Studio Journal | 6.7.26

Foxgloves, color studies, gallery prep, and a few lessons from a very full art week.

Phew! It’s been a busy week. The good kind of busy, but busy all the same. I tried to focus a bit more on art this past week. I did an okay job with it, but of course life snuck in. Not in a bad way, just in the form of things that shouted a little louder than my artwork. (Why does that always happen!?) I got my shed painted, which was not fun, did some necessary work in the garden (little garden tour at the end of this post), and tackled a few other odds and ends that needed my attention.

But this latest Studio Journal is about what’s happening in the studio, so let’s stick with that. I’m trying on a new name for this series too. The first post was called Notes from the Studio, but I think Studio Journal feels a little more like what this is becoming. A casual place to share what I’m working on, what I’m learning, and all the little bits happening in and around my art practice. Shall we?

Foxglove on Repeat

I had a clump of foxglove blooming in my backyard, so I decided to paint it. And then paint it again. And then one more time.

Many of my favorite artists and teachers have talked about the benefits of painting the same subject over and over again, so that’s what I did. I enjoy painting foxgloves, and they were right there blooming away, so the timing felt perfect.

Funny enough, there are things I like about each one. None of them feel like “the one,” but each helped me see the subject a little differently, which I think is the whole point.

Which do you like best?

These are the three finished pieces. I’m curious, do you have a favorite? Is there one you’re more drawn to: left, center, or right? I ask because I’m hoping to use one for an upcoming gallery show. More on that below. The other two will likely end up in my shop.

Starting a New Online Workshop

This past week I started a workshop with Anne Blair Brown, and it’s all about color. I’ve taken classes with Anne before, and she’s an amazing instructor. Great lessons, practical advice, thoughtful feedback. Plus, I love how she works with color, so this felt like a win-win.

I just finished up my homework from week one. I’m actually hoping to do it again with a different subject before our next lesson. That’s the plan at least. Painting with a different rhythm and process always seems to throw my brain for a loop, but in the best way. It makes me slow down, pay attention, and think a little differently.

Group Gallery Show

I was invited to be part of a group art show at Gallery 29, a gallery in my hometown. I did a group show with them in 2024, and it was such a wonderful experience. I’m so honored to have been invited back.

Right now, I’m in the process of figuring out what I want to include in the show. I do wish I had a bit more time to prepare, especially with the drying time needed for oil paintings, but I’ll make it work at it will be a fab collection. This week I’m going to make some final decisions and order frames so I can have everything to them by June 19.

I’m hoping to include 10 to 12 pieces. Perhaps I can show you everything once I’ve made my final selections.

By the way, I use Franken Frames for all of my frames. They have been fabulous, and they usually have a sale happening.

Handmade Wood Palette Update

In my last Studio Journal, I talked about the wood palette I was making. My final thoughts are still being determined.

As I mentioned previously, it requires lots of oiling before you can use it. Well, I thought I had oiled it enough, but I had not. So when I first used it, things felt pretty dry. Once I finished that painting, I cleaned it off, added more oil, and now it feels a lot better.

My only gripe right now is that it’s a bit hard to clean. I just can’t seem to get all of the pigment off in between uses. It’s not just an easy wipe like glass. My guess is that I need to keep using it for a while to really build up the surface, but I’m not totally sure.

Time will tell, and I will certainly let you know. Other than that, I really do enjoy working with it.

Plein Air and Urban Sketchers

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but every week I have two art meet-ups, which is honestly such a gift. On Thursday nights, I meet with my local Urban Sketchers group, and on Saturdays I meet with a plein air group, which I actually started back in 2024.

Right now, with Urban Sketchers, we’re mostly at outdoor locations, so I’ve been taking my gouache paints and working on toned paper. As much fun as it is to mix it up and try new things each week, I do feel like sticking with something consistently helps me grow more quickly, and maybe more deeply too. In the winter months, when we were indoors, I used ink and watercolor. (I typically share these on my Substack feed if you’re following along there.)

And for our plein air group, I stick to oils. That stays consistent all year.

Anyway, all that to say, this week at Urban Sketchers we were down by the river in Pittsburgh, and I did a scene of a bridge and the city. I struggled with it big time, but it eventually kind of came together. Let’s just say I don’t hate it.

One thing I don’t really love, though, is that I was using a flat brush, so a lot of my marks feel very angular and square. That’s something to keep in mind for next time.

I did use this Caran d’Ache Gouache Studio Set and I really liked it. It’s dried gouache in a palette. It was really convenient and the colors were very vibrant.

Then on Saturday, we went to Polish Hill here in Pittsburgh for plein air. I found this great little house with the light raking across the yard and just kissing the top of a turquoise pool cover. Painting light is my favorite. And I also really love somewhat unconventional scenes like this. I love being able to find beauty in everyday moments.

I really struggled with this one. I wanted to give up a few times. It was even worse when the homeowners, who were very kind, came out and wanted to see it. Which, I don’t mind but when I’m in the messy middle and struggling it’s pretty awkward.

Anyway, I pushed through. When I was done on location, there was still more of it that I didn’t like than I did like. But I got home, adjusted a few things, added some final details, and I think that really helped bring everything together.

The pool cover is a little awkward. It looks like I just painted the water badly and I’m not sure how to fix that. I assume most people wouldn’t see it as a pool cover.

Are there still a bunch of things I would like to figure out and do differently? Of course. Which is why I hope to go back to this location and try it again.

That’s All for Now

Man, I feel like I could go on and on, but this has ended up being a lot longer than I intended, so I’ll save the rest for next week.

I hope you enjoyed it. And I hope you’re staying happy and as busy as you want to be in your own studio. Have a great week, and I’ll see you next time!

PS. Garden Tour

Okay, this is totally random and not exactly art related, but I shared a little tour of my backyard garden on Instagram Stories and thought you might enjoy seeing it. Not much is blooming at the moment, but lots of things are planted, including dahlias, zinnias, snapdragons, and other perennials that will hopefully be showing off soon.