"There's a change in the Weather,"

I've spent months thinking about what I want to do when my lease is up. Doing all the work at the gallery is tiring, but I do love to paint there, and will miss visitors coming up to see me. BUT, I also want to spend more time painting - and babysitting in France. So two weeks more painting and then I will let you know what changes are being made.

I've always believed that when One door closes - many open up!           http://www.hlambert.com

When it's all so right

I've been painting like a fiend for two weeks before I put down the brushes and head off to Paris tomorrow. Taking just a camera this time, so no lugging equipment through airports and metros. I might miss painting, but this one all about the kids and the baby. We are going to Marsailles though to get lots of reference material to bring back, and the weather is going to be 75, so there will be lots of people outside in cafes.

Sometimes when you paint so much like I've been doing, it all comes together. The past two days I've had so much fun in the studio - I put the brush to paint and just know what color I want, the shapes come together, and the composition falls into place. Stella needs to be a bit bigger and I need a few more hours to finish. 

Guess packing will have to wait.

Egret in the Sun

Was going to post this on facebook today but others are also enjoying the weather, and the lowcountry birds (leslie Pratt Thomas did an outstanding one this week). So I'll just post it here because I had such great fun painting it.

"Egret in the Sun"  12x12 $900

Jazz in Paris

"Jazz in Paris"

28x22 $2800

oil on linen framed in dark gold scoop

Back to Painting

I've been busy with the Grand Opening, the workshop and then the paint out for OPA - all great times with some really great artists. Now I just want to go back in the studio and paint. I've been trying different palette, different brushes, and just experimenting with some new things.

I've also been going out again to paint with friends. I don't do that enough and I'm so grateful when I'm out there in good company and putting paint down on canvas.  I am always in awe when I am out there and realize I get to do this for a living.

"Path to the Beach" 12x10 was done on Folly beach a few weeks back. This one and some other new pieces that are small enough for holiday gifts are at the gallery.

"Birds in Art"

"Taking Flight" 30x40 oil on canvas

I've just returned from the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum's annual exhibition, "Birds in Art". It was awesome, inspiring and an experience I hope to repeat - if ever chosen again.

I love being part of a group show, and this was the best of the best. From woodcuts to sculpture, there were artists from Japan, Germany, Israel, and England, and it was fascinating to hear their stories about their work and their artistic journeys.

When we were driving back from the airport on Sunday, over the marsh were  flocks of birds taking flight over the water. They were just perfect for the painting I had started in the studio before I left last week..

Can Can Series

City Art Gallery in Greenville, NC is hosting their summer  group show of European travels, August 11. Laurie Meyer and Shannon Smith are presenting new works from Italy, and I'm working on Paris pieces. I woke up one night and suddenly thought that I had never done Can Can Girls - and they are "so Paris". The first one was done stricly by past photos of dancers and has the quality of pastels, which I love. Then it happened that the Charleston Ballet was performing downtown for Bastille Day, and had live models for resource.
If you want a preview of the pieces before they head off to Greenville, please feel free to stop in at the gallery at 54 Broad Street.

"Oh La La" is 36x36 and will be at the gallery by the end of the month.

Theater project

A few years back I worked more a year on a series of theaters around the East Coast. A collector contacted me to do a commission for him so I've been working on the Los Angeles Theater in the studio. Loved the composition, colors, but when I put people in, I realized the cars were huge. Erase.............

much better!

"Sugar"

Sunday was one of those days that I wanted to be outside painting but had to finish up a painting in the studio. Now that I have the studio  open Thursday-Sundays 12-4, I'm painting the things that have been on back burner waiting to be painted. I did a "sweet" (hehehe) little painting of "Sugar" at the beginning of the week, and then had such a great time with all of the glass and "70s" colors.
Tomorrow - outside!

"Sugar", 12x9 oil on linen $750

"Oh La La"

Where has the time gone by? I've been in a whirlwind since I got back and doing the blog has been way at the bottom of my very long list. But, I was reminded at Southeastern Wildlife Exposition that I hadn't posted anything for a long time and needed to do so.

I've been painting, painting, and painting...and enjoying the warm breezes coming through my studio window. Since I started opening up most days, I get quite a few visitors and they are a welcome break.

The paintings are almost hung for the Thursday opening of "Oh La La", and so pleased with them on the walls. The French pieces are treasures to me, most on the smaller side as I had to bring them back from Paris and hope they find some nice homes.
Please stop by Thursday Night for the Opening Party, or Friday Night for Art Walk. 5:30-7:30
"Temptations #1" 8x8 $475 (and yes, there is "Temptation #2)

Getting Settled

I'm getting settled into a nice routine in my little apartment. Get up in the dark (which stays that way until after 9) paint, go over to help with Stella, go walk and explore,come back to paint and then go back to make dinner some nights for the kids. For me, adjusting to a new place where you don't know the language is easier with a routine (like doing the wash at night in this thing that looks like a giant cheese grater and then spreading them out to dry) Being in a city like Paris is so incredible - everytime I walk out front door it's an adventure. Why the Parisians accept the whole dog poo everywhere issue, I'm not sure,or the lack of sunshine, and the reminder I am horrible with French. I LOVE that I can get a warm baguette downstairs, I can walk everywhere or take the metro to the flea markets, sample everything from Indonesian to African food, settle into a cafe and have a coffee while people watching, and be surrounded by incredible art. Went to the Monet exhibit at the Grand Palais and they had some 24 pieces hanging at one venue.
Since I have limited access to Internet and the TV is in French (I can watch a whole movie and get the gist of it) I've been painting quite a bit , and mixing up the palette with some different combinations to capture the feel of the city. The problem is I can't enclose an image it seems with my iphone.
So ten more days and then I'll have to leave. I have a "bucket list" of things to go paint and museums to see, and then John says to come home to open spaces and the studio (although I don't think he'll really notice I'm gone til football is over!) And then get ready for Southeastern Wildlife Expo.
Back to painting...

Stella Comes Home

I am not going to post a "Stella de Jour" every day but loved this picture of her coming home, and hadn't posted one of her yet. Two more days of strictly family and baby then off to see the Monet Exhibit, and a drive up to Normandy on Tuesday.

Love to all