Rain Down

Scattered Showers, 12 x 12

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There is nothing quite like oncoming rain - looking across the lake, feeling the wind pick up, and knowing it is headed this way. I watched this one blow in a couple of weeks ago and had to paint fast while it was still in the distance. But it was coming in fast...

Perseverance

Gray Day, Blue Awning, 12 x 12

In spite of the increasing threat of rain yesterday (thanks to Hurricane Dolly on the coast) a few hardy souls gathered for our Thursday paint out at the Elisabet Ney Sculpture Museum grounds. Three times we closed up our paintboxes and ran for cover as showers blew through. Our reward for not giving up was a moment of sunlight and some small patches of blue sky before the big rains came later in the day.

Speaking of cool Austin pools...

Poolside at Barton Springs, 16x12

So my sister from New York was wondering if Deep Eddy is the same pool as the one in "in that big park with the great lemonade?" No, we have TWO really amazing pools in Austin!! This painting is from the other great pool - Barton Springs in Zilker Park - also spring fed and 68 degrees year 'round. Right at the pool entrance is a bronze sculpture of 3 old legendary Austinites and a plaque quotes one of them, "I wish you might be here and go with me on a sunny afternoon... Everywhere it is beautiful..." See you soon, Erin... :)

Saturday Morning at Deep Eddy

Summer Wheels, 12 x 12

Did I mention that it's hot here? Today we painted and then swam at Austin's well-loved Deep Eddy Swimming Pool. According to the web site (www.deepeddy.org/pool), it is the oldest swimming pool in Texas and began as a swimming hole in the Colorado River where "cold springs rose from the river banks and a large boulder formed an eddy." In the 1920's, the pool was concreted in and at that time featured cabins, zip line, a Ferris wheel, and even a diving horse! The bathhouse in my painting was originally built during the Depression-era. And Deep Eddy today? Still spring-fed and 68 degrees - so nice.

Painting Adventures

Morning Haze, 12 x 16

People often have advice and stories for plein air painters... Today, I was just getting ready to paint this scene across the lake when some park maintenance guys came through. One of them came over to me and said, "you'll be fine here." I smiled to myself thinking how nice that was that he was concerned for my safety. Then he continued, "we've only ever seen small snakes where you're standing. The big ones are up on the hill behind you." No snakes today, I am happy to report.

91 Degrees and Some Clouds

91 Degrees and Some Clouds, 12 x 12

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The Texas sky has been amazing these last few weeks. Last Wednesday I was driving out to paint from this beautiful hillside where I knew there was shade. The daily weather report came on the radio, "91 degrees and some clouds". Well I was looking at the clouds and these were SOME clouds! She should have said, "91 degrees and unbelievable clouds... or 91 degrees and clouds are taking over the sky..."

McKinney Falls

Clouds Over Swimming Hole, 16x12

Rock Ledge at the Falls, 8x12

On Thursday our Plein Air Austin group met at McKinney Falls - it was gorgeous and pretty comfortable for those of who stayed in the shade. And jumping in the swimming hole was the ultimate cooldown! Barbara Haviland from Beaumont (http://www.bhavilandfineart.com/) joined us and we loved having her (and her husband Sam who brought snacks and helped carry things.)

Summer in Austin

First Watch, 12 x 12

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Dappled Pink, 12 x 16

I am finally getting back into the swing of things after my big show at the Davis Gallery (still up for one more week.) After taking a little break, getting out into the field with paints is pure delight. It's pretty hot here in Austin, so we have to stay close to water and yesterday my painting group went to a local park with a little neighborhood pool. These two paintings are of Reed Park... a lovely spot in Tarrytown.