Harbor Happiness

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My darlingest friend Jennifer took me to lunch yesterday down in the Noyo Harbor and while she went wandering I found a neat spot to paint. It was honestly roasting hot out there on the edge of the river, but I suffered slightly to take in this sweet little scene. I truly love our happening little harbor, even though I would never even put my big toe in the ocean or board one of the fishing boats! That's me alright, a careful observer rather than and extreme jumper-inner.

Simply Kelly Street

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Sometimes I like to wing it and paint like the 'California Watercolorists' of the 30's, 40's and 50's. Check out my link and you'll learn a bunch of neat stuff about an amazing group of painters. Bigger strokes, bolder colors and simplified compositions are what marked their individuality in a changing art scene. My experiment began when I hoisted my easel, already set up from an earlier painting and tromped down my street and onto the headlands until I found just the right mix of bluff, water and houses. We have the occasional visitor to our frame shop/gallery that ask how many artists we represent. I sheepishly reply, "Just one that seems to have multiple personality disorder", as I like doing all sorts of different things with paint. Gotta keep myself interested since it's a daily pastime...................

Lucy's Flowers

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Our forever friends Warren and Lucy came to town yesterday to celebrate their 63rd anniversary and Lucy's birthday and blessed us with their presence at dinner last night. They brought this glorious bouquet of flowers that I just had to paint today. Since it was actually too hot to paint outside, I set them on the table on the deck and sat inside to paint them! Sunflowers, alstroemeria, one hydrangea and one gerbera daisy made for a fabulous complementary color composition of joy. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did................

August Impressions

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I had the pleasure of painting with a past student and friend today, Gobind Boyes, at the Pine Beach Inn's private beach. She took on a 12x24 canvas while mine is only 5x10, so she is probably still there! She is a master with waves, so I hope you check out her website. It was a foggy day for the most part, thus the lavender sky and greenish tones to the water. I loved how the cliffs reflected in the water on the beach, so this was a neat discovery and would likely work in any kind of weather. It never ceases to amaze me that I can walk out the door and 'get to the office' in a matter of minutes. Don't you agree that my desk has the very best view?

Ocean Oracle

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In case you missed this image at the bottom of yesterday's post, here it is again! I thought it would come as 2 separate emails, but it that wasn't the case. Anyhow, here's the wild sunset again and the blurb I wrote:

Sometimes I just want to play with stripes of color and sometimes they actually add up to something recognizable. The inspiration for this piece came from an after dinner sprint out onto the Mendocino headlands 2 nights ago when the whole world was bathed in a coral glow. We felt enveloped in the wonder of creation as the vast expanse of ocean reflected the setting sun in a different palette every minute or so. I took enough photos to keep me busy for a month, so stay tuned for more.

Cooking Up Some Travel Ideas

I had a really great class last Saturday in Ukiah, California doing still life set ups. A lovely group of 9 ladies came and we painted to our heart's content with a break midday for a potluck lunch outside under the trellis. It reminded me of many an alfresco dining experience on the other side of the world, so it got me to thinking that I should put another trip together. Leslie and I have a hankering to visit France once again next summer while the lavender and sunflowers are a'bloom, so let me know if you might like to join. No details have yet been formulated but we might do a segment with our nieces and other young adults and then add a chunk of painting time for a larger group as well. Anxious to hear feedback from any and all of you!

Ocean Oracle

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Sometimes I just want to play with stripes of color and sometimes they actually add up to something recognizable. The inspiration for this piece came from an after dinner sprint out onto the Mendocino headlands 2 nights ago when the whole world was bathed in a coral glow. We felt enveloped in the wonder of creation as the vast expanse of ocean reflected the setting sun in a different palette every minute or so. I took enough photos to keep me busy for a month, so stay tuned for more.

Heeser Drive Vantage

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After Portrait Group today I was zipping home to gather lunch stuff and just had to pull over to do this little painting. I drive by this point every single day and though I've looked north from this spot, have never looked west like I did today. I have condensed the stand of cypress trees, but if you come visit you simply must wander into this natural cathedral. Many a wedding has been conducted there and many a happy tear has been shed at the wonder and majesty of God's creation right here in my own backyard.

Deck With a View

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Some days, I just don't want to leave home to 'go to work'. This was one such day, so I just wandered around my house and property until I landed on something I thought could turn into a painting. There is a magnificent stand of coastal pines just to the north of us and in between the trees we can see the Pt. Cabrillo lighthouse. I decided to highlight just one of the trees and it somehow ended up with a Japanese woodblock look to it with a formal composition. I just never know just what will happen when the paint hits the page, so I'm almost as surprised as you are when viewing the end result.

Nature's Glamour

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Back in the saddle so to speak, at least for today! I seem to have a bit of a frenetic life, actually more than a  bit but at least I don't get bored. The opening of my show at Highlight was very well attended by many friends, so it was a rip roaring good time for sure. We were bowled over that Jerry and Marla from far away surprised us by just walking in the door without having told us ahead of time, and were just so honored. It was a superb Mendocino evening and everyone reveled in the sublime experience. Sigh.................

Long Time, No See, No Hear

I am so sorry to have neglected you dear and faithful blog watchers. My road trip was one thing, but after returning it has been crazy trying to finish and frame 27 pieces for my show at the Highlight Gallery in Mendocino which opens this Saturday evening. The painting above, titled "Brilliant Buckhorn" is in the show and will also one day be offered on an instructional video that my son and I have been working on. I hope to get back into regular gear next week and look forward to establishing my routine once again. In the meantime, I wish you a happy weekend and a fabulous remainder of the Summer.