Courtyard Plein Air Painting by Marian Fortunati

 

Wisteria Shadows
Marian Fortunati
12"x9" Oil on Canvas Panel
 

Since my one woman show, "One Lucky Artist", opened at the end of February, I have gone to the courtyard patio outside of the Crain Art Gallery and Crowell Library every Wednesday to paint.   I'm not sure WHY I decided to do it, but I guess since I knew that Crain Gallery is not really staffed with sales people, that if I would be there, maybe more people would be encouraged to see my work.

As it turned out, it has been a very pleasant experience.  During the first few weeks, most of the people I chatted with were nannies or moms bringing their children to the library.  That was fine.  I enjoyed the warm sunlight in the courtyard and the occasional opportunity to chat.

During the last few Wednesday, friends have come by to see the show and chat or to eat lunch with me.   I've gotten a chance to talk with friends whose busy schedules usually keep us apart.  A girlfriend I haven't seen in years came by to see the show and get reacquainted.  Several artist friends have dropped by to chat and to check out the gallery and the show.  One even brought treats!! (Thanks, Julie Hill!)  Another, Robin Neudorfer,  has come to paint with me on two different Wednesdays.  It was fun to see how she develops her fabulous pastels!

Last week two different sets of other friends came by to see the show.  What a surprise!!  We were having so much fun in the gallery, that we forgot that it is within the library complex and we were pretty noisy.  We got a very nicely phrased... "Shush!".  But it was so wonderful being able to share my work with friends who traveled a very long way to come by.

I even got some local press about painting in the courtyard:  http://sanmarino.patch.com/arts  (Then you'll have to scroll down to Tuesday, March 27, 2012.)

This week I'm hoping another friend will come join me to paint.   All in all I think the Wednesday "Artist In Residence" idea was a good one.   (That's what the people at the library have called it.... They even made me a sign!)  I've certainly enjoyed it.   Many thanks to everyone at the library/gallery who have enabled this show to be hung!!!  

If you want to come on by, my "One Lucky Artist" art exhibition will remain hanging until April 18th or 19th. 

Painting In The Patio -- Crain Art Gallery, San Marino with Marian Fortunati

	"Tidefalls - Nature's Hour Glass" © Marian Fortunati 12"x12" Oil on RayMar Panel
	Click on the above link for additional details.

When I was offered the opportunity to have a one woman show at Crain Art Gallery, I jumped on it.   They had a set of dates and although
there were many things happening at the time, I thought I could still do a good job with the show.   I tried to set the date of the reception as early as possible so that I could have the reception out of the way before the due date for my daughter's first child. 

"More Purply" © Marian Fortunati 10"x8" Oil on RayMar Linen
"Courtyard Flower Pot" 6"x6" Oil on Hardboard

As it turned out, everything and everyone came together to make a terrific opening reception for the show called "One Lucky Artist".    We all had fun, I sold several paintings and got to see and speak with so many wonderful people.   My plan was to come to the patio outside the gallery every Wednesday after that until the show closed.   I had hoped that that way people who might not visit the gallery would be encouraged to go in to see the paintings which were still hanging.

I have painted in the patio courtyard three Wednesdays now and am looking forward to each one before the show closes on April 19.    People come by to chat, to ask questions or, like one lady named Ana, to tell me what she'd like to see in my painting.  On that particular day I was painting the wisteria.  Ana spoke little English, but wanted me to know that she knew the wisteria plants.  She also wanted to tell me something else.  She and I struggled with words for a while until she pulled out her Chinese / English translator.   She then told me that she'd like to see the painting be "more purply".  We both had a good laugh.  The library staff has been exceptionally nice coming by to chat or to see what I'm trying to paint.  One even made me a sign with my name on it for when I'm painting in the patio describing what plein air painting is all about.  They call me their "artist in residence".

On the first day I expected cold, windy weather and wasn't sure what I could actually paint in the courtyard, so I took a photo and it was there I mostly completed "Tidefalls - Nature's Hour Glass".   The next Wednesday I painted the wisteria, although I think that I will try it again on a different Wednesday from the other side of the wall.   The shadows fall so beautifully on the outside of the courtyard.  However, inside the courtyard patio it has been sunny and delightful with the beautiful fragrance of wisteria whispering along on the breeze.  Last Wednesday I did a little 6x6 of one of the flower pots and then began another painting from a photo reference.

If you live anywhere nearby or have friends in the area, please send them by.   You could even forward this blog post to them and suggest that they might enjoy the show.  I'd sure appreciate it!!   They can come anytime the Crowell Library is open.   the Crain Art Gallery is within the gorgeous library complex.

ONE LUCKY ARTIST
February 27 - April 20

CRAIN ART GALLERY
Crowell Public Library, City of San Marino
1890 Huntington Dr.  San Marino, CA

HOURS:
M-Th 10am-9pm
Sat  10am-5pm
Sun  12-5pm

I would especially love it if anyone would like to come on Wednesdays between 10am-1:30pm when I'll be painting outside in the patio /courtyard.  I'd love to chat, or show anyone the show and talk about the paintings.  Hope to see you there!

California Sunshine -- Enjoying A Plein Air Moment by Marian Fortunati

California Sunshine © Marian Fortunati 12"x9" Oil on RayMar Panel
Please click on the above link for additional information.

One of the many wonderful things I enjoy about plein air painting is when I get to discover a beautiful new hidden corner of my world. 

On Facebook, your birthday is announced and all of your FB friends tend to send you well wishes.   Many of them suggested that I spend my day doing what I love best and I sure did!!!

I went out painting... I decided to paint with the San Gabriel group called "Thursdays En Plein Air". It is led by Brenda Swenson and Walter McNall. Last Thursday, on my birthday, I painted at E. Ward Ranch in Sierra Madre.   There is an orange / citrus grove right in the middle of a residential neighborhood with barns and equipment all ready for creating delicious jams and preserves from the harvest.   I almost drove right on past it ... thank goodness for GPS! 

I rarely paint with this group because the locations are usually pretty far for me to drive but all of my usual painting buddies were either layed-up or out of town so I joined them and had an absolutely WONDERFUL day!!  I saw many painting friends and talked with some new ones.    I continue to challenge myself to select and compose a scene which isn't "ordinary".   That's a pretty tall order ... I know all of it has been painted before, but one more postcard landscape is something I'm trying to avoid.

Walter and Brenda always do a critique session during lunch so we all learned something... always a good thing>>>>> AND... I didn't embarrass myself.

A GREAT Great day.... Thanks to all of you who encourage and support my love for the outdoors and for painting!

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