Jubilant January

Click on Title to view image within blog/ Last weekend was a barrel of fun because my buddy Leslie came to visit and we were able to paint together a few times. The weather was changeable but we managed to enjoy this dramatic scene at Todd's Point at the mouth of the Noyo River and actually sat in the car due to high winds. The sun was setting behind us and casting these yummy colors onto the billowing clouds and who isn't drawn to a scene like this that serves to broaden the borders of your heart?

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Captivating Crystal Cove

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We discovered this gem of California about 10 years ago and have visited many times since. I've done several paintings in various sizes of the ramshackle cottages along this glorious stretch of coastline and never tire of this theme. The 1988 film "Beaches" with Bette Midler was filmed there and the feeling portrayed harkens back to a simpler time showcasing the quintessential beach cottage of all our dreams. It has now become a State Park and people can rent the refurbished cottages if they can navigate the website with it's lottery system. I've tried and have given up, but I continue to visit and while away the golden hours with my camera or easel and gooey paint.

You won't be hearing from me for about a week or so, but have yourselves a lovely time of slowing down and cherishing those you love. Please know that I'll be thinking of you with great fondness.

Heading into the Harbor

 

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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

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

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Secluded Cove

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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.

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Buckhorn Cove at Sunrise, at last?

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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.

Arch Across the Ocean

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Today was exquisite, at least early this morning and again in the late afternoon. I packed up my gear just after waking up and drove around the corner to check out the popular spot in town where people love to park and gaze. This arched rock is a Mendocino sea/landmark and even though I've lived here for 26 years, I don't know that I've painted it before. 

In between painting this and posting, I found out that my Mom is likely to have 3 surgeries done at one time, back, neck and carpal tunnel. This had me in a worried and distressed state, but I plowed through the messy garage and worked out my feelings. That is, until I got so bent out of shape over all the stuff we have that I had a minor meltdown. Such is life for me right now, many things on my plate.

Warm and Wonderful

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Came home near midnight last night after the memorial service AND seeing my Mom admitted to UC Davis Medical Center, besides a quick trip to Tahoe in between for a reunion of old friends. Whirlwind is the right word and now I'm a bit bushed but no worse for wear. Mom should be ok once they do surgery on her back to loosen up the nerves that are causing lack of feeling in her hands and feet..........prayers are appreciated. Yep, grateful for all that I am able to do even in the midst of chaos. 

 Here then is a serene image of the Little River Inn at the magic hour and oh how I love this sight after a long trip. Cresting the hill just to the south at just the right time of evening, this local landmark glows like nobody's business. May this serve to calm and delight.

Rooftops and Whitewater

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Several years ago I had the privilege of visiting a new friend that owned a house with this view. It's across the highway from the village and high above the rooftops with the horizon line way, way up there. I painted from her west facing deck and took a bunch of photos for use at a later time. I re-visited this vantage point after having painted the other picture postcard type image the other day. It is just SO amazing that I get to live in such a gloriously beautiful place. It nourishes my heart and soul to be sure and I never take it for granted. It calms me when the trials assail, and believe me there have been a few too many of those lately. Hope you enjoy the visual feast and that you come away buoyed in spirit as well.

Picture Postcard Village

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Nope, it's not a photo. Decided today to go ahead and strike while the iron was hot by using the photo I posted 2 days ago for today's painting. It's just so neat that a painter can nix funky stuff like gas stations in the background and cause the bushes to bloom don't you think? To tell you the truth, these wild roses are everywhere about town and in my photo they were simply spent. It took me til the end of the day to carve out the time for this, but at least the sun was blazing brightly and I was able to snap a shot of the finished piece in the nick of time.

Alexander Valley Sojourn

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Wineries are ideal places to visit and paint because they typically provide wonderful subject matter along with lovely restrooms for people like me with peanut sized bladders. This scene was painted on location recently at the deLorimier Winery in the Alexander Valley just outside Geyserville and I just made a turn here and a turn there until I ended up there. I then looked for a shady place to sit down in hopes that from the shade I could see something paintable. It was probably 100 degrees outside or more, so even though I liked some scenes in sunny places, I could not bear to be there for more than 30 seconds. Just going back and forth to my car was an undertaking in endurance!

That Time of Year

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Those of you that either live on, or visit the coast regularly know that August is the month that the Amaryllis Belladonna makes its appearance. You might also know that the more common name on the street is "Naked Ladies". They pop up randomly and in the most unlikely of locations and really lift our spirits, especially since we see a lot of fog in August as well. This day was no exception as the sky was almost the same hue as the lit edges of the petals. You can see the Savings Bank in the background, with the sculpture atop called "Time and the Maiden", though I haven't attended to their details like I have the flowers.

Bygone Roses

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Once upon a time there was a tumbledown shack north of Fort Bragg that was covered with wild roses and it drew many a photographer and painter.  It could easily be seen from highway 1 and was truly considered a favorite local landmark for too many years to count. From just the right angle, you could see the ocean behind it and even through the open rafters come fog or come shine.We aren't quite sure who kicked it over, but understand that it happened on the sly so as to not incite public fury. It did create public grief however, and is still sorely missed to this day so I'm offering this as a token of my own fond remembrance. 

Noyo Afternoon

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As if living in the quaint Victorian town of Mendocino wasn't enough, I also get to feast my eyes on the picturesque harbor at Noyo. There is never a dull (visual) moment around here, rain or shine, fog or sunset and I'm one happy paintbrush wielding camper. Tommy's Marine sports the most garish of red roofs, but all the better for people like me and I bet they get a lot of attention from more important folks too.

Sublime Summer Morning

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I tiptoed out the door this morning in my pajamas, got into the car and scouted around town for a place to park and paint. The weather was good enough to set up my easel, but I would not have paraded around in that garb to save my life. (Alright, if the house was on fire I would gladly have done so) I'm pretty attached to seeing the ocean in the background, so today's location was no exception. I adore this house and think that its color is especially lovely which is a pale sea foam green. Wouldn't you agree that it is perfectly appropriate for this other worldly piece of property?

Sonoma Splendor

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Had a delicious Sunday breakfast at the marvelous Hank's Creekside in Santa Rosa, being waited on by one of Hank's gifted kids Angela and were blessed by such a fabulous start to our day. Afterwards, we took Tomas's almost 93 year old Mother Renee on a spontaneous excursion to Matanzas Creek Winery out Bennett Valley Road and I found a fun place to plop down with my supplies. They have a lavish lavender garden that has typically been harvested in late June, but to my supreme delight there were some new plantings and different varieties that still happened to be blooming. I was able to sit beneath one of their strategically placed umbrellas and look south-west to this delectable scene. It was mid afternoon, so the shadows were soft and there weren't many dark darks, but doesn't it feel like a hot summer day as a result?

Watercolor Whimsy

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How about watercolors for a coupla days? This is a beloved Mendocino scene from the west end of town that I adore because of all the right elements. The golden field, the coastal pine alongside the funky house and that broad band of blue as the bodacious backdrop. I treasure each visit to this particular scene and have been blessed to live within spitting distance for the past 3 years. Before that, I've taken copious photos of it at all times of year and in every possible lighting condition.....sigh........such a tough life.

A Few Years Back

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A darling young high school friend named Chrissy hung out with me in the studio today. She is quite artistic and loves sketching especially. As we scouted around for something to actually paint together, she lit up over  a print of this image in the gallery downstairs. It seemed ambitious for the few short hours we had together, but she loved it so much that we just HAD to try it with watercolors. Many of you remember that about 10 years back, there was an awesome flight of steps down to Portuguese Beach and the bench was in pretty good shape too.  Some local friends owned the little sailboat that you see on the beach and it was really there one day when I was tromping around taking photos. Chrissy's painting is still in progress, but I went ahead and finished mine and gave it this title because it's been some time since the steps were there and since I've done a Mendocino watercolor. Kind of nostalgic.

Impressions from Pacific Star

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Elaine and I went up to the Pacific Star Winery and had an absolutely idyllic few hours basking in the HOT sunshine. I know that this is hard for you to believe, but it was probably 70 degrees there and very little wind, so we sat in the coolest spot possible. We had a little picnic and I couldn't resist pulling out my paints and try to figure out a way to compose one of the most glorious sights on the north coast. It's not that I haven't painted it before, but it certainly is a challenge each time to decide what should be the most important element. This time I liked the odd looking giant rocks on the right and I'm hoping that they ring your bell too.

Dr. Pierce's Medical Discovery

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You know you're from  Mendocino County if you recognize this nostalgic landmark. It's actually in northern Sonoma County, but us folks from the coast pass it on every trip to 'the big city'. I have no idea what the medical discovery consisted of, but am very glad that the modern residents didn't do away with this little bit of whimsical history. Ok, so the hills of oaks and vineyards aren't half bad either and certainly create a wonderful backdrop to this outdated proclamation.