Windrush Gallery in Sedona AZ

Canyon at Ghost Ranch
Oil, 11" x 14"

It has now been just a little over a week since I returned home from the longest art trip I have ever taken! And it was a very successful trip . . . many paintings and good times . . . and the best news . . . I am now represented by a wonderful gallery in Sedona! Please have a look at their web site, Windrush Gallery, the best one in my opinion in Sedona. Their artists are mostly representational -- many plein air (outdoor) and studio artists you read about in our best art magazines. I feel honored to be included in such wonderful company!




Grasshopper Point
Oil, 10" x 8"


Wanda Crane and I spent four days driving out to Ghost Ranch for a workshop with Ann Templeton, and my friend Denise Chamption joined us in Santa Fe the day before. After the workshop, the three of us drove to Canyon de Chelly for a night and day, hired a wonderful Indian guide to tour the Canyon and we painted a small painting while down in the Canyon.

We then drove to Sedona where we were met by two other of my friends, Virginia (Ginny) Dauth and Camille (Candy) Day. We spend one whole month painting our way through and around Sedona. We were also there during the time of the Sedona Plein Air Festival and met some of the best and friendliest artists from around our country that were invited to participate. It is an honor to be one of 32 invited artists to participate in this festival.

Boynton Cactus
Oil, 10" x 8"

So . . . back to being represented by Windrush Gallery in Sedona. If you are in Arizona, you should really spend some time in Sedona and be sure to visit the Gallery. It is located on Hwy. 179 right in Sedona across the street from a major shopping and artist venue, Telaquepaque! This is only about two blocks off Hwy. 89 which runs through downtown Sedona.


Chavez Cactus
Oil, 7" x 5"












The images of the paintings in this post were what gallery owner, John McCullough, chose to keep for his gallery. All of them were painted while I was on this trip and are "plein air"! There were five oil paintings and three pastel paintings chosen. One of the pastels will be photographed tomorrow and all three of those will be framed and shipped back to Sedona. The oil paintings were left with them.



Red Rock Shadows
Oil, 7" x 5"



I will post the images of the three pastel paintings in the next blog post -- since I need to re-photograph one of those paintings.

If you have family or friends anywhere in the Southwest and they travel, be sure to let them know about Windrush Gallery and what a wonderful place to view great art. The owners, John and Jane are friendly and a real treat to talk with. They enjoy the customers browsing the gallery
. . . . . but of course buying  something is even better!

Be sure to let me know if you go into the gallery . . . would love to hear what you have to say . . . I know it will be good! Until next post . . . have a great Thanksgiving and be safe if you are traveling or loved ones are traveling to you!

Last Post from Sedona

Now for the last part of the trip and some of the paintings . . .

On Wednesday we visited Upper Red Rock Loop Road to paint again – this time Candy came along. We had told her how beautiful the area was and Ginny and I would love to paint there again. I decided since I painted this spot in oil the first time, today I would paint in pastel. I think they are pretty successful, with one that still needs a little work.

Watercolor underpainting
On Ampersand Pastelbord

The first painting I did, I took my time doing the drawing and watercolor underpainting. I was so in love with the underpainting, I decided not to do the pastel on top -- just at this time. I want to enjoy what I love about the underpainting just for a bit.

Red Rock Cliff
Pastel - unfinished

Second painting - and somewhat unfinished . . . I cut our painting day a little short -- I talked to Mark Hemleben from Jerome about painting on Thursday morning with him and near Jerome . . . but he asked if we were interested in coming to Jerome that evening to do a nocturne painting! I asked the girls and we decided -- "what the heck" -- let's do it! So we arrived there about 6:00ish and scouted out a good spot. Mark and two friends arrived just before 7:00 (the appointed time). The two friends were Carol Marine and James Coulter . . . both excellent artists. We had a great time and met new artists! Good stuff, yes?


Nocturne (night painting)
Jerome, AZ - pastel 12x9



Thursday we decided to visit Cathedral Rock again – at Red Rock Crossing – and this time I would paint the same scene in pastel since I had done it in oil a couple of days earlier. And we wanted to get good use out of our weekly pass into the Red Rock areas. It was another beautiful and warm day for painting in the sun – thankfully I had my umbrella to give me a break from having the sun in my eyes.

Again, these might not be the best paintings to frame, but are good resource material and I am learning more each time I paint the red rock monuments! I only painted one at Cathedral Rock -- 16" x 20"  -- but a little closer view than the previous one.



Cathedral Rock - Pastel - 16x20




Schnebly Hill was our destination for Friday morning – after we visited Michael Chesley Johnson’s new studio and workshop location. What a great facility he is leasing for his workshops and studio – right across the street from Tlaquepaque! One of the best areas of town – and right next to Oak Creek and a historic old rock pump house. He has even named his studio Pumphouse Studio. Michael went with us to paint on Schnebly Hill. That was a treat also. He said he had not painted the whole of this week since the end of the Sedona Plein Air Festival and needed a break from getting his studio ready for students next week.

What a beautiful day painting those magnificent mountains just right there on the edge of the main street of Sedona. Many of the jeep tours take people up this hill and to see one of the most beautiful sights and overlooks in Sedona.

Here are three paintings I did that morning.


Schnebly Shadows
Pastel - 10" x 8"
Will be going to Windrush Gallery in Sedona



Schnebly View
Pastel - 10" x 8"
Will be going to Windrush Gallery in Sedona



The Schnebly Shadows painting has been tweaked a little where the tree is on the left -- to create a more balanced looking tree for the foreground and the blue behind has been modified somewhat to create a prgression down the hill -- I did these small corrections before I showed the painting the the gallery owner, John McCullough, at Windrush Gallery here in Sedona!

And the last one of the day . . .

Schnebly Cactus
Pastel - 10" x 8"

Tomorrow morning we will leave Sedona about 7:00 a.m. to start back home -- Amarillo, TX will be our first stop for the night . . . Little Rock, AR for the second night . . . and then we will be home on Thursday later in the afternoon.

Thanks for joining me on our adventures here out West! Later!!!!

Here are more paintings I have done in Sedona

The days are winding down here in Sedona, and we have probably painted our last paintings of the trip. There is a slim possibility Candy and I can paint close to the house either Sunday afternoon or Monday afternoon. We will have to pack on Monday and get the car loaded for our trip leaving early on Tuesday morning.

Here are a few paintings from previous days that I had not posted:


Chavez Road Cactus
Oil 7" x 5"



Chavez Road View #2
Oil - 5" x 7"




These two views are just across the street from the house and we painted one day here because it looked like it would rain!



Red Rock Crossing
Pastel - 9" x 12" I think





Red Rock Crossing #2
Oil - 10 x 8








And here are two others -- one done at Red Rock Crossing / Chavez Ranch Park -- and the other one is one I did at the house in oil from this pastel painting.



On Monday, we painted just North of the town of Sedona, driving up toward Oak Creek Canyon to a spot called Grasshopper Point . . . part of the Coconino Forest. It was pretty chilly when we arrived, so we walked around and took many photos and decided what we wanted to paint. There were many, many rocks, Oak Creek, and some wonderful old Sycamore trees . . . and three different cascades coming into the Creek. Here are paintings I did there.



Grasshopper Point #1
Oil, 10" x 8"



Grasshopper Cascade
Oil 11" x 9"

Grasshopper Point #2
Oil, 5" x 7" -- Palette Knife!

On Tuesday, we drove back to Crescent Moon Ranch and Red Rock Crossing to paint at Oak Creek and Cathedral Rock. One of the artists from the Sedona Plein Air Festival, Betty Carr, was teaching a workshop this week and happened to have her class there also on this day. But, we got the prime spot for the morning! Standing out on a little spot that looked into the view of Cathedral Rock and it’s reflection in the waters of Oak Creek! It is the most photographed area here in Sedona and is on all their advertising for this area. It is also one of the “vortex” areas people visit. It was fun and a beautiful and warm day to paint.

I painted a couple of paintings this day – maybe not frame ready, but here they are anyway. They will be good reference material along with my photographs for future studio paintings.




Cathedral Rock
Oil, 12 x 16 I think!



Crescent Moon View
Oil, 12 x 9






The Cathedral Rock painting is a little "scattered" looking with the trees -- they need to be softened and not so many different looking trees. One of the issues with plein air for me, is I love trees and forget that the rocks are the star of this show (this painting). And the second painting, there were those beautiful tall poplars and I wanted them in it. But, I think I have two different paintings in this one. I think I will cut it in half and have two good paintings -- the house and trees in the upper half, and the rocks and water in the lower half -- each will be their own painting. Why not?
So, I will show the last of the week in the next post -- which will bring you to the end of our stay here in Sedona. We will start our drive back early on Tuesday morning!

End of Festival and Next Days in Sedona

Saturday morning was the “Public” art sale – and final festival day. It was billed as meet the artists day and see the work that had been created all week. Though, there was a “Gala” the evening before, and possibly some paintings sold that we did not get to see. The cost for the gala was $100 to attend and we opted not to do it. We were there early on Saturday. It was fun to see so much plein air work and in so many different styles of art. They had also awarded ribbons the evening before. We said goodbye to many new artist friends and hope to keep up with them and even trade information. Each one we spoke with during the week was willing to share any knowledge they had! What great people!

Here are a few more photos of the festival and artists.

The Quick Draw Sale
and Ginny looking at some information



Michael Chesley Johnson, his set up that day
and mixing some paint to apply!


So . . . The Plein Air Festival is now over and we are on our own once again! And . . . painting is the order of the day each day! Where do we wish to paint? Some of the festival artists have told us of various places they had a good day painting. But . . . we also want to visit a few of the shops we have not seen and a revisit to “Windrush Gallery” for more inspiration. We decided to have a “goof off” day and visit shops we had not been in and galleries.

We had seen some tents on our way to the sale, so we went back to the "art" show. There were some wonderful Native Americans playing music and showing dances. I bought one of the CD's of music and it is lovely.  The CD is Estun-Bah and title is "Sounds of Beauty", Native American Flue & Acoustic Guitar. They have won awards for this CD and have already produced a second on that Wanda Crane bought. Okay, having typed that, I now realize this visit to the Native American art show happened earlier in the trip because Wanda was there! I guess that is what happens when I don't post every night!

Anyway, here are a few photos of them.

Playing their beautiful music!

We bought some family souvenirs and had a light lunch at one of the downtown “tourist” joints. So, we have that out of our systems – and hopefully finished with any spending other than food, gas and travel!

Here is a photo of the first dance we watched



Here is the second dancer



Sunday we wanted to paint – but Candy decided she needed to organize, photo paintings, clean her palette, etc. So Ginny and I went to paint close to home on a road we had not been down before, which was Red Rock Upper Loop Road, on the way to the Red Rock State Park.

We found a wonderful ravine to paint . . . so I completed three paintings and I think Ginny did the same. I think it is some of the best oil paintings I have done so far! I have not been using my painting knife much in the last few years, and after watching some of the plein air festival artists create these "darn" rocks . . . I decided to pull them out and see what I could do. What a difference! I only used the knife for the end of the painting and to highlight the rocks or to add a darker accent.

Here are a couple of the paintings from that day.



Oil, 7" x 5"
Red Rock Ravine #1



Oil, 8" x 10" - same scene
Red Rock Ravine #2



















Oil, 9" x 12"
Just looking the other way at some cactus!

 We painted all the following week and visited the galleries, Jerome again to paint a nocturne (night painting), Cottonwood and antique stores! I will post more paintings from this past week, but in the next post.

Yesterday (Friday) was probably our last day to paint. I think I did my best three paintings -- pastel of course!

Today is Saturday and we are going to Cottonwood to "junk" around and also to visit the Arizona Pastel Society member show. Michael Chesley Johnson told us about it and the reception is today from 2:30 - 4:30.

Also, Ginny is packing her stuff and getting ready to leave early on Monday morning for her ride to Phoenix to catch a plane home. Candy and I will start our drive back early on Tuesday morning -- Santa Fe, Oklahoma City, and Little Rock -- before we arrive back home on Friday late afternoon or early evening.

So . . . I will leave more words and photos for the next post.

Art Class and Mentoring in Smyrna GA

This is just a short post! I woke up early this morning while still here in Sedona and was thinking of my classes in Georgia -- in Smyrna actually. I want to again put out there what I plan to do.

I have moved to Smyrna and have a wonderful space in my basement -- with a driveway and entrance -- that will be a great space to have small classes, mentoring sessions, open studio, etc. There are some windows, and it was an "in-law suite" -- so there is a full kitchen and a full bath right there! All the amenities we could need.

I will publish a calendar and send it out via e-mail to those that wish to sign up for the e-mail. It will contain the days I will be in the studio all day. You can call me, e-mail me or just show up. Of course, it would be nice to know you are planning to come! But, I will only have these sessions for students that contact me about them. This will not be for unknown students that could just show up at my door -- apologies to you -- but I need to know who is coming to my home and I am sure you understand this. You will only receive my address by private e-mail.

What I want is a true "mentoring" session for students -- not just showing you how to place a stroke on the canvas or paper. I will share all the knowledge I have accumulated in my art career. It also forces me to be in the studio and thinking about the "art career" aspect of being an artist -- not washing clothes, being on the computer, etc.  Remember, this is not a "class", but a thinking and planning, goal-setting, etc. course of study (along with painting, of course, if you wish). We will paint, discuss certain aspects of painting, critique, talk marketing, shows, framing, etc. . . . and I can gear it to what you need from me! All you have to do is let me know there is an aspect you wish to discuss.

The cost will be $25 for four hours of intensive work or thinking -- a very reasonable fee! You may be sharing the session. We will be able to have it from 8:00 - 12:00, 9:00 - 1:00, 12:00 to 4:00 . . . or I can be flexible! If you have a day job and need a night or weekend session, we will work something out. Though I mention putting out a calendar of days in the studio, please feel free to tell me your schedule and we will work something out to fit.

Now, for those students that feel they are more in the beginning of their painting career -- we can discuss a different kind of session. I don't mind special sessions just for you. We will discuss this on a one-on-one basis and the fee for that kind of session. You could consider this a private or semi-private class.

I do love teaching and have missed it -- since I have taken almost a year off.

Let me know -- I will be home from my Sedona trip about November 15th. I do still have some straightening up in the downstairs studio to do when I return. I don't think it will take me much to get it straight and ready for students. You can send me an e-mail to marshasavageart@yahoo.com and let me know your wishes and plans and we will structure something. . . . even at this time of year! You don't want to let this opportunity go even during the holiday season.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Long Post from Sedona

Wednesday dawned rather cool and cloudy, but we headed off to Jerome to watch the plein air festival artists create paintings of the historic town perched high on a hillside. Jerome is a fun place, having been an old mining town, then a ghost town, and then repopulated by hippies and artists. Now it is a haven for artistic types! We had a great time, except that I lost one of my most favorite silver and turquoise earrings. We left Jerome and painted at the deserted real estate office parking lot – in the cold and wind. But . . . we painted.


That evening we attended a talk and visual presentation of the personal work of the Keynote Speaker – Stuart Shils – for the Sedona Plein Aire Festival. I was so worried I was going to fall asleep during the slide presentation. The room was dark, I was tired, and sitting at the back of the room – and it did get a little boring – sorry Sedona Art Center. But, I will say I did like his work – but it is very minimalist, abstract and contemporary.

Michael Chesley Johnson and myself
perched in Jerome -- cool day!



Mark Hemleben in Jerome -
 a new friend we admire!




David Lussier in Jerome - a Facebook friend
and now in real life!

 

On Thursday, the festival artists had exactly two hours – from 10 am to 12 noon – to create a painting at Los Abrigados and Tlaquepaque – this is called a “quick draw”. There was a sale of the artwork immediately after the finish of the painting. What a treat – this was a location with a creek, rocks, etc. which was so different from the earlier work of “red rocks”! This would be our last opportunity to see the festival artists at work. How sad!

Tom Lockhart at "Quick Draw"
A fantastic artist with Ginny Dauth



Joshua Been at the "Quick Draw"
The little painting on the ground -
well, I bought that one.



Greg La Rock at the "Quick Draw"
He and his wife, Lori - new friends
And he is a fabulous artist!

When we left for lunch I contacted a friend, Leslie B. DeMille and we were invited to his house in the Village of Oak Creek. This was a special treat – we arrived at his home, saw some of his artwork, and then he surprised us with saying “Okay, which of you will sit for me to do a conte drawing?” Of course, I was going to be the one – since I was the instigator of this visit. But, it did allow Candy Day and Virginia (Ginny) Dauth to have the honor of watching one of the “masters” create a drawing!

I have the sketch and will treasure it. What a special day and a great visit! He is such a wonderful artist. We left his house and painted at Bell Rock and Courthouse Rock. What a full day!


Oil from the Bell Rock Vista parking lot -- but
not Bell Rock! Still trying to evaluate color mixtures.



Dry Creek Tree - Pastel 9 x 12
This is previous day of painting -
second of the day!



Friday we drove out Dry Creek Road again – to Boynton Pass Road – further than we drove the other day. We painted on top of a small hill and had views of the buttes, and the mountains – but more blue than red! I painted three paintings that day – all oils and probably my best oil paintings so far. I was trying to simplify the larger shapes and not get to “decorative”! Which is very hard for me.


Oil at Boynton Pass Road -
Second painting of the session that day!





Oil at Boynton Pass Road -
third painting of that day!


Saturday morning was the “Public” art sale – and final festival day. It was billed as meet the artists day and see the work that had been created all week. There was a “Gala” the evening before, and possibly some paintings sold that we did not get to see. The cost for the gala was $100 to attend and we opted not to do it.

We were there early on Saturday and it was fun to see so much plein air work and in so many different styles of art. They had also awarded ribbons the evening before. We said goodbye to many new artist friends and hope to keep up with them now and even trade information. Each one we met and talked with was so willing to share any knowledge they had! What great people!

I have more painting to show and what we have done -- but will save it for the next post. I know . . .
this was a very long one with many pictures! I know you are enjoying seeing everything I can load up on here. I don't usually post to my blog this often, as I don't like to inundate everyone with so much. But, I did say I would post as often as possible from this fantastic trip out West!
Until next time!