Raining Sunshine

The weather outside may be frightful here this week, but it's definitely raining sunshine in my life right now. To put the magnitude of this into perspective, let me start from the beginning.

In late June 2013, I decided on a whim that I wanted to try my hand at painting for a hobby, so got a cheap student grade watercolor set and a pad of paper and set about attempting to learn to paint. It didn't take long for the art bug to bite for real, though, and I began experimenting with a variety of media including acrylic paint, charcoal and graphite. Frustrated with the student grade paints, I moved up to artist quality watercolors and acrylics, then expanded to Gouache and colored pencils which worked much, much better and were a lot more enjoyable to use.

As much fun as I was having, however,  I still felt like something was missing so in September of 2013 I picked up a small set of student grade soft pastels and a little pad of pastel paper just to see what they were like. After my first two attempts, I was more frustrated than ever and decided perhaps soft pastels just weren't for me. Luckily, I was intercepted by some other pastel artists who noted that my frustration was in all likelihood due to the lower quality of my pastels and the very challenging paper I had selected to use with them rather than an innate inability with the medium. Never one to give up too easily, I picked up a small set of artist quality pastels and a little sampler of sanded paper - what a difference! It only took a couple of test mini paintings and I was hooked. Determined to learn this medium, I gradually expanded my collection of high quality pastels and surfaces, and studied everything I could find on them - books, online tutorials, other artists' websites. Ever since, I've been painting like a woman possessed - at least several times a week consistently. Most of my earlier works were mediocre at best, but I was putting in my time with  painting and getting practice making marks, learning about color, values, temperatures and composition. I studied everything I could find on pastels and painting in general to help me learn. I checked books out from the library, purchased online training courses and joined the local pastel society.

Ever so slowly, things began to happen. I got juried into several shows and even won first place at the State Fair. But I wanted to continue improving and growing as an artist, so I was delighted when, at one of the local pastel society meeting, I met another member who had given an incredible demo earlier in the year and discovered that she taught and, even better, was willing to travel to my home to teach me! After hiring Addren Doss and studying with her this year, I saw noticeable improvement in my painting, which carried over even into my other mediums, and I began to dream bigger. I had heard about the Pastel Society of America - the premier organization of serious pastel artists. Unlike the other art organizations I had joined, membership in PSA are offered only on a juried basis, and I had heard how high their standards are so I knew it was going to require even harder work on my part if I were to have any hopes at all of getting in. So I continued to study and practice and work harder than I ever thought I could at my painting. It was difficult and frustrating at times, and other times things just clicked. I turned out some paintings I felt very good about and some that went directly into the "studies to maybe repaint later" bin. But I never stopped working at it, and I never lost sight of my goal. By the October PSA jurying session, I finally had five paintings I felt good enough about to submit for consideration for membership.

This weekend, roughly 26 months after that first frustrating attempt to draw something with a stick of pastel, I got the letter that validated all my hard work. The letter welcoming me as a juried Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America. But this is not the end - rather the beginning. Now the even harder work begins and I'm intensifying  my efforts with lessons and practice as I pursue that next ever more more challenging step on this artistic journey, the quest for Signature status.

NC Open Plein Air Paint Out

Last weekend was the NC Open Plein Air Paint Out in Salisbury, North Carolina. I signed up because it was fairly close by, and there was a nice campground in the immediate painting sites area that allowed pets which meant Steve and Fry could accompany me. This is definitely a do-not-miss event for plein air painters. The huge variety of painting locations are lovely and the "goody bag" we received at check-in was very nice. It included the usual maps and restaurant guides and various printed informational brochures. But it also contained a small watercolor set with some gorgeous colors in it, a pencil/eraser/sharpener set with a good sized sketchbook, and even a hat!

I knew the Piedmont of North Carolina had some nice rural scenery, but I was quite simply amazed at just how beautiful this area is! I unfortunately only had one day available to paint, and it was a challenge to select just two locations from the variety of choices including dams, wineries, old homesteads, parks, lakes, etc. We ended up camping at Dan Nicholas Park Campground in a very secluded and private wooded site. This campground is right next to the Dan Nicholas Park itself which contains a variety of activities and features, but I was particularly drawn to the lake where there was a wooden bridge crossing over masses of waterlilies. Water birds, including beautiful white ducks and the occasional heron, frequented the lake as well. I elected to paint a portion of the bridge where it exited onto the trail across the lake next to a gorgeous tree with an intricate trunk growing out of the water itself.

My best little plein air buddy took an early break to walk around the lake with Steve, but then returned to rest next to my easel while I finished up this first painting.

The early morning light was rapidly changing, so I had to paint quickly, but this time I had to work even more quickly than I usually do, so I would have time to go to Dunn's Mountain and paint my second work and still have time to frame everything and get to the reception by mid afternoon!

© 2015 Tammy Kaufman - Dan Nicholas Bridge - soft pastels on Pastelmat 8" x 10"

Dunn's Mountain Park proved to be an excellent choice of painting location. The staff there really made our visit memorable. They were quite knowledgeable about the old quarry and the history of the area. One of them was an artist as well, and we had a delightful time chatting while I painted. I elected to paint from the observation deck itself since I wanted to capture some of the expansive view of the quarry and retaining pond below as well as the views out across Salisbury all the way toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park staff told me on clear days you could actually see the distinctive profiles of Pilot and Grandfather Mountains, but today there was quite a thick layer of haze which amazingly completely occluded any evidence of the mountains themselves! Staying true to my plein air experience, I painted what I actually saw, which on this day unfortunately did not include the well defined higher peaks of the distant mountains due to the hazy skies. But the view was amazing nonetheless.

© 2015 Tammy Kaufman - Dunn's Mountain Vista - soft pastels on UArt 8" x 10"

I did manage to get both paintings done, framed and delivered on time for the opening reception.

All in all, we had a wonderful time, seeing old friends and meeting new ones, and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the North Carolina Piedmont. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and I'm already looking forward to next year's event!

Helping Animals Through Art

Last week, despite being on routine flea and tick preventative and daily skin checks, our dog, Frylie, was diagnosed with Lyme disease. After several days of antibiotics and anti-nausea medications (which he will continue to take for at least another month) and pain medications, he is finally beginning to show some improvement. However, in addition to the stress and worry about our little furry family member, the financial impact of treating this illness has also been quite substantial already and with follow-up scheduled to monitor for long term effects, will continue to grow. Fry is fortunate that my husband and I are able to pay his medical bills, but this situation made me think about the many animals out there who are not so fortunate.

Together, we can help those needy animals. I’m the Guest Artist for the month of July here in Wake Forest, at The Artists’ Loft  and I've decided to use this opportunity to donate a portion of the proceeds from any and all painting sales during this show to the Good Samaritan Fund at Animal Emergency Hospital and Urgent Care of Raleigh. This fund helps pay emergency veterinary bills for companion animals and wildlife with urgent medical needs. So I hope you’ll come out to The Artists’ Loft above Wake Forest Coffee in Wake Forest during the month of July, buy some original artwork and help support a very worthy cause.

© 2015 Tammy Kaufman - Live Deeply - soft pastels on UArt 8" x 10"

The opening reception for the show is Friday evening, July 10, 2015, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Artists’ Loft above Wake Forest Coffee, 156 South White Street, Wake Forest, NC, phone 919.554.8914.