My Week in the Country

We are back from our weeks travel to Orroroo and Clare. Even though we live in a regional town about one and quarter hours from our Capital I know we are really in the country when we travel for 5 hours to get somewhere.
I attended a workshop by Anita Bentley for two days in Ororroo which is just south of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. I am showing here a couple of images Ian took so you can see how "in the country" the location was.
Ororroo Airport
View from above the Town
start of the Flinders Ranges in the distance

I thoroughly enjoyed painting for the two days though I must say I have nothing of my own work credible enough to share. The first painting was a lovely arched doorway in France or Italy but it had a black cat in the foreground. Problem number one - I don"t do cats due to my extreme fear of them. Problem number two - I am a poor drawer due to my refusal to put in the practice time so my arched doorway was too wide and short and the cat was the size of a cow LOL. Anita stressed that drawing was an important skill to have to paint in watercolour.
I thought I would improve with the next painting but unfortunately there was not sufficient time to complete and a reference photo did not exist as we copied Anita's drawing but did not see her reference image. Once I took the painting away I did try and finish it but had no idea what it was supposed to look like.- well that's my excuse!
I have not painted with anyone else for more than a year so it was great to be with other watercolourists and I am pleased to come away with new knowledge to help me with my future work but I must admit I don't really like doing step by step type paintings as they are often disjointed and without a reference either photo or in the real it is really hard trying to capture someone else's vision.
I cannot blame my poor work on lack of attention as there were only 4 people on both days so we were able to get plenty of one on one time with Anita. The highlight for me was coming away with a purchase of lovely painting by Anita of a flower stall in Aix en Provence. She had a few of her paintings on show and I was immediately attracted to this one for its bright red umbrellas.Now I am home I can see it up against my own work and just wonder how I am going to get my own paintings to look that good!
  


We travelled on to Clare - a lovely wine district and the location for an exhibition by the South Australian Watercolour Society. I was rather pleased to see my two paintings amongst those by other amateurs and many professionals and it was the first time I had seen an exhibition of just watercolours.
Images were taken on my phone so apologies for quality.


SAWS Exhibition
Mt. Surmon Wines in Clare



















Loquats from Auburn
11" x 15"


I spent some time photographing for future use and also painted "en plein air" even though this was really just outside the Caravan. After a delicious lunch in Auburn I took back to my Caravan a little snippet from a Locquat tree and in the lovely fresh air of Clare delicately added blues and yellows randomly to compose this painting - no drawing. 
I have some great ideas gathered whilst away for future paintings and will now get busy finding ways of getting them down on paper the way they look in my head. My promise to myself is to do sketching practise too.

Comments

  1. Wow, that went by quickly, Lorraine. Sounds like a really great and productive trip. And congrats on your exhibiting with SAWS - just awesome. I know you will continue to produce great stuff, and incorporate all of your experiences into beautiful representations, as always.

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    1. Thanks for your sentiments Terry, good times always go too fast don't they!

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  2. Must have been enjoyable to visite an exhibition for only watercolours. I haven´t done that yet, but looking forward to do so. Lovely artwork you made too. Take care!

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    1. Hi Catharina, hope you get to an exhibition of watercolours, it is great to admire others work and not be comparing all the time with all the acrylics and oils etc.

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  3. It's nice to have you back Lorraine! It seems like you had an enjoyable time. Incredible exhibition with only watercolors, congratulations! Beautiful painting, I love the delicate colors!

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    1. Thanks Celia, I am pleased to be back to my studio and hope to get back into full swing with my art.

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  4. I'm sure you learned a lot of new stuff and we are going to be the lucky viewers of your wonderful creations :-) Nice to have you back.

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    1. I am in the creating mood now Jane, lots of fresh ideas and no exhibition committment pressure

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  5. Wonderful photos of the countryside and workshop. Very nice to read about your workshop and travel experiences.

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    1. Thanks Maggie, amazing how far one will go to attend a class. We dont get many come up here so I jump at the chance when they do

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  6. It is always so much fun to get away from your usual routine and learn from someone new! Good for you, taking the time and doing this. And don't be so hard on yourself - sounds like you learned a lot and got a lot to bring back home - plus I love your painting of the loquats, so light and fresh! Congratulations on the show, too.

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    1. You are so right, I dont get enough opportunities where I live so when they come up I have to find a way to participate. Thanks for your nice comment on my Loquats

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  7. Dear Lorraine - loved seeing your photos. It really does look like it is out in the middle of nowhere.
    As for your workshop - sounds like you had fun painting with someone else. I think your painting of the loquats is stunning. I am always so glad to see your lovely art. Hope you have a great day.

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    1. Lovely comments from you as always Debbie, keeps me boosted for that next creation, thank you

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  8. Sounds like a really wonderful trip. Congratulations on having two paintings in the exhibition.

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  9. Love the photos of both areas and your "plein air" piece from outside the caravan. Congrats on having two pieces in the exhibition.

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  10. Sounds like a great trip and a really valuable workshop. Fabulous exhibition too, by the look of your photo.

    I love the colours in your loquat painting. Wonderful clear light painting.

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