Sorry for the long break

Summer ended up being quite busy so apologies for so few posts/outings. We'll try to get our act together for fall and come up with a more regular schedule. Would love to hear from anybody on a suggested painting time--Saturday mornings maybe? Email me at ams@chartermi.net.
Angela

Monday, August 21, Leelanau County

We'll be meeting on Monday, August 21 from 5 pm until around 8:30-9 pm in Leelanau County where the TART trail crosses Shady Lane. Orchards, vineyards, trails, fields, stands of trees--lots to choose from. You could also walk down the trail to paint as well.

Directions:from intersection of Cherry Bend Road and M-22 (Scott's Harbor Grill/Norris School/Church at this intersection): travel 7.1 miles north on M-22 until you come to Shady Lane. Turn Left. Travel a bit over 1 mile, past Shady Lane Cellars to the point where the TART trail crosses Shady Lane.

Shady Lane also intersects CR 633/Center Highway so if you're coming from out in the county, then that's probably a better way to go. The TART trail intersection is less than one mile from that intersection.

Questions: email Angela at ams@chartermi.net. I've attached a recent painting of mine showing the northern view from this location.

Open to suggestions!

Summer tends to be sort of busy and it can be hard to schedule very far ahead...so, if anyone has suggestions for places or times to paint, please send me an email and we'll make a plan. I'll post a new session myself soon--just been too busy with summer stuff!

Angela Saxon
email: ams@chartermi.net

Monday, June 26 and Monday, July 3

Monday, June 26
Somewhere in mid Leelanau County
John O'Neill is organizing this session so give him a call at 231 325 6400 for more information about the time and location.

Monday, July 3 at 6:00 pm
We're meeting at the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula
Follow Center Highway all the way out to the end of the peninsula. We'll meet at the lighthouse and then go from there. Everyone is welcome! This is sort of smack in the middle of the holiday so feel free to bring family and friends for a beach day and sneak some painting in as well.

Monday, June 19 at Bowers Harbor

We're heading out Old Mission Peninsula for the next painting session on Monday, June 19th. We'll meet at the parking lot of the Boathouse restaurant at 5:30 and then go from there. Head out Old Mission peninsula on Peninsula Drive. The Boathouse is at the end of the peninsula--follow the signs to Bowers Harbor and you'll end up at the right spot. You'll have options for waterviews or meadowviews. There is a field of poppies blooming now, not sure if they'll still be there next week, but maybe?
If you have any questions, email Angela at ams@chartermi.net

pics from Monday, June 12

John, Angela and a group shot with a hot air balloon launch in the field across the street.

It was a great night for painting with gorgeous evening light that lasted past 9 pm. Such is life in the north.

Monday, June 12 at the DeYoung Farm

We'll be meeting Monday evening at 5:30 pm at the DeYoung Farm off Cherry Bend Road in Leelanau County. It stays light quite late so I'd imagine we'll be out until 9pm or so.

There is a farmhouse and outbuildings and large barn on the property as well as meadow views and lake views of Cedar Lake. Park on Strang Road just to the north of the farm and walk in from there, or park on Cherry Bend Road and walk in. We have permission from the Leelanau Conservancy to paint anywhere except for in quite close to the farmhouse and outbuildings--this area is indicated by mown grass--due to ongoing construction.

Directions from Traverse City: Follow M22 north to the stoplight at Cherry Bend Road. Turn left on Cherry Bend. Travel past the Cherry Bend store, past Lincoln Road, past Orchard Creek Assisted Living and around the bend, and past the Leelanau Farm Market. Just past the farm market you'll see the yellow farmhouse of the DeYoung Farm, and a big red barn on the right side of the street. Strang Road is just past the farmhouse.

Directions from Suttons Bay: Take Center Highway/ CR 633 south until it ends. Turn left on Fouch Road. Follow for a short bit until you see Strang Road on your right.

Questions: email Angela at ams@chartermi.net

we'll pick up again in June

We've been busy getting the Art Works Alliance Juried Show together--the opening is Thursday, May 25 from 6-9 pm at Building 50 at Grand Traverse Commons in TC. And then Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching...so we'll try to get a date/location together for early in June. We're thinking of going to every two weeks for the summer months. Please check back--we hope you'll join us for summer plein air painting!

Next session: Sunday, May 7th at 2 pm

We will be meeting again at the Grand Traverse Commons. There is so much to paint there: huge trees, great architecture, and a pale yellow grassy/swampy field. The swamp doesn't sound like much, but the early spring colors of gold, russet and violet are subtly gorgeous. Here's a couple of photos of Sue, Sally and Angela from our April session.

Hope to see you in May.

Directions to meeting site:
from Elmwood Street travel South past Munson Medical Center, past the Art Center and turn right on Eleventh. Continue left at the Y. Parking area just past the Y on the left.

Sunday, April 2 at 2 pm

Sunday, April 2, 2006, meet at 2 pm
Grand Traverse Commons

We're staying a bit closer to Traverse City for our April meeting.

Directions to meeting site:
from Elmwood Street travel South past Munson Medical Center, past the Art Center and turn right on Eleventh. Continue left at the Y. Parking area on the right side of Eleventh.
At this location there is the whole park area with gorgeous, huge trees, as well as nice views of many of the yellow brick buildings of the Commons, including Building 50. Many locations where you could work directly from the back of your car if you like. I'll try to snap a few photos of the location and post them sometime this week.

Five Painters Painting!

We ended up with great weather for our first meeting--lots of sun and hardly any wind. Five of us worked together for a number of hours. Those of us painting in oil were enjoying the quick drying time of the paint--must've been the temperature was just a bit above freezing and it gave the paint a very interesting, waxy consistency.

Our First Outing

Sunday, March 5 at 1 pm
MSU Horticultural Research Station
6686 Center Hwy (CR 633), Traverse City

This is a great location, high up on a hill overlooking a farm, orchards, stands of trees with a long distant view as well.

As landscape painters, it's oftentimes a lonely exercise being out in the cold working alone. The support and energy that we get from painting in a group makes all the difference! Please join us--everyone's welcome. Dress warm, we'll meet regardless of weather. You can also paint/draw from inside your car if necessary.

Directions from Traverse City:
Follow M-22 north from town, past the light at Cherry Bend Road. The next main left will be Crane Hill Road. Turn left. Follow to the end and turn right on County Road 633/Center Highway. Follow Center Highway for a few miles passing under the RR trestle and up the hill, until you come to the MSU station on your left. There is a large parking lot. Note that the lot isn't plowed on the weekends so it could be snowy.

If you have any questions, email me at ams@chartermi.net

Angela Saxon

PS: that's Sue Brightheart and her dog, Larry, from one sunny day a couple of weeks ago that we were working in this location.

UPCOMING: Juried Nat'l Plein Air Competition, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Entry deadline April 15, 2006. Visit www.crookedtree.org or call 231 347 4337 for an entry form.