Old and Resting Farm

This scene is off Route 12 in Dixon. We were looking for some old farms or barns and came across this falling down building. It was difficult to get my arms around the scene. After several sketches I decided to paint a long view. Just a small hint of the delapidated structure can be seen. It was 'hurry up' once I started painting and it dried quickly. I just got through it before our group moved on. There is something that happens when you are rushed. Some brush stroke may be too wide or off target. The values may be off. As you look at it, new ideas arise. I love these accidents.

Dixon Farmland

Our group went to the farms of Dixon this morning. The sun was bright and the early chill burned off. We found this irrigation ditch that was having a bridge built. The gates of the dam were just being lifted. A great waterfall erupted but it was soon over. There are many of these ditches throughout the flatlands of Dixon and they are key to raising crops. I liked the sweep of the banks and the rocks lining the sides. A distant barn can be seen along with some green eucalyptus trees. The sky was streaked but I chose to put in some small clouds instead of white streaks.

Reeds and Muddy Water

Our plein air venture this morning took us just off Rt 113 east of Dixon. The hills were dry and yellow. The vernal ponds of spring are long gone along with their colorful flowers. This slough was the only water and only bit of green nearby. The eucalyptus trees are dull green and the banks of the slough are brown with reeds. Standing above the slough on a bridge, I tried my skill at painting the many reed islands. The blue sky added just a hint of blue water which was otherwise, muddy. The water was shallow and calm. I used a dry brush technique on the reeds but it was difficult to differentiate reeds. I rewet after drying and scraped some lines with my palate knife to indicate reeds. A trucker stopped and wondered whether I was fishing salmon. Not sure I would eat any fish out of this muddy water.

Downtown Collinsville, CA

Our group painted in Collinsville this morning. Some painters were on the levee but I chose to look back at the town. The town ends at the levee. All morning there was a single pickup truck that passed me checking what the gathering was all about. Pretty quiet place but lots to paint. I was attracted to the palm trees that seem to be windblown. All of the houses (and there are not many) are raised up off the ground because of flooding. This info came from that lone pickup truck driver who came to check me out. It is always good to talk to the locals.