Life only gets busier!!!!

It has been awhile since I have posted and for good reason. Life has been full of projects and 'nesting' preparations for our new little boy Spencer, born on November 23rd at 8 lbs 7 oz and 21 3/4 inches long. He is keeping us sleep deprived but he is worth it!!! I call him 'Mr Magoo' because that is who he looked like coming into this world. :)

Along with that big news I recently received an Honorable Mention in the 21 over 31 Emerging Artist Competition with publication in the November 2010 Southwest Art Magazine. There were over 3,ooo entrants so it was a honor to be selected as one of the 21. The interview for the article was fun but next time I will be sure to choose my words carefully, as my comment on the dogs in the painting not having a place to pee was published! Funny but maybe it didn't come off too professional. The link here will take you directly to the write up on Southwest Art's website:

http://www.southwestart.com/articles-interviews/emerging-artists/21-over-31-mitch-baird

This month I am also part of a miniature show with 6 other artists at the River Bend Gallery in Bend, Oregon. The show consists of 30 paintings by each artist, which are hung unframed with frames available for the collector to choose from and take part in framing the piece. The artist was asked to choose a format size to work in and I decided on 6x12 inches. There are a few pieces listed on my website and a few listed here below to view. If you would like to view more you can click on this link:

River Bend Fine Art - Mitch Baird

I also have a miniature piece in a show in Colorado at the Evergreen Gallery and can be view here:

Evergreen Fine Art - Miniature Show

High Noon Oil 6x12

Columbia Gorge Grandure Oil 6x12

Beartooth Canyon Oil 6x12

Autumn Color Oil 6x12

Alma Mater Alumni Show

This last month I was honored to take part in the show '30 Years of Illustration Excellence' in the Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU in Provo, Utah, my alma mater. I unfortunately could not make it to the show and see my old classmates but I heard it was great. The show covered all aspects of the art and artists that came out of the department. It was fun to see how diverse the work was and the industries that have been influenced by the schools graduates. I put in a Venetian market scene entitled 'Reflected Red', which is of the bright light bouncing off the typical red awnings in the market. I also attached a short video representing a small portion of the show that is posted on Youtube. I hope you enjoy.

'Reflective Red' Oil 18x14

Solo Show at Art on the Boulevard

On June 4th, Art on the Boulevard in Vancouver, Washington hosted my 2010 solo show. I must thank the Director, Kevin Weaver for a wonderful hanging and event - He is a 'class act' and always puts on top notch exhibitions. It was great to catch up with artists, friends, and collectors, though I felt like I didn't have the time to catch up with everyone nor catch my own breath!! Some really funny moments, of course, came from my good friends Eric Jacobsen and Mike Rangner who always pull out the stops to get a laugh.

For example, here they are relaxing by (on) my painting enjoying the atmosphere!!

Eric always seems to help my work out and this time he drew a seagull (that was poorly needed I might add) on my work with permanent marker. Doesn't it look great? What do you think?

As of opening night 8 paintings have sold and a few of them are posted here below. To see more works in the show visit the gallery website at www.artontheboulevard.org or my website at www.mitchbaird.com.

Fish Patron Oil 16x24

Walking The Dogs, Duomo de Santa Maria Oil 24x20

Gathering Geese Oil 16x16

Laundry Lines, Siena Oil 20x30

Cloaked Vessel Oil 16x12

Beach Walkers Oil 9x12

Painting in central Oregon

While dropping off some work at a new gallery that will be representing me, I had the chance to camp this last weekend and do some painting in central Oregon, just outside of Bend at Smith Rocks. It was fun to get down inside the canyon to paint this time instead of working from the rim. I started early and in fact was the first soul to arrive at the park when the sun was just rising. It is the best time to see the area because the light bounces around the canyon the way it is formed along the Crooked River. After spending some time photographing I was able to do 2 quick studies and be out of there by lunch time and back on the road for home. I have posted them below and the gallery that will be representing me in Bend is the River Bend Gallery - www.riverbendfineartgallery.com.

'Desert Snag' 8x10

'Smith Rock Shadows' 8x10

2010 National OPA Exhibition

Well, as you can see I have been too busy to post anything for awhile so hopefully this will suffice. I just got news that my submission 'Lavish Light' - 12x16 - oil painting was accepted into the 19th annual Oil Painters of America National Exhibition. The show will be held at the top notch Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ from April 30th - May 31. This year there were 2,560 works submitted and narrowed down to 200, so I feel very fortunate. I may even consider attending if I can find the time. The painting is of an area in Utah that happens to be my brothers favorite secret fly fishing place. I did several plein air sketches in the area and it was quite the experience because I had to pack in all my gear several miles and then stand in the blistering heat working while my brothers enjoyed the day on the stream. Those of you who know me know that I would never have it any other way and fishing is boring anyway!! ha. I hope to visit the area again but the next time I will rent a lama to haul everything in!!

'Lavish Light' - Oil - 12x16