Bernie takes a time trip....

I donned 1860's period attire two weekends in a row portraying a civilian plein air artist. Last weekend Olivia and I attended the Civil War reenactment at Fort Branch. The weekend before Olivia, my grandson, Christian, and I attended a Living History program at Hammocks Beach State Park. The three of us are pictured above.

Here I am working from my small cigar box pochade box painting an old house on the grounds of Fort Branch near Hamilton, NC. Marsha Harris took this photo of me while I was painting.

Here's the 6x8" finished painting from the sitting. Olivia met some friends and they all played in the old house while I painted it.

I met some nice people as well and had many interesting conversations while painting. One was Tom Whelan, a photographer who was kind enough to share these photos with me. Thanks again Tom!

As I was painting I used the "Complementary Color" technique where I paint the opposite color to what I see in the first stage. The spectators that dropped by while I was working this stage must have scratched their heads and asked themselves, "What kind of drug is this guy on?"

I chose an more intimate setting for my painting on Sunday morning. This 8x10" painting is a view across the field where the battle took place later that afternoon.

At the Hammocks Beach Living History program I portrayed a younger Claude Monet and gave a demo on plein air painting.

In 1863 Monet discovers Manet's painting and paints "en plein air" in the Fontainebleau forest for the first time. My age and impression are closer to Monet as seen in his self portrait painted in 1886 posted here.

The day was full of excitement!

I gave my finished painting to Charlie Wilton who commanded the artillery battery in above photo.
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Two GREAT weekends spent with old and new friends, Olivia, and Christian, topped with plein air painting... PRIMO!

Koi at Maymont #395

Painted en Plein Air with (VPAP) Virginia Plein Air Painters, (OPA)Oil Painters of America sponsored Paint-out at Richmond's Maymont Park October 30, 2010.

(top) 24x30 on linen panel (largest to date) of the Japaneses gardens - the pond, of course full of spoiled Koi was perfect, because of my current Koi and Lilies series.

(bottom) 14x11 on linen - detail study

My location, under a small structure made it difficult to see my palette much less my canvas. I should have moved, but it was the best Koi viewing spot.....stuck with it vowing never to do it again!

Belmont - paintout #386

I started painting en Plein Air again with a fledgling Plein air group called Virginia Plein Air painters from Richmond, Va. My first paint-out was at the Gari Melchers (American painter - first part of 19th century)1790 Historical home and studio called Belmont located near Fredericksburg, Va.

It was a great day, well attended and I completed (2) panels both 8x10 - this one sold later to one of the members

Daily Painting 1175 SOLD Beachcomber Tortoise Plein Air

SOLD I did this at the Inlet State Park its 8 x 10 inch oil. It was beautiful out, a perfect day.

Daily Painting 1174 Cottages at Edenlawn Plantation Plein Air Alla Prima

Its oil, 8 x 10 inches on masonite. I went to Edenlawn this morning and had a nice time, got pretty hot in the afternoon, around 87 degrees. Wore me out! $200.

Enchanted Morning, landscape with lilies and egret

"Enchanted Morning"

About This Painting:

This painting is from last week. This great egret kept posing for us at White City Park. I hope to do a few more paintings of him from the pictures I took. I think this is the most wonderful place I have ever worked at out on location!

Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)

Price: $200 USD
To see more originals: click here to see my gallery page.

Daily Painting 1169 SOLD Ocean View Plein Air Alla Prima

SOLD I painted this today from life, sold it hot off the easel! :o) Its 5 x 7 inches on masonite.

Daily Painting 1168 Pads 'n Palms Plein Air Alla Prima

There is a little story about the palm trees, the two behind the egret. Used to be three, there is the horizontal stump right in back of the bird. I painted that tree, oh maybe seven years ago with the other two, then it was taken out by hurricane Jeanne or Frances. The reason they grew like that is because they had gotten knocked flat by a hurricane years ago, then grew back towards the sun. Its oil on masonite, $200.

Daily Painting 1166 Vista at White City Park Pink Water Lilies

Here is another plein air painting I did at White City Park. The tan thing in the middle top is my easel. The painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on masonite. Its sold! :o)

Daily Painting 1165 Great American Egret at White City Park

I painted this from life at White City Park. The egret was very tame and posed for me. The painting is 5 x 7 oil on masonite. Its sold! :o)

Below see me and my paintings at the orchid show, I won second place! The top two next to me are mine.

Daily Painting 1164 Lovely Day at White City Park Plein Air Alla Prima

Went painting again in White City park, it was a wonderful day, lots of birds and squirrels.

The painting is oil, on masonite 8 x 10 inches, Its sold! :o)
http://lorisart.blogspot.com/

"At the Park"

About This Painting:

Had wonderful paint-out in Fort Peirce with Lori McNamara -- Everything was bright and colorful. It was my first time out in a few months. A cool breeze, warm sunshine, lilies blooming, and all kinds of birds posing right in front of me.... Got a lot of great pictures while I painted this scene. Totally enjoyed myself.

Thanks for looking!

Ready to frame.

Media: acrylic on canvas

Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)

Price: $175 USD

To see more originals: click here to see my gallery page.

Daily Painting 1157 Water Lily Day Plein Air Alla Prima

I went out painting with fellow Daily Painter Fawn McNeil Barr today.
It was wonderful! Hundreds of water lilies, all shades of pink,
white and bright fuchsia,
they were growing all over.

...I did one painting, was going to do more but this big egret came walking by,
right in front of me,
he was catching blue dragonflies!

Then some ibis came along too,
I just sat and watched and took photos.
I figured I could paint from them.
I am thinking if I paint these things,
nobody will believe me,
big white birds and big pink waterlilies!
Not too hot or cold,
lovely breeze, just perfect.

The painting is oil 8 x 10 inches on gessoed plywood, I did it on site from life. $200.

Tunnel Hill paint out

Cathy Cooksey working on a painting of historic downtown Tunnel Hill (GA).
Several members of the Art Alliance of North Georgia participated in a paint out during the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. This painting sold the next day.

A Land Apart by BJ Wright

9"x12" oil, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8th (completed at 12:10pm)...$120 (including shipping but NOT the frame)...This was painted a few days before the annual "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment. I popped it into this frame for display at our Art Alliance of North Georgia tent.

please try to ignore the glare

Daily Painting 1105 Pots of Salvia Plein Air

Its 8 x 10 oil, I did this awhile ago at Heathcote Botanical gardens and felt it wasn't quite finished, so I tweaked it a bit and here is is. Its 8 x 10, oil on panel, $200.

Provost HQ by BJ Wright

12"x6" oil on stretched canvas, painted en plein air on May 15, 2009, at the Battle of Resaca(GA)...$80 including shipping...This Confederate tent was set up under a clump of trees on a hill's crest overlooking the battlefield.

They Fought Bravely by BJ Wright

12"x6" oil over acrylic on stretched canvas, painted en plein air on May 5, 2008, at the Confederate Cemetary in West Hill Cemetary in Dalton, GA. This painting is $80 including shipping.

Daily Painting 1100 Savanna Pines Plein Air

This is a painting I did from life awhile ago, its oil on masonite, 8 x 10 inches. $300.

Sunny September Morning by BJ Wright

8"x10", oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on September 8, '09...$85 including shipping...This late morning painting of a Tunnel Hill (GA) meadow reminds me that Fall will be here before we know it. I've painted this scene dozens of times and each time it's fresh and different.

July Afternoon Late by BJ Wright

12"x9" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on July 4 (completed at 8:10pm)...$135 including shipping...Since I'm usually painting outdoors during morning hours, the idea of painting in the afternoon took a bit of adjustment. The light and shadows play differently and I could quickly run out of daylight...just in time for a nocturnal painting.

North from Snodgrass Hill by BJ Wright

6"x12" oil on stretched canvas, painted en plein air, alla prima, on May 22, 2009...$80 including shipping...Last Spring I painted at Chickamauga (GA) Civil War Battlefield. It was around noon when this was completed, so the shadows are short beneath the treeline. I prefer painting in early morning, but it's good to paint outside my comfort zone.

Daily Painting 1096 The Green Door Plein Air Alla Prima

Its oil on masonite. This is another one of those paintings that vanished for awhile in my drying rack. I did it a few months ago from life at Edenlawn Plantation. Its 9 x 12 inches, $300.

July Afternoon Late by BJ Wright

12"X9" oil, plein air painting in progress...I got a call to meet an artist friend around 6:00pm at the Tunnel Hill Civil War battlefield this afternoon. Since I'm accustomed to painting during morning hours, I thought it would be great to catch the setting sun on the hay bales scattered about.

Daily Painting 1094 Old House at Edenlawn Plantation Plein Air Alla Prima

This one got hidden on my drying rack, painted it a few months ago and never posted it. I did it at Edenlawn Plantation, things were pretty busy then. Its from life, 9 x 12 inches. $300.

Daily Painting 1093 The Garden Shed at Hackberry Hammock Hammock plein air

Its 8 x 10 oil on masonite. I painted it a few months ago at Hackberry Hammock, wasn't too happy with it at the time so I tweaked it a bit. I like it a whole lot better now. $200.

Daily Painting 1091 Beach Daisies at Julie's House

I did this from life a couple months ago when it wasn't so hot at Julie's house, its 5 x 7 oil on masonite. $100.

Hopin' and Dreamin' by BJ Wright

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air, alla prima, on Saturday June 19th (completed at 10:40am)...$85 including shipping...This was my first time at the Dalton Saturday Market, so I didn't know what to expect. I found friendly folks selling produce, plants, and various hand-made (well made) items. The gazebo caught my eye as I set up my easel. Light always changes quickly, so it's a challenge to get shadows in their proper places. The gentleman wearing a hat and red shirt seemed oblivious to the mill of people and sounds of the childrens' zylophone. He was "hopin' and dreamin'".

Pinky's Parlor Reception

 
No, I'm not pointing a gun. All the furniture in this section of Pinky's Parlor is cyprus wood. Frankie, owner of Pinky's Parlor, purchased several paintings including Durinda's, Phyllis', and mine. We were happy not to bring wet paintings home. A delightful weekend thanks to Generations Gallery and Indian Springs and of course Frankie who also makes delicious chicken salad. Better stop on in!

En plein Air painting of girl jumping rope Sculpture at the Whimsical Garden in Indian Springs, GA

 
A great day was spent on Memorial Day Week end Saturday in Flovilla, GA at Indian Springs painting with 11 other artists. This was a Plein Air Georgia event sponsored by Generations Gallery who were very hospitable and I can't wait to return to paint again and in fact we went back on Sunday to paint the bridge to the State Park.

Grace Episcopal Church

 

June 8th six Civic Arts League members painted outside at the Grace Church from 9 til the storm around lunch time. I skittered around trying to find what "spoke to me". Of course I wanted to do the whole church building. The Church is gracious to hose the Civic here the first Monday of each month. I've had two art exhibits here in the past.
Back to that day I walked all around and finally settled under a huge tree to find that a screw had fallen out of the Soltek easel leg. I thought I would set up on my lawn chair but Carolyn Cannon always comes to my rescue. She had loaned an easel to Jo and it took more of my time to get it out of the back of Jo's van. At any rate I think I got a good view of the setting and the building. I could hardly see the building for the tree and later added some detail of window frames from a photo that Jo sent to everyone. I think it works okay now. I do wish it had more life to it but that's what happens when I tweak too much in the studio.

Afternoon Storm...Maybe by BJ Wright

8"x10" oil on RayMar panel, painted en plein air on May 31st (completed at 2:00pm)...$85 including shipping...Instead of painting the seashore scenes I'd planned, I painted this hazy, lazy afternoon looking across a wildlife sanctuary in Nags Head, NC. Each afternoon it looked like rain clouds would roll in, but rain came only once briefly.

Callaway Gardens Exhibit

Tonight, June 4, 2010, is the exhibit and sale opening for the Southern Rivers Guild of Fine Artists and Crafsmen at the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center inside Callaway Gardens from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Come listen to the live music while viewing the creations of 32 participating regional artists and craftsmen in this juried art show.


All are invited to attend and see the wide spectrum of art that will include paintings in acrylics, oils, watercolors, pastels, pencil, charcoal, pen and ink as well as pottery, jewelry sculpture, mosaics glass, woodcarving and metal.

An encore reception is also scheduled for July 23 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Artists demonstrations will be scheduled throughout the summer with the exhibit closing September 6, 2010.

Admission price is waved when you tell the gate attendant you are coming to the art show at the Discovery Center.

Daily Painting 1074 Watery Maze McKee's Botanical Garden Plein Air

Its 8 x 10, oil on hardwood plywood. It was a beautiful day at Mckee's Botanical Gardens, but hot! Lots of wonderful water lilies of all colors, I enjoyed myself thoroughly just looking at them all. $200.