Donald Neff

LA QUETE: The Quest

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What started as a simple idea quickly grew into a bold journey, one I wasn’t even sure I could or would complete. I had no idea if it would yield anything more than a stack of painted panels destined for the scrap heap. But week after week, I ventured out, painting creeks all over Silicon Valley, ghost towns in suburbia, haunted springs, the signs of wild beavers in urban landscapes, the world’s largest homeless camp, and even the world’s first “plein air selfie.”

And then it took off: a feature on NBC TV, stories in major publications, exhibitions in diverse venues, and even a book. What began eleven years ago today as a year-long quest turned into something unforgettable—a legacy of 60 paintings, capturing 43 different creeks across the South San Francisco Bay Area, each one painted en plein air, or directly on-site.

What I didn’t expect was the response. Strangers approached me with hugs, telling me how these scenes of the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” brought back cherished memories of a place they thought they’d lost.

The entire collection of 60 paintings remains intact, and I’m always looking for new venues—local, national, or international—so if you know the perfect place, let me know!

Dive into the quest and explore a short documentary, interactive map, weblog entries explaining the historic significance of each painting, and more here: http://www.donaldneff.com/blog/works/creeks/

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2024 Small Works Holiday Sale

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Searching for the perfect, one-of-a-kind holiday gift that will be treasured for a lifetime? These charming little paintings are an unforgettable choice for anyone on your list! Plus, this year I’m offering beautifully crafted notecards and art books at unbeatable prices. It’s my biggest holiday sale ever, with discounts of up to 70% off! Most pieces are unframed originals, but if a frame is shown, it’s yours too. Don’t miss this limited-time chance to share the gift of art!  If you are interested, just email me at donald@donaldneff.com

The paintings are listed on Pinterest. Just click the image below–

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Back in the Saddle

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It had been quite some time since I last picked up my oil paints—early August, to be exact. We just returned from a trip to Europe, where I managed to just do one acrylic painting of the shores near Lerwick, Shetland Islands, from our cruise ship balcony. That painting wasn’t my best work, but it holds a special place as a personal souvenir from the trip.

Soon after we returned, I found myself in back-to-back events. On Saturday, I hosted a plein air demo with the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters (MBPAPA), and the following day, I painted as a guest artist at the Knights of the Vine annual gathering.

MBPAPA DEMO

The MBPAPA demo on Saturday went well. Although it was a somewhat gloomy day, with lots of grey, I painted for about two hours and I hope attendees got some value out of it! Below are some photos of the event. (Note: all these photos were taken by MBPAPA members and Airdropped to me, so I can’t remember who gave me what, so please speak up so I can give photo credit!)

Several members also took a video of much of the demo, which I combined and sped up 20 times.  (Again, I can’t remember who gave me which videos.)

The painting is only about half to 2/3 complete, so will finish it in the studio in the next few weeks. I’ll post the result when time comes.

KNIGHTS OF THE VINE

On Sunday, I was invited to the Knights of the Vine annual BBQ. For the past 30+ years they have had a party on the Sheltered Cove pier by the Beach & Tennis Club in Pebble Beach, CA. As is tradition, I painted live during the event, and the finished piece was auctioned off for charity. This was my third time being invited, and the experience never disappoints. It’s always a delightful day of painting, good food, and even better wine. You can see blogs from my last visits here and here.

The day started out a bit gloomy, but the sun made occasional appearances. I spent a little over two hours capturing Stillwater Cove and the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Course, using a touch of artistic license to bring more vibrancy to the light and colors. By the end, the painting found its way to the auction block and was sold during the event.

Here are a few photos to share from the day.

Shelter Cove, 9×12, oil on panel, plein air

So, I am back in the saddle again. Stay tuned for more adventures!

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480 Lighthouse

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Thrilled to announce that I’ve been invited to showcase three of my pieces in a new gallery in downtown Pacific Grove! They had a soft opening yesterday, and I’m sending them all my best for a successful journey ahead. I’m honored to be part of this vibrant new space!  

I don’t think their website is up yet, but hours are Sat 10a-5p, and other days 10a-3p.  Please stop by if you are near downtown Pacific Grove!!

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Keeper!

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It had been a couple months since I last painted with the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters. My last outing was at Rustique Winery (you can read about that adventure here).

This time, they were gathering at the breathtaking Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove, and as luck would have it, I needed to run an errand in the area—perfect timing to blend a little creativity with my to-do list. This State Beach’s name, meaning “a refuge by the sea,” perfectly captures the serene beauty of over 105 hidden acres, where lush forests meet the crashing surf and rolling sand dunes. It’s a true sanctuary of nature’s finest views.

The day was nothing short of spectacular! The sun was shining bright, with just a bit of wind, and the surf was gently rolling in. Painters were dotted along the coastline, each capturing the scenery in their own unique way. I couldn’t tell exactly how many of us were there, but it seemed like the usual group of 10-12 artists.

Here are a few snapshots from the day.

I spent a little over an hour immersing myself in the stunning coastal view translating it to canvas. Using a little artistic license, I made the wave bigger than the day’s surf, but have seen it that large many times before.  Normally, I’d refine the painting later in the studio, but this one feels just right as it is—a keeper!

Asilomar Study, 10×8, oil on panel, plein air

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Neither snow nor rain nor…

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“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

–US Postal Service

This steadfast creed of the US Postal Service could just as well apply to us plein air artists. We paint through the snow, rain showers, scorching heat, and even under the cover of night. Yet, there is one foe that makes our creative endeavors nearly impossible: WIND! And, of course, those pesky mosquitoes. But truly, the wind is our greatest adversary.

Yesterday, the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters gathered at Rustique Winery for a paint out. It was a gloriously sunny day—if you could overlook the relentless gusts of wind! Easels toppled, supplies scattered, and occasional chaos ensued. Determined to make the best of it, I set up shop in the back of my SUV, using the open door as a windbreak, as did several others. After a little more than an hour, I managed to complete a quick, bold-brushed sketch of the stunning vineyards and Salinas Valley landscape before packing up for afternoon commitments.

Here are some snapshots of our group in action.

As for my sketch, a brief critique reveals my mixed feelings. The middle ground composition suffers from unbroken, parallel lines, mirroring the scene too faithfully. The perspective feels slightly off, too. However, I’m fond of the background, particularly the misty essence of the Salinas Valley. This piece has potential, and I’m eager to refine it in the studio. It’s definitely a keeper!

BTW, I had recently visited Rustique Winery…and made this brief video of the area and above, which led to scheduling this paint out. The hills were quite greener then. In case you missed it—

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31st Carmel Art Festival

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The Carmel Art Festival in California is an annual event that transforms the picturesque seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea into a center of creativity and culture. Each May, this festival celebrates the magic of plein air painting, where artists capture the breathtaking coastal landscapes. seascapes,  and charming architecture of the area in just a few days. Visitors are treated to the thrill of watching artists bring scenes to life, bidding on exquisite art at auctions, and diving into a variety of engaging exhibitions and workshops.

I’ve been part of this artistic extravaganza nearly every year since 2006. In recent years, participating has become more convenient since we now live locally, eliminating the need for travel and accommodations—though those adventures were part of the charm! Artists have about two days to create at least two world-class paintings ready for sale.

Check-in was on Wednesday morning, where festival officials stamped the back of our canvases to ensure all paintings were freshly created within the two-day timeframe.

After my canvas was stamped, faced with morning gloom, I was uncertain about my first painting location. However, being halfway there, I ventured on to Garrapata State Park near Soberanes Point. Despite the overcast skies, a little artistic imagination brought the scene to life.

Next, I headed to Ft Ord Dunes State Beach. I walk there 3-5 times a week as it is near our home in Marina. Last year, a painting I created there won the People’s Choice Award and was featured as this year’s festival poster. Although I didn’t expect to capture lightning in a bottle twice, I hoped for a bit of the same magic by painting close to last year’s spot, yet capturing an entirely new scene.

Thursday morning was gloomy again, so I stayed in the studio to touch up and frame the previous day’s paintings. By early afternoon, I was off to Elkhorn Slough to create another piece.

The festival is not just about art—it’s a vibrant celebration with live music, gourmet food, and family-friendly activities, offering a rich and inclusive cultural experience that showcases the artistic heritage of the region. Since I won People’s Choice Award last year, my painting was the festival poster for this year. Here are a few photos of the festival.

Here are my three pieces for the show.

Elkhorn Reflections, 16×20, oil on canvas
Fort Ord Dunes, 12×16, oil on panel
Garrapata Morning, 12×24, oil on canvas

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Painting Hokkaido

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It had been five long years since we last visited our son in Sapporo, Japan. Not by choice, but because the pandemic threw a wrench in our plans. Japan, being one of the last countries to reopen after COVID, kept us apart. Thankfully, our son visited us during that time. But finally, we made it back to Sapporo.

I won’t turn this into a full travelogue, but I did bring my acrylic kit and managed to squeeze in a few paintings between our touring excursions and rain squalls around Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.

We made our base at the Sapporo Park Hotel, nestled next to Nakajima Park—my favorite spot in the city and conveniently close to our son’s apartment. I had painted in this park on our last trip to Sapporo. This time, we also ventured into other parts of Hokkaido. Here’s a few photos around Sapporo.

Our first excursion was to Furano, where my son’s girlfriend hails from. Furano, in the heart of Hokkaido, is famous for its breathtaking natural landscapes, especially the vibrant lavender fields that bloom in mid-summer, which unfortunately weren’t in bloom during our visit. When people asked what it reminded me of back in the States, it eventually clicked—Montana! Known as Big Sky Country, Montana has wide valleys framed by mountain ranges, similar to central Hokkaido, though some in Japan are volcanic. Here are a few photos from the trip, including the famous Blue Pond.

I managed to do one painting in Furano, capturing a view from one of the hilltop parks.

After returning to Sapporo, I did another painting in Maruyama Park, where a few cherry blossoms still clung to the trees,

Next, we headed to Hakodate via train. This historic port city in southern Hokkaido is rich in cultural heritage. Hakodate was Japan’s first city whose port was opened to foreign trade in 1854, and used to be the most important port in northern Japan. Hakodate blends modern attractions with historical sites, like the star-shaped Goryokaku Fort, now a public park and observation tower with panoramic views. The bustling wharf area brought to mind Cannery Row in Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. I didn’t get a chance to paint in Hakodate, as we were too busy soaking in the sights.

Back in Sapporo, finding time for one more painting in Nakajima Park, I sat on the same bench to paint as I did five years prior.

Too soon we headed back to our home in Marina, CA. It was time to get ready for the Carmel Art Festival. Stay tuned!

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Painting Old Monterey

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Participating in the second Monterey Art Museum Block Party, 25 artists of the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters came out for a good time. I randomly was chosen for the same location as last year. This year, I painted a short pathway between two of the buildings in Plaza Del Oro Gardens. Below are some photos of the day.

Here is the painting I came up with. I think it’s a keeper!

Hidden Path, 9×12, oil on panel

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