Rough Patch

Was at a familiar spot for some painting but it was really different. Pretty neglected and the sheep were scratching to find grass. Must be new owners, hard times, on extended vacation?

Winter Morning at the Bypass

It was cold and damp by my standards. It had rained for several days and a break, was predicted. I went to the the Bypass where lots of birds gather during their migration. The water levels were high. The unpaved road had mud and lots of water filled holes. The sky was bleak with some fog. I painted for nearly two hours before the rain started. I quickly packed up my gear and drove out. There is little satisfaction from blaming the weather forecaster.

Suisun Marsh

. Our group painted on a beautiful Wed morning just below Suisun, CA. After getting very lost, I found the group and had an hour to paint before lunch. There is nothing like having few choices to get a painting done. First, a value study and then the painting. With the warm sun the paper easily dried. When I painted the reflections on the water, I carefully sprayed some additional water and let the paint run. At that point everyone was finished and ready for lunch.

A Rushing River

This painting of the Herring River was done while the water was rushing out. Often the kayakers get caught going up the river with the tide and then face the incoming tide and it is tough paddling. The wind picked up while painting and I hurried to finish. I wound up with a bold painting which happens when rushed to finish.

Backyard Moorings

A sunny morning for a change. This is a high rent district in West Harwich where many of the homes have their boat moored in their backyard. They can get out to the Atlantic with a few turns. Pretty nice. It was a nice morning with the fish jumping and the birds diving. We are into September and the mornings are warm with humidity but the nights are cool once the sun goes down. In this painting I moved things around so that a path led to the boat and the dappled path disappears and reappears. All the boats were white so I changed one to red. Fun to be an artist.

Cape Cod Lighthouse

. This is a painting of the Town of Barnstable. It is a place close to Hyannis and has a light house. There are many light houses on the cape and they are maintained. They played an important role in early navigation but now with GPS they are not needed. I liked this photo and and painted it. There is something about lighthouses and their importance. The one in Chatham is also a Coast Guard station which would not be a bad assignment.

Fog and Damp on Herring River

We were out painting before the fog lifted. Instead of clearing it wavered between more fog and less. The dampness actually helped the painting since none of the lines were sharp. I did get cold and had no extra clothes to put on. With a shaky hand I dropped my rigger brush and it went right between the dock boards into the water. Couldn’t do that again with a lot of tries. Color appeared with nearer objects. The trees were so dark in the distance that I mixed my greens with violet and Paynes grey. It was challenging but I learned something about painting in fog on location.

Stage Harbor Moorings

This Wednesday 6 painters found Stage Harbor in Chatham. The sun peeked out a few times but the morning remained mostly cloudy. I thought of painting the sky but when the top became blue, I imagined the sky would clear. There were plenty of boats moored so I chose one of each from commercial fishing to an idyllic sailing yacht. Most finished up painting in a couple of hours. The oil painters complained but had a good start. There are plenty of paintings to be done in this area and we will be back.

Saquatucket Harbor, Harwich Port

This is the harbor on a Wed. morning. The ferry to Nantucket has departed and the fishing boats are heading out. I chose to paint the buildings and lot. This was just completed this year and has the Harbor Master, art sheds, and an eatery which I included in the painting. The art sheds sell T-shirts along with small items. One organizes trips for kids to try ocean fishing. Our Grandkids loved this trip. No catches but plenty of excitement, especially when they pulled up the lobster trap with live lobster and sea crabs. The sun was out and I did not bring an umbrella meaning I needed a location with shade.

Red River Beach at Morning

We painted at the very end of Red River Beach. Lots of early morning exercisers turning around and heading back. The view of the dune is North with the shadows of Chatham in the distance. There was no sun. A father and sun chased a frisbee on the beach. It was quiet. The sand was recently cleaned and was so smooth. I added the sailboats for balance and some life. I like the quiet mornings whether it is painting or clamming.

Cape Cod Tornado Cleanup

This painting is from my mind. For a week we awaken to chainsaw and chipper racket as the cleanup continues from our tornado. Every chipper in New England must be here. The big trucks roll by and my little 2y/o grandson is out waving and pointing to the 'bigggg truck'. The roads are open and electricity is back. I've wanted to paint the scene but could not find a spot to set up. I did some sketches of uprooted trees and used them along with imagination.

Morning Fog Over Nantucket

. This was a challenge to try to keep a band of low fog and also show sun on buildings not in the fog. We see lots of low fog here on Cape Cod. I did a painting of Nantucket Harbor years ago and simply washed out a section with a strong spray bottle. This painting is more abstract or whimsical, whereas I was more real with that one.

Cape Cod Lavender Farm

. This little place is tucked into the woods in Harwich on Cape Cod. We were there before the visitors this morning and other than bugs, it is a good place for painting. Everyone is busy with new shipments that have to be unloaded outside and brought in because of dirt roads. Most of the lavender fields have been harvested but there is plenty else. This cabin is the main office.

Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival

. Off this AM to my assigned location to paint. This is day 2 of the festival for Master Gardeners. The morning was hot and crowded with attendees. All wearing a hydrangea in their hat. I had to find some shade and painted in front of the house. Little did I know that I would be the parking attendant. Every slowed and asked me where to park. It was fun. I am not a floral painter but was impressed with the flowers at the site.

Wednesday Paint Out on Cape Cod

This harbor is probably the most photographed place in Harwich. There is a road sign telling motorists that a photo place is ahead. There is a turn out and lots of people stop. I have painted many angles of this Wychmere Harbor over the years. Today our group of 5 turned up and we're painting. Everything built here is white and grey. It is difficult to vary from that in terms of value study. I used color to shade that matched the values and exaggerated water color of the bay. I wanted to be abstract but only ventured a little but was happy with the result. It was a beautiful day for painting.

Breakfast on the Porch

Joined up with a group of plein air painters in Harwich. We were invited to paint at one of the artist’s houses. It had a very leafy green yard which was pleasantly comfortable with plants just growing. The weather is perfect. I couldn’t wait to get out painting, although there is so much to do getting my house ready for family. I was not happy with this painting as I tried to develop a focal area. Everything seems crowded as it was but I would chose only a few plants if I were to do it again. I did leave a lot of the building out but it still feels tight. Well, I will get better as I find all of my gear and get settled in.

Hot Fields and Farm Roads

Our group visited a very rural site with gravel roads and old barns. It was windy and very sunny. I did several value paintings of the barns and hills but couldn't put together a painting. When I got home I painted from my sketches and added some additional trees and trucks to fill in a rather bleak landscape. The barns were right on the crest of the hill and the land was just dried yellow grasses.

Shady River Spot

. We all knew that the day would be hot. Our group traveled to Winters and Putah Creek where there was shade and a river running by. It was hot and as soon as you sweat the flies and bugs zero in. I did a couple of sketches and a value study and then settled in and painted this scene. The hills are very high and my focus was on the rocks. I left the background a mix of greens without boning out anything definitive. I think that it worked.

Country Road

. The days are hot and on Wed. we were all looking for shade. I did a number of value studies and then this quick sketch and painting in a wet into wet technique. It was dry very quickly so I could add the detail in a darker value. I wanted the mail box to be a focus and now see that it needs more contrast to make it pop.

Walnut Planters

. Last week was the Plein air Festival in Winters, CA. Winters is a wonderful venue for an artist. They have mountains, hills, barns, and a bustling downtown. Everything is there and I have painted in these events for the past 10 years. It does attract lots of artists. I was brought to this home high in the hills and looking out saw this planting activity. The hills were all carefully groomed and cross hatched for planting. Now, they don't plant walnuts but dig little holes for seedlings to be planted. The men walk the acres of field with shovels and then return later planting the little seedlings. The hills of Winters are usually blue but after all of the rains they are still with some greenery. It was a perfect background for me.

Capay Farm

In the spring the Yolo Art/Ag printout was in Capay across from the Cash Creek Casino. The grounds were manicured and immaculate. A barn with a rusted roof and an old rusted truck caught my eye so I put them together in this painting. It seems as though I've been painting a lot of corrugated barn roofs so I added lots of bends and waves to this one and left out the rust. I mixed some grey with ultramarine blue and orange. I made my rust with burnt Sienna and new gamboge. There also was some cobalt blue added to darken some areas.

Tule Ranch with Rose Colored Glasses

. Our Wednesday group was out to Tule Ranch today. A very large 'umbrella' barn greeted us with a windmill nearby. There was solitude as we chose our painting spots. My value study was done quickly as the roof of the barn is clear to the grassy area in places. The sky was blue and the large roof was full of rust. I tried but didn't like my painting so glazed over it with transparent color. It changes it from a harsh rusted scene to the abstract. Maybe I'll do more of this. Watercolor is wonderful in its transparency.

Quick Visit to the Muse

I have not been painting because lots of projects have popped up and taken more time than anticipated. Isn't that always the case? The Davis train station has always been my go to when I need a jump start. It was late afternoon when I set up my easel and then started paining right away. It was hurry up from the beginning. After an hour or so, my phone went off and away I went. This was my painting and I just added the shadows of the people when I looked at it today. Sometimes I find some good things happen with rushed painting. I have been painting but it has been chairs and doors. Lots of plein air coming up with good weather and groups.

CURIOUS

. A sunny day and we went to paint wild flowers. They were disappointing. Very few and with the grasses so high from all our rain, it was difficult to paint. We were looking for carpets of wild flowers. After attempting a few sketches, I left the flowers and did this landscape which included the tree. After getting home and looking at it I added a cow for interest. We have that license.

Sunny and 70

The rain stopped and the sun came out on Saturday. This is the road to Valley Oak Wool Mill which was an Art Ag paint out site. There was an excellent turnout for the event. Most of us couldn't wait to get out and paint. Sunshine, warm air and plenty of artists gets the juices flowing. We got a tour of the woolen mill which was interesting. I did a quick value sketch and between greetings with many artist friends, got this painting done. Just a perfect morning.

Abstract Lightening Fish

. We focused on abstract art for the final two weeks of the course. There were lots of questions as most of us are representational painters. There is plenty of bias so those concerns were opened. Once we started, everyone seemed to enjoy the exercise. This is a painting started with 11 random dots that need connections. The comments that interested me were that people felt they were never finished. They kept returning to the dots and adding to the painting. I also had the experience.

Snow and Birch Trees

I have been teaching this past month and it has been so enjoyable. We have been dealing with snow by doing paintings of snowy mountains and the birch tree. There were some wonderful paintings done on these themes by the class. The birch tree is always a favorite. It has the contrast of a soccer ball with its black and white color. My demonstration was off balance so I added a small child with a sled to create some informal balance.

Sunshine and Painting Again

. It was a Wednesday without rain and our group met at the Berryessa Dam in Winters, CA. The water level is high with the 'Glory Hole' sucking down water. There was wind so we just went around the mountain and set up in the sunshine, shielded from the wind. We had a large group as everyone was suffering cabin fever. The greens are lush and the site was fun to paint. I did a quick value study and then had what I wanted for a composition. I found myself low in green paint as I had not checked my palate, so had to mix colors for my greens. Always a challenge but always surprised at the results.

Capay Valley Ranches

. This painting was done under adverse conditions. It was cold with a strong wind. I bungeed my paint palate to the easel to keep from blowing away. Wind is definitely the worst condition for painting. Usually I find something to duck behind but out on this hill nothing worked. I danced around to keep warm and kept putting my hands in my pockets to warm them. I finally gave up, got into my car with my stuff and drove off. Finished the painting at home. It is a beautiful place and even returned a second time to do a painting.

Copay Valley Ranches

. This is a beautiful ranch. The trees are starting to blossom. Birds are chattering. Great vistas are everywhere you look. The hill trees and lake are still and look cold. That's because I am cold painting on a hillside early on a February morning with no sun. It is Art&Ag's first printout of the year. We have unusual low temperatures for this time of year. It is unfortunate because this place is the most picturesque ranch I have been to for painting over the years. I was here two days ago to paint and have not finished that piece. It was cold and windy with no place to hide. I painted with a large oak tree behind to be a shield. I gave up after 2 hours. If only the sun would come out and create shadows and light.

Little House on Campus

Finally, the weather cooperated for our painting group. The forecast called for rain so we chose a site close by in case it was wrong. The morning turned out chilly but no rain. The sun was bright and this little yellow house on the University campus just jumped out wanting to be painted. It was on the airport road so I had a few visitors while painting and that was a good distraction. I also worried about someone practicing take-0ffs and landings at the University airport. All of which kept me from thinking about being cold. As Californians we don't often deal well with weather issues. I just returned from the warm sunny coast of Mexico. The contrast with painting here is how long it takes paper to dry with these cold temperatures.

Should We Eat?

. This quick watercolor sketch was done from my patio. I complained that I gained 6 lbs from a week at an all inclusive Mexican resort but I had plenty of company. There were many eating places to choose from. Sitting at the beach brought waiters taking orders for food or drink. When traveling, any discipline is lost. Too many foods to taste and too little time.

Wychmere

Plenty of rain is continuing so I am indoors looking for something to paint. Found this sketch that I have painted many times over the years. There is no order to my collections of sketches, so I can spend hours looking for something I remember doing. It is the excitement of discovery. I painted from this sketch with an emphasis on values. It is a morning scene and the little harbor is not filled with its usual hundreds of boats. I was not as concerned with color as with contrast in value. As a result, I was never sure of when I was finished. I could always find something to alter, but stopped after a couple of changes.

A Visit to the Davis Train Station

. Returning from a vacation means getting restarted. There are always many things to attend to and they always assume priority. In order to jump start my painting, there is my muse, the train station. I paint it often and it works. We have recently had plenty of rain, so I photographed this between rain showers and waited for the sun. It was on and off with the black clouds but the sun did appear briefly and I caught it. The painting was done in my studio. I did exaggerate values, painted no black thunderheads and I like it.

Puerta Vallarta Old Town

Just returned from Mexico and am 6 lbs heavier. Great all inclusive place that means you are never without something to eat or drink. Reality is going to Old Town. Plenty of trinkets and taco stands. It was hot with lots of people milling around. A tour group even stopped and took pictures of me. I found this alleyway down to the beach. Set up in some shade and quickly painted this. I couldn't finish it as it got very busy and my shade was gone. It is a reminder of an exciting place.

Solitude

. A friend just returned from Aruba. His wife took a photo of him on this very sandy beach just gazing out to sea. The clouds did look somewhat stormy. I painted from the photo adding a lot of light along with editing the original lineup of chairs. By putting the subject in the white chair and showing his head and arm backlit, I found a focal point. I also made the cast shadows from palm trees point to the focal area. I love the softness of the clouds and think that this is only possible with watercolor.

The Sketch Crawl

It was a chilly Wed morning so we did a sketch crawl through South Davis. Each stop was 20 min. These are 3 of the 6 sketches I did. The others had no color so were not included. The few chickens in one painting represented probably 50-100 that thought we were going to feed them. The tractor was in a yard with a very angry dog that would not stop barking. (20 min. is a long time to bark.) The painting with 2 trucks was near a pasture with 20-30 cattle. The cattle quickly moved off to a very distant green field as soon as I started sketching. None the less, it was a good day. Quick sketching results in surprising things; quick decisions on colors, edits, composition and missing cattle. I need more workouts to pick up speed.

Birches and Snow

I attended a presentation by the Daniel Smith Watercolor representative and given the colors to test, I did a birch tree in snow. The Daniel Smith colors are very nice but I wondered how the colors on my palate would compare. One gets used to making colors by mixes so I tried a full scene.That is what you see here. Birches are like soccer balls in terms of contrasting values and easily become a focus. Snow is white paper where the sun hits and shades of blue where shadows or contours occur. I do see a difference in the water. This is a stream and should be very cold, hence, dark blue. I'm not sure that I captured that as well as the Daniel Smith color of Mayan Blue did. I can tweak it some more.