An Old Barn

. The morning sun was shining and our group traveled out to farm lands east of Davis. As you can see from the photo this barn was not much and was quite distant in a large field. I set my easel up and did a value study trying to decide if should go any further. Everyone else was settled in with various trees and roads, so I decided to paint, making several changes. This is the warmest weather (74) we've had this month and I was very comfortable. I love painting old barns and bone yards. We have lots of them to practice on. If they are not old looking, I know how to transform them and give them some aging.

Plein Air Painting on Old Davis Road/Becker, Davis

. It was a beautiful morning. Our group came looking for an old barn. Actually, there were several old barns, barking dogs, lots of junk, eg. cars, tractors, sheds, etc. on the site. Sunflowers were farmed last year and the field was ready for planting. I did several sketches and added and eliminated until I finally found something for painting. I sketched more on my watercolor paper and then even added more while painting the scene. It was one of those days. Warm, sunny with just a little wind. No-one around other than our group. I should have taken a photo, since the painting is very different with my additions and rearrangements. It was fun to fuss with the painting and hope that I didn't do too much. I've always lived with the rule that watercolor painting is like golf; the fewest strokes wins.

Tornado Cleanup 2019

. A tornado came in from the ocean and hit Harwich on Cape Cod. We had the warning but couldn't believe it until we heard the screaming wind and retreated to the basement. It was over quickly but the cleanup lasted. The chain saws and grinders greeted us every morning. Every tree and arborist in New England seemed to land on Cape Cod and worked throughout the summer. I didn't have to go far to sketch the damage. I did some paintings plein air. Recently, I saw a painting done on a full sheet in watercolor that reminded me of my sketches. I couldn't wait to paint another from my sketches.

Mexican Seaside

. This morning I was visiting a large marina to paint some boats. In setting up I tried to find shade from he hot sun. Under a large palm I found myself facing this little enclave jutting out into the bay. I did this painting in an hour and then went off then to paint sailboats. I did attract visitors who were also walking under the palm trees. We had a lot in common, since everyone was on vacation and looking for something to do.

Marival in Puta Mita, Mexico

Away for a week and returned 7Lbs heavier. That by itself, tells you how good it was. Marival is a new resort with wonderful staff and 5 class restaurants. I can cook and consider myself a food critic. This was the real thing. I avoided all inclusive resort until 3 yrs ago. This was really amazing with someone always making sure I had something to drink or eat, during all my waking hours. I lose all self-discipline at ‘all inclusives’. They maybe on the New Years list of resolutions next year? This plein air painting was done from my balcony. These wonderful palapa buildings are high above the beach. They are huge. The ocean is pretty calm in this bay but with plenty of whale activity. I tried painting the resort from several areas but quit early when food and drink arrived.

Spring Run of Putah Creek

. Just back from Mexico and out with my Plein air painters. This morning is warm, about 60 degrees, and the hills are green. The trees are not yet budding but it won't be long. These are perfect conditions for painting. The sun creates some shadows as well as rim lighting on some tree limbs. The water is running fast as it is coming down from the dam just up the canyon. Ducks even appear every so often.