Best of Show: New Berlin Plein Air

Thank you to the Lions Club volunteers for hosting the New Berlin Plein Air Event.
I am so honored to have my painting selected as best of show by judge Lori Beringer. 

"And Just Like That The Sun Came Slicing Through"  oil on panel 16x20 

Best in Show $1200.  purchase award

I wish I had taken a better photo of the painting...there is a great deal of subtle color in the darks.

Here is my orchard painting.

"Breezing -UP" oil on panel 12 x 24 

detail

detail

detail... the wind was blowing so much I just asked it to stop for a moment 

so I could paint the wires on the telephone poles!

I thought I would have a couple of days to paint but I went to my Aunt Jeanne's funeral in Madison South Dakota.  She was a marvelous woman and it was a blessing to see my cousins and meet many of Aunt Jeanne's 55 grandchildren and 65 great grand children....honestly, she deserves the award!  I am so thankful I was able to go.  Anyway, I got back to Wisconsin, taught my class on Thursday...(super cool students) and on Wed. morning I set off for New Berlin to paint for the day.  I got my panels stamped at 8:30 m and headed toward the orchard.  It was windy and cold, my easel blew over twice but several artists stopped by to chat.   After 5 hours I finished up my orchard painting and almost thought of going home but I knew I had a little more in me.   I went out Calhoun road where I saw all these trees ...like an overgrown nursery.  I met Greg Long who is an accomplished landscape architect.  He gave me permission to pull my car off the road.   It was overcast and I was tired but I thought what the heck...this is my day.  I painted for two hours with only dense cloud cover and just as I was about to quit.....the sun lit up the little patch in the distance and I knew I had to continue.  I titled the painting,  "And Just Like That The Sun Came Slicing Through" ... I think it might have been my Aunt Jeanne parting the clouds for me!  After another hour and half I called it a day and drove home at 8pm.  Next morning I had the pleasure of watching my girls run cross country in Verona and then off to deliver my paintings back in New Berlin!  It was a thrill to arrive and find my painting had won the $1200. purchase award!   There were many very fine works in the show and I commend all my peer artists!  I met many wonderful people and ate some very good apples!  I will be back again next year!