Golden Finale

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Still sick and just hanging around the house, but today I was finally able to take a 'stumble' around the block as the sun was shining and I just couldn't take it any longer! Then I sat outside on the deck and soaked up some of that warm stuff like you see in my painting and feel drained but so much better. I painted this sunset before I was to leave on my trip and honestly keep forgetting to share it because I've been in a sleepy stupor. Since the very same sun managed to energize me today, it seems fitting to post it at last. I love that there are no dark darks in this piece, just the harmonious warm and cool colors in their light and medium values.

Somebody's Gotta Do It

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It's a rough life in the Hawaiian Islands, but somebody's gotta do it right?! I must be dreaming of such an escape and was actually on my way to the warm climes of Tucson but had to turn around and come back home due to a nasty sinus infection. That's why you haven't heard from me, and now that I'm laid low am not sure just how long it will take me to get back to the easel but we can still pass the time imagining ourselves in such an idyllic spot. Even if we don't surf, the whole idea of enjoying the ocean in this way has the ability to calm our frayed nerves and impart a sense of well being don't you think? I LOVE watching surf videos, but you'd NEVER catch me out there. I'm happy to simply bob around in the salty waves closer to shore and just feel all of my cares melt quickly away.................

Sunset Snacking

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These are Sally's sheep up at Pacific Star Winery, all aglow in the sunset's rim lighting. That is the ocean in the background with its lilting reflections of the setting sun and the grasses are my favorite mustard color. I can be seen scampering about Sally's property, shooting up the place at this hour because everything is screaming to be painted in every single glowing color that I can come up with.

White Water Aglow

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Just had to roll up my sleeves and tackle another seascape at sunset because the other one was so much fun. It amazes even me to see the sun bouncing off the waves when I apply the brightest whites. This is a location north of Fort Bragg where there are paths along the headlands for miles and miles. It's everyone's favorite place to take long walks or go bike riding, but for me it's hard to become aerobic when I'm stopping every twenty feet to take another inspirational photograph. Needless to say, I'd rather paint and dream of painting than do any of that other sweaty stuff.

Liquid Luster

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Few things are more riveting than a sight such as this, our endless pool of lustrous liquid. Water ebbing and flowing, waves crashing and blinding light reflecting off of each magnificent cresting wave. The Pacific Ocean here in my neck of the redwoods has to be one of God's greatest creative feats. It has to do with the high cliffs that serve as a dramatic element combined with all of that wondrous water, to say nothing of the plethora of color.............

Sunwashed Corner

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Mornings in Mendocino are quite often magnificent, even this humble little corner within spitting distance of my house. I was mesermized by the golden house and watertower behind the neighbor's place, as well as the golden splash on the street. I can often be seen scurrying about in my pajamas, hoping that no one will see me (that I know) while I'm trying to capture these fleeting moments with my camera. Even the painting is giving me similar tingly feelings and it makes me want to dance in the street.

Lovely Pair

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Caught the fading light with my camera on these two beauties and felt like playing with paint to describe the various shadow tones on white objects. The shapes of calla lilies are so graceful and elegant that it's great fun to showcase them up close and personal.  Hoping that you're finding similar things to keep you humming along with a lilt in your step and a song in your heart.

Petals Magnifique

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The new year is off to a frenetic start and my head is full of all sorts of ways to tame the tempest. Someone told me the other day that I should post once a week and do larger pieces. I've thought of painting 3 times a week instead of 6 and on the off days try to compile the book or books of last year's paintings, something I've been wanting to do for months and never have time for. Just sharing these things with you in case you have some clever ideas on how I might proceed in this endeavor! 

Otherwise, I took a photo that I've had for 20 years and finally had a bit of fun with it today. The flowers were actually sitting on some gray steps and that color just didn't appeal to me, so I used my favorite pea green yellow in order to make those pinks and reds just sing. Now that the dismal hue is done away with, I can actually almost hear the vibration....................ahhhhhhhh.

Seaside Farmhouse

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Those of us that live on the Mendocino coast get to see this gracious and grand Victorian farmhouse by the sea as we go to and fro along highway 1, and visitors marvel at its beauty just as well. I haven't had the pleasure of peeking inside, but one of these days I do plan on it. It's listed on the web as 'Mendocino Grand Victorian' and has 6 bedrooms for groups on vacation. Wouldn't it be fun to gather up a bunch of your favorite people and stay in such a place for a weekend? Ah, the stuff dreams are made of. I suppose I should put a plug in for my own vacation rental too, it's called the Artist Retreat if you have a hankering to look either of them up, just because surfing around is downright FUN.

"Gold" Country

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In California, gold is plentiful. All summer and into the fall the hills are ablaze with that hue whether or not the shiny stuff is to be found in any of the creeks and rivers. A friend from Portland told me how much she misses that color because it brings a measure of warmth and excitement. Ok, so I DO love Ireland (and Oregon) but there is something as wonderful about gazing at golden hills as at the kelly green ones.

Plumeria and Palms

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Right about this time of year, I'm always dreaming of escaping to Hawaii. Typically the weather here is cold and wet and most of us just want to get away. The last 5 days however have been spectacular and I'm happy as a clam to be enjoying every single minute. My husband and I have been lollygagging around Mendocino (at least for an hour here and there!) and our spirits are buoyed up beyond belief. So, to get myself back in the swing of things, I took a visual visit to one of the Hawaiian islands and chose to paint one of those funky houses. I love these little old places with the board and batten siding and foliage all but enveloping the entire property. Many have rusty old jeeps out front, but this time you can imagine that you and have just jumped into the jeep and are off on an adventure, taking a peek at your glorious seaside shack as you peel out to the wild unknown.