Friday, August 7, 2015

Wet Paint, Polka Dancing and a Grand View!

Went to spend a couple of days with my Dad in Richfield, Utah and we had such a good time.  Saturday morning, we got up and got "spiffied" up cuz I think we're probably going to Ace for our favorite biscuits and gravy.  Sure enough - dad's got on his purple button up shirt and he looks great!  The young gal who serves up the biscuits knows my dad well.  "Well good morning Mr. Griffin!" as she takes his arm and walks him around to his table.  "The usual today for you and your daughter?"  Dad grins, "You betcha!" Good stuff, indeed.  Mental note:  it's going to take probably 6,000 steps to burn off this gravy.  
My dad, Bill Griffin, age 88, and his baby girl off for biscuits and gravy!
he's kinda into selfies, ya know . . . 


"Shall we stop at K-Mart and check your blood pressure?"  "Yep, just as well.  Pull right up there to the front the no-parking red zone! that's where we always park - we'll be just a minute."  I do as I'm told and do, indeed, get a couple of glares, but no worries.  Dad knows right where to go.  Slides his arm into the cuff.  146/92.  He looks at me.  "That's pretty good, ain't it?"  I said, "Not bad at all."  Somehow, this dictates if he's going to feel good or bad for the day.  I said "I think you'd probably be able to do a little dancin' with Molly Brown at the Polka Party!"  His step quickens just a bit as we head back down the aisle back to the car.  Out the doors, the car's still there.  Whew.  Dodged that bullet!  

Back home in his easy chair, he manhandles the remote control and gets us to RFD-TV.  Oh boy.  We made it just in time for the polka party!  My Dad smiles as the music starts up and we watch those people dance.  He's in heaven as his mind is flooded with memories of wonderful times dancing with my mom, playing his own accordion and making people happy.  I'm reminded again, as my Dad tells me almost every time we talk on the phone, "Honey, slow down a little bit and stop and smell the roses." Dad and I had a great day, stopping to smell the roses.  Here's a clip of Molly B's polka party!




Made me realize that life's just too short to inflict yourself with so much stress and feel the pressure to work too damn hard!  Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and do some of those things you normally wouldn't do.  One might be to take a quick dash to Richfield, or maybe take a river trip down the Grand Canyon with a bunch of your painting buddies!  Oh SNAP!  That's just what we did!  Doug was so thrilled to get invited by Cody DeLong and a dozen other great artist friends to make this trip.  They went the end of May and were gone for 10 days.  A true painting trip!  

One of the two rafts heading to shore!
6 x 8 oil on panel
They were led by the Arizona Rafting Company who provided all the meals, sleeping accommodations and the guided tour down the river.  Up first thing in the morning to a fabulous breakfast, then pack up their gear, pull out the paints and find a spot to capture a little bit of heaven with a paint brush!  Clean up, pack your stuff and ride the river for 25 or 30 miles.   


Stop, dock the rafts, pull out the paints and do it again!  He came home with about 18 little painting studies.  Here's some of my favorites!






It was the trip of a lifetime.  So many great painters, old friends and new friends!  Here's a shot of the group.  Hope I get all their names right!  

L-R:  Michelle & Bill Cramer, Doug Braithwaite, Hai-Ou Hou, Susie Hyer, Dave Santillanes, Heather Burton, Cody DeLong, Josh Bean, Rosie Sandifer, Amery Bohling and Dennis Farris.
He came home and immediately started working on some larger pieces from his studies.  Here's what he's done so far:

"A Grand View"
30 x 40
This was entered in the Union Station's "Traces of the West" Show - I think it was still wet when we took it in!  It was awarded 1st Place!  

Here's the other one - a bit smaller, but love the soft colors and the feel of the day.  Peaceful indeed.  Love. Love. Love.  

"Canyon Grazing"
18 x 24
Doug also finished a beautiful piece just before he left on his trip for some friends who live in Hawaii.  They were such fun to work with and were thrilled to take a little bit of Utah snow back to their home in Hawaii!  Thanks to Sid and Allyson for letting Doug share his talent with you!!

"A Superior Landing"
24 x 31
Enjoying a day off today and wanted to find a minute to catch you up on our happenings.  Doug's had an amazing year so far and I still need to share his great week in Drigg's Idaho with you as well!  Maybe tomorrow!  I'm going to be sitting at my company's booth at the Weber County Fair!  Compass Minerals!  Come say hi!  

I'm going to now go find some more roses to smell!  which is code for, I'm going to go put my feet up and have a beverage . . . my new favorite drink:  iced tea and lemonade . . . ba bye diet dew . . . 

Hey, just a reminder, we always welcome you to stop by the gallery and/or studio here in Sunset.  And another reminder, take time to do something wonderful for yourelf . . . we have a couple of spots left in the Torrey 3 1/2 day Workshop September 10-13.  I'm taking time off to go with Doug so I'm looking forward to it!!  Go to our website www.dougbraithwaite.com and click on workshops!  

All my best,

Jeanette

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Wet Paint and Artistic Desserts!

It's been a great few weeks since the show in St. George and we've been busy with STUFF!  I mean, the days fill up and the evenings come fast and furious!

We started a little project of tearing up our laundry room, pulling out the washer and dryer, cleaning behind them--seriously?  I mean - super clean!  No lint or anything!!  Yeah right . . . oh, truly, it was downright embarrassing!  We replaced hoses and tidied everything up and decided to throw on a little paint.  I started out and Doug, being the very smart man he is, said "Hon, you're doing a fabulous job at this painting!!"  Me:  "Ya think??  Well, you wait till tomorrow and see what else I can do!"  And the rest is history - I painted the whole room and Doug was proud as punch and he didn't have to lift a brush, except in his studio!!  I told you he was smart and a sweet talker!!  The curtains are kinda "artsy".  Here's what he kicked out while I was painting in the laundry room!
"A Change of Scenery"
14 x 11
Oil on Panel
 I included the frame in the picture because it just looks amazing with the frame.  It's a boat from back in Wisconsin.  It's spectacular.  Now at Terzian Gallery if you want to see it up close and personal.

Mornings are filled with yard work and gardening for the past couple of weeks.  Gym memberships have gone unused because the sun feels so good and we're pooped by the time we get through!

Doug's got an amazing garden going.  He laid down a big tarp, then laid out some "raised boxes" in a big open area.  Put the sprinklers below the boxes and then cut the tarp, peeled it back, dug down a ways and then filled with some good rich soil.  VOILA!  The guy is brilliant I tell you I, said "hon! you are doing a fabulous job with this garden! . . . tee hee  nuf said?"  

So we have 10 tomato plants, then in these small "mini" raised beds, we have zucchini, butternut squash, eggplant, 3 different melons, and cucumbers. Then another larger raised bed with just peppers.  All kinds . . . we even went for a ghost pepper.  So we'll see how that goes . . . will we even see it grow??  ooooooo . . .  Here's me working while Doug is planting and doing such an amazing job, did I mention?  

So then, in the middle of watching our garden grow, he does this!

"Apple Blossoms"
20 x 21
Oil on Canvas
Amazing, right?  I know - a little surprising and not as "Doug-esque" as you would expect.  But he does like to paint the unexpected, right?  

I have been being a little artistic myself and not just painting the laundry room - I know I got duped there!  but every Sunday, we have all the kids over and it's so fun to cook for the fam!!  Here's a couple of my fun desserts that were damn close to being too pretty to eat!!  To the left is a great funnel cake and don't get all impressed because it's very cool-looking - I have a pan for that and it's so heavy-duty, they literally just fall right out!  and to the right, a sour cream chocolate cake with a dark chocolate, almost bitter, chocolate glaze that seriously, it was to die for.  Yeah, I took the picture on a doily and put a strawberry next to it - dorkie, I know!  But hey, this was good stuff!!  If you're in the neighborhood, you really should "drop" in some Sunday night - there's always good food, good fun, sometimes a fire out back and usually a great card game that we've renamed "Bloody Hell!!"  don't ask . . . Bloody hell, just come and play!!  

Classes are filling up - Huntsville will be perfect weather in June!!  Don't miss out.  Love to have you  jump in.  Here's the two paintings he did as demos last year - they were both spectacular and students started a bidding war on them!!  We've had such great feedback from the students who took this class. It's just such a great setting and Doug knows every nook and cranny up there!


Check out the colors in the tree below.  The photo doesn't do it justice - the original was magical to look at:


Here's the link to sign up for the class.  Go to our website - then click on "Workshops!"  


Workshop goes from June 25-28 (that's a Thursday morning through Sunday morning - 7 sessions).  

K - check back soon as there are a couple of killer paintings on the easel right now I can't wait to share with you!!  

Also this Friday, May 1 from 6-9 pm, we are going to participate in "Ogden's Finest" at Shanna Kunz-Hernandez' wonderful little gallery "Bella Muse Studio & Galleries."  It should be an incredible compilation of some of Ogden's finest artists.  There's some amazing artists in this area and we are excited to be part of that show!!  and I'm helping make some delectable desserts for the show!   

Signing off with a great picture (one of a bagillion pictures we take of our only grandchildren at this point.)  Max is "chillin'" with Doug and when I say "chillin'" I mean, it was really chilly!  Max was shaking like a leaf so Doug tucked him in his coat!  Aren't they both just cute as can be?  Both have very nicely groomed mustaches, don't they?   


And Jeffrey, well, he's just damn cute!  He absolutely loved our whirlwind snowstorm in the middle of April.  Me,  not so much . .  Bloody hell . . .

Good Night!!

J'net


Friday, April 3, 2015

Painting Outside the School Grounds!



Sunny St. George delivered a beautiful day today!  Started out a bit nippy (in the 40's) but progressed into a perfect day!

Doug rebelled by painting "outside the school grounds" but I promised Jane that he would deliver a killer painting and that it would be worth it!

Here's where he started.

Bandana and all!  Set up off the beaten path.  Such a rebel!
  I, of course, was back up near the gallery "working" and manning the "Braithwaite" corner where Doug was SUPPOSED to be painting.  Every 15 or 20 minutes, I would leave my post, dash out the school-yard gate and snap a quick picture of the Braithwaite progress.  It had to be a masterpiece or we would both be in trouble!

20 minutes into the painting.  Looking good.  
People back at the gallery are asking "did Doug decide not to paint today??"  I assured them he was working in his element and directed them his way.  With his headphones in, he was in the groove and most anyone who stopped to talk to him would startle him if they touched his shoulder!

45 minutes into it.  Value study done - now adding color and more detail. 
About an hour into the painting.  Loving the red car!  How much detail will he put in?
About 1 1/2 hours into the painting.  
I watched as he took the telephone pole from a black line to an authentic-looking telephone pole.  He did one straight line down the pole with brown paint and then went over it again with a skinny orange line!  I really wouldn't have thought to do that!  hahaha

Last phase, the foreground.  How much detail - and of course, my question is always "will he put in a few "dots" for the red flowers?  

Finished!  Absolutely beautiful!  
Yup!  He did!  What a great little painting.  Congratulations to the highest bidder in the silent auction!  You got a gem!

And Doug was not grounded for leaving the premises and I delivered on my promise:  it WAS a killer painting!  Looking forward to Doug doing more fun cityscapes of St. George!

Great couple of days for our first time participating in the New Visions Art Show.  We will be more prepared next year for sure!  Thrilled to be a part of the great group of artists down here and so excited to have met some new artist friends as well!  Thanks to friends and family who came to see us and for sending YOUR friends to see us too!!

Let the vacation begin!  hoping I get to use my golf clubs that I INSISTED we bring!  

Cheers!

Jeanette




Thursday, April 2, 2015

Bugs in Wet Paint!

So I'm sitting here in the sun on a little deck at our "home" for the next 3 days in St. George, Utah.  It's 65 degrees, with 10-15 mph winds but the sun is beating down on my bare legs (bare also means lack of sun for an entire winter!) and they're soaking it up!  I'm not gonna lie, this is incredibly relaxing!  Let's keep that just 'tween us, if you will!  

Jane Meyers getting the artists situated!
Doug is now showing work at Authentique Gallery here in St. George and so was invited to participate in the Eighth Annual New Visions Art Show at both Authentique and Mission Galleries.  The artists have set up outside around the two galleries with a few of their paintings and have been painting for the mere pleasure and perusing enjoyment of their collectors and art lovers!  

With the gusts of wind, we have seen a few minor "oopsies" and then some major "Oh Sh#!$" paintings falling over, one canvas getting a sharp puncture through its heart!   

Doug working a Southern Utah landscape
So here's where Doug is working this afternoon--similar to my set-up, right?  Sun beating down on your neck same here - I probably should just put on my swimsuit . . . a bit breezy knocking over paintings and knocking over my cold can of fresca . . . gosh . . . Its brutal working out in this Southern Utah sun!  Trust me hun, I feel your pain!  I'm trying to show some empathy here . . . not sure it's going to come across that way tho!    

We set up a few paintings outside.  Here's our little display, with the rest of the paintings hung inside.

Authentique has this great little courtyard
Many of our favorite artists are here this weekend!  Shanna Kunz, George Handrahan, Jeff Pugh, Brad Holt and Rett Ashby to name a few!  Meeting many more and looking forward to showing work next to theirs here in St. George!

Here's the final touches and final painting, complete with the little last-minute photo reference down below . . .  

See how the painting is floating.  Starting to paint the recessed edges . . .
And last side - this is the color of his "under-painting". . .

And a last few strokes that make it pop!

Pop it in a frame of your choice and nice choice it is and VOILA!
Enlarge it and notice the "eagle" in the sky on the far right!  Dat be a bug!  He ain't goin' anywhere anytime soon, I don't s'pose!  

Tomorrow Doug will be out painting "true" plein air!  He's hoping to get in a cool street scene of downtown St. George!  Stay tuned!

working in the sun is exhausting . . . I think I'll call Doug and see if he'd mind coming and "refreshing my beverage . . . "

Cheers!!

Jeanette

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Wet Paint and Falling Into Place

I'm feeling a little melancholy at the moment as I feel like time is flying by so quickly, I'm missing out on precious moments that I should be savoring with every bite.  Yesterday was my firstborn's 27th birthday.
What?  When did that happen?  I know we have all uttered those same words.  I texted him through our "family" group text, first thing, recalling our family tradition:

Mom:  . . . with presents in hand, we sneak into Ryan's room early in the morning, singing "happy birthday to you . . . happy birthday to you!  Happy Birthday . . . dear Ryyyyyyy an . . . happy birthday toooooooo youuuuuuu!!"  and someone always chimes in with "and many more . . . ."

Doug:  Ah, hun, you should let him sleep in on his birthday!  Happy Birthday Ryan!

Ryan:  *yaaawwwn*  Ah, thanks guys!!  

Wesley recalled the "trumpeting" sound that Doug generally made when waking the kids in the morning.

Amy chimes in "Hahaha!  Happy Birthday Ryan!"

We would all jump on his bed and we all get comfortable while he opens his presents to start his wonderful birthday!

I also got a wonderful gift from Wesley who took all of my videos and "camcorder" tapes, along with my parents "home videos" and put them all into digital format.  Wow, talk about a flooding and long ride down memory lane!  In most cases, it seems like a different life time.  That being said, I'm back in the saddle of Braithwaite Fine Art and chief in charge!  So much fun running this business and working with Doug and Wesley that I am thrilled to be back in charge, crackin' the whip!  and laughing my head off while Wesley cracks jokes!  Did I mention that kid is so funny??  and did I mention that I love pretending that I'm the boss!   

So let's get at it!  It's been a crazy warm winter but that didn't stop Doug from painting ski paintings!  They've been flying outta here like nobody's business!  We did a few for Art & Soup last month and then some special requests and commissions!  All in all, they were killer ski paintings!!

This first one was another first for Braithwaite.  Lone skier, no buildings, no cars, just a skier and his mountain.  Sweet painting.

"Ready, Set . . ."
8 x 10
Available at Terzian Gallery, Park City
This won't last long.  I think 2 or 3 of you have already asked about it!  This next one went to a great home in Colorado to a long-time friend, Dorothy Strehl.  She taught skiing at Alta for many years and loved this very scene:

"Mountain Village"
9 x 12
SOLD
This was a popular one as well.  Went quickly at Art & Soup.

"Lunch Ideas"
11 x 14
SOLD
This one just went up to Terzian as well and is already on hold.  We had it in the window, maybe 30 minutes when someone came in and asked about it!  Doug and I stopped on our way out of town a few weeks ago as we watched the cross country skiers enjoy the peaceful "gym" that we soooo envy while we fight for a treadmill at Gold's Gym!  See the little skier on the path?

"Crowded Day at the Gym"
9 x 12
Sale Pending at Terzian Gallery
This is the one he painted for the demo and live auction at Art & Soup.  He had it mostly finished but put the final touches on it while people watched him paint there at the Salt Palace.  Great painting.

"Descending"
11 x 14
SOLD
Not a great image, but you get the idea.

Doug has a couple of classes scheduled for 2015!  I'm not sure how people are finding out about the classes as I've not advertised them yet, but we've had some new students already sign up!  We will be doing two workshops this year.  The first one will be in Huntsville from June 25-28.  Torrey Workshop will be September 10-13, 2015.  Both will be 3 1/2 days with 7 sessions.  We are limiting the classes to just 12 students.

I have made some arrangements for some lodging options if you're interested.  In June, with the workshop being in Huntsville, we have reserved 4 rooms at the Snowberry Inn which is within a couple of minutes to where we will be painting I like how I say "we" when referring to painting!  The Snowberry Inn is absolutely beautiful and they have offered us rooms for $99/night + tax which includes breakfast!  If you're on a budget, I have also reserved some rooms at Days Inn in Clearfield, which would be about a 20 minute drive to Huntsville (which is what Doug will be doing from our home here in Sunset).  They have offered us rooms for $56.99/night + tax.  In both cases, let them know you are with the Doug Braithwaite workshop to get those rates.  June's workshop will start first thing Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m.  If you're coming from out of town, you will most likely want to come in the night before.  There will be two sessions each day, usually from 8-noon and then 2-6, depending on the "best light!"   I'm still figuring out that "best light" stuff . . .  The final session will be Sunday morning, June 28th from 8-noonish.

Torrey Workshop will follow that same format, starting the morning of Thursday, September 10th ending Sunday morning, September 13th.  I have reserved a block of rooms at the Boulder View Inn for $65/night + tax.  Go to our website at www.dougbraithwaite.com and go to the "Workshops" tab to register!

We are also offering something new this year.  We always get requests for the boards that Doug paints on.  Wesley has heard your request and has gone to production!  He is offering the boards for you.  They can come either with or without gesso (if you would prefer to gesso your own) and in some traditional sizes (or special sizes upon request).  He also has a great little maple frame, either varnished in clear or whitewash, that can be easily put onto your painting when it's finished and ready to frame in minutes.  The boards have been prepared so the painting "floats" and you can paint right to the edge of the painting without the frame covering any of it up.  For you plein air painters, they're a dream!  We have a website for Braithwaite Fine Art where you can order the boards.  www.braithwaitefineart.com   Go to the "artist boards" tab for information about the boards.  Here's what they look like:

Gesso + floated
And here's a little painting fitted inside a whitewash maple frame.  Doug usually paints the "recessed" border with a dark color, usually the color he starts the painting with.  Something that compliments your painting.  Your choice.

We also have all of our giclee (pronounced "zhee-clay") prints on our website now as well.  They can be printed on either canvas or archival paper.  Check them out!!  Again, it's www.braithwaitefineart.com.

So there you have it!  Doug is getting prepared for a trip down the Grand Canyon on a river trip with some of his painting buddies!  Like I said, I'm back in the saddle so there will be more blogs to come.  Check back often.  Follow us on Facebook to see paintings posted by Doug as well.

Feels so good to be back and in the midst of you!  Drop me a note and let me know how you're doing or better yet, stop by and see me at the shop sometime!  We are at 461 West 1800 North in Sunset.  We do amazing framing!  again, I like how I say "we!"  hahaha

Have a wonderful day.  Here's what I learned recently:  Sometimes when things are falling apart, they're actually just falling into place.  That feels right.

Love to you all,

Jeanette