plein air

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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The Third Layer is the Charm

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This painting began life as a plein air piece I did for the 2019 Carmel Art Festival. It was quite a rainy week, and I painted it from the Marina State Beach parking lot between rain squalls. Painting out of the back of my SUV, I was in and out of the car as the rain kept coming and going throughout the morning. Here’s a few pictures (click to see entire picture)–

The painting didn’t sell at the festival, in fact it was a bad year for sales as the setup was different with not much light on my pieces, and it was raining off and on the entire time.

I never was entirely satisfied with the piece, as I didn’t like the clouds. Some time later, I tried touching the clouds up in the studio, but still wasn’t satisfied with the result.

The last few weeks has seen some dramatic skies in our area, just like what was happening 5 years prior during the Carmel Art Festival. A few days ago, some clouds were drifting by just like what I wanted to see in the painting. So, I repainted the clouds from my back yard. I guess you could call this a plein air painting layered on a studio painting layered on a plein air painting!

Below are the two paintings, the original on the left, and the just completed refurbishing on the right.

BEFORE
AFTER

Monterey Bay Squall, 24×12, oil on canvas

Now, the big question is, should I put a seagull or two back in the new version??

BTW, at the time, we had thought about moving to the area, but didn’t realize in six months we would be in a new home just a few miles away from this location!

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Elkhorn Morning

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Elkhorn Slough, nestled along the central coast of California, is a short drive from our home in Marina. Its tranquil waters wind through marshes, mudflats, and tidal creeks, offering refuge to a rich array of wildlife, including otters, seals, numerous bird species, and vibrant marine life.

I had been wanting to get out and paint some of the wondrous skies between a series of storms which have been hitting the central California coast, so went out this morning to Elkhorn.

It was wonderful just sitting and enjoying the peaceful sounds of the estuary residents. Not many homo sapiens were around. The wide variety of waterfowl were constantly coming and going, diving for food, and playing in the water. Sea otters swam and dove for their morning meal.

I took some artistic liberty in the skies, painting the sky as it looked closer to sunrise before I got there. I plan on adding a few details and touchup in the studio, and when done will publish an official photo. Below are a few photos of the morning.

UPDATE:

Here is the final piece after just a little touchup in the studio. I added just a bit to the clouds, and detailed some of the fence lines

Elkhorn Morning, 12×16, oil on board, plein air

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La Quete – Ten Years

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The quest started 10 years ago today as a simple idea. I didn’t even know if I would, or even could finish it.  After all, it was a commitment for a year.  

I didn’t know if it would turn out worthwhile, or just a stack of sticky panels for the scrap heap.  I didn’t know if anything would be interesting or worth looking at.  

I didn’t know I would eventually paint ghost towns in Silicon Valley, or haunted springs, or wild beaver sign in a metropolitan city, or the worlds largest homeless camp, or the world’s first ‘plein air selfie’.  

I didn’t know it would snowball in scope and public interest way beyond my first simple idea.  Little did I know it would be featured on NBCTV, and other TV spots, articles by major publications, multiple showings in various venues, and a book.  

I didn’t know eventually strangers would walk up to me, give me a hug, and say I brought back their fond childhood memories of days gone by in the “Valley of Hearts Delight’.  

Ten years ago today, I started a year-long quest to paint a different “Creek and River of Silicon Valley” each week en plein air, or on location.

At the time, even finishing the year successfully was not known, but I ended up with 60 paintings of 43 different creeks all over the South San Francisco Bay area.  Discover about the quest, including a short documentary video, interactive map, and other information here.

The collection of 60 paintings is still intact and will be for the foreseeable future.  I am still seeking venues both local, national, and international for showings, so inquiries are welcome!

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Painting Iceland

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We recently did a cruise in the North Sea on the NCL Prima, visiting Iceland, Norway, England, and several other countries.  As usual, I took a small acrylic paint kit with me in case there was a break in our busy itinerary and I had time to paint.  The opportunity only presented itself a few times.  

I won’t go into a travelog of the trip, but you can see a preview/trailer of a video I produced here—

I did produce a full movie over an hour long, but is held private.  If interested in seeing it, please email me (donald@donaldneff.com), or private message me and I will send you the URL.

Due to a last minute change in the cruise port schedule we stayed in Akureyri, Iceland for two days, and it gave me the opportunity to do a couple paintings from our cruise ship cabin balcony.  The first was the hillside opposite our ship in port. The layers of various colors and rock strata were intriguing.

The second was from the same location, but looking up the Eyjafjörður fjord.

I also started one painting from our balcony while docked in Geiranger, Norway, which was the most spectacular scene, but didn’t have a lot of time, so left it unfinished.

Since we returned, I have been doing a number of small works from the trip for my annual Holiday Sale, which will be in my next weblog!

Stay tuned!!

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Paintin’ n’ Dronin’ at Rocky Point

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Rocky Point is a captivating gem nestled along the dramatic Big Sur coastline in California. A restaurant (currently closed) stands over this rugged promontory offering breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean  with majestic cliffs, weathered rocks, and crashing waves that create a mesmerizing symphony of nature. 

I joined the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters for a paint out at the point last Wednesday.  It was an unusually clear and warm day as we have had somewhat of a ‘heat wave’ here in the Monterey Bay area.  

Enjoy this short video painting along the spectacular Big Sur coastline.  Be sure to turn the volume up!

Here is my painting after a couple hours work.  Still needs a little something…I am not sure I like all the juniper trees on the left hand side.

Rocky Point Study, 9×12, oil on board

BTW, I forgot to write a weblog about our August trip and painting in Iceland and Norway, so look for another weblog soon.

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2023 Carmel Art Festival

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“The Carmel Art Festival in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, is an extraordinary celebration of artistic talent and the beauty of the coastal landscape. Every year, this renowned event brings together artists and art enthusiasts from around the world to showcase and appreciate a diverse range of artistic expressions. With its charming streets and stunning ocean views, Carmel-by-the-Sea serves as the perfect backdrop for this captivating festival. Visitors can immerse themselves in a vibrant atmosphere filled with creativity, as they explore the exceptional artworks on display, engage with the artists, and participate in various interactive events. The Carmel Art Festival is a true testament to the profound impact of art, fostering inspiration and forging connections between artists and the local community.”

— ChatGPT

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Carmel Art Festival, and instead of jurying in participants, they invited past award winners for the show.  I have won a number of awards over the years, so I was automatically in, but it was certainly going to be a pretty stiff competition!  As it turned out, about 40 past award winners opted in, so they juried another 20 artists for a total of 60.

I have been participating the the Carmel Art Festival about every year since 2006.  There have been ups and downs both in sales, and awards, but is always a rewarding experience.    This year, since we live near Carmel, I didn’t need to travel, stay in a motel, and had the convenience of my home studio where I could do final touchup and framing, etc.

Day 1 – Wednesday May 17

During a competition/show like this, you have a number of days to create paintings which are then sold or auctioned off. At the start of the event, the painting surfaces, such as canvases or panels, are stamped or marked to verify that all artwork is created within the designated time frame. After checking in Wednesday morning, and having my canvases stamped, I headed down the Big Sur Coast for my first painting.  I had spotted a scene last week near Rocky Creek Bridge while on a Harley ride, which looked inviting to paint.  It was overcast, but clearing, and hoped the coastline would be sunny.  Well, it wasn’t, but the fog drifted in and out, sometimes totally blocking the scene, but occasionally the sun did break through which gave me enough to complete the painting.  

Next stop was Ft Ord Dunes State Park, a familiar location, not far from our house, which I walk by 2-3 times a week on our coastal dunes walking.  I did a studio painting of the scene several years ago, but never a plein air on location.  It was still overcast, but the sun peeked out occasionally.

Last stop for the day, was Del Monte Beach, where I started a nocturne of Monterey Bay with the town of Monterey in the background.  Again, I did a studio painting of this several years ago, but never a plein air.

It was an exhausting day, but I got 3 paintings near completion.

Day 2 – Thursday May 18

It was foggy and overcast again, so I spent the morning touching up the prior day’s pieces.  In the afternoon, I ventured out, and went to Pacific Grove to paint the coastal ice plant…always a favorite among collectors.   I only got about half done with the piece, and eventually decided not to put it in the show.  I’ll go back at a later date and finish it as I liked the scene, light, and colors.

Day 3 – Friday May 19

We had to deliver our just completed paintings to the festival by 2 pm, so I spent the morning framing, photographing, and prepping the three pieces. Here are the three paintings I entered in the show. Click on each one to see a larger, more complete version.

Monterey Twilight, 16×20, oil on canvas
Ft Ord Dunes, 12×24, oil on canvas
Rocky Creek Vista, 12×16, oil on board

After delivery to the show in downtown Carmel, it was home to get ready for the afternoon and evening activities.  Returning to the show, found out I was honored with People’s Choice award for the Ft Ord Dunes painting, and it sold right away!  The collectors run a gallery in Texas, and since I spent my formative years in Texas, we immediately made a connection!

That evening, a VIP event was hosted with wine and small plates served. I had invited a few friends/collectors to celebrate with us, and it was a delightful evening.

Day 4 & 5 – May 20-21

The next two days of the show were fairly uneventful as I only stopped by occasionally to see how things were going. All-in-all, it was a great event, and a great, but tiring time!

Stay tuned.  Next show is at the John Steinbeck Museum!

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Salinas Valley Morning

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Salinas Valley, California, is a picturesque region known for its rich agricultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. Stretching from the rugged Santa Lucia Mountains to the fertile agricultural fields, Salinas Valley is often referred to as the “Salad Bowl of the World” due to its extensive production of lettuce, strawberries, and other crops. The region’s mild Mediterranean climate, fertile soil, and abundant water supply make it an ideal location for farming. Salinas Valley is also famous for being the birthplace and inspiration for renowned American author John Steinbeck, who vividly depicted the region’s landscape and agricultural lifestyle in his novels, capturing its unique charm and character. With its blend of agricultural productivity and scenic vistas, Salinas Valley is a captivating destination for visitors and a vital agricultural hub in California.

The above was generated by ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence application which has been getting a lot of buzz on the internet.

The Salinas Valley is only a few miles from our home in Marina. Last Tuesday, I went out to East Garrison, a new housing development in the old Ft Ord, just minutes away, to paint the Sailnas Valley.  The area has expansive views from the bluffs overlooking the valley.  With our record breaking wet winter, wildflowers were in abundance from California Poppies to blue Lupin. I had in mind an upcoming show which I already had a piece or two lined up to enter, but wanted something more in line of the theme of the show.  I’ll talk about the show in a later blog (if I get in), and as yet, not even sure I will enter this painting. 

It started out as a cloudy, hazy morning, and as I painted for a couple hours, the sun finally broke through.  

Salinas Valley Morning, 9×12, oil on panel

Here are a few more pictures of the day after the sun came out.

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