Hello everyone & happy summer!
I am now back in AMERICA!
For about two weeks I have been home from my adventures in Europe—I am happy to report that jetlag is finally no more! I was gone for about 2 months and got to see 5 different countries while I was away. I saw the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, England, and Scotland!
My original plan wasn’t to stop in Scotland, but an unexpected opportunity popped up to visit some friends in Edinburgh and I couldn’t pass it up!
In Prague, we got a personal tour from my lovely sis who had been studying abroad there for her last semester of college.
While in England, I got to see not only Westminster Abbey but my dear friend Ruth who is living and painting in Bath for the summer.
It all went by to fast! All of my artwork has made it home safe and sound, and I still have many other inspirations that are waiting to be painted! I am filled to the brim with great stories, adventures, and inspiration.
Although I am home from all my adventures, that doesn’t mean things are going to slow down. Summer is the artist’s busiest time of year and I am hitting the ground runnin’!
I have a wonderfully jam packed summer, and would love for you to be a part of it!
To start, this week I am spending my time painting in lavender fields. For another year I have decided to participate in the Lavender Paint Out with around 100 other local artists. The next couple weeks we will be painting en plein air amidst the bumblebees and flowers in the various lavender fields throughout the valley. Then, finally, all of the artwork that is created will be displayed at the Chehalem Cultural Center on July 14th - 15th as a part of the Willamette Valley Lavender Festival. While I will be posting some photos of my painting progress, I would love for you to see my paintings in person that weekend! Come see some pretty paintings, smell some lovely lavender and maybe, if you are feeling adventurous, try a lavender treat from one of the many cool vendors that will be there!
For more information about the Lavender Festival check out: http://www.wvlavenderfestival.org.
In between painting for the Lavender Festival, I am busy preparing for the Bellevue Festival of the Arts! This will be my first time participating at Bellevue and I am so excited. It is one of the most well attended and well known arts festivals in the NW and I am ready for all of the fun and craziness that will certainly ensue!
Many of the paintings that I will be showing are brand new works that I have never shown before and that I have made with Bellevue specifically in mind. I am excited to finally be close to exhibiting these pieces!
Come visit my booth and get a first look at my newest work.
Admission to the festival is entirely free; the festival runs from July 27th - July 29th.
More information here: https://www.bellevuefest.org.
Other things to keep on the radar:
My big art show, the Grand Reveal Show 2018, is going to be on Sunday, October 14th at Anam Cara Cellars in Newberg, Oregon.
This is the show where I will be revealing all of the new paintings that I have created/will create of my travels in Europe – 13 of these paintings were pre-sold before I left and this will be when the patrons will get to see and take their pieces home!
If you were at last year’s show, you know how special and fun it was. I am looking forward to another great show!
Additionally, I will be having a special showcase at the Bush Barn Art Gallery in Salem, Oregon beginning November 10th through December 23rd. I know that sounds a bit far out, but hey, they are already selling Halloween decorations at the store!
Well that is all for now folks—I will keep you posted on other fun things to come!
I wish a fun and safe 4th of July to you all!
~Christine Joy
