PREPARING FOR A HOMECOMING

WANDERING THE CENTRAL COAST

A NEW PLEIN AIR SHOWING

AT WINDWARD VINEYARD
Hi there.  It has been a while since my last
blog posting.  But I have been busy
painting and like all of you, being occupied by
the holidays.  
I've been out with the Wednesday Irregulars,
the long time "colony" of Plein Air painters
in Cambria.

My newest works will be hanging in the beautiful

wine tasting room at WINDWARD VINEYARD

through the end of March.  The Artist's Reception

is January 21 2:00-4:30 and you are all invited.

Katherine and Tom helped me hang the show.

I just love the gallery wall at Windward.  The color is 

perfect and the windows are perfectly situated to allow 

light exposure without being too hard or direct.

 San Simeon Casa 
16 X 20

 Stairway Lookout
18 X 24

 Washburn Overlook
8 X 10

Mustard Fields
12 X 16

 Washburn Overlook Study
9 X 12

 This was the lovely scene outside the Winery as we completed

the hanging.   We appreciate how Anna was so cheery as 

we fretted and debated where to put which piece.  And

the reward afterward was some great Windward Pinot.

If you are on the Central Coast I hope you'll stop to see

my newest series of scenes from this gorgeous part

of the world.

Windward Vineyard

1380 Live Oak Road  "Westside"

Paso Robles 93446
Thanks for visiting.

A THING ABOUT TREES

My friend and fellow artist Jim Cahill reminded me I had not posted anything recently, so here goes.

Last year I was fortunate to go on location and paint with a dear friend, master painter CW Mundy.  After implementing a couple of his suggestions, I have received great response to my Plein Air paintings.

One suggestion was to "use paint like a millionaire" and not be so stingy with the paint.

Another technique he taught was "marbleizing."  You will notice my skies are a blend of many colors.

Since working with CW I think my paintings are more alive and have a richness that enhances the emotional quality.  Here is some recent work.  Let me know what you think.

 Stairway to Lookout

Oil 18X24

 October Morning

Oil  12X16

 Cattle Gate

Oil 8X10

 Ranch Overlook

Oil  11X14

 Towering Trees

Oil 12X16

 Eucalyptus

Oil 9X12

Cypress

Oil 5X7

NEW WORK AND A ONE NIGHT STAND

NEW PLEIN AIR OILS

OCEAN BLUFF

9 X 12 

OCEAN BLUFF STUDY

8 X 10

I painted these with the Wednesday Irregulars on our outing this week.

I set up near where San Simeon Creek flows into the Pacific.

It was a beautiful, bright and clear day and the colors were vivid.
As I painted I attracted the interest of Ron and Wilma who
are visiting from Australia.  They've shared their
photos with me.

Tonight I will be the featured artist at the Stephen Patrick Design Studio in San Luis Obispo
as part of the Art After Dark program.
I'm featuring my Lana's Ladies or Wine Diva paintings and
art objects.
Here's a new painting called
Group Therapy

Here's a look at my host for the Art After Dark
Stephen Patrick

Thanks for visiting.

A NEW SERIES

I've spent some time in the last week, working on a new triptych series.

I'm trying to do a series of three views of a grape vine.

They are such an interesting shape to study. I'm working

on three seasons of the same view.

I'm doing this series in acrylic.  

They are still a work in progress, but as you can see

I am working with a bright color palette.

BACK AT WINDWARD

A RAINY ZIN FEST

The goal was to set up in the beautiful vine covered lathe house at Windward and do a painting on site.

Mother Nature had other plans.

So instead, we found a cozy corner inside the tasting room.

It gave me a chance to set a display of some of my

WINE DIVAS.

It is a series of whimsical women with attitude and hats!

I started doing art cards.  That lead to paintings, and then to a antique pillows.

They have been fun to do.

We really enjoy being at Windward where everyone is so friendly and the setting is so lovely.
I want to thank those who visited, especially those who purchased a painting or pillow.

RECYCLED

HAVING FUN WITH ART CARDS

     I used to tell my students that artists were among the first re-cyclers.  We can find artistic uses for a lot of discarded material and I've been doing that with a series of Lady Cards.

     I use an acrylic paint to create women in all their diversity.  It has been fun to watch these "ladies" evolve.  Here's a look at some of my latest batch where I am recycling old upholstery fabric swatches that I found in a thrift store.  I've also used cardboard, old coffee cups, ribbons and more. 

I start with a partial face

Then I start to work with the fabric

I started out just playing around, trying something, not sure where it would lead.

There are times when I need a break from painting or ceramic work and this kind of project is just fun.

It has also been fun to watch the faces, styles and hair evolve.

In a future post, I'll present more of the collection

Thanks for visiting.

GETTING BACK TO WORK

     I would much rather be working in the studio or painting on location than planning for a reception or worrying about it.  Once it came, I enjoyed the time with everyone, but getting it organized was just worrisome. 
     I'm working on a new piece for this year's 927 Show.  Being the winner of Best of Show last year means I need to put forth a good effort.  I asked Tom not to include any shots of the work, yet.  Wait until it is further along.

Since it involves paper mache, there is a lot of tearing and ripping involved.

It is a good way to recycle all the old paper

And here is a look at a new piece.  I continue to do a study of the Piedras Blancas light house.

Thanks for visiting my on line studio.

WONDERFUL AT WINDWARD

IT WAS A GREAT ARTIST RECEPTION

     Windward Vineyard is a lovely setting and it's beauty had a calming affect.

     I was a little nervous before the reception began, but Tom wanted to get pictures 

to, as he says, "document" the event.

We put out the snacks

and arranged the guest book

and Tom wanted one more shot before the guests arrived.  Here are scenes from the next 3 hours.  I want to thank all of those who attended and of course a my humble gratitude to those who purchased paintings.

Outside, the vineyard continued its winter rest.  

And as the crowd thinned down
we took a few moments to enjoy the creative effort of wine shepherd
Marc Goldberg.  After 3 hours of meeting and greeting and the nerves of hosting a reception, it tasted especially good.

Thanks to Mike and Jacque for their help and support, to Colleen and Mark from Indianapolis for their wonderful gift of pears and to Ray and Terri from Cambria for the beautiful roses. Cheers and thanks to Marc, Maggie and Anna and the great team at Windward Vineyard.