This project has been occupying a lot of my summer painting time, and has now come to a happy completion!

The Wabash Valley Community Foundation will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and wanted to celebrate by obtaining artwork from local artists, illustrating in some way their work and impact on the community over the past 30 years. In April they put out a call for submissions of ideas and current work. I made a proposal and was one of 15 people selected to complete a piece of art. The plan was to select and purchase six of those completed.

I visited their offices and studied their history and work. I was drawn to those people who had used their wealth to set up educational scholarships. I chose to focus on this couple, both now deceased, who were successful local, family business owners. (The business continues in the hands of their son, who was very helpful in giving me access to photos of his parents).

They were both keen pilots, owning several of their own airplanes (one is pictured in the back right of the painting) and they established a scholarship for students in the aviation program at Indiana State University, administered by the Community Foundation.

I learned last week that my painting was one of those selected to be purchased and will hang in the offices of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation in Terre Haute.

In April I attended the Annual Conference of the Portrait Society of America, in Atlanta, Georgia. I had a wonderful time!

Before Christmas I did not even know about the Society, but when my husband gave me (for Christmas) the book by Michael Shane Neal, ‘Portrait Painting–My Point of View’, I read about the Society and then looked it up online. I found that there was an annual Conference and I surprised myself by thinking, ‘I could go!’

I met so many great people, attendees and faculty. The demonstrations were fascinating, instructive and inspiring. I went to the free critique sessions on both lunchtimes and obtained advice from four different artists. The evening free drawing session was thoroughly enjoyable; having faculty there to ask for help was a wonderful benefit.

There were so many different styles of painting represented and so many approaches, which was very reassuring! I came home with new ideas, fresh inspiration, and increased incentive to practice and branch out.

I hope to go next year.

Three small pieces (less than 12 ins in any dimension) were accepted for the 2020 Arts Illiana Small Works Show, Dec 4, 2020-Feb 19, 2021.

‘One of A Pair’ and ‘Red Pepper’ are each 6 x 8 ins, oil, matted and framed to be 8 x 10 ins.

‘Lenten Rose’ is 7 ins square, watercolor, framed to be 8 x 8 ins.

All pieces in this Show had to be for sale and to my delight, One of A Pair and Red Pepper have both sold!

These are exercises in oil; first, pears in monochrome, raw umber at the top and ivory black on the lower one. I was beginning to feel how the traditional oil paints and medium went on to the canvas.Then I tried a study in color, (left) following along with Paint Coach, Chris Fornataro. The last pear (right) was painted from life-my own still life set-up.

I love the rich and luscious colors, the depth and form, and the brushing, blending and layering possibilities of the oil paint.