Finally Turned on the Heat in the House

Painting the very last sunflower, now they are officially bird food.

This is the happiest tomato I met this summer, and Yes, I painted him. It's a him, I'm pretty sure.

If you came to the farm this summer, tomatoes were forced upon you. We grew over 3500 of them.

Recognize some of those tarps? They are our show tents and it's the only time they got used this year.... Sigh.... to keep the frost from killing the peppers and tomaotes.

 So, the temperature is majorly dropping tonight. The garden is just about done, with the hardiest to scrape through for few more weeks or so. I'm doing more night painting with less daylight and the stress to paint everything inch of still green life is growing stronger. Every year, I do this to myself. I demand that I paint everything I couldn't get to during the summer. My studio fills with jars of nearly dead flowers that I keep on life support for the sake of my art. And yet, everyday, I scold myself for failing to catch all the falling leaves and check the weather for killing temps. Never mind that I've worked my butt off all summer gardening and painting, but the feeling of on-coming cold and darkness really comes on thick. Deep breath. I will do what I can do...... at least I made my bed this morning.

At least ONE thing is going right this year.

My husband and I have been pouring ourselves into our garden seeing as we can't go to too many places anymore. Our shows are canceled but we are still plugging along and painting away. With everything tumbling around us, at least we get to have our family and friends stop by and pick up some produce. Thank you to everyone who has kept in touched and purchased work.

New Work, New Garden, New Problems

Perpetual Adoration of the Tanager

With no official art festivals to be had and a world in turmoil, art is still being made. And since we seem to have more time on our hands, we put in a new garden - 130 x 15 feet. So look for new veggie paintings as the year rolls on. I'll be sure to make one of the thinnings, poor little guys.

This piece, Perpetual Adoration of the Tanager was accepted into this years Birds In Art Show at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau WI. It opens Saturday, Sept 12.

Painting as the World Tumbles Along

Well, we are staying in. Our pantry is full, feeling prepared. Just going to forge ahead knowing that the Art Festival schedule is up to change. What else is there left to do but get down to work and paint.? Also, I've been on the phone a ton lately, checking in with family and friends. It's been comforting with all the connecting. I've been hearing and reaching out to people I haven't talked to in a while. Silver lining, I guess.

My painting Amen was used for the cover of a book of poetry by Angela Voras-Hills. It just came out in February and I highly recommend it.

This show is over now but many of our works remain at the gallery.

Summer Shows

Cherry Creek, Denver CO, July 5-7

Ann Arbor Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI July 18-21

Waterfront Art Fair, Charlevoix, MI August 10

Uprooted, How climate change is affecting plant life in Wisconsin.

April 26, 2019 to June 23, 2019

James Watrous Gallery • Madison

Overture Center for the Arts, 3rd Floor
201 State Street  •  Madison, WI 53703

W-Th 12-5   •   Fr-Sa 12-8   •   Su 12-5

608-265-2500

RECEPTION

May 17, 2019

Reception for Uprooted: Plants in a Changing Climate

Featuring an artists' panel at 5:30pm

In an era described as the Sixth Great Extinction, plants both rare and familiar are at risk, and climate change is accelerating the loss of unique habitats and species. For Uprooted, five Wisconsin artists have created new work focused on the diverse plant communities under threat in Wisconsin. Cynthia Brinich-Langlois and Bethann Moran-Handzlik have turned their attention to the northern forests; Helen Klebesadel and Lynne Railsback have focused on central Wisconsin's prairies and oak savanna; and Katie Musolff looked to wetlands and gardens near the Mississippi River. Uprooted also includes a group of black ash baskets by Marian Miner and birchbark pieces by Terri Hom, as climate change is accelerating the vulnerability of both paper birch and black ash.

Highlights of 2018

These are some of my favorite paintings from the past year. It was a very successful one, so thank you so much for all of your love and support. You help me realize my potential and encourage me to reach further inside myself to see what I am capable of.