Foxgloves

This was done from under the shade of trees and my wonderful large umbrella at a winery in Sonoma..  I certainly didn't want to add to my Monterey sunburn!

It has really become aware to me how important it is for the palette as well as the canvas to be in the shade on a sunny day.  I just can not SEE the colors with the glare of the sun.  My new umbrella is nice and large to cover canvas, palette and ME!  It has a stake that goes in the ground (if it is not rock!) and a footrest to help push it into the ground.  The umbrella itself is vented to help it stay upright in a good breeze and the angle can be changed as the sun moves without having to move the pole in the ground.  It was worth the $80!

Sunscreen is also very important.  And I learned the lesson to put it one BEFORE I start painting.  Once I start painting and the little voice in my head says "put on the sunscreen" I say "in just a little bit" then go into a painting meditative state and that little voice does not get in that Quiet Space.  -And I feel it later when I am red!  Listen, Mary Kay, get that lesson into your head! -Sorry, just talking to myself!