Marin Hills in Summer

A couple more fast paintings from a lovely day out with my buddy Steve.  I know these hills have been painted ad nauseam but I haven’t done them much. I have to say these oils just painted themselves….if I haven’t said this before I will now…I honestly think oils are easier than acrylics for the experienced painter. Yes, they are luscious and fun too!

Red Barn Complex

I have decided to open my studio in Bodega Bay to folks this Fall for just 3 days.  Since I left my gallery partnership in June, many people have written to ask where they can find my work…that is so gratifying and I thank you.  Because I live in a very quit place, I don’t want to open things up to the entire public so I have just sent an invitation to my mailing list.  So if you want to visit and did not get an email, please contact me. Dates are Saturday September 18th, Friday October 15th and Sunday November 14th. I figure this staggered schedule will accommodate almost everyone who has been writing to find out where to see my new work.  And I have lots of new work now that I finally have time to paint!

Lake Tahoe from Zephyr #3

The photo does not capture the color perfectly but I like this little 6″ x 6″ painting best of the group. It’s all done in oil with palette knife only and was the last of the 3 I did out side that day( see previous post for #1 and #2). I like it because it is very simplified and captures the intense stratification of the color of the water in the lake.

More to come.

Lake Tahoe from Zephyr #1

You know the color of Lake Tahoe is just unbelievable.  Even after going there to paint for over 7 years, I am still always amazed at the color of the water. My challenge this year, actually the first time I’ve ever painted the lake, was to try and come up with something that was not a cliche. Because its so beautiful, almost everything you see is picture postcard gorgeous and that doesn’t work in painting…at least not for me.  I am not sure I achieved my goal, but here are some of my attempts.

Lake Tahoe from Zephyr #2

These are oils, painted outside. It was a challenge with my limited palette, but in a burst of enlightenment, I bought a small tube of Phthalo Turquoise just before I left town. My usual palette is Ultramarine Blue, Hansa Yellow, Quinacridone Magenta and Titanium White…that’s it.  This palette has served me well for many years both in watercolor (less the white and a different yellow) , acrylics and oil.    More Tahoe paintings on tomorrow’s post.

Here are a couple more paintings I’ve been working on. More oils. I am into this now. Not sure why I have left behind my love of acrylics for a moment.

Farm House

I like this piece a lot…its 24″ x 12″ oil on panel with a deep cradle.

And here is another plein air piece I did at the Marin French Cheese company a few weeks ago that I finished recently.

Marin French Cheese Company #2

The workshops are great because they are intensive…two 5-hour sessions over a weekend where you can really dig in a make progress quickly.  I have done these both as weekday and weekend sessions and the weekends seem to be more reliably attended. But, if I get feedback that weekdays are better, I will consider adding those too.  Class fees are discounted if you are a member of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts…which is a great deal at only $40 a year.

The sun was an added pleasure since we haven’t seen it in eight days!! here in Bodega Bay. It’s been cool and foggy, per usual summertime weather.   But yesterday we had sun and what a terrific place to paint or visit.  So many potential paintings in this park-like setting with old farm buildings, a pond, picnic tables,  and a deli. The views of gorgeous Marin and Sonoma counties vibrant grasslands and local ranches are just breathtaking. Here is one of my little paintings done quickly in oil. I feel like I’m back in the saddle!

Summer Pastoral

Taos Pueblo

Of course it is always nice to be home, at sea level, in Bodega Bay.  I can’t wait to get back into the studio…I have images and colors in my head from our trip.  And I seriously need to replenish my work after Art at the Source which was amazingly successful.  So many nice people came by to see us, talk about art and buy pieces to bring home. Thank you everyone!  I really need to get to work and paint although there is so much going on this summer…lots of activity on the beach, in the garden and just a ton of social events! But the pull of the studio is strong.

May Flowers 24" x 24"

We had so much fun this last weekend at Art at the Source. More than 300 wonderful people came to visit me, Nancy and Carol at our open studio (#63) on Green Valley Road in Sebastopol. Lots of art being viewed and sold to people from all over…we had visitors from Florida, Boston, Philadelphia, Oregon, New Jersey, New York and Texas as well as from the Bay area and Sacramento. I demonstrated painting in oils outside near the gorgeous garden and vineyard view.

Don’t miss this coming weekend June 12 and 13th..from 10am – 5pm more than 120 artists show their work to the public!