Q & A with Wendy Marquis Part 4

What is your technique?

My technique starts off with observation of the rural views around me. I look for farms, old trucks, animals, and vintage buildings. Then, I photograph the subject when the light is falling on it just right…when the shadows describe the shape and dimensions. Then I come home, print out my pictures, and start drawing. Sometimes I combine elements from the different scenes that I have found. So I kind of create a puzzle for myself to solve. Then I lay down a colored wash and draw out the images with a watered down sienna color. Then I start painting in the darks and the lights in acrylics, using glazes and layers of colors…

Picture Credit: "Big Black Chevy", acrylic on canvas

Click here to learn more about this vintage truck painting

Monday's agriculture website of interest: COUNTY FAIR DIRECTORY

Looking for something to do this summer? Visit the nationwide County Fair directory to find one in your neighborhood. There is an interactive map where users can click on their state, then give qualifying information to find a county fair that meets your criteria. I have to warn readers, though, it's not user friendly and it looks like fairs are submitted to the directory by that fair's management. It is, though, a good place to start to get some travel ideas.

A conversation with Meg Birnbaum: Part 9

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

Yes! Sometimes I have to throw out a roll or two of film. When I've been playing around with a more conceptual type of photography I can often see the image in my head before I shoot it or I try to sketch it first to see if it will work, but sometimes it just doesn't. It really is hard to give up on an idea and admit that it just isn't working.

Photo credit: "Shorn"

Click here to learn more about this sheep photograph

Monday's agriculture website of interest: THE PIONEER WOMAN

Who doesn't like a good rags to riches story? How about the opposite? The Pioneer Woman website is the story of Ree Drummond, who proclaims she went from "high heels to tractor wheels." She worked in Los Angeles and lived the "southern California lifestyle." On a return trip to her hometown, she met her future husband, a cattle rancher, and her life has never been the same since.

Her website details her life, cooking styles, and overall appreciation for living the country life. She shares pictures of many aspects of her day, including family, animals, and gourmet creations. She has published her own cookbook (cover shown here), which took her a year and a half to finish.