Across the Bay

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"Across the Bay"

Oil, 8" x 16" on museum quality canvas panel.

$650 with display easel.

I am still smiling after my two day painting workshop with Debra Huse. After spending all morning on the second day chasing my "moving target" we moved to another location on Balboa Island to paint in the afternoon. I was a bit tired as I had skipped lunch to finish my painting from the morning but I was determined to paint another complete painting!
This time I spent a bit of time finding a subject that would not drive me insane drifting around a buoy. I was tempted to paint a small orange boat parked firmly on the sand but the rumor was it was going to be taken out for a sail in about an hour. So I ended up choosing three boats that were all the way across the bay. They were safely docked and did not appear to be going anywhere soon. (Of course I have permanent wrinkles from squinting all afternoon!)
Debra helped me with some editing and also pushed me to darken my colors. I think that is something I need to remember every time I  paint - don't go too light with my values or the painting will look too washed out. Even as I look at the photo of this finished painting I realize I could have gone with some darker values.
At the end of the day I was the last one painting (of course) but I do have to say that there was a moment that afternoon where I took a deep breath and I thought ... this is so cool. I was giddy and felt a rush of excitement that I hadn't felt in a long time while painting! After spending so much time painting in the comfort of my studio I realized that I need to get out more often ... and paint plein air. Painting outside,  with hundreds of incredible boats in the bay, is invigorating. I wasn't even annoyed at all of the people who stopped to talk and comment on my efforts. I actually enjoyed all of their input! I know it sees so obvious but I honestly think i was a bit intimidated to paint outside as it had been way too long. So I have turned over a new leaf. I have now committed to paint outside at least once a week, hopefully more.

Heard it Through the Grapevine

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"Heard it Through the Grapevine"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$250 framed.

I painted this little one at the end of the first day of the plein air weekend. I had about an hour and a half until the reception and I felt like I should find something to paint. So I got in my car and drove down by the vineyard and sat on the back bumper and painted this view of the grapevines. The next hour made me very aware of how comfortable I am when I paint in my studio.

First off, it was hot and sunny and within five minutes I was sunburned. Next, the wind came up and blew over my easel so I had to scrape off all of the dirt and start the painting over. Then the flies came. They were so irritating. (Another artist told me later to bring a fabric softener sheet and it will keep them away ... not sure if it works though.) I finally finished and got back in my car (with about 100 flies) and drove up the hill to the reception. (And by the way ... there were about 20 flies left in my car the following morning when I drove back to the winery. And at least five buzzing in my car on Monday and two in the car this morning. )

I don't mean to complain but I can tell you that I was laughing out loud when I finally finished my painting. All I did was think of a fellow painter Marc Hansen who paints plein air every day. He lives in Minnesota and goes out to paint in temperatures that freeze his fingers, his entire body and yes ... his paint.

All I needed was a quick reminder of how he paints outdoors all winter long and I knew that I really was lucky ... and warm!

Leaving the Winery

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"Leaving the Winery"

Oil, 8" x 10" on canvas panel.

$350 unframed.

I spent the weekend at a wonderful plein air painting event at Falkner Winery that was hosted by Segil Fine Art Gallery and the Pasadena Art Gallery Association. It was wonderful, especially because I was also able to spend the weekend with my parents.
I met some wonderful artists and gallery owners and the scenery was very fun to paint. I don't get out to do these events very often but I am definitely going to add this to my goals for 2010! I really need to get out more often.

Really Big Reds

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"Really Big Reds"

Oil, 8" x 16" on canvas panel

Sold.

Good news to share! I found out today that three of my paintings were juried in to the Segil Fine Art Gallery 2009 Holiday Small Works Show. Exhibition dates are December 5 through December 31, 2009, and there is an artists' wine and hors d’ouvres reception, Saturday, December 5, 5-7pm. I found out that some of my favorite artists friends are also in the show ... Julie Hill and Marian Fortunati. I am so honored to be in this show with them! For more info. go to http://www.segilfineart.com/.

I am heading to Temecula tomorrow for a wonderful painting weekend. I finished this painting this week as we are allowed to bring one completed painting for the show. I think it fits the theme! One of my favorite galleries, Segil Fine Art (in conjunction with the Pasadena Art Gallery Association) is hosting the Second Annual Fine Art Invitational at Falkner Winery. This year's event will be from 10am - 4pm on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8; coinciding with the winery's Annual Fall Barrel Tasting Festival. Please join me for this spectacular two day event with over 30 plein air artists painting the beautiful Temecula wine country. For more information on Falkner Winery and directions go to www.falknerwinery.com.