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.

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.

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.

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.

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.