Mini's for a cause by Jane Albin

"Oscar"      -                      "Pittsburgh City Deer"

Artist Trading Cards: Watercolor and Ink

The 'Lewisburg Ice Festival' is fast approaching.  With this winter, it could be a good one. 
The event is this coming weekend: January 31- February 2, 2014

Brushstrokes, local art supply store, extraordinaire, will be hosting its 
annual “Warm Your Hearts - Pets in Need” donation event to benefit seven of our local animal rescues.  
 Old blankets, towels, dog or cat items, and any other useful items are collected at their 340 Market Street location.  Any cash donation over $25 gets a tiny original artist card. 
Above are two of mine being donated for the cause.  

http://www.lewisburgpa.com/calendar/eighth-annual-heart-of-lewisburg-ice-festival

January Sunset in Town by Jane Albin

"January Sunset in Town"

8"x8" Original watercolor

It was too cold to paint outside today so I sat by the window.  It was blinding with the sun streaming in but nice to have a sunset after so many overcast days recently.  I checked weather.com and got 5:08pm as sunset, so I got to my window at 4:00pm and started blocking in the painting as fast as I could.

The sun was not cooperating, instead of going straight down, it took a diagonal path and I had to blot its last location in with white gouache.  I kept seeing spots from gazing into the light and than I could barely tell what colors I was mixing on my palette.  In spite of the difficulties, I will have to do this exercise again soon. 

Turning at Robert's House by Jane Albin

"Turning at Robert's House"
7"x9" Oil on canvas plein air

The oil painting class at the Sunbury Y Art Center was invited to paint out at our instructor's home just outside of Winfield, PA.  Robert Hughes was the perfect host, as usual.
Most of the class members had never painted outside before.

Judy's flowers, Ruta's road, and Peggy's wall:    all first-time plein air paintings!

The Campus Theatre by Jane Albin

"The Campus Theatre"
11"x15" Oil on canvas

I painted this a few years ago.  It is of the local single screen movie house in downtown Lewisburg.
I had high quality giclee prints made of the image along with note cards.  They sell them at the theater.  It's a good deal for both of us.

Fanny's Rugs at the Farmers' Market by Jane Albin

"Fanny's Rugs at the Farmer's Market"
5"x7" watercolor in plein air

Plein Air Westfield: Final Day
The last morning we went to the Farmer's Market at the square in the center of Westfield.  There was some really fresh produce, home made baked goods, noodles, jams and pickles and assorted jewelry and woolen goods.  I got a tiny ceramic vase from one of the sellers.
Later we put our work from the previous days in frames for the "wet" sale at the Station Art Gallery.
The sale was only 2 hours and people were buying like crazy.
 Afterwards we had a barbeque at our hosts' farm.   A lovely time was had by all.

Waiting Patiently by Jane Albin

"Waiting Patiently"
8"x10" watercolor en plein air

Plein Air Westfield (continued)
We went to a Blueberry Farm on route 20 just north of Westfield.  This horse and buggy were patiently waiting for the owners to finish picking.
I scooted through deep grass under a pine tree to paint this. (I didn't want to startle the horse.) While under the tree, I dumped my water container into my painting bag, wetting absolutely everything in it.  Some how I managed to toss all my stuff out from under the tree onto the mowed area behind me and eventually dry things out.
I was done painting for that day.  So I picked blueberries!

Afternoon at Johnson Estate by Jane Albin

"Afternoon at Johnson Estate"
9"x12" watercolor en plein air

Plein Air Westfield
We had a delicious lunch at Brazil's in Westfield, NY before heading out to the Johnson Estate Winery for some painting in the vineyard.  (Of course there was tasting before painting.) That is Lake Erie in the background.
Later that day we were treated to wine and cheese at The Art Loft in Chautauqua, NY.  Thank you Bonnie Beyer.  It is a wonderful gallery in a former lumber barn near the Chautauqua Institute.

Morning at Barcelona Harbor by Jane Albin

"Morning at Barcelona Harbor"
9"x12" watercolor en plein air


Friday morning we went to Barcelona Harbor on Lake Erie.
This is from Plein Air Westfield, hosted by Katherine Galbraith of the Station Art Gallery in Westfield, NY.

Mid Day at the Farm by Jane Albin

"Mid Day at the Farm"
9"x12" watercolor en plein air

This is the second watercolor I did at Plein Air Westfield.  Keep Tryst Farm was one of the
beautiful venues arranged by our hostess, Katherine Galbraith, owner of the Station Art Gallery in
Westfield, NY.

Morning at the Daylily Farm by Jane Albin

"Morning at the Daylily Farm"

8"x10" watercolor , plein air painting

This is my first painting from the Plein Air Westfield, NY  event.  

The event was hosted by Katherine Brown Galbraith and The Station Art Gallery. 

Check out the event on Facebook at The Station Art Gallery!

Gettysburg Morn by Jane Albin

"Gettysburg Morn" by Jane Albin
5"x7" Original oil painting on canvas panel
A little painting from Gettysburg National Park.  This is from a photo I took last summer while plein air painting with a wonderful group of painters.

Below is the painting I created that morning.

Sunflowers in Northumberland County by Jane Albin

"Sunflowers in Northumberland County"
5"x7" Original oil painting on canvas panel

I am very anxious for the warmer weather to finally arrive.  It was snowing when I started this little painting.

Peering Into Devil's Den by Jane Albin

"Peering Into Devil's Den" by Jane Albin
5"x7" Original watercolor on 140#Arches cold pressed paper

Another view of Devil's Den in Gettysburg National Park.

Stroll Atop Devil's Den by Jane Albin

"Stroll Atop Devil's Den"
5"x7" Original watercolor on 140#Arches Cold Pressed paper

I've been reminiscing about my time last summer in the Gettysburg Artist Colony.  Here is a new
watercolor from a photo I took then.  I'm looking forward to doing more plein air painting in
Gettysburg again soon.

Band Concert in Hufnagle Park by Jane Albin

"Band Concert in Hufnagle Park"
12"x12" Original oil painting on cradled wood panel

I created this little painting for the new nonprofit in Lewisburg, The Community Zone.
A number of local artists have been asked to cover these 12x12 panels using their own medium and portraying the theme 'community'.

Backyard Feeder by Jane Albin

"Backyard Feeder" by Jane Albin
9"x12" Original watercolor on Canson cold press 140# block

Had to get back outside this afternoon and do a little more painting.  This may not be greatt but it was wonderful to be outside and painting in my own backyard.

Rooftops of Lewisburg by Jane Albin

"Rooftops of Lewisburg" by Jane Albin
5"x7" Original watercolor on Fabriano acquarello 140# cold pressed block

What a treat to finally get outside to sketch and paint, if only from the fire escape!

Concert at Hufnagle Park by Jane Albin

"Concert at Hufnagle Park"
Original Watercolor  4"x6" on Canson watercolor post card

I painted this from a photo.  There are concerts at the gazebo Wednesday evenings in the summer.  This is the High School marching band.

"Backlight" by Jane Albin

                                                                  "Backlight"
                                          4.75"x6.75" Watercolor on Arches 140# paper

Hi!  I'm back.  I have been very busy for the past few months.  First, I was in a 2-person show with Marjorie Priceman,  I started teaching, and then the holidays came.  The show was at Packwood House Museum's Kelly Gallery.  We both sold well and there was a nice piece in the Daily Item newspaper.

I am teaching an adult watercolor class now at the Sunbury YMCA Art Center.  I started this little painting as a demonstration and finished it up today. Hope you like it.    J.

Brasserie Louis, Lewisburg PA by Jane Albin

                                                             "Behind the Brasserie"
                                           5"x7" Original watercolor on 140# cold press paper

This is a view I spotted last week behind the restaurant and pub, Brasserie Louis.  I love the hidden doorways in town.