Serious Play

Do you always go to your exercise class and stand in the same spot. Do you make your coffee exactly the same every day. We are such creatures of habit, and that's mostly a great thing, but I think change and a little adventure is also a great thing.

Being a staunch believer in a strong work ethic and that hard work will get you where you want to go, I've nevertheless concluded that if you want to have your own voice and unique way of approaching painting, you also have to be able to play.

Play can be hard for us adults. Play means taking chances; unpredictability can follow, even losing or failing. Play means sometimes taking some risks and it means occasionally wasting some stuff, just to have fun. Remember all those craft projects you did as a kid? These are all things that are counter to our adult sensibilities of orderliness, safety and thriftiness. It also means letting go of the idea that each thing we do must have an outcome that is successful and end in something of tangible or financial merit. A product.

I think that the outcome of every piece won't be anything more than a "product" if we don't really allow ourselves what seems like the luxury of play. We'll never gain that sensibility of wonder and that which makes a work seem effortless if we don't.
Of course there's the risk too, that you can also get too good at play and then you have to switch that it up again. But that's another story!

I suggest digging out all your your supplies from your pastels, watercolors, that tube of "rub 'n buff" from your craft drawer and sit on the floor and take some chances.


Do a simple composition and do it over and over again. You don't need to make an "exercise out of it. Just see what happens and where it takes you. Ask yourself "what if?" What if the foreground was dark in value? What if I take a wet brush to this. What if I make a monoprint from this pastel. Let your curiosity take over. If you make mud, or worse, so what? It's the process and the sensation you're after. What if I use graphite line over this pastel? What if? What if? What if?



Take these sensations of back with you to the easel when you are ready to work on more "serious" pieces. The adventurous spirit , the serendipity. Recall what it felt like to lay down the foundation for something new.

Painting Outside At Last

What a Beautiful Day! I spent the entire day painting at Luscher Farm yesterday. It was absolutely perfect for it. I met my friend and fellow artist, Wendy DeHart. We just couldn't get over how lovely it was. It was a great opportunity to start to flex those plein-air muscles after being in the studio for months. I find it very challenging to remember to paint like myself since the focus is so different than in the studio. I do a few things to help keep me on track;

1. Prepare that plein-air kit- there's nothing like forgetting something important like paper, to get you off course! Even if you don't have something like the bug spray, it will not be good!

2. I choose really simple compositions to start out the season. Things that perhaps, I've painted before and feel relatively comfortable with. This will give me a better chance of a successful result right off the bat.

3. I really rely on all my tools. I don't take shortcuts, like not doing a thumbnail sketch or not using a viewfinder.

4. I paint mid-morning or afternoon, so the light has the best chance of being pretty stable for the longest period of time.

5. I try to remember to have fun! After all, I'm finally out here painting!!

All in all, I try to cut myself some slack getting started painting outside for the season. I make it as easy as possible on myself and think of the work as field studies and "play".

Hope you enjoy these photos!

Astoria Getaway

I took my mom on a short getaway before the craziness of my schedule really sets in. We drove up to Woodland, WA to take in the Lilac Festival. Both of us were expecting fields of lilac bushes, but instead it was a lovely farmhouse and it's surrounding gardens. The house and it's contents were largely intact from when it's original owner was alive. The property was purchased by the garden club from the heirs. They've maintained it ever since. I think mom and I especially enjoyed seeing the vintage clothing and talking to the lady docents that were there offering historical information and family lore.

After the Lilac Festival, we made our way back to Oregon via the Longview bridge. Then, headed to Astoria. Weather cooperated, with only one or two brief cloudbursts. When we arrived, we stopped into Riversea Gallery say hello and see what work they were showing. Then we checked into the charming Elliot Hotel. We had a nice room with a view of the bridge. We relaxed a little, then headed for the Columbia Cafe for dinner. Dinning is an experience at this place. It's a hole-in-the-wall diner, made a dining destination. You can count on a unique and delicious meal at a reasonable price. It's pretty amazing.

We headed back in the morning after a brief, but worthwhile stop at the Astoria Column. I'm glad we took the time to drive up the hill. Oh, and we stopped for coffee, of course at a great local coffee shop a block from the water. They have the best looking pastries and Stumptown coffee. We had a raisin bread grilled cheese with fruit. Perfect.

On the return trip we made a couple of photo stops. What beautiful country! And such a great time of year. The light was great and the trees still have some of that light green of spring before they turn bright green for good. The pastoral setting was right out of a luminist painting.

Almost Blogging

Finally getting it together to post a blog. Mike and I are excited about sharing some of our art and experiences along the way in creating and selling our work. We have a busy summer planned, with lots of shows and lots of gardening, hopefully!

Mike just returned from Pendelton, where he attended a printmaking workshop. It was a wonderful experience for him and he came home with the most incredible work yet! His new work is amazing.

I'm in the process of framing some new pieces for my upcoming shows. We'll be in Los Altos on May 16 & 17 and then on Memorial Day Weekend, we'll have a joint show at Christopher Hill Gallery in St. Helena. So, needless to say I'm scrabbling! Here's a couple of the new pieces.

BaggettaStudio Blog

April 8, 2008

We just set up our new blog!