linda harrison-parsons

It is September already. The summer was a blur this year. Busy selling one house and moving into another. Which also meant relocating my studio. Packing the studio took time. Unpacking trying to make things fit into a smaller space was interesting. But, it is done at least most of it is done. Still have some of those large plastic type tubs that I need to inspect and see if they stay at the studio/house or go into storage.

As always fall has lots of things going on, one of the biggest is the Artomatic@Frederick event will open Sept. 28th at 1:00 pm - Grand Opening that day and through that weekend, 1st Saturday Gallery Walk in Downtown Frederick, MD. There will be Launch Party for 72 Film Fest, music, poetry and lots of fine art throughout the old Board of Education Building on Church Street, Frederick, MD. For more information and to see what is on the calendar for the next couple of months go to http://www.artomaticfrederick.org or look us up on FaceBook at Artomatic@Frederick.

Check my Shows & Workshops page for details about other events going on the rest of this year and right into 2012. I have physically moved to Blacksburg, VA but will continue to do shows in Frederick, Mt. Airy, MD and Berryville, VA along with AZ shows. While in Blacksburg, I will set up some workshops and have my studio open by appt. Looking forward to some fall days with color in the trees and clear blue skies. A little inspiration for some new works.

Lots going on moving into the summer. The solstice is just around the corner. Leaving spring and the mountain laurel behind. This has been a spectacular year for the laurel blooms, they are the fullest I can remember in the last 16 years. The art show we have had the last 3 years at my Frederick, MD studio was wonderful, filled with friends, family and new people coming to see the art and the woodlands.

Next we will be painting plein air in Historic Frederick, MD. Artists will be along Market & Patrick Streets June 4th from 5 -7, the finished works will be on display at the PCN Bank on the corner of those streets from 8-9. The weather should be beautiful. 

Marilu & I are showing together again we have a show coming up in Gaithersburg at the Kentlands Mansion, opening June 7th. It is Nature & Wildlife work inspired from our travels from Alaska to South Africa. This show is up till July 31.

From July 4th - 8th I will be teaching at Common Ground on the Hill, Pushing Powder, a pastel workshop using soft pastels on paper. Check their web site for fees http://www.commongroundonthehill.org 

It is May and things are blooming, the Mountain Laurel bloom at the end of the month right into June. It is wonderful and this year should be spectacular. It seems there is a pattern in nature, that every other year for the mountain laurel is amazing. This should be the year.

It will be the last time we will have this show here in Frederick, MD. There may be other shows, in other places but this is a special place in the woods with all of nature in bloom.

There will be art throughout the post and beam home that is turned into a gallery. The studio space is always filled with art but during this weekend I share my space with several other artists. It will be a wonderful show hope you come and share this time with us.

Featured artists: me, linda harrison-parsons, Marilu Tousignaut, Homer Yost, Sarah Simpson, Tracy Tousignaut Reed, Denise Tousignaut and new this year Cindi Olson

For location go to Driving Directions Page.

Spring: when the birds sing, the flowers bloom and the art world wakes to many new shows. April 16th is the opening of the AZ Pastel Juried Art Show at the Art Center of Sedona on Art Barn Road. This will be the last show in AZ for the spring.

Coming soon the last Mountain Laurel Art Show, May 20-21-22, Frederick, MD. See the shows sections for details. We have returning artists Marilu Tousignaut with her daughters Denise & Tracy, Homer Yost, Sarah Simpson and new this year Cindi Olson with glass made jewelry. The mountain laurel will be blooming at this woodland gallery space.

Following the Mountain Laurel Art Show Marilu & I will hang a show at the Kentlands Mansion Gallery, Gaithersburg, MD.

Interested in plein air painting? Sign up for the two day workshop June 4-5 through the Frederick Historic Society. If you would like to learn new techniques in pastel check out the 5 day workshop at Common Ground on The Hill. In between those workshops still planning some papermaking, bookmaking & box making workshops at the studio in Frederick, this will be the last time these will be offered in this post and beam studio in the woods. Check the shows and workshop pages to see what is new for this year. Until then take a walk in the woods and breathe in the spring air.  

March in AZ is a great time for plein air painting. I spend each Saturday at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ with 40 plus other artists. We all belong to the Scottsdale Artists League and for the last 16 years this group has been allowed to paint in the garden. It is the only large group that has been given permission to do this.

It is a wonderful time to be in the garden. The butterfly house is up and running, the wildflowers have started to bloom and the temperature is very nice. I continue to work in pastel capturing close up views of plants. I have been studying the agave this year. There are many different species and colors. Only some of the agave plants are used to make tequilla, others are harvested for their fruits which are roasted.

Art shows have been going well. Received 3 awards at the AAA gallery show which includes the Vet. Med. Show they are hosting. Recieve one of those awards for the piece, "By My Side" the dog with the cowboy. Received 2nd place for a small pastel "feather". Coming in April is the AZ Pastel Spring Show in Sedona.

The new nature and art blog is going well, takes time to write. Generally write a couple times a week. If life ever slows down a bit might get into the habit of everyday. http://wildatheartlindamarilu.blogspot.com

Until then enjoy, spring is springing! 

I am working hard to keep the passion going this year. The blog is going well. Marilu nor I post everyday but several times a week. Check out the latest posts at http://wildatheartlindamarilu.blogspot.com You can also follow along on Face Book. 

I make goals for myself to complete some of the half finished works from last year and create new pieces. With the milder weather I have opportunities to do plein air painting. Spent a lovely morning at one of the trails on the Sonoran Desert Preserve. Great way to spend a day.

Coming up soon is the Saturday events at the Desert Botanical Gardens. The Scottsdale Artists League has been painting in the gardens for 16 years. The artists go each Saturday in March and work from 9 - 3. On the first weekend in April all the works the artists have created will be on display and for sale at the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, AZ. More on this in March.

The AZ Arts Alliance Gallery will have new work up in March along with a special events featuring animals works to celebrate 250 years of Veterinary Medicine.

The winter is the high season for art in AZ. It keeps my passion alive, it keeps me working and a bit warmer.

2011 - New Day, New Year, New Changes!

New Things: I have started the new blog on nature and art. I will keep small show posting and thoughts on this web page. The new blog will have photographs of places to go for inspiration. Art work inspired by nature. Things in nature that are of interest to me and hopefully to you. Marilu will be adding posts as the year goes along. She is covering the cold snowy east coast while I am exploring the southwest clear blue skies and gentle temp's. To see our latest posts on the new blog go to: http://wildatheartlindamarilu.blogspot.com

Let us know if you have any thoughts or questions on nature, places, style or techniques. We have already had friends contribute information and quotes. The photograph to the right is a preview of what the new blog with touch on - detail of a Great Horned Owl from Tucson, AZ Sonoran Desert Living Museum. Look for future pastel of this amazing bird.

Going on this month in Scottsdale, AZ the Artists of Scottsdale Ranch are having their 3rd annual art show. The artists have donated works for a silent auction that will benefit the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center. This event is a outreach to the community, getting to know our neighbors and letting them know what goes on in our city. The event is Sat., Jan. 29th from 11:00 - 5:00. If you are in the area drop on by, it is on 100th St. at Shea Blvd in the Community Center right by Lake Serena. http://www.wix.com/artscottsdaleranch/asr

More of my work can be seen at the AZ Arts Alliance Gallery on Pima Road at the Pavillions. To see more information on shows check the information page and calendar listing. There are lots of changes going on this year keep checking back to see what is new.

http://wildatheartlindamarilu.blogspot.com