Harrisburg Skyline I, oil, 6 x 8 inches

Though the politics in the city of Harrisburg are in upheavel, the beauty of a city skyline remains intact. We painted from the West Fairview boat launch over the past two weeks and this is the little piece I finished. I've been wanting to do the skyline for a while. Almost miraculously, we saw a majestic golden eagle riding the wind above us the first day. They are not normally seen in these parts - but it must have been travelling through. What a wingspan! Scripture tells us that, "they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings as eagles." If only the city would take a lesson from that eagle soaring over it -- to wait on the Lord and allow Him to move among the decision-making. That's what I was thinking while painting.

Where Have I Been?

Amity Hall Boat Launch

Oil on canvas board

9 x 12 inches

I now belong to three blogs and have inadvertantly "forgotten" to post to my own. The Daily Painters of Pennsylvania and The Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters both have blogs now and are starting to exhibit as groups around Central Pa. It's been wonderful meeting other artists and posting our work together. So, I did fall behind on posting to this blog. I'm making an effort now to come back and continue this blog because this is also a journal of my art journey and I feel it necessary to express myself in writing as well as on canvas.

Last week we painted in Amity Hall at the boat launch. It was a brisk, windy day - exhillerating compared to the heat of this past summer. We saw a bald eagle flying above and two great blue herons soaring over the waters. I completed this piece on site - maybe a few touch-ups are required but it is mostly finished. The light was changing every minute due to the thick, fast moving clouds. But every now and then the sun would shine and hit the trees and plants - which is what I tried to capture very quickly here. I'm pleased with this piece - it's loose with almost a watercolor feel. It says what I hoped to say.

View from Liverpool, oil on linen board, 6x8

It was a beautiful morning in Liverpool, PA when a few of us journey up Rt. 11/14 to Liverpool to paint the lovely view of the Susquehanna River. We had respite from the heat for one day with a nice breeze and perfect plein air conditions. There was a morning haze hanging around but that just made this little scene all the more special. I really enjoyed painting that day. We then ate lunch at a cozy little restaurant and talked about our artistic journeys. I'm thankful for those little moments in time that fill your senses.

Codori Farm, Gettysburg

I am blessed every year to be part of the Plein Air Paint Out at the Gettysburg Festival. We paint all week on the battlefields and around Gettysburg and then exhibit the works at the end of the week. This year we exhibited at the Historic Railroad Station where Abraham Lincoln came through to deliver the Gettysburg Address. I love this event for the sheer kinship with history. One cannot stand for 3 hours in one spot while painting, partaking in the vast open spaces of the battlefields and not connect with it's significance. It is a worship experience as I thank God for those before me who sacrificed all to deliver a nation, just as Christ sacrificed all to deliver our souls. This scene, I hope, fills your senses with peace, quietness and tranquility.

Wildwood Lake, oil, 9 x 12

Last year I attempted to paint plein air at the wetlands of Wildwood Sanctuary and was overwhelmed by the scene. So last week we went back there to paint and I chose this simple scene and made a goal to finish it within 2 hours. I was pleased to meet that goal - other than a few finishing touches in my studio when I returned home. I also may add the little egret that was standing on the water line. For me, as I am growing and learning, each painting serves as a study and as long as I am able to accomplish the goal of the study I am pleased.

"Just Around the Corner", oil on board, 14 x 11 inches

I'm finally back in front of the easel. If you've been wondering where I've been - I'm well but busy with the gallery. Now that Spring has sprung I'm back painting - it took a few messy attempts to get back into the swing of things - but last week I took my time with this little plein air piece and enjoyed it so much! It is so refreshing to be out in God's "open air", smelling the combination of freshly mowed grass and oil paints, listening to the birds flittering all around and being amongst fellow artists enthusiastic about the discovery of the perfect little scene. I praise the Lord for being blessed with the opportunity to be an artist and share the experience with others. Thank you for your patience and I hope I'll have many new posts to share!

Resurrection Sunday!

Resurrection Sunday coincides this year with the peak bloom of my cherry trees in full blossom. What a wonderous display to greet me as I drove down my lane on my way to church this morning. The glory of Spring is a reminder of the glory of the risen Savior!

THANK YOU to all the artists who participated and to all the patrons who attended the "Palm Sunday through Resurrection" exhibit opening reception yesterday. I am thrilled with the artwork submitted by the artists - such deep expression and interpretation of the theme. I am so moved by the quality of all the artists represented by Art & Soul Gallery - not only in their artistic talent but in their thoughtful and sincere spirit. I have received so much positive feedback and, as the Lord leads, I know we are on the right path. Blessings to you all! --Lyn

"Donkey Thoughts", sculpture

I haven't posted any of my sculptures for a while, so I thought I'd share this piece. I call it "Donkey Thoughts" as I imagine what has gone through the mind of this creature that has been a witness of so many biblical and historical events throughout time. This sculpture won a Judge's Choice Award at a show at the Art Center in Mechanicsburg in 2007. This sculpture, along with other artist's works, will be on display at an exhibit entitled "Palm Sunday through Resurrection" opening March 27, 2010 at the Art & Soul Gallery in Lemoyne and running through April 24, 2010.

Sunshine Award

My artist friends and fellow bloggers Diana Marshall and Claire Beadon Carnell have sent me a "Sunshine Award" for brightening their day with images and blurbs from this blog.

The rules for accepting this award are:

-Put the logo on your blog with your post.

-Pass the award on to 12 other bloggers

-Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

-Link to the person from whom you received this award.

This took a little time, but you know what...I haven't stopped lately to tell these fellow artists how much I learn and am inspired by their blogs, so I thought now was a good time to do it. They do bring me sunshine.

Thank you to Diana and Claire, it means a lot coming from you both as I love your work. If you hadn't already won this award, you would be the people I'd pass it on to.

Here are 12 of my favorite artists:

Bertie Brown

Charlotte Yealey

Ron Donoughe

Tatiana Myers

Linda Young

Andy Smith

Nora Mackin

Edward Burton

Gwen Bell

James F. Smith

Jude Bates

Sheila Wedegis

After Vermeer's "Christ in the House of Martha and Mary", c.1655

Painted using old master classical painting methods, I narrowed this subject and painted just "Mary" from Vermeer's 1655 painting. I was so taken not only by the mastery of Vermeer but by the sweet devotion he gives in Mary's attention to Christ from the biblical story of Martha, the consummate servant and Mary, the devotee hanging on every word. This style of painting, with it's thin glazes and weeks of drying time between layers, allows the artist to contemplate the meaning within the subject over a long period which translates to a definate emotion with the choice of brushstroke and pallette. Glorious! I learned so much from this study.

An Artist's Inspiration

Today's snowstorm has painted the earth with such glorious beauty. An artist needs to look no further than their own backyard to find inspiration. God's creation lays the scene and the artist takes notice! This is the view that I woke up to this morning - as my horse finds refuge in her stall, herself enjoying the beauty of the falling snow. So the busy-ness slows down if but for a few hours - isn't it grand? It's a sabbath for the soul. Even the crisp, cool air is refreshing! I'm so inspired I'm ready to paint!

"Bridled Spirit", 9 x 12, oil

This painting was a study of the the nuances of the horse's color and bone structure. Making all those transitions with softness. Horses are my favorite subject - there's a sweetness in their soul that just captivates the canvas.

"In the Garden", oil, 6 x 8 inches

This quick little plein air sketch was painted last summer in the garden at Kings Gap. It was a very hot day and the bumble bees were out and about. I took refuge under a shade tree and captured the sundial in the center of the abundant flower garden. Success is being able to complete a study in a couple of hours before the light and shadows change and to capture that first impression of the scene without the worry over details. Now this piece is enough information to try a larger, more finished work.

"Christ Chapel, Gettysburg College", oil, 9" x 12"

This is a plein air piece that I painted during the 2009 Gettysburg Festival. It is Christ Chapel on the campus of Gettysburg College. I was drawn by the sunlight shining from behind the church, sparkling on the steeple, and dancing on the tree tips. Painting outside, directly from observation, and racing against the changing light is like no other feeling.