Sunday, May 22, 2011

Garden on South Seventeenth

11x14 oil

I have been wanting to do this painting ever since these irises started blooming.  Last week it rained constantly and I was afraid the flowers would be washed away before I had a chance to paint them, but fortunately Saturday was a beautiful sunny day and I was able to capture these irises before they were gone.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website www.julieriker.com

Friday, May 13, 2011

 I got a nice mention on Plein Air Magazine's site.  Click on this link to see it.
 http://www.outdoorpainter.com/editorial/plein-air-artists-going-to-extremes.html

A Day at Codorus State Park

 Tree by the Lake
8x10 oil
Yesterday was one of those gorgeous spring days that are best spent hanging out in a park by a lake.   I have kayaked on Lake Marburg many times and always wanted to paint there, so I was happy to join the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters on their paint out.  I arrived late, so I only spent about an hour on this first painting before stopping for lunch.  I was going to work into it a little, but I am thinking I may leave it alone as a quick sketch.
In the afternoon we moved to another location to get a better view of the lake.  As I was walking around deciding what to paint I spotted this couple relaxing and reading.  They seemed to be enjoying the day as much as I was.  I knew they would not move for quite awhile and that it was the perfect opportunity to paint people en plein air.  I know it seems funny to drive and hour to visit a lake and then not paint the lake...but inspiration hit me and that is even better.

Reading in the Park
8x10 oil