Forest Dawn

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This particular pathway holds many fond and poignant memories for me as well as countless others. This is the path to the Woodbutcher, a cabin made famous by a book titled the same. It is a spiritual place, a reflective place, a rejuvenating place and a place where the journey is as important as the goal.

Pale Beauties

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I took a shot of these lovely roses a gazillion years ago because I was mesmerized by their subtle colors and soft edges. I have looked at the photo as many times and decided that today was the day to do a 'quiet' kind of painting. Not a lot of drama but hopefully a calming feeling instead. Thank you Mark and Joanie Ellis for cultivating these beauties!

France, etc.

Long Lavender Shadows

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Still riding the wave of those golden California hills with their yummy and dramatic shadows while I catch up on miles of piles. 

One exciting new development is a trip I'm planning for next year to Paris and the south of France. I love going there in the height of the sunflower blooming season, so the dates will be July 8-22. Please email me at erinsart@erindertner.com for the full, fabulous scoop! 

Sliver of Sunlight

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Here is another impression from my time in the hills. This piece was done just as the morning sun was cresting the opposite hillside, lighting up a neon path while lightly brushing the oak foliage. I was wearing my pajamas and everyone else was still asleep, so it was a matter of seizing the literal moment. I take thousands upon thousands of photos and love working from them, but being on location evokes so much more tangible emotion whether the results are successful or not.

October Oaks

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You're right about that. Long time no see, no hear. You'd think I have been sitting on my laurels, eating bon bons and staring out the window or something. Truth be told, I was on a joint birthday galivant with my buddy Leslie over in 'them thar hills' and we were busy. Busy painting one hill and oak tree after the other in hopes that one of the compositions would ring loud and clear and add up to a thousand words. No, I will NOT make up for all the lost words but will just say thank you for your patience. It's been a great week of time in the golden hills in the golden month with a golden friend.

Colorful Corn

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I had a hankering to do something really Fall-like today. The coast doesn't reveal much in the way of Fall color though, so I went digging into my photo boxes where I have a treasure trove of great stuff from my many October travels to New England. I even spent my 40th birthday in Vermont if you can believe it, at a Chinese restaurant no less! We work with a licensing company there, so it's been great to wander around in the leafy countryside while doing a bit of business too. Haven't been there in years, so it was really fun to re-live many yummy moments via my photo jewels.

Surf's Up

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Besides my mother-in-law's birthday, I think I've had a bit of 'painter's block'. I hit the Mendo Paint Out so hard and got so much feedback that I've honestly been reluctant to pick up my brush. I'm not much different than the horse with the carrot held at arm's length, always hoping for more, for better, for excellence. I took my mother-in-law up to Pacific Star today but there was a lot of noise there due to erecting a tent for a Saturday wedding, so I came home instead and found this photo on my iPad from an earlier visit. It was fun to paint a more active surf than what I saw on sight today, so it almost felt like I was there, but a bit better. Hopefully.

Gazing North

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There is the most amazing and haphazard stand of coastal pines on the property next door to us. I am intrigued by them daily as they reflect the various colors of sunlight throughout each day. Even in the fog, they are magnificent and I'm so happy that I get to look at them without having to tend them! Standing out on my deck as I did once before, I attempted to tame a few of them into a rectangular format with the lovely and lyrical blue ocean beyond, all set off by the golden fields of late summer. Thanks for touching base with me and for looking at my new website too! I've heard back from you that it's easy to navigate and has so much fun stuff to look at. Pass the word. It's easy to find at erindertner.com

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.

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.................

Evening at Emerald Bay

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 We had the supreme fortune to take an evening boat ride a while back with Jack Meiring, the father of my late high school friend Sherri. Vikingsholm is tucked into the west shore of Emerald Bay was always just like a storybook destination to me. My darling grandpa took us kids out and about to all the great places around the lake and this is a place we hiked to a few times. It was fun to discover it on this special summer evening, all buttoned up and quiet with that glowing shimmer in the windows just before the close of day.

Sandy Toes

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My darling young friend Tami, introduced me to a new beach that has been under my nose for 27 years but I never knew about it! It's quite a little trek to get there and my shoulder was aching under the weight of my art bag AND purse, but it was well worth the effort. 'Another miserable day in Paradise' as the ridiculous saying goes and boy was I miserably happy about it.

Til the Cows Come Home

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I simply had the hankering to do something out of the ordinary, that is for me. Cows are ordinary I suppose, but I don't necessarily tune in to them. My husband gravitate towards animals of all types and was the one that discovered this group of cows all clumped together. I have to say that I adore the red one peeking out from behind the other large black one's behind and that is what pulled my trigger. Hope it makes you smile.

Alegria Inn

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For our 35th anniversary, we were blessed to stay in this lovely local B&B right here in Mendocino. I drive by it everyday but had never really investigated it until June 3rd and was bowled over. It is quintessentially Mendocino, meaning not overly fluffy and stuffy but truly relatable, relaxing and perfect. The owners are down to earth, gracious and professional altogether and we had the best getaway ever. So cool that we didn't have to drive very far but experienced a whole new world. I can't recommend it highly enough, so check it out!!!

South Harbor Drive

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I had quite the hankering to head to the harbor late this afternoon since the sun is blasting and the wind is at a minimum. However, once I turned onto South Harbor Drive, this scene just struck me. I hopped out of the car and shot a few pictures and decided not to stand on that busy corner but jet back to the studio to paint it instead. It's been a pleasant summer evening here in my 2nd story loft like studio and with this vision fresh in my mind, it was a delight to interpret. I love boats, but I think that those rambling roses taking over that roof are what yanked me to a halt.

The Glories of June

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Around here one can be engulfed in June Gloom or Jubilant June just depending on the temps over the hill. Of course I prefer the sunny days and when they do show their faces I am truly at my happiest. This scene is within spitting distance of my house and this cluster of houses along Rundell Lane never cease to delight in just about any kind of weather. I painted this while I was waiting to arrange flowers for a wedding reception the other day and it sure was a fun way to spend that snippet of time. Hope you like hanging out on the corner there 'with' me too. 

Cluster of Color

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I completely neglected to tell you that Sunshine's garden is immense and so are her many talents! Besides being a gardener extraordinaire, she is a fabulous painter AND dancer and a local Mendocino icon. I am blessed to know her and to have been invited to paint on her fabulous property recently and certainly look forward to going back again. Every nook and cranny is beautified and her house is no exception as it truly resembles an art museum! She spreads sunshine and invites it as well, kind of like a never ending cycle of fun and color. Glad you could get to know her a little bit via this blog and I hope you check out her fun artwork too.

Captivating Cove

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Every now and then I do a classic seascape without any structures and this is yet another one of our fabulous views. This spot is in between Albion and Elk and is one of those 'Aha pull over NOW' spots. Sometimes those views come without even a square inch in which to park the car and must be shot while in motion but thankfully this one had a pullout. It's pure delight to wander aimlessly along this coastline for no other reason than to absorb the grandeur and I wish I'd mark my calendar to do it more often. Maybe if you come to town for a visit, we'll have an excuse!

Breezy and Beautiful

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Westport manages to retain its funky quality against a backdrop of mountains, meadows and marine majesty. It's small and quaint because there are so many hair raising switchbacks and crazy cliffs in between here and there or it would be much more populated and refined. In my opinion it's just right and I brave the roads as often as I can squeeze it into my 'life in the country fast lane'.

Morning Rooftops

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Still on the theme of Mendocino's rooftops and if you're sleuthy, you can see some similarities between this one and the last one, even if you don't know the spot where I was standing. It's just so perfect how the steeple provides the ideal vertical in exactly the right spot, kind of like a set designer had been involved in mapping out the town just right. Ok, so I suppose I'm a bit of a set designer myself and can scoot a little to the left or right to see a composition that pulls my trigger. Just love the gleaming whites when the morning sun crests the eastern hill and lights up the town like this!