Painting on the UCDavis Arboretum

It is Wednesday which is about the only day that is different for me. We have a small group that goes plein air painting on Wed. For the past month we have explored many areas of the beautiful arboretum on the UCDavis Campus. We freely park and move about and then join up to show our paintings. It is a group that has been together for a long time. We keep our social distance and were face covers when together. Today we were in the Redwood section. The sun was out for awhile with a chill in the air. We have been in the 90's over the past week. I paint quickly and have been experimenting with rather abstract landscapes. I do not bone out details of branches, leaves or most shrubs. My second painting was rather blah when I looked at it so I used gouache on the two foreground trees. I like the result although I only have the 3 primary colors in gouache and find mixing difficult. I doubt I will be using it for entire paintings anytime soon.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On the Beach

Went to Troncones Mexico for a week. What was different was my timing as I have gone to this area for the past 20 or more years. No-one was there. The beach was empty and we had it all. Oh, at 7-9AM a couple of surfers show up and do their thing. That is it. The restaurants are open and everyone is readying for the Christmas crowd. That used to be me and my family. The paintings were done plein air and it was hot. I even painted with salt water, as I carried everything out to my spot. The tree painting fascinated me with its tortuous 'trunk' that supplied a healthy canopy of leaves. It went down into the sand and split into many cords which twisted as it supported the leaves. It is a great time to be on the beach.

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.