"Spring Thaw -- My Driveway" -- plein air field study -- oil on stretched canvas -- 9x12" -- Margie Guyot

After days and days of driving all over, schlepping paintings hither and yon, playing gigs on my sax, I finally had a day I didn't have to go anywhere. So glad to stay home! I carried my Soltek easel down the driveway and set up to paint this view. What struck me as most interesting were the patterns of gravel exposed in the melting snow. And the shade cast from the red pine trees (unseen, on the right).

As I painted, my 3 cats hung close by, exploring and keeping an eye on "mommy".

This was the first time in months that I did not have to wear my heavy down coat. It was relatively balmy, up to around 40 degrees. Although I'll miss painting the ice pileups on Lake Michigan, I must admit I'm happy for spring to return.

Check out the snow on this palette! I could barely paint with it by the end.

"Snowy Afternoon 2/26/10" -- plein air field study -- oil on canvas -- 11x14" -- Margie Guyot

It was only snowing lightly when I left m house, bound for Charlevoix. A photographer from the Petoskey News was going to meet me at the Charlevoix Circle of Art and I couldn't stand her up. Originally the plan had been to meet at the Circle and then head out for the ice at Norwood. However, a blizzard was in progress, so we decided to stay more in town.

I parked next to the Circle of Art and set up my Soltek right next to the building. Anything to keep out of the wind! I also tried setting up the BestBrella to try to keep the snow off my palette. But it was useless. I just vowed to paint fast as I could.

This view is looking north, down a small alley in Charlevoix. The photographer came and got a charge out of my crazy outfit. I had on my neon-orange polartec pants from LL Bean and my wolf fur trapper hat. And my heavyweight down coat that makes me look like I weigh 400 pounds. Rather eccentric. Oh well. At least I was warm.

"Banks Twp. Park 2/21/10" -- plein air field study -- oil on stretched canvas -- 10x20" -- Margie Guyot

A beautiful sunny day here and the temperature rose above freezing. Still, I was glad I had my heavy down coat, balaclava, hat and gloves! That wind coming off the lake was still pretty chilly. I parked in the lot at Barnes Township Park and pitched my easel on the little hill overlooking Lake Michigan. A low cloudbank was in the west, but otherwise it was blue skies. The ice was breaking up and I loved this view. Snow has melted enough to catch glimpses of the boulders along the sandy shoreline (in the foreground). In the distance you can see the Leelanau Peninsula.