MOP-STOP

The MOP blog is on hiatus until seasons with more consistent weather return.  In the meantime, keep on painting!

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, Oct. 6

It was a little windy and chilly at Dahlia Hill, but we stayed for a good two hours and we each got good a good start on some nice paintings!

Paint the flowers!  They'll be gone tomorrow!

Donna braces her canvas against the wind!

Priscilla's saving the flowers for last, too.

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Oct. 6

Destination:  Dahlia Hill!   Visit this site for info' and directions: http://www.dahliahill.org/garden/  See you there!

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, Sept. 29

It was yet another beautiful sunny day to be out painting.  We set up on the corner of Main and Ashman, and took reference photos of the scene across the street before all the cars came and blocked our view.  We got our paintings mostly blocked in, and left the part obsured by the cars to finish later from the pictures. 

Main Street, Midland, Saturday at 9AM.

Vicki and Priscilla found the perfect place:  right next to the cigarette receptacle!  Ugh!

Lots of detail and perspective to attend to.

Priscilla's block-in doesn't include the tree trunks - yet.

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Sept. 29

Now for something a little different:  Let's try painting downtown around Main street.  For those who prefer not to paint buildings/streets/people there are still plenty of nearby places with lots of foliage near the Tridge or the Farmer's Market.  Or maybe try painting some gourds or pumpkins!  Priscilla will be setting up somewhere near Ashman and Main.  If you set up somewhere else and we don't "connect", just send Priscilla an email summing up your time painting, and, perhaps a few photos so she can keep the blog current. (strictly voluntary!!!)  EMAIL:  artofpriscilla@att.net

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, Sept. 22

Vicki spent a solitary morning at the gardens enjoying the weather and the company of squirrels.
The distinctive arrangement of the tree trunks here compelled her to set up and paint this view near the barn.

She also was interested in how the red of the bridge balanced the large mass of the barn.

A great start!

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Sept. 22

This Saturday we'll return to Dow Gardens near the conservatory.  Priscilla will not be there to take pictures. (She'll be at the Dow Diamond painting on faces!)  Please email any pictures you take of the location and your painting to artofpriscilla@att.net so she can post them here. Happy painting!

MOP-UPdate: Sept. 15

Yet another beautiful Saturday morning.  Priscilla returned to the same place as last week to rework her painting.  Vicki and Alice also set up to paint the red bridge.

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Sept. 15

We will meet again at the Dow Gardens near the greenhouse and barn.  It will be 70, partly cloudy (again!) with 10% chance of rain.

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, Sept. 8

It was partly cloudy, slightly windy, and chilly.  Yes, it was a wonderful morning to be out painting! The challenge for the day was to depict this bridge in sunlight before the sun left or the fingers got too cold.

The blocking in is pretty much finished, now to add more accurate color notes, paint texture, then some detail.  The finished painting may be posted here next week.

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Sept. 8

Let's meet at the Dow Gardens again, this time at the greenhouse. Lots of interesting views with the foliage starting to change.  See you there!

Finished painting from August 25:

Alden B. Dow Sun Bridge 9" x 12",   Priscilla Olson

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, Aug. 25

It was a BEAUTIFUL morning at the Dow Gardens!  We chose to paint near this distinctive bridge.  We had many passers-by who stopped to comment on our activities.  Most were new to the Gardens and remarked on how lovely they are.  Yay Midland!

Visitors respectfully watched from behind.

Vicki is blocking in her greens.

Donna is working on a portrait of the big silver maple near the bridge.

Time to quit.   The interesting shadows on the bridge - all gone!

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Aug. 25

Let's meet again at the Dow Gardens.  Priscilla's interested in the greenhouse there with the Honore paintings.  She'll wait at the entrance 'til 9:15 before setting out to that location. There are many other places to paint in the Gardens, so go where you like, then we can meet at the entrance at about 11:30 for a critique. (strictly voluntary!!)  See you Saturday!

MOP-UPdate: Aug. 18

It was a beautiful morning along the Rail Trail at the Averill Preserve.  The air was cool and dry, making the sunshine feel wonderful on our backs.  The Preserve has a small network of trails that follow the river a bit, then go up and loop back through the trees along the Rail Trail.  It was very quiet and peaceful.  Averill Preserve also has an interesting history as a place where logs were stored during transport to the sawmills in Midland and Saginaw.

Priscilla chose to paint a view from the Averill Preserve Overlook.

No power lines in sight! 

Vicki walked further down the trail and found an interesting view of the river from the foot bridge over the drainage basin.

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Aug. 18

This Saturday we will meet at the Averill Preserve off of N. Saginaw Rd. Go 5 miles out N. Saginaw, past the Creamery and the Duck Hunter's Memorial, to where Wackerly Rd. continues on the left.  Turn left and park in the grassy space just to the left after your turn, in between the road and the railtrail.  Walk southeast (left) to the Overlook from the railtrail (see map).  It's a beautiful place for painting and birdwatching - especially in the morning.  It will be 72,  partly sunny and 20% chance of rain.

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Aug. 11

This week we'll meet at Whiting Forest, 2303 Eastman Ave.  It will be up to 75 degrees, with 40% chance of rain.   IT OPENS AT 10AM  and there is a $5.00 admission charge, or you can use your Dow Gardens pass card.  Hope to see you there!

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, August 4

We painted at the Homestead Farm again this week.  It was a beautiful hazy morning with lots of atmospheric perspective.  Vicki and Donna chose to paint the Heirloom Garden, while Priscilla returned to last week's view of the fields to paint in a larger format.  We stopped a little earlier than usual today because of the heat.

Vicki and Donna at the Heirloom Garden

Vicki has a good start.

Donna is almost finished.

Priscilla attempted a larger (larger than her usual 6" x 8" or 8" x 10")
format and only got as far as a general "block-in"

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Aug. 4

We will be returning to the same place again:  The Homestead Farm at the Chippewa Nature Center.  See the directions from the July 21st post.  It is supposed to be hot (95) and rainy (30% chance) but there are several options for shelter, and it might be interesting to paint the sky.  Hope to see you there!

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, July 28

Again at the Homestead Farm!  There is so much to choose from at the Nature Center.  The focus for today's paintings was the livestock.  Since Blogmaster Priscilla neglected to get new batteries for her camera, the following photos were taken after the fact (not "on location").

Our view from the chicken coop  (6" x 8")

Donna's chickens (11" x 14")

Priscilla's pig (6" x 8")

Priscilla's chicken (6" x 6")

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, July 28

We will be painting again at the Homestead Farm at Chippewa Nature Center.  See directions on last week's post.  It will be partly cloudy and not above 84!  See you there!

MOP-UPdate: Saturday July 21

Three of us had a peaceful morning painting at the Homestead at Chippewa Nature Center.  It was quiet, except for the birds and an occasional visitor strolling through.

Marilyn and Vicki are discussing a view of the Heirloom Garden.

Vicki is engrossed in painting the sunlit treeline across the field.  Marilyn's toned canvas awaits colorful details.

Vicki's nearly finished landscape.

Priscilla spent her time with the pigs and chickens.

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, July 21

The homestead farm at the Chippewa Nature Center is this Saturday's destination.  There are sheep, pigs, cows, and chickens to draw/paint as well as some gorgeous fields and far-off trees.  It is supposed to be partly cloudy (partly sunny!) with 10% chance of rain.  It could get up to 90 but probably not before noon.  See you there!

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, July 14

St. Charles Park is a ballpark that is skirted by paved trails leading (eventually) to the Chippewa Nature Center.  This particular area has a variety of terrain; some ponds, open grassy areas and many stands of low brush and mature trees.  It begs to be painted - see you there!

Take Poseyville road to St. Charles Dr. like you are going to the Nature Center.

There is additional parking just across Whitman if these lots are filled up.

      The red lines are paved trails.  There are many places to set up just off the trails and away from the traffic.

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, July 7

It was quite a relief to have a nice below-90, breezy, somewhat sunny day to paint!

Donna is doing a good job matching her greens!

Priscilla concentrating on her posture while she paints.

Sue finishing up her painting of the Tridge

Cat sketching in the shade