I just received a flyer via email from the producers of the upcoming Los Gatos Plein Air. I hope a lot of the ‘locals’ will see the show which is May 28-30, 2009. Of note is they used my painting in the flyer from their last show in 2004…
Lost Gatos Plein Air Flyer Read More »
Much of the artwork for the Nomadas Del Arte show is now up on the Southwest Gallery website. Each artist had a year to paint two plein air paintings for the show opening in Dallas in a couple of weeks. I hear some paintings have already sold! Both of my works are of Lake Tahoe. Looks like it will be a really good show You can see it here. My two paintings are below–
Tahoe Inlet * 12*16 * Oil on panel
I just received word I was accepted into this national plein air show, now the fourth year in a row. The first year I entered, I was honored with Best In Oils, but nothing since. This makes two plein air shows I will be participating in May, the Los Gatos Plein Air May 28-30, and this one, May 14-17. Below is a picture I did last year for the Carmel Show.
First Rays * 12×24 * Oil
Carmel Art Festival Read More »
“It was a dark and stormy night”…yes it was when I drove over to the the Touch My HeART, artists reception tonight. An unusual California downpour drenched everything on my drive. When I arrived at the event, I was amazed by the line out the door and the crowd to get in. It was the biggest crowd I have seen at any of the Los Gatos charity events.
I donated 3 miniatures and they told me ahead of time I was honored with 2nd place…so, just a few picts.
Touched by MyHeart Read More »
I just returned from the Seasons of Martis plein air event. Rather than detail the entire trip day by day, I’ll just throw in a few pictures of my 5 day trip to the Lake Tahoe area.
After checking in on Wednesday, I headed out to the Truckee River to do a painting. I ended up painting close to Patricia Wallis, another participant in the show–
Below is my easel by the Truckee–
Below is the completed Truckee painting. This is just a quick snapshot and I will try to get a better photo on my website–
The next morning I headed over to Waddle Ranch. The gate is normally locked, but they unlocked it so we artists could paint the area. It was very windy, so I huddled right next to the car–
Below is my partially completed painting on the easel–
Friday morning I went out on Mt Watson road which had a magnificent view of the valley–
Below is a quick snapshot of the painting–
The clouds rolled in Friday afternoon, and snow was predicted for later in the day, so I retreated to the motel to do touch-ups and framing.
I ended up entering just two of the four paintings in the show, the Truckee River painting and the view from Mt Watson road. There was a reception on Saturday night, but I forgot to bring my camera.
I had Sunday morning free, so went out and painted the lake. It was probably my best painting of the trip, but the show didn’t allow paintings of Lake Tahoe…just Martis Valley–
Below is a shot of the show on Sunday afternoon–
I just received a copy of the poster for the upcoming Seasons of Martis event which I am honored to participate in this October. Below is the poster. You can get more information from their website here.
Today is the Carmel Art Festival‘s exhibit and sale. I had two paintings in the exhibit, shown in my last entry. There were lots of great paintings in the show. I am lucky to say I was in very good company!
The crowds were quite thin, though. My guess is less than half the number of people showed up relative to the past few years. At one time they had canceled this years show due to the economy, but then decided to go ahead with it. Sales also seemed slow, which I don’t think surprised anybody. Unlike past years when my works were bid up quite high, this year I sold only one of the two.
Below are a few shots of the show. First is ‘yours truly’ by my two paintings–
A couple shots of the exhibit–
After the festival ended for the day, Sandy-by-the-Sea held a reception and show for me and Stephen Sanfilippo. Here are a couple shots–
Carmel Art Festival Day 3 Read More »
I had started four paintings so far, wasn’t really satisfied with any of them, although one just needed a little touch-up and would be good enough for the show.
Today, it was down to business!! I was up at the crack of dawn, and decided to drive down the Big Sur coast until I saw something that grabbed me. After about 10 miles, I rounded a bend, over a hill and before me was a stunning view. The sun had just peaked over the coastal mountain range, and was bathing a field with light. The distant hills were also seeing the first touch of light. Below is the scene.
I set my easel up right by the road with my SUV to shield me from traffic and the morning sun. Below is the setup and the almost finished painting.
The painting turned out great…I think one of my best plein air to date.
I continued down the coast to another spot and did another painting in the late morning.
After that, it was back to the motel to touch everything up, frame them, and drop the two works off at the show. Below are a couple quick snapshots of the paintings I entered.
Carmel Art Festival Day 2 Read More »
Today is the official start of the Carmel Art Festival. We have two days to come up with two plein air paintings which will be auctioned on Saturday. The weather looked to be great the entire several days. The last couple years it had been mainly foggy and rainy!
I had gotten my canvas stamped the night before, and went out to paint a little at Point Lobos in the setting sun. I didn’t get very far, but was back at it when the preserve opened this morning. I ran into a number of others out painting. Below are a few photos of the day…
A partially finished painting on the easel by Bluefish Cove in Point Lobos–
Michael Allison out painting along the same trail–
Cathy Boyer also painting nearby–
Site of my second painting–
My second painting on the easel.
I decided to head down the coast and start another painting at a favorite spot in Garrapata State Park. Too soon the sun was gone, and time to head back to the motel. I had started four paintings and finished none so far!
Carmel Art Festival Day 1 Read More »
I just received an email that I am once again accepted into this plein air show. Last year was their inaugural year, and although a fun event, it seemed the show was put together quite hurriedly. This year, it looks much, much different! Entry was juried by several of the top plein air artists in the country, Jean Stern and Kevin MacPherson; they are hosting a ticketed cocktail party and auction; judges for the event are Craig Mitchell and Zee Zee Mott…etc.
Last year I was honored with the People’s Choice Award, shown below.
