Lemonade and Baguettes

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It was mid-afternoon at our French farmhouse, Mas Pichony, and we were in need of a pick me up, so we opted for lemonade and a crusty baguette in the cool of the dining room. However, the dancing olives on the tablecloth and the lilting sunflowers did as much for our energy level as the food and drink. The aesthetics of a place are paramount, and that's what drives me to keep leaving the country or I could live on bread and water in any old place.

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Bountiful Buckets

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Kind of diggin' the close ups of colorful things that grow in the ground and then grace our everyday lives. Thank you Linda for the use of this fabulous foto of flowers from a foreign land. Thanks too to all of you out there in blog and Daily Paintworks land that post such thoughtful and encouraging comments. They truly do keep me on task and much more joyfully so. I had to make this painting a bit larger than the others because it's a bit difficult to sink your teeth into a 5x7 of such glorious color. It's hard not to feel joy when confronted by such splendor, so have fun taking this in as you daydream about Spring that happens to be a long way off.

More Visual Feasting

Colorful Cluster

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I love tromping through the clumpy rows and getting right up close to the clusters of grapes. It's an earthy endeavor and the smell of the dirt, leaves and cobalt orbs feels ancient and other-worldly somehow. It's perfect just before harvest because the leaves begin to tinge with that rusty red and the greens begin to yellow, all perfect compliments to the dynamic blue tones. One day they'll turn into wine, but here they are in all their natural and regal beauty.

Other delights

Luscious Lilacs

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Will the real person that gave me these flowers please stand up? It's about time I thanked you and little did you know that I'd shoot them one afternoon as the sun was streaming through my windows. Those of you that have been to my house will no doubt recognize the tablecloth, the chairs and my painting on the wall. Those of you that haven't might as well just come on over so that I can make you a cup of tea.

I have more than this one!

Afternoon Mooring

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Some sweet friends took me out to lunch today and we chose Silver's at the Wharf because of the view and the fantabulous "Coastal Salad" they make. We got to sit out on the deck as this rare summer weather just keeps hanging on and it was a real treat. Seagulls and fishing boats coupled with the deep blue green water and salt air definitely buoy the spirit right up. (did you catch that?) We relished every minute and every bite and though I'd forgotten to take my painting panels with me, was able to snap this shot and go straight home to do the painting. It was almost like being there and I hope you get the same sensation while allowing my descriptions to sail you right away.

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Up from the Headlands

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We've just been tromping around the headlands, gazing at the sparkling sea and meandering amidst the miles of narrow pathways. It is exhilarating, this environment of mine and I cherish each and every day. Yep, even the funky foggy days if they don't stack up to 7 in a row. Those days are cozy and encourage me to get a bunch of indoor work done like cleaning the desk and finding out what color it actually is underneath all the piles. However, when the sun shows up in full force, I'm outa there and ready to pounce on any and every scene that I encounter. And there are too many to count as I'm encountering them, so I count myself blessed to the enth degree.

More Visual Vacations

October Happiness

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My very first post back in February was called "Happiness in a Vase" and a sunflower is also starring in today's feature. Flowers are a good excuse for extravagant color and they truly lift our spirits don't they? I'm moving a bit slow the last coupla days due to all that traveling and I just wanted to paint something lively to liven myself up and I think it worked. The sun is streaming through my seaside windows, the back door to the deck has been open to bring in the fabulous fall air and I've relished painting at home in my kitchen today. I don't have an official home studio, but the westerly afternoon glow is a sun-loving artist's delight. Sigh.

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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.

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Mendocino Moonrise

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Even though I'm pretty much scared of horses, I am finally back in the saddle. I've been thrown off my routine, but thankfully not for good. This painting was inspired by a rash of photos I'd taken not long ago when the rising of the moon over Mendocino Bay was spectacular. I just ran from one vantage point to the other to try different ways of arranging the masses of land, the beach and the islands. Each angle was as good as the next and the whole experience was exhilarating to say the least. I hope you get at least a little bit of that same feeling as you gaze at my chunky-ish strokes and feel like dancing an Irish jig.

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Columbia River Gorge

You guessed it. I've been too busy for my own good and really just need to get home and get my nose back to the grindstone! Lots of visiting and moving about in increments of 30 minutes has left me without enough concentrated time or energy to produce anything but sleepiness. Stay tuned for the 'real stuff' again by Friday or Saturday and in the meantime, enjoy this shot of Multnomah Falls in the afternoon shade.

September's Warm Light

 

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You're right. I forgot to post yesterday and it's all because I'm having way too much fun up here in Portland visiting lots of people and soaking up lots of sun and wind. It is definitely the fall season here and the leaves wouldn't fall off the trees if the wind didn't visit in full force. We drove out to Multnomah Falls today and experienced the majesty of cascading water against steep cliffs lined with amber colored leaves flickering against the cobalt blue sky. Yesterday we spent our 2nd day along the Columbia River at Jantzen Beach enjoying a cafe within the harbor area and delighted ourselves with the variety of boats and sea life against the glorious backdrop of Mt. Hood. What on earth does any of this have to do with the painting above? Well, nothing really. I brought this along with me so that I could just spend time lollygagging. However, it is also a late summer scene in another amazing Napa Valley location and I hope you enjoy this visual along with the description of what's been going on today.

 

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Quaint and French

 

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Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to France I continue to go. This time to the small village of Soreze that is close to Toulouse and a truly delightful and inspirational spot on God's green earth. I took a group of painters there several years ago and one evening raced around taking copious photos at the golden hour. This was the backside of town, though it appears to be a grand entrance for those on foot and might have been the original gateway. I'll never really know, but isn't it great to dream of walking down this little lane and into medieval times when life was slow and different and altogether other worldly?

 

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Flowering Meadow

 

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In preparation for our trip to Portland, I sat down and did a few paintings so that we could make our drive and not have to pull over at any old opportune spot. This is a piece that came out of my head, but is based on my trips to France of course. I kind of mixed up the red poppies that bloom in May along with the lavender that blooms in July, but I have an artistic license dontcha know? I love the lopsided rooflines there, the olive and cypress trees and the lilting light and color, all that seem to flourish beyond measure. Happy, dreamlike days that I invite you to join me in.

 

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Little Weathered Barns

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It's hard to imagine that these small structures take a real beating most of the year since they are sitting there 'baking' in my newest painting. It must have been 80 degrees while I was out painting and both my bones and their ancient bones were certainly appreciative. Mendocino has a historical review board that makes sure that renovations are in keeping with the original designs from long ago, and these humble buildings have been lovingly attended to. They happen to be within spitting distance of my house, but it was fun to finally paint something that I had never painted before - rustic and understated as they are. Kind of poetic and simple.

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Central Coast Overview

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A few years back, my buddy Leslie and I made a road trip along the coast of California. It was spectacular weather and of course the visual were breathtaking as well. We didn't do as much painting en route as we'd hoped, but did stop often to take photos. I've been eyeing this photo for quite some time and today was the day to give it a whirl with my newest chunky-ish but small brush. I was able to sit outside on my deck in Mendocino and enjoy the same amazing weather as when I shot the photo, so doesn't that count for painting outside? It must have been 75 degrees here today, hip, hip hooray!!!

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Dreamy Tuscan Light

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I tried out another of my new paintbrushes, this one small again and by the brand Raphael. That alone had some bearing on how I used it and U'm happy to say that  it behaved somewhat like a larger brush because it was hefty. I really liked using it and feel like the end result of this new piece is more gestural than earlier pieces with a similar type brush. I guess I'm just all discombobulated because of my finger painting and would really just rather don some latex gloves and go for it from here on out! The bottom line though is all about the light, the space divisions and the ratio of darks to lights. If all the ingredients are right, the painting tool can be just about anything. Picasso said that it took him his whole life to learn how to paint like a child.

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Field Aflame

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Decided against doing two finger paintings in a row since I now have access to ALL of my tools, besides just receiving a shipment of brand new brushes. Within the new ones was a fairly huge brush that I didn't intend on ordering, so thought that this was a good intermediary step. Use a BIG brush on a SMALL painting and avoid getting too hung up in the details is what I told myself. Well, I still managed to use it on its side and corner to achieve a few too many details compared to yesterday, but it was fun just the same. Here then is a French sunflower field in all its chunky glory, beneath the golden setting sun and inviting us to float across it into the periwinkle mountains beyond.

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View from Saracina

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Visited Saracina Winery today on my way home from Sonoma County where we celebrated my mother-in-law's 93 birthday yesterday. Gave Casey and big hug in the tasting room and got myself all set up in the shade to do a painting of the view looking east. I loved the layers of close up and faraway oaks, plus the vineyards and plantings in between, so blocked everything in with my trusty Tombo pen. Try as I might though, I was unable to find any painting implements in my bag. Found out that they'd been left in the studio so rather than give up, decided to try my hand at finger painting. I slipped my hand into a plastic bag and proceeded as if this was something I do everyday. Maybe this is my new direction! I do like the soft edges and the consensus around the house tonight is that I should go ahead and post it just for fun. 

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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Green Tea & the Sports page

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Alright peeps, now you see that I actually do paint figures once in awhile. I have no idea who this guy is, but he was in the right kind of light at the Headlands Coffeehouse across the street from my studio and I did a walk by shooting with my trusty camera. He had no idea and probably never will. I was inspired to do something different today because of a fabulous dinner my Dad treated us to last night at 'The Restaurant' here in Fort Bragg. They have been in business for over 39 years and the place is adorned with many great paintings done by the late Olaf Palm, all figures. I love how Olaf gravitated toward scenes from everyday life and this particular part of town is full of inspirational subject matter!

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Forest Fascination

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The winding roads that lead from the 101 to the coast are shrouded with redwood trees, all reaching high into the sky and creating a cathedral like quality. I have probably taken 1,000 photos over the years of the drive along highway 128 especially, but haven't painted this subject more than 10 times. It is hard to harness all the components without making things too hectic and complicated. I hope that by choosing just one huge tree and one young tree with florescent green foliage that you can grasp the majesty, even a teensy tinsy bit.

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Summer's Symphony

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I've had the privilege of traveling to France on a few occasions over the years and seem to always choose July because I'm a lavender fanatic. Yes, it's typically hotter than Hades, but I've also had cool weather and oftentimes even rain in the summers. It's always a delight no matter how you slice it because that country knows what they're doing in the aesthetics department. Oh, and also the food department I might add with a whopping MERCI. I wasn't able to go out of the country this year, but can offer you this plethora of perfect piles of purple and hope that maybe next year will see us there along with the bumblebees. We can share a table and both order 'salad de chevre chaud', my favorite thing to eat there every single day.

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Terra Cotta Garden

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Finally back in my very own saddle and playing catch up. We had a marvelous trip to many spots within California and saw about a million people. We now feel tired, but supremely blessed at the same time. My Mom is slowly recovering and I'm very impressed by her patience and the kindness she bestows upon all that are waiting upon her. She gets to know everyone's name and can tell me stories about each one. This is a small thing, but it spoke volumes to me because she is stepping outside of herself by showing care and concern. This makes her long days more meaningful and the nurses hearts are warmed.

As you know, I did very little painting but hope that I can get back on track and find some new and exciting subjects as well. I'm not so good at sales pitching, but if you might share my blog address with a friend it would further help to keep me in gear!

Kasten Street in the Morning

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At certain times of day this street is actually quite calm and deserted, but since this corner serves the Mendocino Art Center and the Mendocino High School, it can also be quite the happening spot. I'll be teaching a class at the Art Center next May and we very well might hunker down with our supplies and  give this scene another go. It never ceases to amaze me how these little houses, water towers and gardens stack up to create an unparalleled vision of quaintness. I guess I spend a lot of my life gasping in amazement. Must be why I live here.

Beautiful Berg

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Hope to be getting back in the groove, so here I present the quintessential view of my adorable little town as seen from the south looking north. You might remember this very visual during the opening of "East of Eden", starring James Dean back in the 50's. They dubbed Mendocino as Monterey for that film, but anyone familiar with California knew the difference! This is one of those sightings that can literally take your breath away and each time I leave the country I am honestly so happy to get back home. I often wonder why I even leave such an amazing place, but I guess it's the food that's created in the far reaches of the earth.................

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.

Buckhorn Cove at Sunrise (again)

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Trying to post this painting again, and this time hope you see it in your inbox! I also created an auction for the bicycle painting too and hope it's all successful now that I may have mastered the iPad. Hmmmm....time will tell, so send feedback if I really have figured it out. Meanwhile, I've spent a lot of valuable time with my Mom and found out today that she will need 5-6 weeks in a skilled nursing facility before she can embark on the rigorous re-hab required to regain the use of her hands and feet. Such an ordeal!

Goofed Up

My son let me know that my painting didn't show up in today's post, so my joy over learning something on my iPad was short lived! I tried to remedy the problem on my friend's computer but was being blocked out of my blog for some unknown reason. Just like I said, I'm a bit old for all this techy stuff but will keep trying until I succeed. I'll still be away from home for another week, so say some prayers for me in this regard and for my mom's continued progress toward regaining the use of her hands and feet. It's slow going right now and she's quite frustrated, but at least we've been hanging out together and passing the time lovingly. She's in great hands at UC Davis for sure and God is in charge of the bigger picture. Love to all.....