Sue Flanagan’s Website

A couple of weeks ago we had our first 65 degree day in months. So, I packed up the easel and art supplies and headed to the Morton Arboretum. I knew it would be too early for blooming flowers and trees but I had to get outside.  Here are some of the earliest signs of new life. The daffodils were just sprouting.

I set up my easel next to the car because I did not realize how windy it would be and the wind was cold! I anchored the easel so it was secure but I was constantly holding something else down. I was attracted to some trees that had red grass in front of them. Here is the set up. I first put pastel down for the major shapes and then used Gamsol (mineral spirits) to spread the pastel. When it was dry, I applied some pastel. I did not finish.

Unfortunately, this was not fun so I gave up and went to the visitor’s center for some hot tea. I was so cold! I spent the rest of my time driving through the grounds. Today it is an unusual 80 degrees and many things are blooming. It is still windy but I am looking forward to a return trip.

One of my pastel paintings, “Running Out of Titanium White” has been accepted into the Great Lakes Pastel Society National Show. This will be at the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art in Midland Michigan from May 8th to August 1st. In August I will be showing a large number of paintings at the Vogt Visual Art Center in Tinley Park with Marcia Duff, a watercolorist. So I am busy painting in my studio and framing.

Have a great Easter.
Until next time,
Sue Flanagan

Tags: Great Lakes Pastel Society, Morton Arboretum, pastel paintings, plein air painting, Tinley Park, Vogt Visual Art Center

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 6:12 pm and is filed under What's New. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.