Dreamy Tuscan Light

Click Here to Bid

I tried out another of my new paintbrushes, this one small again and by the brand Raphael. That alone had some bearing on how I used it and U'm happy to say that  it behaved somewhat like a larger brush because it was hefty. I really liked using it and feel like the end result of this new piece is more gestural than earlier pieces with a similar type brush. I guess I'm just all discombobulated because of my finger painting and would really just rather don some latex gloves and go for it from here on out! The bottom line though is all about the light, the space divisions and the ratio of darks to lights. If all the ingredients are right, the painting tool can be just about anything. Picasso said that it took him his whole life to learn how to paint like a child.

Visit my Gallery at Daily Paintworks

Field Aflame

Click Here to Bid

Decided against doing two finger paintings in a row since I now have access to ALL of my tools, besides just receiving a shipment of brand new brushes. Within the new ones was a fairly huge brush that I didn't intend on ordering, so thought that this was a good intermediary step. Use a BIG brush on a SMALL painting and avoid getting too hung up in the details is what I told myself. Well, I still managed to use it on its side and corner to achieve a few too many details compared to yesterday, but it was fun just the same. Here then is a French sunflower field in all its chunky glory, beneath the golden setting sun and inviting us to float across it into the periwinkle mountains beyond.

Check out my Daily Paintworks Page

View from Saracina

Click Here to Bid

Visited Saracina Winery today on my way home from Sonoma County where we celebrated my mother-in-law's 93 birthday yesterday. Gave Casey and big hug in the tasting room and got myself all set up in the shade to do a painting of the view looking east. I loved the layers of close up and faraway oaks, plus the vineyards and plantings in between, so blocked everything in with my trusty Tombo pen. Try as I might though, I was unable to find any painting implements in my bag. Found out that they'd been left in the studio so rather than give up, decided to try my hand at finger painting. I slipped my hand into a plastic bag and proceeded as if this was something I do everyday. Maybe this is my new direction! I do like the soft edges and the consensus around the house tonight is that I should go ahead and post it just for fun. 

Heading into the Harbor

 

Click Here to Bid

 

Once in a great while, it's a privilege to see things from a new and different angle and this vantage point surely was. We were at a dinner put on by the local lumber company that we frequent and I was off at the windows. The sun was setting and creating a mini drama right before my eyes and I was riveted. It was the end of the working day for this local fisherman and little did he know that I was spellbound. Maybe someone out there will recognize this boat and will alert me, but in the meantime you can imagine him getting home before dark to share his fresh catch with his hungry family. Before or after that, he very well might have been sharing his 'loot' with any number of local merchants and we might have eaten some ourselves without any inkling that it came from 'my' special boat..............

Cypress and Succulents

Click Here to Bid

Yesterday was idyllic, so I actually did the Pacific Star Winery painting and this one because I couldn't bring myself to stay indoors! I found myself gravitating toward my favorite stand of Cypress trees just north of the Pudding Creek Trestle, but this time I planted myself right up next to the grove. When I got that close, I was standing in the fire red  ice plant and it was mesmerizing as it also had flecks of lime green, yellow and orange. I decided to omit a beautiful tree that had fallen because I wanted to show you the bluffs and ocean that were hiding behind it, but maybe one of these days that will be my focal point. There was a feeling of celebration in the air as scores of people were out enjoying the amazing weather, so I felt blessed to be doing something productive while soaking up the golden warmth. Good thing that I burned the paintbrush at both ends because today was foggy.................

Check out my Daily Paintworks Gallery

Secluded Cove

Click Here to Bid

I introduced a dear friend to the amazing stretch of coast at Pacific Star Winery today. All I wanted to do both yesterday and today was to be OUTSIDE as our summer here has finally really kicked in. Just in time for autumn, I know, but better late than never! There are unlimited possibilities for paintings in this astounding location, so I just keep going there every time the weather is gorgeous. Year after year. I love telling people about it that have never been there because it is one of the very best excursions the North Coast has to offer. Hope you get to see it yourself one of these days perdy soon.

 Check out my Daily Paintworks Gallery

Green Tea & the Sports page

Click Here to Bid

Alright peeps, now you see that I actually do paint figures once in awhile. I have no idea who this guy is, but he was in the right kind of light at the Headlands Coffeehouse across the street from my studio and I did a walk by shooting with my trusty camera. He had no idea and probably never will. I was inspired to do something different today because of a fabulous dinner my Dad treated us to last night at 'The Restaurant' here in Fort Bragg. They have been in business for over 39 years and the place is adorned with many great paintings done by the late Olaf Palm, all figures. I love how Olaf gravitated toward scenes from everyday life and this particular part of town is full of inspirational subject matter!

Daily Paintworks

Forest Fascination

Click Here to Bid

The winding roads that lead from the 101 to the coast are shrouded with redwood trees, all reaching high into the sky and creating a cathedral like quality. I have probably taken 1,000 photos over the years of the drive along highway 128 especially, but haven't painted this subject more than 10 times. It is hard to harness all the components without making things too hectic and complicated. I hope that by choosing just one huge tree and one young tree with florescent green foliage that you can grasp the majesty, even a teensy tinsy bit.

Daily Paintworks

Summer's Symphony

Click Here to Bid

I've had the privilege of traveling to France on a few occasions over the years and seem to always choose July because I'm a lavender fanatic. Yes, it's typically hotter than Hades, but I've also had cool weather and oftentimes even rain in the summers. It's always a delight no matter how you slice it because that country knows what they're doing in the aesthetics department. Oh, and also the food department I might add with a whopping MERCI. I wasn't able to go out of the country this year, but can offer you this plethora of perfect piles of purple and hope that maybe next year will see us there along with the bumblebees. We can share a table and both order 'salad de chevre chaud', my favorite thing to eat there every single day.

Check out my Daily Paintworks Gallery and have fun visiting other amazing places.

Terra Cotta Garden

Click Here to Bid

Finally back in my very own saddle and playing catch up. We had a marvelous trip to many spots within California and saw about a million people. We now feel tired, but supremely blessed at the same time. My Mom is slowly recovering and I'm very impressed by her patience and the kindness she bestows upon all that are waiting upon her. She gets to know everyone's name and can tell me stories about each one. This is a small thing, but it spoke volumes to me because she is stepping outside of herself by showing care and concern. This makes her long days more meaningful and the nurses hearts are warmed.

As you know, I did very little painting but hope that I can get back on track and find some new and exciting subjects as well. I'm not so good at sales pitching, but if you might share my blog address with a friend it would further help to keep me in gear!

Kasten Street in the Morning

Click Here to Bid

At certain times of day this street is actually quite calm and deserted, but since this corner serves the Mendocino Art Center and the Mendocino High School, it can also be quite the happening spot. I'll be teaching a class at the Art Center next May and we very well might hunker down with our supplies and  give this scene another go. It never ceases to amaze me how these little houses, water towers and gardens stack up to create an unparalleled vision of quaintness. I guess I spend a lot of my life gasping in amazement. Must be why I live here.

Beautiful Berg

Click Here to Bid

Hope to be getting back in the groove, so here I present the quintessential view of my adorable little town as seen from the south looking north. You might remember this very visual during the opening of "East of Eden", starring James Dean back in the 50's. They dubbed Mendocino as Monterey for that film, but anyone familiar with California knew the difference! This is one of those sightings that can literally take your breath away and each time I leave the country I am honestly so happy to get back home. I often wonder why I even leave such an amazing place, but I guess it's the food that's created in the far reaches of the earth.................

Buckhorn Cove at Sunrise, at last?

Click Here to Bid

Finally trying a real computer and this had better show up or I might jump off this cliff once I get back home! Tee hee, perish the thought, but this trip has been fraught with one technical obstacle after another. We are down in Hollywood visiting our kids and seeing our oldest son's new digs up in the hills of this amazing town. It is totally peaceful up here and just like he said, you wouldn't even know your are in LA when visiting in this new location. Since he grew up in the tiny hamlets of Fort Bragg and Mendocino, it stands to reason that he would be drawn to something that has a remote feeling. Having fun helping him accessorize the place and it's nice to take a break from the hospital environment. Mom will be sitting around for weeks until her incisions heal and then will start intensive rehab, so I hope to deliver some good reports next month..............blessings to all and thanks for your patience.

Buckhorn Cove at Sunrise (again)

Click Here to Bid

Trying to post this painting again, and this time hope you see it in your inbox! I also created an auction for the bicycle painting too and hope it's all successful now that I may have mastered the iPad. Hmmmm....time will tell, so send feedback if I really have figured it out. Meanwhile, I've spent a lot of valuable time with my Mom and found out today that she will need 5-6 weeks in a skilled nursing facility before she can embark on the rigorous re-hab required to regain the use of her hands and feet. Such an ordeal!

Goofed Up

My son let me know that my painting didn't show up in today's post, so my joy over learning something on my iPad was short lived! I tried to remedy the problem on my friend's computer but was being blocked out of my blog for some unknown reason. Just like I said, I'm a bit old for all this techy stuff but will keep trying until I succeed. I'll still be away from home for another week, so say some prayers for me in this regard and for my mom's continued progress toward regaining the use of her hands and feet. It's slow going right now and she's quite frustrated, but at least we've been hanging out together and passing the time lovingly. She's in great hands at UC Davis for sure and God is in charge of the bigger picture. Love to all.....

Buckhorn Cove at Sunrise

Had a full day of painting, picking up Mom's cousin and visiting at the hospital. Now trying to learn how to post from my iPad since my friend's computer wasn't cooperating! It was fun to "visit" the coast while doing this piece this morning and re-living some wonderful hours spent above this cove just south of Little River. I have artistic license to leave out the houses that line the upper edge in order to share the original view, and what an awe inspiring bit of visual vacation I now present.  I'm unable to upload my image on the DPW site via this device, so I'll create an auction at a later date. Thanks for your patience and wish me luck as at this advanced age, I have a hard time learning too many new things.

Bountiful Basket

Click Here to Bid

Ahoy there folks, here I am in Sacramento at my Mom's hospital bedside and trying to stay current. Spent the night with friends who live withing walking distance of the hospital and thankfully they have a computer that I can easily use. However, I didn't know that last night so am sorry for the lapse!

 You may remember seeing this bicycle a while back in its entirety but as that day of painting wore on, I shot several photos of it in different light and was really drawn to this image. I like that just a portion of the bike is showing and love the bright light, shapes and colors. Hope you do too and I also hope I can keep up the pace while I visit Mom and various friends and relatives. She is recovering well from her back, neck and carpal tunnel surgeries but it's going to take some time to actually get back on her feet and have the use of her hands. I'm blessed to be here no matter what and much love and gratitude goes out to my husband for filling in the many gaps I've left behind.Click Here to Bid

Billowing Fog

Click Here to Bid

As many of you know, it can be sunny here one minute and shrouded in fog the next. I have to admit that it is quite a surreal experience to watch the fluffy mist rolling in, creating a whole new world with it. The flowers absolutely love it and as my friend Leslie says, "You can plant a two by four in the ground on the coast and it will grow." While this is a joke, it's not that far fetched because of our mild climate there are many plants that are blooming even in the middle of winter. Here you see the Mendocino Presbyterian Church and the Captain Lansing house framed against the fog rolling up Big River, a typical August occurrence. That's why selling sweatshirts is such a booming business!

Shasta Lavender Farm

Click Here to Bid

I was beyond delighted a few years ago to discover a lavender farm this majestic that was only a few hours away by car rather than half way across the world by plane. It is on the north side of Mt. Shasta and my dear artist friend Claudia is the reason I know about it. She arranged for a class I taught to visit the farm one afternoon after closing so that we could enjoy this sumptuous evening glow across the bands of purple. Not only that, but she made a fabulous French style dinner for our group and we were transported instantly without having to deal with luggage, airports, language barriers or jet lag. Thank you dear friend and thank you Gail for creating such an amazing place to visit, snip lavender and shop whilst drinking your lovely lavender lemonade.