ON THE TRAIL - 8 x 10 - WIN THIS PAINTING!

YOU COULD TAKE HOME THIS PAINTING!

This original, framed, ready to hang pastel landscape painting will go home with one of this year's Sweetheart Candlelight Event raffle ticket buyers. So, go to the event, have some fun, buy raffle tickets, and you might be the one. You'll have the satisfaction of knowing you helped to financially support the Ice Age Trail and you will have an original work of art to remind you of the trail.

Waushara County Chapter of the Ice Age Scenic Trail

18th Annual Sweetheart Candlelight Event

February 11, 2017 -- 5-9 PM

Caribou Bay Retreat

N795 County Rd. JJ, Coloma, WI

This family event is a fun winter outing for all ages. After hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing on the Wedde Creek Segment, warm yourself by the bonfire. Go inside the Caribou Bay Retreat to enjoy music by the Cody Clauson Trio and refreshments - and be sure to enter the raffle for great prizes.

Here's why I donate art to the Ice Age Scenic Trail's annual Sweetheart Candlelight Event's fundraising raffle:

~ The raffle proceeds go directly to creating, protecting, and supporting the trails in Waushara County.

~ The Waushara County Chapter maintains 20.5 designated miles of trail divided between 6 segments.

~ Access to the trails is free.

~ Giving back to an organization that helps preserve the areas where I hike and paint is simply "the right thing to do."

KEITH LINWOOD STOVER'S - THE CYBER ART SHOW

Many thanks to Keith Linwood Stover for featuring my art on the thecyberartshow.com. My art will be featured January 16 and 17th. Keith tirelessly works to promote artists, and I am deeply honored to have been selected by Keith. The image below Winter Sun & Shadows is one of the images Keith selected for the online gallery.Visit the online show soon to see my work on the front page then go back often to view all the great artists he selects.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! TIME TO GET ORGANIZED

Happy New Year!

Year after year I've noticed that retailers like to promote organization in January, offering special sales on plastic totes, desk organizers, closet organizers, etc. It appears they hope to take advantage of the many New Year's resolutions that are made by folks hoping to live a more orderly and organized life. I decided I would do a bit of organization in my studio, starting with my pastel tray. (Sorry, retailers, I didn't need to buy anything.) Pastels do need to be cleaned frequently because it does not take long before all the pastels in the tray become a grungy gray. Periodic cleaning brings them back to their original brilliant color. Some artists have a clean-as-you-go philosophy or clean at the end of each painting session. I am not as diligent, and when I entered the studio after some time away for the holidays it was evident that I should take time for cleanup and organization to start the new year off right. Here is a photo of my cleaned pastels and organized tray. The pastels are again in order by color and value (light to dark, with a special section for grays) making it easier for me to find just the right color when I need it. The time off during the holidays has me feeling a bit rusty but my materials are ready and I am eager to paint. Are you making an resolutions, goals or special plans for 2017?