In Michigan, the flowers are in full bloom and a group in front of  a church in Douglas was quite inspiring.

I set up my easel early in the morning and in the shade. It was pleasantly cool and quiet except for the garbage trucks.

Here is the painting in progress. Time to quit. The light has changed.

And here is the final painting after a little editing and final touches.

Time for a coffee at the Respite Cafe.

Sue and Suzy

"Memory of Orland Grasslands" is a 9 x 12 in. pastel on multimedia paper that has been covered with Golden pastel ground.

Have you ever had the experience where the same theme or idea keeps coming to you in different ways? The concept of painting from your memory came to me three times recently through the art of another artist, an article, and some notes that I took last year. This seems like a God moment. I think I need to work on my visual memory.

I painted this scene last year but I wasn't happy with it. Fortunately it was on durable multimedia acrylic paper. So, I brushed off the old image leaving just a ghost image. Then I applied some Golden pastel ground to the surface with a brush keeping in mind the texture I would wanted for the grass. When that was dry, I started to repaint the image using a different palette with soft pastel.

Where does memory end and imagination begin? Does it really matter as long as the end result is pleasing? And, I am pleased with this one. It is a keeper.

Peace,

Sue and Suzy

"Peek a Boo Waterfall" is a 12 x 9 in. pastel painting.

My friend Arlene and I wanted to find a cool spot at the Morton Arboretum and fortunately we found this beautiful shaded spot near Sterling Pond. This scene is just a peek of a very small waterfall from the pond into a stream. The light was causing the nearby vegetation to glow. Once I stopped talking, the only noise was the water running and the birds singing. Butterflies and wild flowers were every where. Once in awhile there would be a cool breeze.

I am so fortunate to have these opportunities to go to beautiful spots, to paint and to be with good friends. Life is good.

Sue and Suzy

It has been over a year since I bought the Art Comber for Plein Air painting. I am a consistent year round plein air painter so I keep this cart in my trunk ready to go. I have used it all over the Cook County Forest Preserves and I have taken it to the Plein Air Convention in Tucson as well as to a plein air event in Colorado. I also want to say that I take care of my things so that they will last. I have a lot invested in art materials.

I have found the frame of the Art Comber to be very durable. The wheels are large for different terrain. There is no damage to the handle or the rest of the frame.

I am disappointed in the bag. Two months after I got the Art Comber, the strap on the front was separating from the bag. I got a new one from Jerrysartarama. They were very good about no hassle replacement. I reinforced my new bag with duct tape and I only put paper in that front pocket so I do not stress the strap.

The main section of the bag holds my pastel box, my easel and my umbrella. I admit they are heavy. Recently I saw a seam in the back of the bag that is separating and I do not know how I am stressing that area. It is also held together with duct tape.

Anything else I want to bring I carry in a bag that I hook on the handle for transportation.

I use the chair as a table so that things are off the ground and that is very convenient. The one time I used it as a chair to paint from a lower level, I was an orthopedic wreck. This has been my experience after 16 months of regular use. Literally and figuratively, it has been a mixed bag.

Sue and Suzy

I recently went on a plein air trip to Michigan. The state motto is "Pure Michigan." It is a beautiful state. For this painting I was standing under a highway overpass to paint this scene along the Kalamazoo river. It was very noisy but cool in the shade.

On the 4th of July weekend it was very crowded and noisy on this intersection on Blue Star Highway but every one left me alone. They had things to do and places to go and I was not part of the entertainment. I was fine with that.

I felt like doing a flower or garden scene so I drove to the Mount Baldhead museum. They have a beautiful garden and shade! I was crazy enough to climb Mt. Balhead afterward. That is 300 steps to the top in the heat and humidity!

I was up and out early and just wanted some peace and quiet. After my coffee at the Respite Cafe in Douglas, I headed toward the Felt Mansion. Before you turn off of State Rd., there was a peaceful scene with wildflowers. That morning it was so humid, you could see the atmosphere. It was quiet and peaceful until a car drove by and hit the huge pot hole. I don't know how people didn't see it!

I went into Saugatuck for my morning coffee because I was up so early and they actually have a coffee shop open early. I walked down the street to the river and saw this scene. So, I put the easel up near a large gazebo and painted near some fishermen. These men drive from Chicago just for the day to catch that big catfish!

I did another painting but it was a scraper. All in all, a very nice trip. The heat and humidity is ramping up in the Midwest but before I complain, I remember the 5-6 months of dreary cold weather that will be coming.

Hope you are having a good summer.

Sue and Suzy

"Andrea" is a 12 x 9 in. pastel on paper. This is a studio painting I did from a photo and from the sketch I made of the model in a workshop at the Center.

We had a very good attendance of a dozen artists at the figure/portrait drawing and painting workshop at the Center in Palos: http://www.thecenterpalos.org/. Most of the participants used pencil or charcoal for drawing but we also had pastel and oil painters.

I quickly covered the basics of painting skin tones and then a little about body proportions with the class. Andrea was our African/American model with a beautiful light skin tone. Since I have had limited  practice with this type of skin color, I decided that  capturing her flesh tones would be my personal goal. Her hair with corn rolls was another challenge.

Andrea is a very good model and she is also an artist who makes beautiful jewelry. We had a very interesting visit after the workshop.

Thanks to all who participated!

Sue and Suzy