Wow, I'm back!

It's been a long time since I've posted. Lots has been happening to keep me busy.
Several of us went up to Murphys, CA to attend a workshop by Kathleen Dunphy. The mountains are so beautiful in mid October, lots of red and yellow leaves to go with the green. The workshop was wonderful and lots of information to digest. She does such beautiful work and is a very good teacher as well.

Kathleen's palette is very limited - lemon yellow, cad red light, ultramarine blue, naples yellow, cold gray and white. I am in the learning curve on mixing colors, but I've been practicing. Lovely greens from this palette,and great shadow colors;
and for plein air you don't have to carry as many paints.

After the workshop we stayed 3 more days and painted away. It rained one day and we painted indoors - a lesson learned - Bring extra lightinging with us next time. All of our paintings looked pretty good in the lack of sufficient light but the next morning in full light all the colors were really off. But it was practice anyhow.

We drove up to beautiful Alpine Lake. While it was raining in Arnold where we were staying, it snowed up at Alpine Lake. So we stood in snow and painted! Actually the snow that was left was very little but anyhow, it sounded good, toughing it out in the snow!! We had a great time and learned a lot and before we knew it, it was time to go back home.

Then there was catching up on everything at home! Funny how that always happens. And now thing are taken care of and I can paint again. I will take pictures of a couple paintings I did at the workshop and post them later today. The photo above is a painting I did for my daughter of the children at the pumpkin patch. The photo has lots of glare, hate that!

A slice of America!

Oh, dear, life has gotten in my way. I have not had much time to do any painting and that passion is building up!!! I need to paint! Well, tomorrow is painting day!!

I have also been gathered up in planning our June trip we call "A slice of America" trip. We are having so much fun planning it! It will last about 20 some days. So far we will go from the San Francisco Bay Area down to Calico, CA and on to the Grand Canyon. Lots more to come. And think of the beautiful landscapes!!!

Back to Work!!!!

Well, time to take a breath!

The Fine Art Show is up, the reception was yesterday and very nice. Lots of visitors to see all the work. And my fans showed up! I was proud I had 4 paintings accepted to the show. My first show so it was very exciting. It will be up for several weeks.

And my daughter and I took a quick trip up to Port Townsend, Washington to visit my sister and her husband. . . . The trip was sooo quick I didn't even pack my paints! It was hard to go to such a paintable place for any length of time with out even one tube of paint!

I enjoyed seeing Diane Ainsworth's paintings the the T's Restaurant and the Upstage! Love her work!

And now, I have to catch up on some housework and washing, then to the easel! I have a few tiny ones to do and others pulling at me. Tomorrow, Plein Air! Just have to decide where!

Jurying for the Fine Art Show

This morning all 225 art pieces were on display to be juried. The judge looked around and studied all the oil/acrylics, Watercolor, mixed media, ceramics and sculpture. Then she started eliminating. As each piece was eliminated it was recorded and the piece was removed. Many times she explained why a piece was eliminated. After many times around the gallery and many rounds of elimination we were finally left with 140 pieces.

Then the judge had to choose the Best of Show, the gold, silver, and honorable mentions of each of the categories.

It was all very interesting. All the work was so good.

I ended up with 4 still in the show so I was very happy. Hope to take some pictures of the prize winners when I come back from Port Townsend. The Reception for the Fremont Art Association Fine Art Show is on Sunday, Sept. 27, 1-4 at 37659 Niles Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536

Please join us!

A Slice of America!

This is exciting!

My eldest daughter (she is going to just love THAT term!) and I have talked about taking a road trip for a couple of years now. Things kept coming up that put it off. We are back on again, we will see if it happens this time!

The initial plan is to go up the coast from the San Francisco Bay Area up to Port Townsend, WA (beautiful little Victorian town and my sister lives there). From there head west by way of Yellowstone to Sioux City, Iowa (we have lots of relatives in that area). Then head back by way of the Grand Canyon to home. Drawn on the map it looks like a slice of American pie, thus the name! We are planing taking time and seeing lots of things and have lots of adventures, as well as, painting lots of pictures on the way!

We will start this American Pie trip in June 2010 and we are having lots of fun planning it. We may be quite a sight with a little caravan going down the road. At this point, we will have one car, one van, 3 adults, 3 children. But we are starting to gather others for parts of the trip. Can't wait.

I plan to journal our travels on this blog so you will be hearing more as time goes on!

The first night we know for sure at this point we will be camping at Humbolt State Park along the Avenue of the Giants. The Giants are Coastal Redwoods creating a beautiful forest along the California coast all the way up to Oregon.

Update on the Lake Elizabeth Paint Out

I sold my painting I did at the paint out. Patty was visiting with me as I was painting just about the time the sun popped out from the clouds and kissed the hills! She was as thrilled with the view as I was and bought the painting to remember the moment.

Thank you, Patty!

We are so lucky to live in a world with such beauty!

Recieving for Fine Art Show

Today I helped at the fix-it table at the Fine Art Show Recieving. Not much to fix though. Sheryl was worried a week ago that there would not be many entrants. Well, did everyone fool her! Over 220 pieces of beautiful art were recieved today! We have them hanging from the ceiling to the floor (well, almost). There can only be 140 pieces accepted to hang for the show, so the "Show - down" is tomorrow.

The Juror is Claire Verbiest, signature member of several national art societies, watercolor and pastel class instructor, workshop instructor in US, Canada, Europe, and art show juror for 10+ years, has art work in “Splash 4”, The Best of Watercolor Painting, The Best of Portrait Painting, and The Best of Pastel. She will be making the decisions on who stays up and who goes home.... all the art is beautiful so I would hate to be the juror. It will be interesting how she makes the decisions.

I am not hopeful of keeping anything in the show, but who knows.

The whole thing is a big job and my kudos go to Sheryl and Valery for all their work!

And it was Wicked!

We did it! All 30 women attended the wonderful play Wicked. It is the story behind the relationship between the Good Witch Glenna and the Wicked Witch of the West of Wizard of OZ fame. There is always another side of the story.

We had a great day!

Off to "Wicked" today!

Can you imagine, 30 women coordinated enough to get on the BART at the same time, same train and head up to San Francisco to enjoy a wonderful play!

We are going to DO IT!

Painting Day!

I'm heading for Don Edward Wildlife Refuge along the San Francisco Bay. Beautiful wetland and a few hills that where once billions of years ago volcanos and have left red rock in rounded hills along the bay. The Penninsula Outdoor Painters are meeting there for their Tuesday paint out. Hope to meet them in person and hope they enjoy the scenes!

Next event for me - the Fremont Art Association Fine Art Show. This will be my first so I am like a kindergardener, worried I may miss a step in the system. I've paid my entrance fee. Sunday, I will take down the 2 paintings I have hanging in the gallery now, Monday, I take in my paintings. Tuesday, they are juried, those that don't make it I take home...and if any make it they are hung.

Then, Wednesday, Jen and I fly off to Port Townsend for the wonderful people and views there.
And back Saturday for Sunday's Fine Art Show Reception! Hope to see you there!

143 to go!

Shakespeare Festival

Shakespeare Festival at Ardenwood

The queen's court gave quite a show of a procession. The court dress was quite interesting. A Mistress Seamstress gave quite a lecture on the fashion of the 1500's. Very informative.

(below) Donna's latest Guide Dog for the Blind loves Flute, the wolf. She kept licking his nose and snuggling in his arm. She had found a true compatriot.

Shakespeare Festival

The Shakespeare Festival was loads of fun today. They all seemed to love Ardenwood and are looking forward to coming back next year. The public certainly seemed to love it.

And the Jousters actually survived!

Lake Elizabeth Paint-Out '09

Wow, I'm exhausted!!!

Last night we had some really weird weather, leftovers from a hurricane from off Mexico. Lightening, thunder, and a bit of rain! We met at the lake regiistration room at 8am for registration starting at 9am. Set up. After registration I drove over to the dog park area at the park. I got a really close parking spot but had to walk in a couple long blocks to get the view I wanted. Nice and out of the way!

The clouds were beautiful! A touch of sprinkles here and there and then the sun would peak through. Mission Peak was mostly in the clouds for a long time. Then the sun broke through and hit the hills!

And this is the results of my efforts.

And then when it was time to get back to the pavillion,..... Thank you, Spencer! He stayed with my stuff while I walked all the way back to the car with just my painting since I forgot my wetbox! And then I had to walk all the way back to get my stuff. And then, Thank you, again, Spencer!!! because he asked a ranger driving by if she would take me and stuff back to the car in her truck.

That was great because when I drove back to the pavillion for the art display there were NO parking spaces except at the teen center, a LONG way away! So then before all was over I had walked from the pavillion to the car and back 5 times. Thank you, Patty and her doggie, for helping me carry things! Well, I got my exercise in!

And, by the way, out of all the beautiful paintings turned in, I was very honored and surprised to win 2nd place.
Thank you to all those that voted for my painting. It really means a lot to be so honored!!

Thank you all!

And tomorrow is the Shakespeare festival!! Need to go to bed early tonight!

144 to go

The water bottle. Kind of boring but I feel I know a lot more about that bottle than I did before painting it!

Today there is lots of stuff going on. Among other things I have to gather up all the stuff I need to take to the paint out tomorrow. Right now I am wishing I didn't commit to anything for tomorrow. Oh, well. All will work out.

145 to go!

Today's 5x7 painting is "apple". I have been picking, washing and peel/core/slicing them. A lot went to the freezer for the grandkids, the rest I am going to dehydrate.

So far so good with my "150 painting before 2011" project. I'm going to have to go out and get more panels. And again, I need to take a class on photographing my paintings. The shiny oil surfaces create a glare, if I don't use the flash, less glare but washed out.

146 to go!

Bet you didn't guess this was going to be next!

This is a very old light bulb. We don't know what it goes to but we like it.

147 to go!

Did you guess correctly?!

Railroad Faire at Ardenwood

The Railroad Faire was great today. One more day left!

I arrived around 11 am and walked from the staff parking to the front gate. The Monarch butterflies are starting to fly in for the winter and there were quite a few flitting about. At the front gate there was a long line to ride the trains. I hate to say but I used my influence and cut to the front. The ride was great, it had been a long time since I had taken it. I walked back to the farmyard from Deer Park.

Lots of people and wonderful weather! Tons of families with 3 and 4 year olds in particular. At that age children seem to really bond to trains. I was rather nostalgic about when the grandkids were really into trains, especially Thomas the tank engine!

After enjoying all the model trains in the farmyard I headed off to the house for tours. And did we have tours! 200 people in 3 hours! It was rather exhausting! But everyone really enjoyed the house to top off their day.

AND--I did do my painting for today but no charge in my camera battery so photo will have to be put up tomorrow...... till then guess what the picture is of : )

148 to go!

Sorry, I was going to paint the banana, but it looked so yummy there was only the peel to paint!

Tired. Spent the day at helping harvest honey. Our 2 hives brought in 3 gallons of honey. Yum,Yum! Good little bees!

Don't forget to enter the Fine Art Show! Deadline coming 9/14!

Check out Fremont Art Association's web site at: http://www.fremontartassociation.org/

If you can't enter, come see!

A Painting a Day? No way! Maybe a week...

Some artists have posted "a painting a day" unfortunately I am too truthful with myself. I know I can not do a committment to one a day so maybe I will choose a number and work for that. How about 150 small 5x7 by the Dec 31, 2010! It's rather scary actually, but putting it out thereon my blog that should help me get it done! Ok, I did the first one today. The Pear is #1!

Paintings Update

How Wonderful It Is!

Painting that is!!!!

I finally got a chance to get out and paint. Besides being so busy, it has been hot! And somewhat humid! Now, those of us, well, SOME of us in the San Francisco Bay area are just not used to anything over 82 and have a tendency to start wilting at anything over that. I know we are wimps, but what can I say. Then add humidity on top of that.... it's a sad sight! A lot of whine with the cheese. So, we were big and brave (and desparate) to go out and paint on a day that had a high of 98!!

We painted at Coyote Hills and it certainly is lovely. The colors are so great right now so can't wait for our next painting day!

The painting above is from the painting I painted at Coyote Hills in May at the Paint Out in the downpour! This one was a lot easier to paint than it's study. It makes a big difference when the canvas is dry and the paints aren't drowning in rainwater!

Murder on a Hot Summer Night!

Last night on a very warm summer evening Ardenwood held it's latest Murder Mystery Dinner. Lots of fun and the Butler didn't do it!

It was a very busy night, a wedding in the pool area, company picnic in Deer Park and a murder in the house!

I haven't had a chance to paint much so am looking forward to this week, cooler and I'm getting out there!

Oh, my gosh! I'm Zydeco'ed

Wonderful day at Ardenwood, great food, great music, great people, and LOTS of them....Perfect weather, too! And, they are still going strong!! til 7pm!

Cajun Zydeco Music Festival today!

Cajun Zydeco Music Festival today at Ardenwood. I'm leaving early so I can enjoy the music and food before I do tours! Maybe I will get some good photos to paint from this winter.

Join us for the Paint Out!

Fremont Art Association is having its
 2nd Annual Plein Air Paint Out
     At Lake Elizabeth in Fremont Central Park

 In its efforts to promote art in the community, the Fremont Art Association will hold a one day Plein Air Paint Out at Lake Elizabeth/Central Park in Fremont on September 12, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Artists will paint until 2:00 PM, followed by a reception at the Park Pavilion from 2:30 to 4:00PM.  The event is being cosponsored by Olive Hyde Art Guild, the Fremont Cultural Arts Council and Mission Coffee Roasting Company, who will provide coffee and mini-pastries for the artists at registration time.  It will be open to both FAA members and non-members, with members paying a $10.00 entry fee and non-members paying $20.00.  For non-members this will also include full membership in the Fremont Art Association through the end of the year.  All 2-dimensional  mediums will be accepted, to include oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels and mixed media.  Artists will  paint within the park at the location of their choice, and not from a reference photograph.  You will find inspiration in many locations throughout the Park with all the wildlife, the large lake, boathouse, snack bar, playgrounds, sports fields, trees and plants, and brand new waterslides etc all backed by the Niles/Mission San Jose Hills.  Artists should bring all their supplies needed to paint, including an easel and chair if needed, a bag lunch and drinking water for the day.  Hats and umbrellas are encouraged.  All participants must be 18 years old.

 Due to City of Fremont regulations, all participants must be pre-registered, since no financial transactions can take place on City property.  Registration applications and rules can be picked up at the FAA Gallery, 37659 Niles Blvd, Fremont or from their website www.FremontArtAssociation.org ,   with a registration deadline of September 8, 2009. 

 Check-in will be from  9:00 - 10:00 AM in the park at the smaller Community Center located at the intersection  of Mission View Dr. and Paseo Padre Pkwy, at which time artists’ blank canvases or papers  will be stamped on the back. Multiple canvases or papers can be stamped, though only 1 finished piece will be accepted from each artist at the end of the Paint Out.

 Completed pieces must be returned to the Park Pavilion, behind the Community Center, by 2:00 PM for the reception and exhibition of completed pieces for public viewing and an optional silent auction from 2:30 PM -4:00 PM.  The exhibition will also include a “People’s Choice” voting and award where spectators will vote for their favorite works.  Photos of the pieces receiving awards may be used in publicity for next years’ Paint Out event and may also be shown on the FAA website, (see above URL ).  All works submitted for silent auction must be framed or “gallery wrapped” on the edges and ready for hanging.

We hope artists from all over The Bay Area will join us for our 2nd annual Plein Air Paint Out sponsored jointly by the Fremont Art Association, Olive Hyde Art Guild, the Fremont Cultural Arts Council, and Mission Coffee Roasting Company. Mark your calendar and plan to participate in this fun event.  For more information call Robyn at (510) 656-4939.

What I've been doing!

After a great week with a couple of my grandchildren I am now back home.  The garden has been calling to me, Ardenwood tours to do and working on paintings that haven't been finished.  

It's about time to get ready for the 2nd Annual Lake Elizabeth Paint-Out on Sept 12.  And then, I just may exhibit in the Fremont Art Association's "Fine Art Show".  Busy, busy.....

Call to Artists - August 23, 2009

Calling all artists - On Sunday August 23rd there will be a plein air paint out in Burlingame from 9 to 4.  Everyone's invited and we encourage you to go out and paint, watercolor, pastel or draw.  It's a great for people to see artists at work, it raises awareness and appreciation for what you do and that's always a good thing.  There will be an artist's reception open to the public at the Burlingame Train Station from 5 to 7.  Bring the work you did to the station at 4:30 for a public exhibit and sale.  There will be refreshments and prizes.  It's free , there's no forms to sign - just come out and make art.  For more info see the website - http://www.paintburlingame.com

Check this out! Amazing!!

Kseniya Simonova's Amazing Sand Drawing (VIDEO)

Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine's version of "America's Got Talent." She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret Germany's invasion and occupation of Ukraine during WWII.

For more on the artist, read this Guardian profile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo

"Yes" canvas boards

Francisca and I spent this afternoon painting, water colors this time.  I wanted to try out "Yes" canvas panels I had gotten last year.  They just soak up oil and take the life right out of them.  They are supposed to be good for any kind of wet medium.  So, today was a trail for them.  

I was really surprised that I rather like the effect of watercolors on the Yes boards.  I did a quick little study.  I will post it when I get a chance to take a photo of it.

This is the photo of what I did the first time we went to Huddart Park.  It was painted down in the valley of redwood trees.  It was dark there but not this dark.  Even though Sheryl and I were checking our values as we went along we were shocked when we got home and looked at our paintings.  They were sooooo dark.  Actually the photo is much brighter than in reality.  It looked mostly a dark value.

So... today, I tackled the painting to bring up the values to what I remembered them to be and decided to take photos as I progressed.  So below is how I worked.

Rework of Huddart Park, 1st painting

Julie and Julia, the Movie

Just saw the movie "Julie and Julia".  Very sweet, Meryl Streep does a great job as Julia Childs.

Recap of Second Painting at Huddart

Please keep in mind I am not a good photographer, so this photo isn't so great.  I finished this painting I started earlier this week at Huddart Park. I will have to replace this photo with a better one once the painting is dry.

Recap of Sycamore Valley Painting Day.

California is definitely in it's golden part of the year!  

Today I worked on the painting I started earlier at Sycamore Valley Preserve.  We met a lot of artists there and spent lots of time visiting so didn't finish painting while there.  

The California Oak Tree is threatened because of a virus.  That is very sad since they are such beautiful trees.

Recap of First Painting in Huddart Park

(Keep in mind this is step 1 on this painting!!)

When Sheryl and I painted the several weeks ago at Huddart Park  it was so beautiful and we really enjoyed ourselves.  We were happy with what we painted, we weren't finished with them but figured they were pretty good.  Then when we got home and looked at them----OH MY GOD!  They were soooooo dark.  It was really shocking.  So I figured I would post my attempt and show you.  It even looks lighter in the photo than in reality.  Still can't get over it.  I kind of like it because it brings back the day and the scene in my minds eye but I will paint it again either over it or larger and bring up the value.  It was dark down in the woods but REALLY not THAT dark!!

While there, Topher Simon, a volunteer photographer with the San Mateo County came by and took our photos.  I would have posted one of Sheryl but didn't know if she would appreciate that!

Happy Birthday, Fremont Art Association

We had a little birthday party tonight for FAA.  There was a good crowd to celebrate.

What vision some people had 50 years ago!

Painting at Sycamore Valley Preserve

The photos above were from Dori at PAL.

Today we painted at the Sycamore Valley Preserve in Danville, CA.  It was very lovely there and the weather was perfect, probably around 78 degrees.  Usually at this time of the year it is in the 100's.  We did "land" at the first spot with a good composition rather than hiking in and up!

We met lots of other artists from Pleasanton Art League that arranged this paint-out.

A great place to paint, but ck the weather report the day before.  The bathrooms are at the school and the parking lot.

Now to finish what I started today!

Answer to Quiz "Where is this Scene?"

Where is this beautiful scene and the other photos on the quiz?  

Well, no one won the $64,000 question!  

(Just kidding about the $!)

The answer is below the picture below.

And the answer is..........Port Townsend, Washington!  Around July 1st.

This town actually has an uptown and a downtown.  The uptown is the residential area of cute Victorian homes, some now bed and breakfasts.  The uptown is literally up on a cliff above the downtown.  The downtown is the Victorian business district and port.  Flowers are everywhere and it is a wonderful place to paint and visit.  And I am so lucky when I get a chance to visit my sister and her husband that live in this beautiful place.

Quiz Responses, Answer Tomorrow!

No, it isn't:

Moro Bay 

Mendicino

Pacific Grove

Pidgen Point

Point Cabrillo

San Diego

I'll post the answer tomorrow night!  Last chance!

Pretty much finished with my sunflowers.  I really loved the set up and enjoyed painting it.  I will let it sit for awhile and see it anything really bothers me enough to change it.

Quiz Hint #4

Last hint!!  Where were these quiz photos taken?  

Hint #4:  Small community, lots of history, wonderful Victorian architecture, near salt water.

Beautiful place!

Quiz Hint #2, #3

Hint #2:  This is from the same area.

Hint #3:  It is more than 200 miles from San Francisco

To guess, just click on "comment" and it will go to my email to be posted.

Quiz------

Nope, it is not Pigeon Point, San Mateo County, CA

Still Life Set Up

I just set up this still life and hope to work on it straight till 4:30 and also tomorrow at the gallery.  It is not my normal landscape so hope it comes out well.  I hope to apply techniques I learned from Laura.

Friday, we paint at Huddart park again.

Hint on the Quiz

It's bigger than a breadbox!

And the wildflowers are to die for!

And it is north of me!

Getting Ready for the Lake Elizabeth Paint-Out!

The 2nd Annual Lake Elizabeth Paint Out on September 12th, 2009 is heading into final planning stages!  Looking forward to artists from all over coming together for a wonderful paint-out.  The paint-out is not juried so it is a great chance for everyone to experience a paint-out.  The scenery is beautiful, the weather is great, people are friendly and appreciate watching paintings develop.

More information will be forthcoming.

A Little Quiz

Where is this beautiful site?!!

I'll let you know after you think about it!

After watching Laura's Demo at the park we tried our hand at it.  I must say I was totally overwhelmed with all we learned.  

I was so tired today I didn't even get to pick up a brush.  I had painting running through my head for 2 solid nights!

After absorbing it all, I will pick up the brush tomorrow and use it!

Another Great Day at Laura's Workshop

Really tired but happy and learned a lot today.  Now I just have to let it sink in!

Photo is of Laura's demo painting.  The scene was beautiful and the weather was great.  Tomorrow I will post my painting.

We had a wonderful day at Laura Williams' workshop.  We went through making very interesting "grays", some helpful tips and a great demo. 

 The demo had us spellbound and speechless!  Not bad for one hours worth of work.  She had also brought, among other of her works, a completed painting of a similar set up.  We could compare her quick study with a final piece.  (If you look carefully to the right of her still life setup you will see the completely finished painting.)

Tomorrow we are going to paint at the park and I am sure it will be a great and enlightening day!

Checking out Niles Community Park

Laura and I checked out Niles Park this morning and did a bit of painting.  It was pretty overcast and then all the clouds started to move apart and the scene completely changed.

Workshop with Laura Williams this weekend!

Workshop with Laura William is this weekend.  Can't wait.  Hope the muse of art will be with me, she has taken a vacation lately.  I have painted with Laura several times and love her work.  She is a great gal, easy going and uplifting!

---

Join award winning artist, Laura Williams, for an action packed 2 day painting workshop, Saturday July 25th~26th This workshop is designed for students of all levels. Predominantly a plein air painter, Laura will demonstrate how to paint a landscape indoors quickly and relatively small. We will work from photos or even a still life in the medium of your choice–oil or acrylic. There will be a slide presentation, a demonstration of how Laura works and the tools she works with, a quick study exercise for warm-up and loosening up – a great exercise for comparing line vs. value. Focus of the workshop will include design, composition, value, color and brush work. Participants will paint and the instructor will provide personal assistance. A great workshop experience and a good time will be had by all! Laura has been teaching workshops and displaying her art work for several years throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Yosemite, and the Wine Country. She has won several awards for her artwork. Please see her website for more information on her award winning art at: www.laurawilliamsart.com.

Dates: July 25 ~26th Saturday and Sunday 10:00~4:00

Location: Fremont Art Association Gallery 37659 Niles Boulevard Fremont, CA 94536

Fee: $150.00 for two days

Contact  Laura Williams at  415-398-2103 laura@laurawilliamsart.com

Huddart Park, San Mateo County

Sheryl and I went over to Huddart Park to paint some redwoods.  A wonderful location, nice and close, cooler than most of the Bay Area but warmer than the coast.

After looking around a bit we finally settled down to painting.  Not many interruptions (no horses this time!)  Sheryl didn't have to move off her trail!

I painted from the stream area wonderful contrasts between dark and light.  But, the old buggaboo I have came up.  Toooo dark and I have to go back and add more mid-tones.  I just get so carried away with the contrasts!

The infamous "Artist Fetish"

A little bit on "Artist Fetish".  There is this thing about being an artist.  It's not just me!  All artists I know have this strange behavior. It changes in the object of attention from time to time, but seems to always be there lurking under the surface.  The fetish:  well, it seems that there is always something out there that the artist "needs" and will be sure to work a miracle and bingo! your painting improves!

You know, a new brush, easel, particular color or maybe a new brand of paint will do it!  I went through the brush fetish for a long time, and the pochade box fetish (the most expensive one).

I think I am cured for now, but know it will be back....

Pastels and Watercolor

At Fremont Art Associations’ Gallery, Claire Verbiest demonstrated her preferred method of painting in soft pastel and demoed how a drippy, runny watercolor underpainting can be overpainted with pastel to produce an exquisitely realistic image. It was a wonderful demo and I got a lot out of it.  

I haven't had a chance to try out what I learned but I intend to!

4th of July at Ardenwood!

A most beautiful day to celebrate our country's birthday!  

It is always so nice to be painting while surrounded by the sounds of families enjoying each other and having fun.  I took my travel watercolor set in my picnic basket.  After checking out the activities in the farmyard, the spinning of wool, outdoor kitchen, music on the grainery porch and the various animals, I found a nice old stump, pulled out the paints and painted.  I haven't really used my watercolors for the past two years so it was nice to use them again.  I had a lovely view of the Fremont hills across the Ardenwood fields.  I did take pictures and will post them.

As lunch time approached I left to go to the gazebo area.  The band was warming up as I choose a nice dry, shady spot on the lawn (I was in Victorian dress, remember).  The lawn area was quite populated with happy picnics.  My husband arrived as the band started to play and we pulled out the fried chicken, potato salad and apple crisp from the hamper and enjoyed our picnic to the music of the gay 90's.

I took some photos to use as studies for future paintings in the "rainy times".  

As always it was so nice to enjoy the 4th with all the friends we came across.  The flow-thru tours of the Patterson House were busy as always and it was fun to have the magic show so popular on the lawn right in front of the house.  I heard the watermelon seed spitting contest and the water bragade were very popular,  I heard them!

Another wonderful Victorian 4th!

July 3rd, 2009

Ok, all ready to enjoy our country's birthday at Ardenwood tomorrow.  Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Apple Crisp and Lemonade all ready to go - and there will be homemade ice cream at the grainery ( if I help crank the ice cream maker!). 

And my watercolors are ready to go!  I will be in Victorian dress for afternoon tours so I won't be taking my oils.  Painting while picnicking on the front lawn while listening to the band play in the gazebo and watching the children play tug of war, that is the life!

2 Day Workshop with Laura Williams

Join award winning artist, Laura Williams, for an action packed 2 day painting workshop, Saturday July 25th~26th This workshop is designed for students of all levels. Predominantly a plein air painter, Laura will demonstrate how to paint a landscape indoors quickly and relatively small. We will work from photos or even a still life in the medium of your choice–oil or acrylic. There will be a slide presentation, a demonstration of how Laura works and the tools she works with, a quick study exercise for warm-up and loosening up – a great exercise for comparing line vs. value. Focus of the workshop will include design, composition, value, color and brush work. Participants will paint and the instructor will provide personal assistance. A great workshop experience and a good time will be had by all! Laura has been teaching workshops and displaying her art work for several years throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Yosemite, and the Wine Country. She has won several awards for her artwork. Please see her website for more information on her award winning art at: www.laurawilliamsart.com.

Dates: July 25 ~26th Saturday and Sunday 10:00~4:00

Location: Fremont Art Association Gallery 37659 Niles Boulevard Fremont, CA 94536

Fee: $150.00 for two days

Contact  Laura Williams at  415-398-2103 laura@laurawilliamsart.com

Painted at Niles Community Park!

What a nice day for painting!  I didn't come out with anything I really like but did a study and will work with it in the studio and go back for another try on location.  I just loved watching the birds dive-bombing into the water for fish.

And I even fit all my errands into my day.  

Tomorrow we wheelchair my 95 year old aunt to the park for her birthday cake and to watch the children play!

Painting at Niles Community Park!

We will be meeting at 11:30 in the School Street parking lot tomorrow!

There is a lake, fishing piers, swampy area with water cypress, view of the golden hills, ducks, birds, lawn area, view of distant hills.  Niles also has lots of small Victorian homes and is famous for the background on many Charlie Chaplin films and period cowboy movies.

Any artists out there can join us.