Action shot: painting in Lake Michigan w/cup of red wine (it was a hot day)

"August Waves" -- field study -- oil on canvas -- 11x14" -- Margie Guyot

I just loved the colors of the water and the rippling of the waves at the shoreline. Some friends and I decided to go to Rex Beach and paint the other afternoon. It's been very dry here and relatively hot (upper 80's). Of course I had to take off my sandals and wade in it. Planted my brand-new Soltek easel in the water. It's metal, so it won't warp like my old wooden french easel would have. As I painted, little minnows would nip at my feet. Very refreshing!

At one point somebody opened a bottle of red wine. It hit the spot!

It's only August, but already we're beginning to see hints of fall colors. The bracken is changing to gold. Some of the shoreline grasses and plants are turning to shades of rust and maroon. The water at that late afternoon hour was starting to reflect the pale viridian sky. There is golden ochre sand along that shoreline, which you could see in the ripples.

I love this time of the year.

"Approaching Storm" -- field study -- oil on canvas -- 11x14" -- Margie Guyot

Around 6 this evening I threw some painting gear into the Explorer and parked in front of an old barn. Finished the painting, then decided I just couldn't stomach another old barn painting! It's like one of those wine bottle & onion paintings: they've been done a zillion times! Wiped out the canvas. As I turned around to load up the Explorer, I saw these huge storm clouds coming in from the west. Wow! THAT'S what I needed to paint!

What better spot to see approaching weather than good old Rex Beach? It's a tiny park about 3 or so miles from my house. Hardly anybody goes there. Which is why I like it so much. Total peace & quiet. A million dollar view -- all for free!

It was such a dramatic sight. I had goosebumps. My heart was racing. I wanted to do cartwheels. Which would have probably landed me in the Emergency Room. It was like being in the middle of a Charlton Heston movie. Think "The Ten Commandments", during one of the plagues. Lightning flashed out over Lake Michigan. Gigantic, dark clouds took over the sky. Waves rippled, reflecting gold sky and dark clouds. A light zephyr (ah, to be able to use that word!). No mosquitoes. I had the place all to myself. Hell -- I could have gone skinny-dipping! Haha! Just kidding! Anyway, I was having a blast painting this!

Doggone -- I only had this one canvas with me. It would have been spectacular to have a 12x24" or maybe 3 panels for a triptych.

" '46 Pontiac" -- oil field study -- 11x14" -- Margie Guyot

For weeks I'd see this old car parked on the side of the road whenever I drove to East Jordan. I gotta stop sometime and paint this! It's parked under an old apple tree on the south side of the road, between Ellsworth and East Jordan (Michigan).

This past Saturday was the annual Paint-Out, sponsored by Crooked Tree Art Center in Petoskey. Artists have all day to paint whatever they want, then bring their creations back to the center, framed by 6 PM. I had to work a few hours in the morning at Tapawingo, but I'd packed all my painting gear into my Explorer the night before. I was ready! And I knew where I was going the minute I was free.

The old couple who owns this car were in their driveway, preparing to go to town. I asked if they minded if I painted their car. They said OK. The man told me a bit about the car, that it was a 1946 Pontiac and had low mileage. It had been used to transport officers during WWII. He was asking $5000 for it.

The sun was hot! I was burning up out there. And it was humid. At one point, the sun was hitting the car's sun visor and blinding me. It was also at the perfect angle to strike the shiny ferrule of my brush and between the sun visor & the brush ferrule, I had to squint to go on. I always wear a hat, or I'd just go mad with the sun in my eyes.

I had on long, heavy jeans and was sweating like a total pig. We're talking rivers of sweat. I prefer wearing capris, but the mosquitoes have been wicked. Absolutely wicked lately, leaving huge welts that itch for days. Hence the jeans. And a black T-shirt, of course. White would be cooler, but it would also bounce the light back onto the canvas and wet paint, creating a glare. Yes, yes -- I know: complaints! complaints!

I painted 99% of this with a #8 flat brush. Love my Ultrex Ultra brushes!