It's (already) mid-July, and that means it's time for the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. This will be my eleventh year of participation, and sometimes I have to sit back and marvel a bit at how much I've learned between now and my first year as an exhibitor. At times, it was a steep learning curve, but with the help of my husband and my family, I persevered. I'm happy to report that I've progressed from renting a truck to purchasing a new van of my own for my art shows. With the best set up that I've had to date, I'm looking forward to this year's show with some new ideas and works.
Impression: The Guardians original oil on paper.
This captures a couple of my favorite trees along Old Gatesburg Road just outside of State College. I always admire these trees' silhouettes when I ride my bike in and out of town.
For this year's show, I'm pleased to introduce a new series of "Sketch Impressions" inspired by my beautiful surroundings here in the rolling mountains of Centre County, Pennsylvania. These small format works are original oil paintings on paper, and they're a looser, more gestural interpretation of ideas that I may expand upon in the future as larger format works. These pieces are great, liberating ways to explore ideas with a better energy than the more formal approach I sometimes take to my bigger pieces. In some cases, they may be more conceptual and experimental than what you would typically see in my artwork, and I'm excited about this new direction. I'm starting with landscapes, but you can expect to see this approach used in my cityscapes, too, as well as additional locations throughout Pennsylvania. All good things in good time.
During this year's show, you'll be able to find me in Booth O-49 along Fairmount Street in State College during the art show. Shown here are a few of the first pieces from this new "Impressions" series that I'll feature in my booth.
Impression: Bellefonte Sky original oil on paper.
I caught this view just south of Bellefonte while on my way home this past winter.
Impression: Summer Sweep original oil on paper.
Sweeping, dramatic summer clouds billow over the landscape just north of State College earlier this summer.
