moffitt
Web Bryant
Lisa Mitchell's painting
Web Bryant's sketch
Web Bryant's second sketch
