June 10 - Fog on California's Coast

"On Cat Feet" (Coastal Fog) While on location at the Santa Rosa Plateau during this month of June, there is the phenomenon of the coastal fog that comes in and caresses the hills and grasslands in the later afternoon. The fog stays around until late the following morning, and is called "June Gloom" by the weather people. As the afternoon progresses, this fog slips over the coastal range just as you see it in the painting below (and if you can't see it, click on the jpeg link). This is a 6 x 12 inch on-location canvas, and was fun to paint, as the light kept coming and going with the sun being obscured by the fog "marching on cat feet" to envelop the late afternoon. I was with my artist friend Roxanne, and we were at Sylvan Meadows.

June 9 - At the Museum, painting #1

"New Acquisition"  Tonight I was a guest with a handful of other artists painting along inside the Riverside Art Museum (or RAM).  The museum was host to a special event, and we were (I think) a form of entertainment.  Parked in a side gallery (with one of the bars!) traffic was light, and most all of the attention was going to an artist who was doing oil sketches of folks who sat down for a portrait -- she was giving them away.  She had quite a line.  So I leaned into my harness and painted two paintings without much interruption.  Studio time away from the studio!  The first I'll post later, here is the second one.  My husband came to cheer me on, and he ended up sitting for me, under a large abstract.  I liked the design of the pose and asked him to stay still.  I like the looseness of it and the flat areas of color.  It was fun to paint someone else's work, too!
  Original oil, 16 x 12 inches.  

June 8 - On location at the Santa Rosa Plateau

"Approaching Fog Bank" On the Plateau with another artist this evening, and the weather was changing as we painted. Roxanne was able to get two great 9 x 12s and I as able to do three small ones. This is the first, in the early evening across the Sylvan Meadows area where I rode my horse last Sunday. The light kept going lower, and the coastal fog from the ocean was billowing up behind us, and the desert thunderheads were visible 100 miles to the east. Roxanne was visited by a rattlesnake, she was concentrating so much that the creature was almost upon her before she noticed it and lept away. She called me and I threw a chunk of wood at it, and it swiftly about- faced and buzzed off into the tall grasses. Nothing like a little adrenalin to motivate some brushwork, eh? Original oil, 5 x 7
On ebay

June 7 - White Merlot Wine

"White Merlot"  When my husband comes in late from his akido or class teaching, he and I will often sit down about 9 p.m. and have a bite to eat, usually some cheese and wine.  One of my favorite wines is white merlot, made by Beringer.  Hard to find, it is not as sweet as a zinfandel, and not as heavy as a merlot.  Well worth the looking, as it is quite unusual, not being a white wine, and not pinot noir!  After seeing the movie "Sideways", we laugh every time we drink a glass or two!  This is an original oil, 7 x 5 inches, and what I really like about it is the glow of the light through the wine.  Try squinting your eyes and looking at this one.  Lots of paint, too.
  "White Merlot" is SOLD

June 6 - Watermelon Slice

"Equilateral" This is done from life, again with the joy of the sweetness that is now in my throat.  I think that the process to paint these is not finished until the object is consumed.  Consumed by my brush and then literally.  Watermelons are wonderful fruits, and this one is different in that it is an organic melon.  I was surprised and delighted at the burst of flavor from this usually watery treat.  I'm sold on organic produce for the intense flavors found there.  And now I will look for these in the store!  I think what we mean when we say "home grown flavor" is more truly the organic method of growing something.  At least it is true for me.  This is a 5 x 7 oil $100

June 5 - Nectarine

"Nectarine" Ah, the joys of summer and the multitude of fresh fruit!  Is there anything so luscious as a aromatic nectarine with its succulent flesh?  Perhaps a peach?  Or a dark plum?  As the weather warms, so come these wondrous flavors and colors to our palates.  Yes, dessert!  Chiaroscuro in value, vibrant in reds and oranges, the first fruit of the summer is here forever.  $100  Gadfry, I LOVE to paint!!!

June 4 - In a Foggy Valley (Horses)

"In a Mountain Valley"  The mist rises on the morning valley pasture and the horses are alert as the sun glows off the mountains above.  But this mountain sunlight is only seen in the water, which makes for a most interesting composition, and a bit of a surprise after seeing the two black horses.
I am reflecting on things that are like these mountains, missed because I am looking down, focused in a different direction.  People around us who care and have a different view, point out the beauty in our lives, and then we see it.  I always love how water takes beauty and presents it to us in another way, and am often amazed at how much beauty we miss in reflections.
  Tonight I reflect on the list folk who have said what I write makes the art come alive for them, and I need to say how grateful I am that you feel this way.  Like the reflections in the water, you give to me a view of the world I might otherwise miss.  Thank you!
  Original oil on canvas, 12 x 9 inches.  US $ 400