RECHARGED WITH C.W.

PIEDRAS BLANCAS LIGHTHOUSE II

    C.W. Mundy is one of the finest American oil paintings working today.  He is also a former classmate and an old friend.  Recently he conducted a seminar and training program in THE AMERICAN MASTERS program in Southern California.  We were fortunate to spend time with C.W. and his wonderful wife Rebecca before he led the classes.  In fact I was able to benefit from a two day intensive workshop with C.W..
     He encouraged me to not "over work" my paintings.  He taught how to look for large forms and shapes and "set your values early."  He worked with me on my palette and how to mix my pots of color.  In a way it was intimidating because C.W. is such a talented and skilled artist who has had great commercial success. But it was also a recharging and renewing experience.
     Before the intensive workshop with C.W.  I would sometimes arrive at a plein aire site and find myself struggling and not enthusiastic about the piece I was working on.  During the two days, in his lectures and while on site at several locations, C.W. was able to ignite a new enthusiasm and passion.
    I am grateful to C.W. for sharing his expertise and recharging my work.

PIEDRAS BLANCAS LIGHTHOUSE STUDY

     This study was done from a slightly different setting than the piece above and in a changing morning light.  You can see that in the color of the water and in the way light values play off other objects.

MORRO BAY

     This painting presented other challenges.  Not only was the afternoon light changing quickly, but a thick fog began to move in as we painted.  Here again there was a great value in following C.W.'s guidance in having established my values and palette early.

GREEN VALLEY ROAD OVERLOOK

     This was painted mid morning while the sun was still in the east and rising.  This view looks toward the east, so the light value again was an important factor in the work.  This is a piece that C.W. was fond of.

C.W. MAKING A POINT AND SHARING HIS PEARLS OF WISDOM

C.W. MUNDY AN AMERICAN MASTER AND DEAR FRIEND

     The pieces featured above will be in my upcoming show at the Windward Vineyard in Paso Robles California beginning in January 2011.  The show will hang through March.  I hope you will be able to visit the beautiful Windward tasting room, which is also a perfect art gallery.  Art and world class wine-what a great combination!

Curti Creek-Oil

This painting will be featured in an upcoming 

show at the Windward Vineyard in 

Paso Robles.

More information forthcoming.

THE FARMERS MARKET ART SHOW

I find that at the end of the year, it is a time to try to tie up loose ends and put some things in order. I'm trying to catch up here with a couple of items.

In October I was fortunate to be part of a first, an art show at the weekly Cambria Farmer's Market. The pieces were part of a painting study of the color, people and motion of the Farmer's Market.  I love the market and shop there weekly and it was an interesting experience to capture the energy and vitality of the market atmosphere on canvas.

It was a great experience and the comments

from the vendors, who were my models as well as from regular shoppers and visitors were part of the pleasure of the experience.

It is nice to note that a few of the pieces were Christmas gifts this year.

                                            

                                                                                                                             

 

Terra Cotta Planter

This is an example of slab pottery.

SAN SIMEON FALL

CURTI CREEK HILL

I paint with The Irregulars, a group of artists in Cambria

California. We paint en plein air. Paintings are finished

on location. The hardest part is choosing your

image.