linda harrison-parsons

The Mountain Laurel Art Show was great fun, even with a spring shower here and there. There was wonderful art everywhere inside and out. The garden was filled with Homer's sculptures. Marilu & I had work in the studio, great room and even on the screened porch. Sarah Simpson & Tracy Tousignaut Reed should their photography. Tracy featured works from Maine and Ireland, while Sarah had images from Arizona and angles from Frederick, MD. Denise had fiber art creations, purses, the prefect gift for any woman. People came out all weekend long. If you missed the show this year you won't want to miss it next year.

Coming up next we will be making paper. Once a year I set up the studio for papermaking. It is a lot of work and takes up the whole studio. We started making paper from blue jeans last year and will continue that again this year. Along with some papers made from plant fibers from the S/W. These papers can be used for bookmaking workshop that will happen later this year. They are nice for drawing, pastels and painting. If you have never made paper and want to learn this is the time. This workshop is open to all levels, come and learn, come and play.

Later this summer we will create some marble paper, paste paper and monotypes. These elements can be used to add to your hand made books with your hand made paper. Each workshop can tie into the next or just do them as independent workshops.

It is good to be busy, along with workshops there are several shows going on and coming up. The Frederick County Arts Association has a show hung at Frederick Community College this month. Barnstormers plein air paint out will be held on June 19th. Look for show information in VA for July/August and September - December special exhibits featuring Marilu Tousignaut and myself with a show on birds - "Taking FLight" and another special event at National Conservation Training Center in WV on trees.

It's May and the Mountain Laurel are starting to bloom.  It is beautiful to walk in the woods. The flower clusters look like little snowballs on a deep green field. I have the good fortune to live and work in the woods.

For many years I have wanted to have a art exhibit when the Mountain Laurel were blooming. Last year was the first time I was able to make this happen. This will be our second year. With this year we have invited other artists to join us. My good friend Sarah Simpson will show her macro photographic skills. Homer Yost is a sculptor of figures, human and animal. Marilu and I show together so often that if one is showing most people expect the other to be there too. She will not only be exhibiting her scratchboards this year but bringing her daughters along to join her in the show.Tracy is a grahite designer with a love of photography and Denise will have some of her fiber art creations.

The opening is Friday, May 21st from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

Saturday May 22nd 1:00 - 6:00 PM

Sunday May 23rd 1:00 - 5:00 PM

This event is free and open to the public. It is held at my studio/gallery at 5536 Etzler Road, Frederick, MD. Located off Rocky Springs Road from Rosemont Ave.

Looking forward to seeing you.

April was a good month with shows in Scottsdale, Phoenix and Sedona, AZ. Being awarded "Artist of the Month" for April at the AZ Pastel Arts Assoc. and winning "Best in Show" at the MD Pastel Society for "A Soft Place".

Updating the site with new works created over the winter, hope to have it done in the next few days.  

Lots of highs and lows this year. On the good side I have 3 pieces that were juried into the AZ Pastel Artists Association Members Show. The opening reception is Sat. April 17th from 2 - 5 at the Sedona Art Center, 15 Art Barn Rd., Sedona, AZ. I will be there on the 17th and at the gallery all day on the 19th. If you are in the area come on by and see me.

Finished up the Plein Air painting show and sale last weekend. It is a lovely time to be in AZ. This year the wildflowers are at their best. The cactus are blooming earlier too. The Plein Air event is organized by the Scottsdale Artists League. They have been doing this event for 15 years and next year the organization will be 50 years old. Sales were good, 42 paintings were sold. I posted one of the finished pieces I worked on at the Desert Botanical Gardens. Toward the back of the gardens there is a place with water and cottonwood trees. There are always leaves on the ground. I tried to do a little landscape but when I got it home did not love it, so it has been covered up with a layer of burnt sienna pastel waiting for something to develope. I do what I am calling Plein Air Near & Far. I prefer to look around and focus in on the small things you see in nature. The little details. I am trying to be true to myself this year and work in a way that is my style, my technique. 

Coming up in May is the Mountain Laurel Show, Marilu Tousignaut & I will be hosting this event. This year joining us is Homer Yost, sculpture and Sarah Simpson, photographer. Plus, we will have other items from other local artists. This is an annual event and looks to grow and get better with each year. More to come on this next month.

New Mexico Workshops: Coming this September I will be traveling with Jeanean Songco Martin to New Mexico. She will be hosting another Plein Air trip going to Taos and Ghost Ranch. These workshops are open to artists of all levels, in the morning Jeanean will assist artists in painting (oils, acrylics or watercolors). The afternoon, Linda will work with pastels in a reductive technique using paper. You can work with both or either artists. The groups are kept small for individual attention. The trip is divide into two sessions at $950.00 each or both for $1400.00. This does not include airfare but some meals are included at Ghost Ranch and pick up is provide from Albuquerque Airport. There is much to explore and paint in the amazing part of the country. The first time I was in New Mexico I understood what it truly meant to have a big sky. The color from the light is different then you see on the east coast. It is an experience everyone should have at least once in their lives. Check Jeanean's web site or e-mail her to register soon. www.jeaneansongcomartin.com   jeaneansongcomartin@hotmail.com

In addition: Finishing up the Plein Air paint out at the Desert Botanical Gardens this weekend. All the works the artists from the Scottsdale Artists League have been creating will be on display the first weekend in April at the Gardens. It is a great time to be in AZ, the weather is prefect, usually in the mid 70's sometimes gets up to 80. The flowers are blooming, some of the cactus are starting to bloom but most of them bloom after the wildflowers. For those sports minded, spring training is here, a little something for everyone.

Coming up the AZ Pastel Artists Association will have a juried show at the Art Center in Sedona, AZ. Mid- April through the end of April. opening reception April 17th.

This year has had it's up's and down's already. Both personal and artistic. I keep pushing myself to get more involved in the arts. Recently joined the AZ Pastel Association, very inspiring group. Through this organization & Scottsdale Artists League, I was juried into the AZ Arts Alliance. The umbrella group for many local and regional groups in AZ. They provide opportunities for exhibitions and workshops.

Coming up this month every Sat. is painting in the gardens. The Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ, sponsored by SAL. There will be artists thorughout the gardens each Sat. from 10 - 3. There will be displays of artwork towards the entrance/exit area of the gardens, with works for sale. On the first weekend in April all the works created during the month of March will be on display and for sale at the DBG.

March 19 - 21 the AAA will have a show and workshops at the Scottsdale Pavilions on Pima Road near 101 Hwy & Indian Bend. I will have work on display at this event. 

These are the up's, at the same time I received 3 rejection letters for other shows. Two of which I thought was a 50/50 chance of getting. The third surprised me as I thought I would have gotten into that show. But, all you can do is look at the work that did get in and see how yours compares. Maybe they were looking for more contemporary work, more abstract work, it is all in the judges eye as to what they want for the look of the shows.  

Moving forward, lots of ideas in my head for new works of art. Working outside each Sat. will help jump start things for me. Sometimes you just need one thing, one idea, one show to get you moving in the right direction.

Working in AZ, for me much better then being cold on the east coast. The average temperature this time of year is around 70 degrees. Desert areas get cold at night, as soon as the sun sets the temp's drop fast. It is cool in the morning and continues to warm up till 4:00 when it is the warmest part of the day.

My plans for this Feb. & March are to do as much plein aire pastel painting as I can. My favorite place is the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix. I wil try to post the works that I create from the plein aire sessions.

Here is one that I did last year.

Jan. 2, 2010: Starting the year out being included in the new Vol. II Book Best of Pastel Artists of America. Hoping this will give me motivation to work harder and set higher goals for myself, my work.

Jan.2010: Show in Scottsdale, AZ at Scottsdale Ranch.

March 2010: Scottsdale Artists League Paint Out and Show at the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, AZ. Every Sat. in March from 10 - 3.

May 2010: Back in Frederick, MD for the Mt. Laurel show with Marilu Tousignaut, Sarah Simpson and Homer Yost joining the yearly event.

Sept. 2010: Heading to New Mexico with Jeanean Songco Martin to teach a limited palette reductive drawing class as part of her plein aire painting adventure. More info and web addresses will be on the calendar and exhibit workshop pages.

Oct. - Dec. 2010: National Conservation Training Center, Film Feast and Special Tree Show in Sheperstown, WVA.

Oct. 2010: For the Birds - Opening dates TBA at gallery in Mt. Airy. Featuring works my Marilu & Linda and demonstrations.