Mar 6 - Plein Air Quick Draw (Inside!)

The Plein Air Paint Out in Riverside culminated with all the artists doing a Quick Draw (actually painting) in an hour and a half. This year celebrates a major anniversary of the Riverside Art Museum which is housed in a lovely building designed by Julia Morgan. Ms. Morgan designed Hearst Castle and was a respected architect in an era of few women building designers. So the artists were instructed to paint some aspect of Julia Morgan's handiwork.

I set up inside the central atrium, where Saffron's restaurant is located. The end result of my time at the easel is this 7 x 5 intimate acrylic, showing the dining atmosphere, the artwork on the hallways and the light suffusing from the glass ceiling.

The painting went on to win an honorable mention that morning. It is available in a nice frame for $250.

On other news, the first painting I did in this week-long event won first prize in this competition. "Victoria Avenue Morning" can be seen on my February 22 blog entry (opens in a new window). This PAAR competition continues to expand its awards and I'm so proud to be a part of it.

And the same day, I get notification from the Art Show at the Dog Show that my painting "Guardian" has won the award for Best Entry Depicting a Doberman. You can see that painting on my blog here (also opens in a new window).

Can you tell I'm flyin' right now?

You can see my entire blog HERE.

My workshop schedule for 2009 is HERE.

Color System information can be found HERE.

If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Mar 2 - Mt. Rubidoux - Plein Air Paint Out

From Carlson Dog Park, I looked up in evening light to see the cross on the top of Mt. Rubidoux, here in Riverside. I'd taken Sparky and Onslow to the park for some much-needed socialization time, and yet I had my plein air gear and couldn't resist this evening view of the mountain that embraces the city of Riverside.
This is an 8x8 canvas, cut down AFTER I painted it from an 8x10. It's done in acrylics, and with the palette of the Color System that conveys evening light--but a softer side, since the cross and the mountain are messaging a gentler feel. It still has the characteristic orange and alizarin where needed, but whispered rather than shouted into the lights and shadows. $295 with a lovely custom frame in silvery gray-blue.

You've commented that these have no signatures, and why? Because for this competition, one oor more of the paintings could end up in the Riverside Art Museum show, and for that venue, they've asked that we submit unsigned work at the judge's request. It's a bit odd, but we can do that. Ones that are not selected will be signed this week.

The only workshop this spring that still has spaces is the Florida one at the wonderful Carriage Park near Ocala. I hope there are future Boot Campers reading this, and that you'll find one of those spots for your learning time. I don't think I'll be coming east after this year--for at least a year, so this one in May and Maine in September are your only opportunitites to be "drilled" with the Color System at Color Boot Camp!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2009 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.