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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Limitless Light

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I happen to live in 'Amazing Sunset Land' and can jump up from the dinner table with my camera at the drop of a hat. It is always delightful to see a new set of colors and new cloud patterns appear as the clock ticks toward the closing of the day. Feeling blessed and wishing you a fabulous Thanksgiving.

Sunset California Style

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I keep forgetting to tell you that you must now click on the title to visit my blog and see the current image. This was done as a way to allow folks to see what's going on in my art-O-sphere and not just one painting. It was impossible to do otherwise, so I hope you don't mind that extra little click.

Otherwise, I've been all over the map both literally and figuratively. Just coming off of a 12 day detox/cleanse and spent 6 days of it in Yuba City with my bestie of 40 years. I couldn't have done it without her. While there, I revisited this scene we'd taken in while on a road trip a while back. That year, we decided not to go out of the country, but to take a drive down majestic Highway 1 and soak in some of our very own sites. In 3 short weeks, we will be traveling to France with 11 others and you won't be hearing from me much during that time. I might be crazed leading up to that trip too, so here's a hearty hello with many thanks for tuning in.

Harbor Halo

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Thank you darling friend Linda for loaning me this awesome photo of magic hour at the harbor. How can you go wrong with coral and periwinkle, this hopeless painter lady asks? Besides that, the trail of light on the water just slays me.

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.

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

Somewhere Over the Vineyard

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While I was gallivanting in Napa last week, I came upon a property with a gazillion dollar view. Flowers, olive & cypress trees, vineyards, ponds and mountains all screaming for attention. I held my hand over the sun with my camera up to my nose and shot away the evening hour, all in hopes of capturing the essence. One day I hope to do some larger pieces from what I gathered, but for now here is a snippet of paradise for some happy daydreaming.

Mendocino Splendor

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There is a roadway that winds along the north western edge of Mendocino and by car it is  beautiful, but on foot it is out of this world. As you peer over the edges of the cliffs there, the rock formations are spectacular in any weather and at any time of day. However, sunset is probably my all time favorite. It's all those yummy, warm colors and that fiery orb as it slips away signaling the end of another glorious day in paradise. Ok, so the water gives you hypothermia unlike the waters of Hawaii, but it's still downright fabulous.

Pt. Cabrillo Sundown

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Similar to the chicken, this is another painting with a big, bold shape. I was working on a large commission today and using my palette knife, so decided to try it on a small piece too. This is our local lighthouse just as the sun is setting and the glass is gleaming with the last rays of sunlight. It's pretty much a silhouette save that dash of shiny glass and the red highlights on the roof and grasses, so it is simple indeed. Crazy yummy sky color too, kind of like split pea soup dontcha think?

Last Light on Little Lake Road

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Winter sunsets here in Mendocino delight visual junkies like me to no end. The gleam that is created off the white paint of these magnificent Victorians is nothing short of blinding and I find myself in a frenzy trying to find my camera. These houses are our prized possessions as they add grace and glamour with their historic opulence. Yes, that's the Blair House on the far right where they filmed "Murder She Wrote" but the volume of each of these beauties is quite diminished by viewing them from the side. What's wonderful though is how the sunlight has them all dressed up for the parade of viewers, people like me that are charmed year after fabulous year.

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.

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.

Awe and Wonder

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Seem to be focused on heavenly visions as they provide balm for a troubled heart, and simply living on the western edge affords more than enough. Looking ahead to time with those fabulous boys of ours and making  another memory to tuck away for a rainy day. I love being in my studio and reflecting on stuff like that while I'm painting as it re-charges my emotional batteries. Moments shared, cherished and remembered create a golden pathway before us, giving us strength and joy. May each of you be blessed by the love and family and friends now and into the new year as we anticipate, pray for and create a better world. 

Lavender at Sunset

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Now which saddle was it that I was supposedly back in anyhow? I guess I'm still discombobulated from the long time away and have been distracted. I do have to admit that Saturday was a worthwhile day of distraction as our dear friends Phil and Joan came to visit and treated us to a sumptuous concert right here in Podunk California. We welcomed Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas to our humble berg and through their musical mastery were transported to the highlands and moors. Fiddle and cello like YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD before, WOW. I told our friends that I would be crying more if I'd brought along more tissues. This story has nothing to do with today's painting but what I offer here is a subject near and dear to me that needs no explanation. I hope to paint the musicians that I was blessed to see, as I snapped a few photos on that enthralling night that slipped by me without my posting this painting of more of that yummy purple stuff. Oops.

More of my work to check out.....