A lovely visit...

I follow Southern Fried French blog and received my delivery when Lynn posted this morning in my email.  Titled: Life’s Little Lessons, in French and in Chocolate...

Wonderful words spoken in some French/English.  I'll present you the great pleasure of heading there yourself by clicking on her blog name above where I attached a link so that you may read more about her adventures of Americans who live in France.  Btw, I always appreciate chocolate truffles with abandon. (You will understand this statement when you read her post).

In the meantime, one of the things I frequent is to read a good quote.  Loved quotes even when a young teenager.  Such wisdom in a few words.

Now I really liked the first quote I listed below regarding art.  Of course, being an artist myself that would seem natural.  However, when perusing the rest of Lynn's quotes, the blue one below was a favorite.  So much so, I have it on my blog now.  Thanks Lynn!

* Art, it is the reflection that returns to the human soul the dazzling splendor of the beautiful.   Victor Hugo

* One is amazed too much with what one sees rarely, and not enough with what one sees every day. Madame de Genlis 

Wasn't that grand!  And so I leave you with a favorite scripture - 'Beloved I wish above all that you prosper & be in health, even as your soul prospers'  and a wish for all a Happy New Year!

Such a nice Christmas present...

November Art Challenge Winners

An anonymous jury unaffiliated with CFAI has been chosen to judge each monthly challenge.

First Place

Barbara Andolsek

'Grape Cluster'

Merry Christmas!

A picture of the empty studio is the one and only photo I was able to take before the final move out.  The boxes are full of 'stuff' to take with us.  There were a lot more than that before it was all said and done.  Two weeks is super fast to pack, have a garage sale, and move after living in a home for 11 years.  Yikes and phew!

We're recouping and have moved into a furnished apartment temporarily.  Hope to paint this week sometime after a bit more of life commitments are finished, like dentists, etc.  Will try to get on and blog a bit more IF time & other obligations permit.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Garden Chair - SOLD

A chair situated outside of a garden's gate...  

The stories it could tell.  It's so useful and functional. For setting down fresh flowers just gathered, for resting and yet is so perfectly placed there that the space would look empty without it.

Original photo by Lynn McBride from Southern Fried French blog.  You will be delighted when you visit her blog...

'The Office' & 'Daily Commute'

'The Office' and 'Daily Commute' have been accepted into Randy Higbee Gallery's third 6" Squared Exhibition and Sale.  "Once again, we will bring Nationally acclaimed traditional representational artist to a spectacular venue in Orange County, CA.  A Gala Artists Reception will be held Saturday, December 3rd and the show will run through December 23rd.

Fall Cycling - SOLD

There's nothing like bicycle riding in the fall.  Super clean crisp air, gorgeous color of leaves surrounding you as you breeze through and hear the lingering rustling.  I have a basket on my bike and have to say that it serves a great many purposes.  Like a glorious moment of a picnic lunch...   Memories meant to be cherished.

Original photo by Paris Daily Photo.

"Spring Ahead" - SOLD

Today is the day that we 'fall back' so to speak, changing the time back to standard. I prefer to 'spring ahead' and love Spring the best of all of the season's. Love the strength of this piece as well as the simplicity.

Pomegrante - SOLD

Who doesn't love Pomegranates.  Tons of vitamins, yummy, gorgeous to look at, an abstraction inside as well as out.  And a huge pleasure to paint, plus it always puts me in a holiday mood for food, ha.  At least it's healthy food right.

Meaty Tomato - SOLD

This rather large juicy, meaty tomato is from one of Claudia's photos, but also from her Tomato Tarte Tatin recipe.  I love tomatoes as well and decided right then and there to paint this mass of flavor wishing the whole time, I could have tasted that yummy tarte.  I love to pick a fresh tomato from the vine and smell the stem.  It's so earthy!

Original photo by Claudia Ward from Open Window blog.

aPEARantly So - SOLD

Five (5) pears - all in a row, all shapes, and sizes. Short one, tall ones, geometric ones, BUT only one has a stem. A rich, simple and textured abstraction of pears.

Open Studio 2011

The most glorious weather we've ever had and on both Saturday and Sunday.  Monday was windy, which is always a bugger when you have to deal with it during outdoor events.  It all went without a hitch this year.

Here are just a few photos from the Open Studio this last weekend. 

This shot is of Kim (Melissa's sister), me, and Melissa (my awesome assistant).

My wonderful art patrons...

Two shots of the studio.  I have a huge 2-tiered steel wheel rack for larger paintings that is usually residing in the area where the little table/chair in the corner is.  I have to move that every year or no one would be able to navigate in there.

Last photo is a shot of the loggia...  (our fireplace is on the other side of display panels)

Everyone always asks me, what's a loggia?

loggia |ˈlōj(ē)ə; ˈlô-| noun

• a gallery or room with one or more open sides, esp. one that forms part of a house (with fireplace) and has one side open to the garden.

• an open-sided extension to a house.  ORIGIN mid 18th cent.: from Italian, ‘lodge.’

Thanks for visiting!

'Gallery Opening Queue' - SOLD

A line/queue formed for a Gallery Opening, persuades an attendee to consider shutting off her cell phone.  Good idea and very considerate.

Fisher Girls - SOLD

This is the only painting I have available at this time (so busy with Open Studio) that I think is appropriate for this EVERY MOTHER COUNTS fundraiser.

Although this painting is NOT FRAMED, I included a photo of what it might look like if it were.  Thanks to Jenny Pimmages for allowing me the pleasure to render these gorgeous girls in this dear sweet painting.  I myself, have two girls and understand how they are the loves of our life.  We're both pretty grateful to say the least.  During the process of a commission, Jenny sent a few photos.  I loved this one so much that I asked her if I could please have permission to paint it.  She obviously said yes. Thanks much Jenny!

Window Geraniums - SOLD

Most of the windows in Europe sport gorgeous Red Geraniums in window boxes on 'each' window.  I LOVE that, no matter the age of the building, the flowers bring the character of the architecture to life.  This is a very loose rendering and full of expressive juicy brushstrokes.  As a side note, kudos for me NOT touching the strokes once set down...  I love it when I do that!

I Think I Got One - SOLD

Saw this guy fishing 'on the rocks' while on a walk on the beach in Ventura.  Catching this shot with his posture while casting was a lucky break.  Kept the rocks rather abstracted as I wanted 'most of the focus' to go to him while still making it interesting enough to meander around the rest of the painting.  The cool blue water is a lovely place to rest your eyes whether in a painting or actually looking at the real thing.

The Two Shall Become One - SOLD

It was no accident that they are placed within each other seemingly becoming one.  The hen and rooster in front of an old farmhouse door is a familiar site in France's country side.  How nice to be able to go out to your very own coup and retrieve breakfast. 

Photo compliments of French Word a Day blog.

Hanging by a Thread

I remember sitting on our loggia sometime between the end of October, middle of November (CA weather, gotta love it) during the early afternoon with the fireplace roaring, drinking some really great coffee and by the time I looked up, it was almost evening.  I had gotten THAT lost in time.  No kidding!  I'll never forget it, one of those glorious life moments.

I love sketching, I always will.  Almost always with pen and ink, even while (sort of) watching TV in the evening.  It takes me to my calm place.  My still place.  I like that.

A 'very' simple, clean rendering of a tee on a hangar.  So when I finished playing, I kept thinking about this and thought I'd like to see about 'sketching' it in paint.  This is the end result.  Keeping it simple, but not stupid, lol...  Hope you like it as well.

PEARfect - SOLD

This still life drew me in with the shadowed area of the painting and not just the textural qualities, but the change of colors and broken bits...

Beach Weekend - On Reserve!

 

An Alla Prima rendering of a wonderful weekend spent at the beach.  Something to think about in the dead of winter when one yearns to get out of the cold and into the lovely warm blue waters.  Btw, this painting is set in a black floater frame which is included in the pricing.  If you'd like to see 'Beach Weekend' in the frame, I would be happy to send it via email.

Photo compliments of 'Open Window' photographer, Claudia Ward.

Rooster - SOLD

I love this guy.  He makes me want to give out a morning wake-up call as well.  Full of energy and fresh paint strokes rejoicing in another 'great' morning shout out to the world!

French Melodies - SOLD

The fact that the under-painting tone is visible throughout this painting unites it in a soft harmonious palette that makes the colors all the richer.  This window sets above a violinists shop communicating the fact that 'yes indeed, if your violin is in need of repair', you've found the perfect place.

I love that all throughout Europe (at least the Europe that I experienced) has window boxes with brilliant flowers.  And there always seems to be lots of reds, corals, and oranges.  This looks to be a rather elegant arrangement due to the balconies beautiful woodworking.  Another work of art in play.  I can almost hear Le Vie en Rose playing softly in the background.

Photo compliments of French Word a Day blog.

Misty Eyed Adventures - SOLD

The title of the painting is the name of the song by Moya (Maire) Brennan. Btw, I do believe she is Enya's sister. This painting is a product of an art challenge using music as it's theme.

Old Town Trolley - SOLD

This was a very fun paint day.  Not only in reference to the painting of it, but the memory of the day with friends as well.  See the trolley driver dude at the wheel?  Must be making change...

Kept it loose, worked oil on panel with a dark under painting showing through in a variety of spots - especially outlining the trolley (focal point) itself.

French Laundry Day

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Pants, shirts, tees all gathered together for a fresh new day...

Photo compliments of French Word a Day blog.

Artiste at Luxembourg Gardens

Photo compliments of Open Window blog, Claudia Ward

Today is Carol Marine's birthday and her husband David who started Daily Paintworks suggested that instead of Carol posting her usual Art Challenge and due to her being in the midst of a workshop, (not to mention a little too much traveling - Germany and then workshop-yikes); that we post a painting of our own choosing to wish her Happy and so I did!

Happy Birthday Carol!  Hope this challenge doesn't bring down the internet from all of us artists wishes, lol...

Painting at Capistrano Mission

Buy it on Etsy!

Before coming up with quite a few pieces of work for an upcoming exhibit at Mission San Juan Capistrano Group Show (Belles of Capistrano), I was in need of tons of photos as we were traveling back and forth from the high desert.  I had taken some previously anyway because it's my favorite mission.  One of the photos was of this plein air painter and of course, had to paint her.  I didn't want to disturb her right brain activity otherwise I would be posting her name as well.  As often as I've been there, it just never gets old...

Vacationing - SOLD

Just thinking about sitting there right now.......  soon!

Mushroom & Artichoke Salad

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The very first time I tried artichokes was, believe it or not, in California.  My husband and I had finally taken a long awaited trip all along the CA coast on Rt.1.  There are no words to describe this, you just have to do it.  Tim had mentioned that we taking this trip to a friend of his and he asked if we happened along a market or two, might we pick up a case of fresh artichokes.  Sure, of course.  We found beauties.  Said friend proceeded to surprise us with some of the freshly prepared still warm artichokes and that was it.  I was hooked for life.

So when Lynn from Southern Fried French posted this salad on her blog, I was there...  Thanks Lynn!  oh and ps - the painting looks so much better in person.  I tried everything, but just can't get the glow to show on the bottle properly, lol

Cabanon

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The french countryside is full of these structures/cabanons/sheds frequently built in vineyards with such character.  I imagine there are some wonderful stories to ponder with perhaps a bit of fromage and a delightful glass of wine.  Speaking of wine, check out Chef Grape (Kristin's husband who just happens to own a vineyard).  Very hard work indeed...

Photo compliments of Kristin at French Word a Day blog.

Our Daily Bread

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The moment I saw this woman's glow of reflected light from the refrigerated section of this market shop, I knew without a doubt that this was going to be an absolute joy to paint straight through from beginning to end...  I'm sure I'm not the only artist out there that can say 'I love it when I stay this loose'.  It's fresh, like the paint is still wet - I can almost smell wonderful gobs of paint as I look at it.

It makes every lesson, every book read (not just looking at the pictures, lol), every discarded painting, every angst moment, every plein aire study (including red ant bites, etc), all of the monies spent not just on supplies, but marketing mistakes (OR lessons learned), etc, etc - WORTH IT.

This was a shot from a trip my husband and I took last year on our 20th Anniversary to San Francisco.  When you depart from the ferry, there are great shops and food markets all along the pier.

Bicycle Passages - SOLD

I think a lot of us really enjoy riding our bicycles just about anywhere, but this looks to be a very easy peasey day of extraordinary peace while aromas are lofting through the air via a wonderful French lavender field. And we all know what lavender is known for. I'd probably have fallen off the bicycle from just being so relaxed!

Photo compliment of Kristin from French Word a Day blog.

Garlic

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I considered emotional responses to the subject matter with this piece and truly enjoyed painting it.  Finding all the nuances of color, the very slight variations and then 'not' overworking it... challenging, but truly happy when I felt I managed my original concept.

Shades - SOLD

True story...  so I find this material that I like, throw it on the still life support, etc.  I had my sunglasses in my hand cause I was going to run outside to do something.  In the meantime, my cell phone rang and I threw the sunglasses down and answered the phone.  When I came back and looked down, I loved what I saw and that was that.  End of story.  I simply love it when things come together all by themselves.  Oh happy accidents...

Summer Soire - SOLD

Perfect thoughts of summer evenings come to mind as we see her head towards a romantic rendezvous with great expectation.  Photo compliments of Peruvian Connection.

Nopalea Cactus - SOLD

I just love the colors in this cactus.  They aren't contrived, but very true.  Natural reflections, varying shades of greens, blue-greens, purples, magentas...  Yup, this is the 'real' thing and I'm loving it!

Pear Still Life - SOLD

A very simple chiaroscuro composition...  I am enjoying the uncluttered simplicity of this piece.  Guess you could say 'less is more' regarding this work.

Little Red Trike - SOLD

I remember my tricycle quite well to this day.  We had some great times together. If you read the last post, you'll see that I'm still at it, but with two wheels, lol...

I really did have almost this exact same trike as a kid growing up on a very very high hill.  Now with that said, being the tomboy that I was, legs out, no hands on handlebars, over sidewalks down the side of our house, woo hoo was heard many many times.  Of course, there was that time that I was ejected off and learned how to fly very quickly.  That one bump in the sidewalk got me.  The sidewalk winded around to the front of the house, so it was in the grass or over a stone wall.  I, thankfully, always made it to the grassy area.  This would look so cute in a child's room, girl or boy's.  After all, most girls love red!

Ferry over to the other side...

We just got back from a trip to San Diego camping, wooo!  We headed over from Coronado taking ferry to 'the other side' straight to lunch at The Gyro Spyro for real Greek food in Seaport Village.  Another indulgence of the best kind was ice cream.

Tim & I always try to get a couple of cones in on trips such as these.  He threatened my life if I put a photo of him on my blog, otherwise you'd see him in his Hawaiian shirt sporting a big grin as well.

We saved on gas and had only our bikes and it was great.  The weather was awesome and the ferry ride was just plain fun, no driving of any kind for us.  I guess you could say we got it goin on, at least that's how we felt.  It was a much needed break.  Hope everyone's Memorial Day was great!

Hold On - SOLD

This was one of my favorite 'I wonder if's'...  My friend Leslie's daughter Rachel, posed for this one.  Thanks Rachel (good luck in San Diego).

I literally tore apart the umbrella so that the wind looked like it was really blowing (which it does here in the High Sierras).  I liked everything about it - 'everything'.  Still do! Hope everyone has a great weekend with some time with family (miss my girls) and super weather..

Um, Left or Right - SOLD

Sometimes we just have to stop and think about which direction to take.  Here's a fun look at a paint rule:  'no lead out of the painting...  I could have had them looking to the inside and changed lots of things up in regard to placement (eg: the other dude is in the center) - oh nooooooooooo!

I liked it this way, it was so natural and wondered which direction they decided on when they finally took flight.  I'm thinking left looks like it just might be the winner.  Hoping everyone gets a chance to get water this weekend.