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.

Patio Perfection

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I seem to have a sniffer lately for 'all things French' and this scene is no exception. I discovered this lovely spot while making a quick trip to Napa the other day. After a lovely lunch made by our host was able to commit this to canvas. You can't see it, but just on the other side of that dark interior is a majestic view of rolling hills, vineyards and a luscious blue lake. If I can't be in France, I might as well find it right in my own backyard right?

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.

Busy Filming

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Believe it or not I have still been painting, but this week in front of my son Levi's video camera. We are working on a series of art instruction DVDs that should be available later this year if everything comes together. The weather has been quite windy here in Mendocino and though we took today off, I feel too exhausted to lift my brush! However, I did want to tell you about this great project and how blessed I am to be working on it with my own professional videographer. Sweet times in exceptional locations, so stay tuned for the finished product.

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.

Tomato and Friends

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I scavenged around my kitchen for some stuff to present as a paintable still life to my Mendocino students over Memorial Day weekend. Came up with this batch of yummy ingredients for making a great meal, all against a backdrop of warm orange tones. We were happily working indoors out of the rain and made some truly great memories. Wish we could have cooked up something amazing as a finale but we left feeling inspired and energized and hope to gather again to push the paint around.

Sunshine's Garden

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I had the pleasant opportunity to be invited to paint in my friend Sunshine's garden just the other day and was  certainly happy as all get out. It was breezy outside the gate, but in this little spot tucked up against her porch I was able to see this sculptural cypress tree beyond the flaming red rhododendron. It was all I could do to paint it fast enough before the shade overtook all the bright color, but I managed to put down the basics then and tweaked things later on. Thank you sweet friend for alerting me to the blazing blossoms all over your lovely property and allowing me such a fun and memorable day.

Poppies, Poppies and More Poppies

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You're right to think that I'm stark raving mad about poppies as I have done yet another version of the fields and view at Pacific Star Winery. This one has been sitting quietly on my studio shelf, patiently waiting to be revised and refined. It was the last painting of the day and was executed in a mad rush, so it needed sensitizing before it was willing to show its face. I am happy to report that I like it much better than I did when I first painted it and hope you like revisiting the poppy theme!

Fences and Flowers

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Fences and flowers pretty much define the village of Mendocino and since the climate is so mild there's always something blooming. However, May is the crowning jewel of the year as every blossom is demanding   to be gazed upon and enjoyed. Happily enough, my recent workshop fell at the perfect time and the weather was dazzling for 2 out of the 3 days. This scene is right outside the Art Center's studio door, so it was a no brainer to take it on. Hope you're inspired to come visit this amazing little haven on the edge of the sea and be swept away by its wonder, color and history. For those of us that live here, it never ceases to be a cheek pinching experience.

Leaning Into the Light

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I had yet another idyllic day on Saturday beside this lovely pond a few miles up from the village of Mendocino. A dear friend offered the use of her property for my little band of students and we enjoyed every waking moment in the sun. Next month, this very garden will be on the Mendocino Art Center Garden Tour, so we were blessed to get a lengthy sneak peek with our art materials in hand. Even a few miles from the coast one can experience some might fierce heat, but the occasional sea breeze wafted about and kissed each face with just the right amount of cool air. We had a simply marvelous time and will cherish the memory. Thank you Bart and Tracy!

Fanciful Fields

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I kind of seem to jump around from deep and dazzling color to subtle and serene don't I? To tell you the truth, I get bored doing too much of the same thing so it's fun to shake things up with subject matter and color. AND locations I might add. When you can't get your tushie to France or Greece, what's wrong with Colusa or Yuba City pray tell??!! This humble little lane can be found someplace out near Sutter and is surrounded by reflective rice fields, poplar and eucalyptus trees and the smallest mountain range in the world, the Sutter Buttes. I gave you a peek of those the other day along the river and you just might see them pop up again soon. Hope you feel like taking a little stroll on a lazy summer evening down this road to no place in particular, just for the fun of it.

April Showers Brought May Flowers

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It is just so much fun to wander around Mendocino on foot because discoveries like this actual scene take place. These are flowers behind the Sandpiper Jewelry Store and don't they create the perfect foil for that distant pale green house? I did omit the snippets of buildings to the right because they just cluttered things up. I wanted you to be able to breathe all of that salt air while gazing at the ribbons of blue water and sky. We all need times of refreshing and I hope that my paintings can add such an element from time to time.

Lazy Day in May

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I can't think of a better way to usher in the summer season than to have enjoyed the Sacramento River under  shady trees with a nice bunch of painters. Colusa is one of California's best kept secrets with its lush riverbanks, quaint cottages and  farms and ranches galore. I thoroughly enjoyed every hour with my friends and students and truly look forward to going back again one day. We waved to boaters and floaters and though I didn't include them in my painting, just imagine yourself in this idyllic spot sipping some lemonade and feeling like you're transported to a calmer and quieter time.

Spring Surf and Blossoms

Those poppies got the best of me as I couldn't stop painting them! Each angle a little different and this one includes the dazzling wild iris. Iris was my grandmother's name, so this flower is even more special for that reason and this color in particular. Hope you're not sick of this theme but love it as much as I do.


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Windows on the Sea

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Mother's Day just got better when I shifted my gaze from north to east and tried my hand at a simple version of Main Street behind the flowering fields. This street is so unique because in the late 50's all the buildings on the south side of the street burned down in a fire. If you watch the 1955 film 'East of Eden' you will see how the town used to look. It's certainly to the advantage of all the businesses, residences and visitors to have a wide open view toward the beautiful bay. We relish it on a daily basis and happily share it with all who are blessed to tromp the paths and treat themselves indoors. 

The Fog is Lifting

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Before I knew that I would be seeing one of my boys for Mother's Day, I was able to do my next favorite thing and spend a few sublime hours on the Mendocino headlands. My best buddy and her exchange student were with me happily painting as the fog was coming and going, but we loved every warm and cold moment. I happen to live on this very street, just behind the bushes on the left and a bit farther north than the houses featured. I am blessed immeasurably to step out my front door and be to this spot in a minute, and believe me I don't take it for granted. Not one iota.

Loving Life

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On our way back from Tucson we stopped in at our friends' place in Fairfield and boy do they enjoy a visual feast right outside their windows. Rolling hills, oak trees, fields, flowers AND horses. We took about a thousand photos from their property and also within a few miles as they drove us to special vantage points. You just might see a lot of this theme emerging over the coming months, and as much of it as I can muster will have this yummy glowing light. This is what slays me.

Halo Over Mendocino

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The mornings here in Mendocino are often quite delightful. Cool and crisp with almost a halo of light casting an other-worldly glow over everything. Great conditions for someone like me to run out and try my hand at apprehending that feeling with my art supplies. You got it, another hard day at the office but somebody has to do it.

Gold Flowers and Whitewater

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As promised, here is another impression of my glorious day up north. I often include the 'whole nine yards' in my paintings, so in this one I went for the essence which was the carpet of poppies against the aquamarine sea. Simple shapes and simple brushstrokes can make for more impact which is something I am always striving for in my work. I will forever relish the memory of the warm sun, the amazing array of color and the  perfect ocean breeze that honestly felt like God patting my cheek!

Poppies a"Plenty

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I had the supreme fortune to spend two glorious painting sessions at Pacific Star Winery this week. The weather was sublime and the poppies icing on the cake, making for a most delectable painting experience. I stuck around for hours and hours, so stay tuned for more on this theme. I was pinching myself to make sure it wasn't a dream, but here is the hard cold evidence that was for real. Wowzers people, the only thing missing was your company!

Light Show

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Went for something 'simple' for today's post, though creating high contrast and natural drama isn't all that easy. The only thing that made this somewhat simple was that I skipped the drawing phase and just went into the dark clouds with my paintbrush. Just think how happy God must feel each day when he paints the sky with the swipe of his brush???? We reap the benefits and get to exclaim ooh and aah at the end of our day. So grateful.

Path to the Glistening Sea

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Finally back in the saddle as the saying goes, even though I'm pretty much afraid of horses. Now my 11 year old niece has just ridden her first horse and bareback to boot, so maybe I need a dose of her bravado. Anyhow, our trip to Tucson was splendid and I hope to try my hand at more desert scenes soon. In the meantime, I'm taking you back to the ocean along a sunlit path between the coastal pines at that time of day where colors give way to sepia and blinding light. Hope you find yourself daydreaming about new adventures or quiet getaways and thanks for taking the time to spend snippets with me.

Truly Tucson

 

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We're at the tail end of our Arizona adventure and really enjoyed our time in  the desert. It zipped by way too fast but we're hoping that we can return on some kind of regular basis. I had decided ahead of time to leave my oil paints at home due to the heat, but had a bit of fun with my watercolors. However, this subject matter kind of threw me for a loop due to the subtle values, but I am looking forward to playing with these colors on larger paintings and hope to share the results with you soon. Sorry I missed connecting with you all for so many days in a row!

Million Dollar View

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Ok, so a million bucks wouldn't be enough to buy this Italian villa, but does Ten Million Dollar View really sound right??  We're living in a time of great inflation, but are still stuck with old catch phrases that can't be easily fixed. Anyhow, welcome back to Lake Como everyone. Sit down, relax, take in the view and have a Bellini or some limoncello. Revel in the jaw dropping majesty and grandeur, even if only from your armchair.

Wave of Light

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This a scene from the Alexander Valley north of Healdsburg and my inspiration came from a drive by shooting one glorious August evening. In my photo the foreground vineyards were all a blur, but I know how to fix that stuff and let you in on the essence of what caught my eye. I'm crazy about those long shadows that lay across the golden hills, the layers of mountains and the symmetry of the rows of summer grapes. Time to mosey on home, put your feet up and soak up the last glimmers of light with your favorite drink and finger food. Ahhhhh..................

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!