First Month

First use of Pochade Box

It's been a little over a month since retirement. The house is cleaned, I'm on my 10th book and counting down the days til we head south.

Sticker Shock 1.25 fl oz

So in the mean time, I've taken the leap and started my newest artistic endeavor "Plein Air" painting. Investing in a beautiful Pochade Box and tripod, I've begun filling it with oil paints and canvases. Sticker shock set in right away, so I'm making numerous trips to various art supply stores buying one item at a time with a 50 % off coupon. I think they're beginning to recognize me at Michaels, maybe this is in anticipation of my future fame.


Here's a few definitions:

Plein Air is the act of artists painting outside in order to capture the true colors and light of nature. 

Pochade Box is an artists tool for carrying the supplies and becomes the easel to achieve Plein Air painting.

Paul Berquist demonstration at Myrick Park

I didn't start this new technique without doing some ground work. I was first taken in by a demonstration from Paul Berquist in conjunction with Plein Air Between the Bluffs in La Crosse. I was amazed at his technique and talent. I became immediately hooked on learning more.

By the way he took first place in the competition. See more at www.betweenthebluffs.com or his blogspot.

Required reading

So I started my research, I knew I'd need my own mentor eventually so I will take a workshop in the future, hopefully this summer. But in the meantime I got the recommended books to start the process.


Kevin Macpherson, author of Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color, has been a leader in the resurgence of this technique. I found his book inspiring and easy to follow. He breaks it down for the beginner and suggests 100 small paintings or quick starts to really get warmed up. So I've accepted the challenge and begun,here are my first five.









They are truly nothing like what I hope to achieve, but felt recording the first five would enable me to look back and see where I've been. Don't worry I won't post all 100, maybe a few that I decide to keep. After painting I just wipe the canvas clean. I typically do them in 1-2 hours which is needed to coincide with changing outdoor conditions.

  

It's too cold to paint plein air so I've been using photos for my studies. I'm sure by the time we get to our travel destinations I'll be able to do these outside.

I'm now totally prepared for this new adventure. My husband just gave me another tool on my wish list, a new camera, Canon Powershot SX720HS. Thank you for another great birthday.

Next Chapter

Trying to get back into watercolors.

I've turned the page and become part of the  group of retirees.

I spent my last day of employment with some of my favorite people-Rangers. It was a quick 6 years working at the headquarters at Perrot State Park. As a seasonal employee with Visitor Services I meet so many like minded travelers that shared their favorite parks and places.

Now setting aside the need for employment I can explore the places on my bucket list and get back to some of my creative projects. The list is big.


I began my blog discovering what made Perrot State Park so special, I've expanded to include the travels with our HaRVey the RV. We've covered many State Parks in Wisconsin and Minnesota and beyond.  With more time to travel I hope to cover in my blog the National Parks I've yet to visit and explore our options in this next phase of life.

Some may wonder why I use the blog persona Hannah Dove? 

The story goes: I was getting back into reading after losing a job due to a store closing in 2012. My friend Ann suggested the author Nevada Barr, a former National Park Ranger turned author, whose books included mysteries, murders and mayham set in the different parks she worked. I proceeded to read a dozen of her books and then as fate would have it I had a job at a park.

This was a new venue for me and I knew I had a lot to learn. Fellow friends who blogged gave me the encouragement and advice to use this social media to share what I was learning and it became my electronic scrapbook of sorts to remember the experience. An alias seemed appropriate and very dramatic, so I took my lead from the only Ranger I had known so far Anna Pigeon, the lead character of Nevada Barr's novels. Now do you see the correlation of Hannah Dove.

So I hope you continue to follow and find my blog entertaining. I do it for myself so when I'm really old I can visit my tales and travels again from wherever I finish my journey.

Just Kinda Scary

Kinda Scary on the Prairie at Perrot

Tis the season for Halloween. Events for kids to adults abound in the Coulee Region. At Perrot State Park they offer "Kinda Scary on the Prairie". A calmer more friendly ghost type of event for all to enjoy.

Before dark, treats are in the mouth if you dare.

Last night they held their second annual Kinda Scary on the Prairie with lots of new creative displays that wowed the area local children and the last of the camping reservations.



 

Take a picture it lasts longer

Creative inspiration by Ranger Justin with the spirited support from the Friends of Perrot made for an evening of  of caramel apples in the Nature Center and a crisp walk through the prairie for treats.

On the Prairie Path

Here's few of my photos along the path. Excuse my camera abilities, I must have been shaking while taking pictures.

Now that could be moth man, I'll never know for sure

Halloween campfire, this was genius

Dogs welcome in the park.

Man Eatting plants on the Prairie

Feed ME!

Baby Man Eatting Plant

Mother Nature

One of the best parts is I got to help. I was designated painter and it was a blast to help finish off the plants.

I even got to play a part at the event. Some were super heroes, although I don't know why they didn't just show up in Ranger Uniforms, I think they are super heroes already.

I chose to be the most powerful women in the world.









Holloween has always been a very memorable holiday for me. Looking back it was often the first time meeting new friends. I think sometimes the real person comes out under the disguise.

I have fond memories of my first date with my husband going to a costume party. My first time winning at a costume contest and spending many holloweens with my sister.

Here's a few rare photos from my archives.

A night at the Zoo.

Other Soiree Sidetrips

There's nothing better than great food for the body and art for the soul.

My sister planned a surprise outing for an early birthday celebration. We generally do it up right when we get together. We were off to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to the Paine Art Center and Gardens.









This lovely lumber barron home/mansion was built but never lived in. Today it showcases touring art exhibits and the household rooms are decorated in period furniture.















The gardens were my favorite part and served as a venue for celebrations. Here's one of the rooms that was being prepared for a gala.













The best find in the garden was a Kaleidoscope aimed at a rotating dish garden. You peer through the lens for a dazzling display. 





















Next stop food at Sakura Japanese Steakhouse. We indulged in the beautifully prepared sushi then were entertained with hibachi.
















It was a good birthday.

The following day it was my turn to find us some options. It's was hard to top the weeks events and find something my sister had not already discovered. So that's when you go to the very obscure places.














We were off to visit Paul Bobrowitz Spectacular Sculpture. On display were hundreds of sculptures set on several acres of property in Colgate, WI. You can visit  and even purchase items.

It wouldn't be a proper visit without our signature cocktail the Bloody Mary. Here Sobelman's a Milwaukee area pub and grill in Richfield has outdone themselves with their Bloody's. We opted for the Baconado and Bourbonado plus a side of deep fried pickles.














 
A great way to end a wonderful week with my sister.

Sister Soiree continues with China Lights

Fantasy

If you haven't been there, put it on your must do list for next fall. China Lights is held at the Boerner Botanical Gardens in Milwaukee.

Koi Archway

This touring exhibit from China shines with larger than life displays of colorful sculptures. Many beautifully hand painted fabric carefully stretched across steel frames.




Besides the wonderful walk they also have stages with entertainment, crafts, food and interactive area for kids.

Enjoy an evening of de-Light.

Phoenix

Tree of Life

Year of the Dog

Display in daylight to see the scale

Dancers

Costumes

Acrobats

Lighted Swings

Kids area

Sister Soiree

I gathered with my sister for a week of fun activities. It's always a good time exploring new dining venues, museums and local areas of interest.
















Our first event was the Golden Retrievers Nationals at the Purina Farms. My sister was invited to be a judge for part of the event and I was called upon to paint a skirt for this occasion.. One side of the skirt highlighted a senior golden and the flip side a golden puppy.

We tend to try and find the unique and unusual, here are some of the stops we made on our trip to St. Louis.






World Bird Sanctuary for rescues, rehabilitation and study of avian species.  









Route 66 State Park, a 1935 road house called Bridgehead Inn turned into a visitor center full of memorabilia. Here the bridge is out of commission, part of the original hwy 66.