Hills at Daybreak

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Another pajama party with paintbrushes in the glorious California hills. You have to work quickly when the sun is just coming up because pretty soon the shapes are all different and the colors aren't so saturated and warm. Who doesn't like pumpkin and pomegranate? 

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.

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Just had an idyllic time with my buddy Jennifer over in the Ukiah Valley before the new rains set in, painting the billowing yellow mustard blossoms. The carpeted vineyards seem to shout far and wide that Spring is upon us and boast the craziest, loudest color in my paint box, Y.E.L.L.O.W. , glorious yellow. It was actually hot enough to bare my arms and it felt great to be in the elements after a long winter. The bees were buzzing and it made me feel like VanGogh all over again. Boy am I blessed to have this job or what?

Warm Hills of California

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Alright people, I have every right to bounce from one location to the other. After indulging in the garish colors of a Southern California sunset, I needed the calm and quiet of my local hills and meadows along highway 128. A bit reminiscent of the triptych I just did but this time with a few rustic old barns and fences. I love watching the animals wander about and the funky old buildings that house them, but must say that I'm happy to be a towny girl that enjoys keeping my hands and feet pretty clean.

Pair and a Spare

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I have a step brother that got married this past weekend up in Graeagle, so I was out of commission for a few days. A perfectly delightful affair and a gorgeous step sister in law has now been added, much to everyone's delight. On the way home, we passed this location in Lake County (I think), in between Williams and Clearlake and remembered some photos I'd taken in the past. It was fun to discover the old photo today as the sun was blazing and having just seen the scene made it a great endeavor. Green is my favorite color and when these hills have had enough water, they look just like crushed green velvet. Ahhhhhhhh...........

Jesse Kalin Carson with Tomas and me and Krista Kline Carson from South Lake Tahoe

Oaks & Vines in Autumn

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Since the coastal areas can't boast hillsides of flaming maples, we cling lovingly to our vineyards that also change color. In October and early November, driving along highway 128 is like floating on a golden cloud and the scent in the air is that of snappy apples. It's a wondrous time for a romp with the top down or the windows wide open in order to catch every possible sight, sound and yummy smell. The harvest is finished and now it's time to simply rest and savor and be thankful.

More to contemplate

Spring Fever

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Made a trip to Placerville to see my Mom in the hospital yesterday and thankfully she is on the mend. I was in such a hurry to get going that I neglected to pack my art supplies and boy was I miserable today as I drove by one glorious field of mustard after the other. However, I realized that I had several 10x10 panels in the back seat and a felt pen in my purse, so I wandered around til I found some great stuff. I whipped out my iPad and took a bunch of photos and then plunked myself down then and there to do a drawing. Raced home and up to my studio to apply the paint and here you have it. Yellow on yellow, with the mustard playing second fiddle to the daffodils up front and all singing their joyous songs of  Springtime out in the Alexander Valley near Geyserville. At least I got to have my cake and eat it too, though there were 2 hours of winding roads in between bites.