Pop-Up Exhibit! Bloomington, Indiana - Courthouse Square

If you would like to see most of my winter themed work in person, hop on down to the square in Bloomington, Indiana to see eight of my winter pieces in the window next to Darn Good Soup [at 107 N. College Avenue].   The display should be up for the next few weeks.

Here is a quick preview video, courtesy of my daughter who stopped by to take a look last week.  [Sorry about the traffic noise]

If you get a chance to see the exhibit, drop me a line to tell me which was your favorite.

Happy holidays!

'Not Far Afield' Exhibit Ending - The Vault at Gallery Mortgage, Bloomington, Indiana

© Robin Edmundson, 'Leonard's Barn', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches.  NFS

On December 3, I'll be taking down the exhibit that is currently hanging at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage in Bloomington, Indiana.   [121 E. 6th St.]  I have been so grateful for the wonderful people who manage the space and invited me to show there.  John La Bella is a kind and gracious host.

It's a beautiful space, intimate enough not to get lost, but large enough to get some distance as you look at each piece.  I hope you get a chance to see the show one last time before it comes down.

This weekend! Bloomington Artisans Holiday Show & Sale

Can you believe we're almost to the holiday season already?   This weekend is our annual holiday show & sale with the other Bloomington Artisan Guilds. 

I'll have a booth full of hand-dyed yarns and loads of goodies. [Don't forget to bring your coupon from my last newsletter!] Let me know if you want me to bring something specific for you. 

Bloomington Convention Center

College Ave & 3rd St.  Downtown Bloomington, Indiana

Free parking

Free admission

Friday Nov 1, 2019  4pm - 9pm

Saturday Nov 2, 2019 9am - 5pm

p.s.  If you've been eyeing a painting that you'd like to purchase and pick up in town, I'm happy to wrap it up and have it ready for you to pick up at the show.  Email me to make arrangements:  robin@robinedmundson.com

Bottoms

©Robin Edmundson, 'Where the Ironweed meets Helianthus and Goldenrod', watercolor, 18 x 24 inches. 
Framed to 24 x 30 inches.   $750

The bottomlands are where the muck is. They are the flood plains. Where the creeks overflow.  Where the flood debris collects.  Where the silt get dumped.  Where damp things molder and decay.

Many times during the year, the bottoms are impassable - soft, muddy, wet.

But when late summer comes and they are mostly dried out, they explode with color. It's easy to wax poetic this time of year - these areas are ridiculously gorgeous.  Fields full of purple ironweed and goldenrod.  Acres of helianthus and Queen Anne's lace.   The roadsides are blue with lobelia and blue mist flower.  Jewelweed sparkles orange and yellow in the shade.

And on cooler mornings, when the mist rises off the ponds, the colors sparkle with dew and we know how lucky we are to live here.

Overgrown

©Robin Edmundson, 'Overgrown Barn - July', watercolor, 8 x 10 inches.  Framed to 11 x 14 inches.  $280.

July is when everything out here is in danger of getting overgrown by the oat grass, the virginia creeper, the fox tail, the nutgrass, the poison ivy, the walnut saplings that the squirrels planted last year, the ironweed, the johnson grass, the ragweed, the goldenrod, the wild grape vines, the blackberries - so many blackberries... 

In short, there is an abundance of growth and with that comes the very real danger of a structures being entirely overwhelmed.  They can be pulled down by the weight of the vines, or pulled apart by things growing through the cracks in the walls, or knocked right over by trees growing next to the foundation. 

I do this to myself.  All. The. Time.  Country life is a metaphor for the rest of my life.

I love an abundance of information.  I love learning new things, reading new books, mulling over new ideas, trying new strategies.   I want all of the information - right now.   I want all of the options - right now.   I want to save all of the ideas - right now. 

Pretty soon, my head is bursting with options; I worry that I won't pick the 'right one', I feel anxious that I'm 'behind' in what I'm studying, frustrated that I don't understand it all, irritated with the number of notebooks full of Very Important Notes and piles of books that I've saved from studying all the things and afraid to get rid of them because what if that's the notebook with The Answer that I've been looking for.

So much abundance and so much overwhelm. 

I need some mental mowing.  Weed eating.   Pruning.  Maybe a judiciously wielded chain saw.  Something to keep balance between the growth and the structure [me].

Quite honestly, I have no idea - at all - how to do that.  It's one of those boundary things I'm not so good at. 

I'll be thinking about it for the next while to see if I can come up with a strategy to encourage abundance while limiting overwhelm.   Maybe that will help me restore some Fun to my life.

Spirit of Place, Again

© Robin Edmundson, 'Goose Pond - 530', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches.  $375
[Matted and framed to 16 x 20 inches]

Another view of the marshes from the photos I took on our anniversary.  I'm kind of loving the movement of the grasses here.

Blue Bells

©Robin Edmundson, 'Bluebells-545', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches.  $375
[Matted and framed to 16 x 20 inches]

Bluebells don't last long enough and this year was no exception.  That gorgeous blue stays with me and as I drive along our creeks, I watch for that signature blue every spring.

More Big Experiments

© Robin Edmundson, 'Red Barn, Lyons, Fall Morning', watercolor, 18 x 24 inches.  Unframed $600.

So here's the thing about watercolor.  Sometimes it does its own thing and the trick is to react in a way that leads you to a successful conclusion, even if that conclusion doesn't match what's in your head. 

This conclusion doesn't match what I was after when I started, but it finished well enough and that works for me.   I'll do another version tomorrow with different light.

We came upon this barn way out near Lyons, Indiana, while we were driving around on our anniversary.   I love the little hollow where the run-off gathers.  Those hills do fun things with light.  I'll be working more with this reference photo.

The Fiber Event at Greencastle, Indiana.

The Fiber Event at Greencastle, Indiana

Friday, April 19, 2019

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Free Admission        Free Parking

Details at their website:  thefiberevent.com

I'll be there with a booth full of gorgeousness.  The booth is in the Community Building, next to the stage.  Please stop in to say hi and show me what you've been working on this winter.

First Light

© Robin Edmundson, 'First Light', watercolor, 14 x 10 inches
Framed to 22 x 18 inches.  $375

You know that moment on a winter morning, when the sun finally breaks over the horizon and the twilight blues and purples coalesce into bright shadows on the snow?   

I love that moment.   Hello, morning!

Winter Barn, Purple Shadows

© Robin Edmundson, 'Winter Barn, Purple Shadows', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches
Framed to 18 x 22 inches. $375

The shadows this winter have been really interesting.   It's been so wet that there is a perpetual haze in the woods and it's been so cloudy that the shadows aren't their typical winter blue.  I've enjoyed the challenge and have been happily experimenting with new color combinations.   This one made me particularly happy. 

Winter Cornfield, Blue Barn

© Robin Edmundson, 'Winter Cornfield, Blue Barn', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches.
Framed to 18 x 22 inches.  $375

Here's what I like about our winters:

• They're varied.  This has a negative flipside when it comes to things like beekeeping, but mostly it makes things really interesting.
• There's a lot of green.   The fiddlehead ferns in the woods are evergreen, as are the southern red cedars.  Then there are the lowest layers of grass in the fields, and the moss on the trees [and the north side of most houses/roofs]
• Willow tips turn gorgeous reds in the winter and get brighter as the weather warms in the spring. 
• Cornfields retain a lot of gold all winter long and can really glow when the light is right.
• Last year's little blue stem and wild petunia plants turn the most gorgeous orange.  You can see it in all the hayfields, roadside ditches and windbreaks. 
• The old gray tobacco barns turn blue - it's probably because the old rusty roofs really show their orange this time of year.
• Oaks and young beeches hang onto their leaves most of the winter.   Beautiful russets, rich browns all season long.

Right now I'm loving the quieter palette of a southern Indiana winter.

Winter Bean Field

© Robin Edmundson, 'Winter Bean Field', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches.
Framed 18 x 22 inches, $375

I've been really studying our winter fields this year.  Cornfields retain a lot of gold, even after harvest.  Bean fields turn luscious umbers.   On cloudy, misty days, the woods, clouds and shadows turn all the shades of purple.  The subtleties are breathtaking and make for interesting play in the studio. 

Midwinter Sky

© Robin Edmundson, 'Midwinter Sky 1', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches. 

This scene has been in my head for a few weeks now.   I finally put it to paper.   I'm kind of in love with it, so I'll be playing with this a lot more in the next little while.

Exhibit: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Happy Fall, Everyone!    If you're in the Terre Haute, Indiana area, you need to stop by and see this show hanging at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology from now until December 20.   The show is hanging in the main halls of Moench Hall 1st and 2nd floors. 

I am so pleased to have my work hanging with the work of these other artists.  They are intelligent, articulate and inspiring.   Well worth the trip!

Last week, we attended the artist reception at the show and it was a delight to meet the other artists and many of the faculty and students who came through.  I am pleased to have three new collectors from this show.

One of the most wonderful things about Rose-Hulman is the evident appreciation for art.  They have a spectacular art collection, including one of my favorite watercolorists - D. Omer Seaman - and the halls are always hung with interesting and varied works of art.

Seating is arranged all along the halls and students gather to chat and study during the day, where they have a beautiful view of the current art show.

My work is hanging in the 2nd floor atrium and the light shows the colors to best advantage.  If you get a chance to go, please let me know what you think of the show.  I'd love to hear.

My Indiana Home Magazine

My Indiana Home magazine has used some of my artwork in the spring issue!

At first they planned to use a couple of pieces in the calendar section.

During planning,  their needs changed and when I got my copies of the magazine this week, they had given me this little blurb and featured one of my paintings of spring fields instead. 

That works for me!  Here is the text:

'Robin Edmundson has been painting the rural landscapes of Indiana since 2014. Having spent most of her life in Indiana, Edmundson now lives on 40 acres near Solsberry, in Greene County and spends a lot of her time focusing on the landscape around her.

After spending many years photographing and blogging about her life in rural Indiana, Edmundson felt she still couldn't capture the landscape the way she wanted, so she tried a new medium. She studied color theory for years and she applied her knowledge to creating beautiful watercolor paintings featuring Indiana landscapes.  The ultimate goal of her paintings is to celebrate the people and places involved in everyday rural life.'

© Robin Edmundson,'Henbit Fields #2', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches.

This is the painting featured.

More information about this piece HERE.

Blue & Orange

© Robin Edmundson, 'Split Roof - blue & orange', watercolor, 10 x 14 inches.   $375, framed to 18 x 22 inches.

A couple of weeks ago I posted some other studies of this barn.   I should probably paint it from a different angle, but I really like this one. 

One of the things I study about painting is how to paint the same thing in different light, seasons and space.  I practice a lot. 

Another of the things I study about painting is color.  I love color!  Luckily, I have a good instinct for this, and all my years dyeing yarn have paid off.   Blue and orange is one of my favorite combinations [but you probably knew that already.]

My Best Life Now - Retreat 2018

My Best Life Now

Weekend Retreat

October 12-14, 2018

Bloomfield, Indiana

_____________________________________________________

You are going to LOVE what 
WE have planned for YOU!

Do you crave more creativity in your life?  More balance?  More 'Yes!'?  A lot of us do! Now, imagine yourself spending a weekend in a luxurious space with a group of supportive women who are all looking to move forward on their journey to living their Best Life Now. 

You will be immersed in an experience carefully designed to support big shifts in how you think about what is possible in your life.  By the end of the retreat, you will have a clear idea of what your Best Life looks like, strategies for making it a reality, and a support system to help you live your Best Life Now.

This retreat is for all women who want to move forward on the journey to living their best lives now.   

Facilitators:

Robin Edmundson is an award winning artist and blogger who has been teaching creativity since 2003. Her professional and artistic path has been full of twists and turns so she has a lot of experience blazing new trails. She's excited to help you get started on your journey to a happier and more creative self.

Amy Kimmel is a Women's Empowerment Mentor, Certified Intuitive Reiki Master, and Yoga Teacher-in-Training focusing on discovering the magic we all have inside that allows us to live our soul purpose. Her loving, no-nonsense approach will help you fully tap into your power so that you can learn to shine your brightest inner light and live your best life.

Embrace your present life
Unleash your Inner Power
Dream big
Visualize your Best Life
Organize your ideas
Identify your struggles
Make it Achievable
Gather your Support
Celebrate the journey
 

Highlights of the retreat include: 

• Mini-workshops: spirit dolls, affirmations, dream boards, creative journalling
• Optional creative activities: watercolor for relaxation, exploring essential oils, dancing, personal ceremonies and rituals for creativity, spirit names/totems.
• Great food and sisterhood. [All meals included]
• Meditation, yoga, reiki.
• Luxury accommodations: fireplaces, heated outdoor pool, lake with kayaks, tennis courts, walking paths, etc.
• Retreat tickets and accommodations priced and listed separately.

Venue:

We will be staying at an estate just north of Bloomfield, Indiana.  We get this whole place [33 acres] to ourselves for the weekend!  Staying at the house gives you unlimited access to the lake, kayaks, pool, tennis courts, walking paths, fireplaces and companionship of other retreat participants. Overnight guests may stay up as late as they want to take advantage of all that this luxurious venue has to offer.  Even better - our experience is that some of the best Aha! moments come after hours when people are relaxed, getting to know each other and really talking. 

Prices for accommodations vary.  There are two private rooms [queen bed] with private bath.  There are two rooms with several beds and a shared bath.   

For more details, see my website HERE

Work In Progress - Bean Harvest

© Robin Edmundson, 'Bean Harvest', watercolor.  18 x 24 inches.  

This is a current work in progress.   It might be done, but I want to let it simmer for a bit.   I got the idea from a photo I took of a bean harvest last year on the highway near Worthington, Indiana.   I had a big wide view.   Two combines and a tractor with a trailer full of beans.   And lots of dust in the air.

I did an initial draft and got some expert feedback from someone who had actually driven one of those things.   He approves of this version.

This One Needs a Title

© Robin Edmundson, 'October, cows in hayfield',  18 x 22 inches framed.

Once in a while, I fall in love with a piece while I'm working on it. I fell in love with this one. Something about the clouds and the trees.  It's not done yet.  I need to darken the bottoms of the trees and shadows and add more depth to the clouds, but it's almost there.

Right now I'm calling it, 'October, cows in hayfield'.  Wolf Khan is nodding in agreement, but I'm thinking it deserves a better name.

I'm taking suggestions.   Leave them in the comments.



[Come see it in person at the show.]