Dreaming of Tinkerbell

Dressed in "Tinkerbell green" shoes, shorts and hair ribbon.

She takes a few moments to rock on the swing.







11x14" oil pastel on canvas

My First Show

Tonight was the Opening Night Reception for the Art League of Hoffman Estates art show.

This was the first time I have hung my work in a public place.

The reception was a wonderful time!



The main hallway that Roosevelt University allowed us to use for our show was wonderful. A wide hall with lots of natural light from large skylights.



Here are some views of the main hallway.











Above, four of my paintings are in the dark frames to the right of the 2 large blue paintings.

My other 3 paintings were around the corner.



Two more views of the main hall during speaches.



Above, in light blue, the VP of the Schaumburg Campus who allowed us to use her facility and who hosted this event.



    

Sharron & Danuta, 2 of the leagues driving forces.





Most of my paintings hanging in the show were oil pastels.

Here is one of two that were oil paints. This is my niece when she was a toddler. Painting titled "Playtime".





Here is the other oil painting. "Fountain Dancers", 12"x24"





Back to the 4 oil pastels hanging in the main hallway.

It was so much fun to watch people stroll down the wall looking at paintings and occasionally they'd linger over one of mine.







One man even stopped me as I was walking through the room.



"You're Ann?"

(We wore nametags.)

"I love your red painting. It looks like a field of poppies.

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it."



Okay, I have to admit, that was a major ego boost!







Some more photos of Opening Night:



   



Before the reception, I had what someone called First Show Jitters, not knowing what to expect or what people would say. My husband came with me holding my hand and providing what he calls "moral support and sound effects". In other words, being my rock and saying "I told you they'd like it"



My parents came and so did a number of friends.

Even the mayor of Hoffman Estates and several town trustee's stopped by.



I had an absolutely wonderful evening!





 

Fellow art league member, Bob Nielsen. And my parents behind him looking at the show.

Show Announcement

Ballet Dancer

  8x10”  oil pastel on paper
I wanted to do this all in neutrals with just a touch of blue.

I like the way the sheer sleeves turned out.

My New Studio

The house we recently moved into had what was listed as a shed. This turned out to be a large finished space complete with heating. It is perfect for a studio. 









Over the last few weeks I’ve been moving all my art stuff out there. It’s really nice having all my supplies out where I can see them.

Most of the furnishings out here are things that weren’t wanted in the house. That is, all except for my work table. We went to IKEA this weekend and got a curving, corner workstation that fits perfectly against an existing small table I had. Now I can spread all my oil pastels out when I work and they’re in easy reach.

So, have I used my new studio yet?

You betcha!

See the Spring Strollers in the previous post and the Ballet Dancer in the next post.

I’m getting ready for a show our local art group is having in July. And this is a great space to produce new artwork. I’m looking forward to a fun summer painting!

Spring Strollers

5x7" oil pastel on paper



There is a little town park near the library and the ice cream store. As we were headed for the ice cream store on a nice, sunny Spring day, I saw this couple gazing into their stroller. It seemed like a perfect subject for a painting, all sorts of "new beginnings". So I quickly snapped a photo. Then went on to enjoy my ice cream sundae!

This was painted later in the studio from the photo.

What's a Dip among Friends

This was painted from a photo I took of friends at a recent Dance Exhibition.







8x10" oil pastel on paper