Souvenirs of Downtown Day 3

Day three started with rain, clearing, rain, clearing, wind, windy-er, then sunshine.  It was a crazy weather day.  Most of the morning, I spent as much time moving my chair and all my painting stuff back and forth from the sidewalk to the porch of the PP Cobb building for shelter.  But it finally cleared and I was able to get one painting done by 3 pm. 

My friend, Judith and I went to Art Mundo and framed our pieces and turned them in by 3:30.  There was a good crowd last night and in total 30 pieces of art sold.  Rather disappointing, when there were 37 artists doing 1-2 paintings per day over three days.  There was some phenomenal art created this week!  The paintings will be at the Backus House through May 7th, so if you didn't make it there this week, there's still time to stop in and see and/or purchase the work.

I was so impressed by the number of people eating at the little general store in the PP Cobb building that I took my husband there today for lunch.  The food is wonderful!!!

Here's my pieces of potted plants, appropriately titled "Potted" and my friend Judith's piece - don't know what she ended up calling it.

Souvenirs of Downtown Day Two

Day two turned out pretty nice, especially since there was a 60% chance of rain predicted for this afternoon!  The sun actually came out.  Got a tiny bit of rain this morning, but we continued painting and it went away.  My friend Judith and I painted Colleen Becht's little Love Shack on N. 2nd St this morning - well a vignette of one of her bougainvillas.  Here's my 8 x 10 oil on canvas panel of it:

Here is my friend Judith Sharpe Levy's 12 x12 acrylic on canvas rendition of it:

This afternoon, Judith went to Art Mundo and finished this painting and the two she started yesterday and got hers framed.  I went a bit farther north on 2nd Street and painted a section of the O'Connell house:

Here's a reference photo of the house - I struggled with all the angles, but I sure love turquoise and pink, so this house called to me.  Just as I finished, I notice a little bird perched on top of the chimney and so I painted it in as a final touch.

I had no time to add the palms and other greenery - this little sucker took me 3 hours to do.  Then I did something I've never done before -- I sat on the sidewalk and framed both paintings -- awkward, but it's required as we have to turn our paintings in at 4:00 so they can be hung.  But the weather was perfect and it was peaceful sitting on the road behind my car facing this cute house and painting all afternoon.

Here are Judith's two that she did yesterday.  I LOVE her style and use of color - so free and painterly - oh to paint like this!!!  The first painting is of Cobb's Landing Restaurant and the second painting is of Palms Health and Wellness backyard. 

There was a wonderful artist's reception from 5-8 pm tonight at the Backus Hosue with music, drinks and great food.  If you didn't make it tonight, be sure to come out tomorrow night, same time.  It's a real treat, and tomorrow will bring lots more wonderful art.  A number of pieces sold tonight - my friend Lori McNamara's painting she did today sold.  Judith and I are looking to paint something close-up at the PP Cobb building - something with the colorful flower boxes included - some sort of vignette, not the whole building.  Signing off for now - pretty worn out - but in a good way.  ;-)

Souvenirs of Downtown Plein Air Paintout Day One

Today was the first day of Main Street Fort Pierce's "Souvenirs of Downtown" Plein Air Paintout.  We had a fun and busy day.  The morning started out windy and chilly.  My friend Judith, two other artists and I painted the Key Westy style Cobb's Landing restaurant and tiki bar.  I've been wanting to paint this forever.  The photo below was taken inside after framing (never advisable) but it's all I had time to do.  I'd love more time to tweak it as I see lots of things that need fixing/changed, but the rule is they have to be turned in by 4 pm and framed and ready to go.  Ugh!

My second painting was in the tropical little backyard of a sweet little turquoise early 1900's cottage that is home to Palms Health and Wellness.  We went to do the yard, but I was so taken by the cottage, I was drawn to paint it instead.  Here's me holding my painting in the tropical setting:

Here's a close-up of the painting:

Tomorrow and Friday will bring more paintings of the charming little old homes in Edgartown on North 2nd Street and perhaps more of downtown.  We are operating on whim and inspiration.  ;-)

There will be artists receptions Thursday and Friday evenings from 5-8 pm at the Backus House, corner Backus and 2nd St, just north of downtown Fort Pierce.  There are 37 artists out painting over this 3-day period and there is some fabulous art - and it's all FOR SALE!!!  My pieces are all priced at $150, they are 8" x 10" oils on canvas panels and framed in gold-leafed plein air frames - ready to hang on your walls.