Looking West: An Exhibition Highlighting Works by American Women Artists

Did you know that only 3-5% of the permanent holdings in art museums worldwide are by women artists? How pathetic is this?  This is why American Women Artists a non profit art organization made of up women artists in the United States and Canada,  made it their mission to do something about it.  Founded in 1991 with 12 artists exhibiting at the Tucson Museum of Art it is now an organization comprising some of the top women artists today.  AWA’s first juried competition was held in 1997-1998 and since then AWA has launched a 25 in 25 Campaign.  Twenty five exhibitions in twenty five years in prestigious museums throughout the United States.  These exhibitions include other events such as plein air paint outs, and keynote speaking symposiums, open to the public wherever the shows are being held.  

Steamboat Art Museum

I was so impressed with the caliber of artists in this group and truly believed in their mission I joined a few years ago and am extremely proud to have just received Signature status with AWA.  For those not familiar with what that means, Signature status is usually awarded to an artist who has been juried into 3 exhibitions with that particular group or society.  Some groups it may take years to achieve.  AWA also accepts a variety of media including sculpture into their shows.  

My Painting “My Point of View,” Top Second From Left

Steamboat Art Museum

The most current AWA exhibition, Looking West: An Exhibition Highlighting Works by American Women Artists is at the Steamboat Art Museum in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The show runs, May 24-September 2, 2019.  I recently returned from all the events coinciding with the Opening Reception at the museum.  There are approximately 150 works in the show and it was attended by almost half of the artists!  It was a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and meet in person many artists whose work I have admired for years!  

Steamboat Art Museum

Steamboat Art Museum

One of the events was a workshop given by Carolyn Anderson.  Since I’m primarily a watercolor painter I didn’t take advantage of this opportunity. I’ve heard Carolyn is an excellent teacher.  The first full day in Steamboat, a plein air event was organized in the Yampa River Botanic Park.  I love visiting gardens when I travel, and was thrilled to see trees and flowers from a different climate than Florida.  Since I’m not used to seeing Aspen trees, that is what I chose to paint.  

Yampa River Botanic Park

Painting en Plein Air at Yampa River Botanic Part

Aspen Trees, Watercolor, Painted en Plein Air at Yampa River Botanic Park

That afternoon, Nancy Boren, gave a demonstration at the Wild Horse Gallery. Nancy is an artist I  have long admired and I was thrilled to meet her and get to know her.  Nancy is primarily a figurative painting and not only is her portfolio of work stunning, so was much of the other artist’s work represented in the Wild Horse Gallery.  Visiting the gallery was an extra added bonus in addition to the AWA show. 

Nancy Boren Demonstration at Wild Horse Gallery

The second day we were invited to the 83 acre ranch of well known Western Artist, John Fawcett.  John is an oil and watercolor painter and I first came across his work in person at the 2017 Quest for the West Show at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana.  John and his wife, Elizabeth, where so gracious to host our group and provide a barbecue feast!  This was my first experience painting snow capped mountains.  Just three days before I arrived on the first day of summer Steamboat got about a foot of snow.  Then the rest of the week it was in the mid 80’s. Crazy!

The Fawcett Ranch

My Plein Air Set Up

My Painting Buddy, Carol Swinney

Snow Capped, Watercolor, Painted en Plein Air

That afternoon invited guest artist Carol Carter, gave a demonstration.  I was thrilled to get to spend time with Carol.  She will be joining me again in September for the Florida Watercolor Society’s  48th Annual Exhibition, Convention, & Trade Show in Orlando.  As President of FWS for 2019 I invited Carol three years ago to jury and judge the FWS Show and teach a 4 day workshop with us.  I love Carol and I’m excited to see her again. 

Carol Carter Demonstration

The third day was the Awards Ceremony and Opening Reception of the exhibition for the community and the museum patrons of the Steamboat Art Museum.  At every museum show the museum, with a purchase award, acquires a painting from the show.  Heide Presse will now have her painting, “Pursuing a Dream,” part of the museum’s permanent collection.  

Heide Presse’s Special Exhibit, We Set Our Faces Westward…One Woman’s Journey 1839-1848

Four guest speakers made up the Symposium on the last day of festivities.  Heidi Presse gave a talk on a major project she is working on, We Set Our Faces Westward… One Woman’s Journey 1939-1848.  We were so fortunate to see a preview in the museum of some of Heide’s finished pieces and concepts for others she will be painting.  This project tells the true story of pioneer women gleaned from her 1848 Oregon Trail journal.  The lengths Heide has gone to to be as historically accurate as possible are mind boggling.  Cant find a quilt, costume or bonnet to feature in a painting?  Heide makes her own, historically accurate.  The second speaker was invited guest artist Carol Carter who gave an extremely informative talk on how she built and maintains her art career.  

Jann’s Book

The third presenter was Jann Haynes Gilmore, PhD, art historian, writer, and watercolorist.  Jann’s passion are women artists who have historically fallen throughs the cracks, and feels their stories should be told.  Jann spoke on a remarkable woman artist, Olive Rush, who was the first independent women to be part of the Santa Fe Artists.  Independent refers to the fact that she did not become part of the group based on marriage or an affiliation with a man.  Born in Indiana, studied illustration with noted illustrator Howard Pyle, (as did N.C. Wyeth), her story is fascinating.  Jann has authored an impressive book on her life, Olive Rush: Finding Her Place in the Santa Fe Art Colony, which I’m looking forward to reading.

Donna Howell-Sickles Demonstration

At the end the Symposium noted Western artist Donna Howell-Sickles did a demonstration.  Donna was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2007, and is the first woman artist to be asked to create the artwork for the Pendleton Round-Up in Pendleton, OR.  It is the most iconic rodeo in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association.  In Donna’s 40 year career she has featured the iconic cowgirl in her work.  

To top off the week, a few of us went to the Steamboat Professional Rodeo!  Another first for me to see a rodeo in person!  

From left, Laurie Stevens, Kim Minichiello, Carol Swinney, Carol Carter

The Yampa River

The town of Steamboat was so beautiful and charming.  It was hard to leave and come back to hot and humid Florida.  I’m still on a high from my spectacular few days there!  No pun intended, or maybe it was. 

The 2019 Plein Air Convention in San Francisco

Back in the late 80s and early 90s my husband and I became familiar with plein air painting.  This is due in most part from our love of the artist Kevin Macpherson, who is one of the preeminent artists working in plein air today.  But also to an art magazine we subscribed to at that time, Plein Air Magazine, published by Eric Rhoads at Streamline Publishing.  We enjoyed it for a few years and then one day a different magazine showed up in our mail box with a letter saying due to lack of interest Plein Air Magazine would no longer be published.   Even though we were not actively painting plein air at the time, we were so disappointed.  We found the magazine to be very inspirational! 

The Faculty for PACE 2019

Fast forward a few years, Eric started publishing the magazine again and it is one of the top selling art magazines in the country.  Plein air is not just a genre of painting anymore it is a movement. Compare the number of plein air artists painting today and the number of plein air events worldwide, to those in the 80s and early 90s and the difference is astronomical.  

Laurie Kersey Demonstration on the Main Stage

My foray into plein air painting started by urban sketching. (That’s a whole other movement worthy of a different article.)  The portability of having a small bag, with a sketchbook, a small watercolor kit, and one brush was all I needed.  The drive to start doing it was our move to Hong Kong back in the mid 2000s.  I wanted to record in sketch form my surroundings, and my travels to document my experiences and the cultures around me. 

My Husband and I painting at the Viansa Winery, photo credit Barbara Tapp

A few years later, both my husband and I are plein air painters, he primarily in oils and me in watercolor.  We both sketch in watercolor too.  Once the popularity of this plein air thing caught on, Eric Rhoads started organizing Plein Air Conventions.  After years of wanting to, and it not working out for one reason or another, we finally attended one this year in San Francisco.  They are in a different location every year. 

“Fog Rolling In,” Watercolor, 10” x 14,” Painted Plein Air at Crissy Field, finished in the Studio

Being a board member of the Florida Watercolor Society and organizing the FWS Annual Exhibition, Convention and Trade Show for 600-700 people for a few years, I thought I knew what to expect.  The Plein Air Convention was similar to what we do, but on steroids!  You could go non-stop if you chose to. There were many wonderful and insightful activities to take part in each day.  

Joseph Zbukvic Workshop

My Convention started on Wednesday with a workshop with watercolor artist Joseph Zbukvic.  While we didn’t get to actually paint in the workshop, it was inspiring and informative to watch Joseph explain his techniques and watch him paint.  There were also Basic’s Courses and a workshop offered by oil painter Joseph McGurl prior to the Convention. 

Editor of Plein Air Magazine and Publisher of Plein Air Magazine, Kelly Kane and Eric Rhoads, Presenting Joseph Zbukvic with a Lifetime Achievement Award

The Convention officially kicked off Wednesday afternoon, Day 1, with an Opening Ceremony given by Eric Rhoads, the Plein Air Salon winner was announced for the year, Life Time Achievement Awards given, a painting demo and a Cocktail Party capped the evening. 

Eric Rhoads at Home Room, Spinning the Wheel for Prizes and Dressing for the San Francisco Weather

Thursday the next full day of the Convention, Day 2, started with Eric’s Art Marketing Boot Camp for the early birds.  They did get the worm.  If you are a professional artist trying to sell or make a living from your work, the three days of this were worth the price of convention.  Everyday after Boot Camp Eric kicks the day off with Home Room. This was brilliant, not only does he give away prizes, including top dollar ones, he informs you of what’s going on that day with pertinent things you need to know.  Then you are off on your own to explore hourly demonstrations, in watercolor, oil and pastel given by professional artists from all over the country.  If that weren’t enough his team has scouted out the best plein air spots for afternoon painting sessions.  Attendees either pre-paid for bus transportation, car pooled, or used Lyft or Uber to get to the paining locations.  

Me and Brienne Brown

A Portion of the Trade Show

Bryan Mark Taylor Demsontrating the Strada Easel He Invented at the Strada Easel Booth. My husband is the new proud owner of one!

Thursday, we went to Crissy Field where I chose to paint the Golden Gate Bridge.  The few days prior to convention when my husband and I arrived in San Francisco we had been in this area for gorgeous weather and full sun. Ironically when the Convention started, the weather took a turn and we were painting, in cold, wind whipping foggy, overcast weather.  I persevered and got enough information on the paper, with some notes to finish later. The struggle I had working in watercolor was my washes were not drying so that I could continue, because it was so damp and cold!   While you are painting there are faculty members easily identified wondering around which you could solicit for feedback if you liked.  Arriving back to the hotel after the painting session, you could still stay busy attending more demos or evening critiques until 10:00 pm.

Painting at Golden Gate Park

The Conservatory of Flowers at The Golden Gate Park

Artist Kathleen Hudson Painting Poppies

Day 3 was pretty much a repeat of Day 2, brand new demos and presentations and a painting session in the afternoon.  At all times during convention there is a huge Trade Show with vendors selling the latest and greatest in art materials, and of course those that have wares and services pertaining exclusively to plein air painting. On the way to the Trade Show, were easels that attendees could rent to display their work as well as an area, where the Plein Air Convention faculty artists could display their work too. The painting session that afternoon took us to Golden Gate Park, where we chose to paint the Conservatory of Flowers. The weather again a cold, wind whipping, sunny when we first got there, but turned overcast kind of day.   After the painting session, there are more activities in the evening, demos and critiques until 10:00 pm.  I went to an organized National Watercolor Society Meet and Greet, where it was great to see old friends and finally meet some social media friends in person!

Trying to Stay Warm Next to a Tree

View I Was Painting

Day 4, the last day of festivities at the hotel, with more demonstrations and presentations was capped off with a Closing Ceremony and your last chance to buy things at the Trade Show before heading out to paint in the afternoon.  I liked that the schedules were interspersed with demos as well as thought provoking presentations.  Jean Stern, the Executive Director of the Irvine Museum Collection, gave one on “Historic Artists of Northern California.”  Another, “Plein Air and the Movie Industry,” was a panel discussion with artists from Pixar and DreamWorks.  Many of the presentations Eric recorded for the Plein Air Podcast are available to listen to here. 

Artist Larry Moore Presentation on Creativity and Demo in Gouache

Displaying One of My Plein Air Paintings at the Convention

We didn’t have much luck weather wise the last afternoon’s painting session was just like the previous two. We were troopers though and gave it our best shot.  It was still wonderful spending time at the scenic locations in San Francisco. Instead of evening sessions on Saturday, everyone had a chance to blow some stink off at a dance party.  

Last Day Painting at Viansa Winery in Sonoma

Chatting with Stewart White at the Viansa Winery

Day 5, Sunday, gave everyone the opportunity to paint all day!  Our last painting location was at Viansa Winery one hour north of the city in Sonoma.  Lady luck was with us that day, the weather was gorgeous!  

Painting at Viansa Winery, photo credit Carolyn (Martinez) Romer

“Wine Tasting,” Watercolor, 14” x 10” Plein Air at Viansa Winery

There were so many takeaways from my 5 days at the Convention!  Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat!  I liked that there were demonstration sessions in a variety of mediums giving artists that paint in more than one, like myself, a variety.  I met artists that inspire me in person, and by attending two demos using gouache, I am anxious to add that to my repertoire.  If it sounds like a lot, everything is optional, you don’t have to do it all and I didn’t.  Most importantly one of the biggest take-aways was making connections with those that have the same passion and learning and sharing experiences.   At the Convention I met an artist I feel will be a life long friend from New Zealand.  Yes, she traveled the farthest to get there!  I also made personal connections with Facebook and Instagram friends. 

Paul Kratter Painting on the Main Stage, with Charlie Hunter, Larry Moore and Shelby Keefe

If you are on the fence about attending a Plein Air Convention, I highly encourage you to go at least once. There are those that attend that have never done it before. What better place to try it for the first time? You would not believe some of the stories shared.  One unique cirmustance this year involved a woman who was reunited with her son who had been taken away from her when he was young. He had been doing Google searches for her and finally found her her as an attendee of the Convention! He came they were reunited after years apart. It has been life changing for many and it may be for you too!

Two Events This Weekend: An Exhibition & A Plein Air Paint Out

Odd Man Out

40" x 20.5"

Watercolor

I'm so happy to be a part of the Annul Event, "Women in the Arts Awards," funded by Women in the Arts, Inc. in partnership with the Orlando Public Library.  This competition, "Celebrating the Genius of Women,"  at the Orlando Public Library, is held annually  in conjunction with Women's History Month, and recognizes and honors local, non local, and international women artists.  There will be a celebration and gallery talk this Saturday at 2:00 pm at the main branch in downtown Orlando. 

Then on Sunday, from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, I will be part of an invited group of artists from the Central Florida Watercolor Society, in conjunction with the Winter Park Paint Out, that will be painting plein air on the grounds of the Albin Polasek Musuem & Sculpture Gardens.  

I would be happy to demo my painting to anyone interested in watching and talk about my equipment and easel set up.  Hope to see you this weekend! 

Plein Air Friday at Disney's Animal Kingdom

On the Kali River

14" x 10" 

Available

This is another plein air painting done at Disney's Animal Kingdom, over looking the Kali River to the Nepalese structure that is actually the building where guests get on and off the Kali River Rapids attraction.  The White Cheecked Gibbons are just to the left of the clump of bamboo.    Needless to say, I was completely entertained watching them and trying to paint at the same time.  The baby, Harper, named after Harper Lee, has grown, and now has her dark fur to match the males, which will change back to golden as she gets older.  

I painted this in two sessions, one before hurricane Irma and then it sat in the studio for a while until I went back out last week to finish it.  I will be back out there today if the weather cooperates!

Painting with the Tigers on Plein Air Friday

Bright and early this morning I was at Epcot laying the ground work for a watercolor sketching workshop  I will be teaching next week for artists and designers at Walt Disney Imagineering.  Got the demo spot scoped out with plenty of room for folks to gather around and honed in on other locations for everyone to sketch.

Getting ready to do the details

A few weeks ago I was at Disney's Animal Kingdom on the Asia trek painting near the bridge between the 2 tiger exhibits.  While I'm painting I love watching the early morning routines of the animal keepers and I end up learning a lot about the animals I'm painting near.  

Back up the hill after finishing some morning business

While I was working, there was a male tiger on the exhibit to my right and a female on the exhibit to the left.  They are currently separated until they get used to each other and the younger female is ready for mating.  They have to keep the shutters closed on the male's side because if he sees her through the glass across the promenade, he will go crazy! (This is what the keepers have told me.)  As it was, he can smell her and had some guttural sexy calls, that morning, which felt like he was carrying on right behind me! Nothing like loud Tiger snorts and groans to keep you awake in the morning.  She, the female, couldn't be bothered in the least! 

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Plein Air Friday, Back at Disney's Animal Kingdom

 I went back to the spot I was at last week in the Africa area.  I had very limited time today, I didn't completely finish.  I will put it up in the studio and analyze whether I will finish it or not.  Some I'm compelled to bring to completion and others I essentially see as a painting exercise.  As I mentioned in the last post, I tried a new paper I didn't care for so part of me doesn't want to spend any more time on this one.   It is at that point where I feel like I may have overworked it.  I will look at with fresh eyes another day. 

I'm posting a painting I did finish in the Asia area.  I  also wanted to share a link to the Urban Sketchers Blog.  Last week there was a meet up of different chapters all over the world to record anything related to the Chinese New Year, the year of the Rooster.  Noga Grossman the head administrator for our Orlando Chapter suggested the idea as well as documenting what other artists did on the worldwide Urban Sketchers blog.  If you would like to see the post you can click here.  One of my paintings of the Temple of Heaven in the China Pavilion at Epcot was featured!  There are other sketches from  Lisbon, Yokohama, Seattle, Orlando, Melbourne, Los Angeles, Beijing, Dallas/Ft. Worth, O'ahu, and Canberra, in the article.

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Plein Air Friday

I can’t believe I haven’t posted since my Favorite Things, Top Ten series over the holidays.  Where did January go? This morning I painted in the Africa area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  I have painted a few times in the Asia area and this is the first in Africa.  I lost my bearings and didn’t realize after I started that about an hour and half into the painting, drawing then block in, I wold have the sun right on my paper and in my face with no umbrella.  Oh well, I will try and go back next week to finish it before the sun crests the building I was in front of.  

On an interesting side note, the past 2 Fridays I have tried a new paper, Windsor Newton Cold Press.  I painted at Epcot last week, this Tori Gate painting, and struggled with the paper drying too fast because it was chilly and windy.  Today, no wind and in the sun, it took forever for the first wash to dry so I could move on!  Just goes to show you different papers behave differently then when you add the elements on top of it, that’s a whole other story,  Something, my fellow oil painters don’t have to worry about. Unless you are painting in freezing conditions and the paint gets stiff. Painting in freezing conditions, not my cup of tea.  Won’t be worrying about that! 

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Favorite Things Top Ten: Number 4, Watercolor Sketchbooks

Many don't realize I paint mostly in watercolor because of watercolor sketching.  My primary medium was oils.  On trips to Paris, and when I lived there working for Walt Disney Imagineering, I found the world of "Carnet de Voyage," sketchbook of your travels.  Even before Urban Sketching became so popular, many publishers in Europe published the watercolor sketch journals of artists. There were dedicated sections in book stores for these!  I even saw a great show one year at the La Poste Museum in Paris, displaying artists sketchbooks.  I was bitten by the bug.  I had to do this!  The very first sketchbook I got was made by Savoir Faire and it has inside Indian Khadi paper.  I like the rough surface and the deckled edges of the paper.  These are the green and blue books shown below. Sadly, they stopped making them and I bought as many as  I could find a few years ago.  However, there is a nice substitute that I have had students get for my watercolor sketching workshop. Sam Flax here in Orlando carries them and the covers are brown.  You could google "Khadi paper watercolor sketch book," to find other options.

Shown are the Savoir Faire, Khadi Paper books in 2 sizes and on the bottom the Stillman & Birn, Alpha Series, 8" x 10"

Since this turned into a habit and obsession over the years,  I have used a variety of books and I like all of them, Hand Book, Stillman & Birn Alpha Series, and Moleskin Watercolor Books.

This is a handmade one with a soft leather cover my husband bought for me in Rome.  I love it because it's small and very light weight and fits easily in my purse. The sketch shows a view of the fortress in Salzburg, Austria from the Mirabell Gardens.

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Favorite Things Top Ten: Number 5, The Coleman Camp Stool

I used to take a collapsible three-legged stool with me when I went out urban sketching in watercolor or plein air painting.  I bought it IKEA in Hong Kong years ago.  When I first got it I thought it was fantastic!  I had a softer place to sit rather than on walls or sidewalks.  Then when I traveled by air to other places I wanted to take it with me but it added more bulk and weight to my suitcase.

When my fellow WAM:Women Artists Mentors and I were planning our trip to Venice last spring at one of our Google Hang Out meetings I asked the others if they were taking stools for sketching.  I showed Helen Beacham my stool and said I always have this dilemma packing it number one, then lugging it around on a day's outing, number two.  Helen immediately replied, "You need one of these!," and showed me the Coleman Camp Stool.  I ordered it off of Amazon then and there.  It fits easily in my plein air bag, it's not too heavy where you aren't super uncomfortable carrying it around all day on outings while you are traveling, and I find it to be fairly comfortable for what it is! It even comes with a small carrying case!  Thank you Helen, I could kiss you! I use it ALL the time!

I'm going to put the link here in case you are as anxious to get one as I was!

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