Hudson View Gardens Plein Air

Today was the second plein air event Francis organized.

We went up to a private garden residential area in Hudson Heights, upper Manhattan.

It was 90 degrees outside which was horrible and awful and I'm pretty sure I died.

This heat makes me feel so sick.

While I was setting up, one of the resident dogs, Pepper, came over to say hi.
So I put him in the painting.

8x10 oil

 Tony clamped an umbrella to his easel.

Pepper

Here are the other paintings from today:

Becca

Becca was my friend for a whole lot of years, easily over 15 years.
We became friends on Wet Canvas, my much-missed online art community.

Today I found out that Becca died yesterday after a short battle with cancer.

Yesterday I was thinking about her and had texted her, and thought it was strange she didn't reply fairly quickly as she always does.

I did know she was sick and I did say everything I needed to say to her.

But honestly I thought she'd be around for a little longer...

Tho I am glad she went quickly and had what I was told was a peaceful and good passing.

I have several of her paintings and the most special one lives by my drawing table.

Becca gave me this self-portrait from when she was a child in 2010.

An Important Life Lesson

Do not put your cutting mat in the dishwasher, no matter how gross and sticky it gets.

RIP cutting mat! So sad!!

(replacement ordered...)

Sky and Water and Too Popular

We do actually have a sign that says Too Popular, and it is fun to hold.

Kedrin is very good at holding the sign.

Back again...

It's so easy to get to the wildlife refuge after work!

I walked around for a long time today to scope the place out, so only had time for a small painting.

6x8 oil