I thought it would be a good thing to look ahead for the second half of 2021 now that the excitement of Independence Day has subsided. What does the future hold in store for my art over the next few months?
Summer
As the temperatures and humidity begin to rise painting en plein air will happen early in the mornings and on clearer days. We’ve had a bunch of rain in the Hill Country over the past week but looking ahead it’s time to get out and take advantage of the nice weather. Last week Ilene and I took a walk around the train at Lady Bird Johnson Park and I scouted some landscape areas I’d like to sketch and paint.
At the end of July, we have a presentation sponsored by the Pioneer Museum by Charles Morin of Charles Morin Fine Art Gallery giving a two day, 1 1/2 hour each day presentation on “Famous Texas Artists & Collecting Vintage Texas Art”. Fredericksburg Art Guild and Die Kunstler members get in free so guess where Ilene and I will be?
Fall
In September I’ll be concentrating on fall foliage and landscapes around town and preparing for back-to-back cruises out of Miami to the Caribbean.
Yes! Cruising is back on! I’m preparing for the cruise by looking at traveling paintbrushes either from Michael Solovyev or pure Kolinsky sable hair brushes from Escoda. Whatever route I choose, I will definitely be buying a new sketchbook dedicated to our travels. For more information on where we are and what we’re doing on the cruises go to my other blog at https://www.keithgshafer.com/
Winter and End of Year
November we’ll be participating in the Die Künstler von Fredericksburg Fall Show and Sale. If you’re in the Hill Country you might want to stop by and see some amazing art!
Of course, after the cruises, I’ll be using some of the photos and sketches I make as prototypes for bigger pieces. I hope to combine the atmospheric techniques I’ve been working on with the tropical landscapes and such we’ve experienced.
In the meantime
In the meantime, I’ll be working on and experimenting with my atmospherics as well as sketching. Looking back on sketchbooks from previous cruises I did a lot of sketching which helps train my hand and eye, but it also becomes a journal into what we saw and did.
In fact, if you’ve been following my blog since the beginning you’ll know that I got seriously involved with my art when Ilene and I went on the road RVing. I discovered sketchbook journaling as a way to keep track of our travels and have a bit of a legacy for my granddaughters for the grandparents.
So keep watching and let’s see where our and my art goes…
NOW, go make some art!