The Hill

"The Hill" by Nancy Minter -- 36" w x 18" h

This painting was inspired by a photo of birch trees in a forest. As I worked on it, it became trees of all stripes on a hill -- my teacher's suggestion, and a good one. I love how the light breaks through the trees in the background and across the hill. Like spring stealing in! The entire thing was painted with a palette knife. By the way, these photos of my paintings were done by Cleveland photographer Michael Steinberg (steinberg@comphotography.com). The black masks were added to make the image suitable for submission to a juried show. "The Hill" will be at Art By the Falls on June 8th and 9th in Riverside Park in Chagrin.

Pink Trees

"Pink Trees" by Nancy Minter. Oil on canvas. 24" w x 18" h.

Done a year ago spring, this painting was my first "multiple tree" attempt. I got the perspective, but the background was surprisingly hard to figure out. Should it be solid? Just more grass going off into the distance? Finally I decided on a few ghost trees to create the sense of space. Colors ranged from Alizarin to paled cadmium reds. Look for Pink Trees at Art By The Falls.

A shot from last year's Art By the Falls.

Art By The Falls 

Art By The Falls runs June 8th and 9th in Riverside Park, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Artists come from all over the country and the talent is amazing! I'm honored to have been selected for this juried show. It's my first! You can find me in Booth #58.

Getting Ready for Art By The Falls

Apparently it isn't enough to paint. Or draw. You've got to:
•  Go thrifting to find frames. (Six bucks for a frame with mat and glass?! I'm in.) 
• Clean the frames. Repair the frames. Touch-up the frames. (Maybe they should have cost $3)
• Cut the mats. Size the drawings. Assemble it all. Realize you forgot to sign the drawing.
• Start over. 
And then there's the paintings:
• Maybe that background needs to change.
• Touchup on aisle three!
• I know I signed this painting somewhere ...
And then there's the booth itself:
• I need zip ties
• I need "s" hooks
• I need tarps for if it rains
• What if the trellis walls won't stay standing?
• Remember the hammer
• I have to have a vendor's license? A transient vendor's license?
And then there's everything else:
• Wear black so you don't detract from the work (really - on a hot summer day?)
• Candy and water at the booth will make you look friendly (oh good)
• You need a square for credit card purchases
• Make sure you have money (in case someone actually buys a painting)
• You need business cards
• You need social media
• You need to have your head examined!!

I could go on, but it might depress me. The adventure begins at 10 am on June 8th and lasts until 5 pm on June 9th. I'll be there -- in black -- with my paintings and drawings and candy and water and business cards -- to see what the world thinks of nancyminterartist. 

Hope to see you there.