Beach Access

If you do not have a place on the beach, this is one way to get there. Lots of golf carts down here in Sayulita Mexico and they can drive down and park. I painted this in early afternoon. It was hot but I started in the shade. It did not last long and got very warm in the sun. This body was not built for sun and sand but it loves to be warm. I love the colors in Mexico. They are bright and warm hues. It is not unusual to see atomic pinks with yellow greens or deep violet on the outside of the house. The commercial places often have names of beers, etc. painted directly on the outside wall. It is so nice to be different.

Rocky Shore of Putah Creek

It did not look like a day to paint outdoors. We went to the further end, upstream, of Putah Creek and settled in with some fishermen. The clouds were onerous and the winds were starting. Then, a few bright lights and finally the sun came out. My sky changed from clouds with large areas of black to some blue. I washed out my start and tried to go with the more interesting sky. The rocks are huge and the moss and grasses are very yellow green from all of the rains we've had. The creek is greenish. The rocks look like they could slide into the creek. Dark round holes are in around the bottoms of rocks. Someone might be at home. After a casual start, the winds gained and my pallet went flying. After bungying that down, my painting and backing which were hooked to my easel come right at me. I hurried to a finish as did the others, and we went to lunch.

This is our beehive or rabbit warren. It is beachfront and has many units or suites. This is the path down to ours which is waterfront with its own pool. What luxury. The place is well maintained and even has a guard that goes around the place all night. When painting this at the top of the path, I had plenty of suggestions from those heading to the beach. It was a challenge since the shadows kept changing with the morning sun.

Morning Beachtime

Just Returned from a couple of weeks in Mexico on the Pacific. It was warm, sunny and very restful. I did a lot of reading, eating and some painting. What a life. There is an urge to paint everyday, but good books also have a strong attraction for me. My group likes to party and eat and we had lots of good food. I helped prepare some of it and we found plenty of places with fish. Did this painting early one morning with Susan who hadn't painted for a long time. I took my time and helped her get things started. It is fun to see someone excited about painting again. She is off and running now that she got her painting done. Love Mexico.

Fun with Abstracts

Just finished a series of attempts at abstract art/painting. Lots of fun trying different approaches by a very reassuring teacher. This was a venture that needs time to try lots of sketches before deciding a plan. Reminds me of a recent Coursera coarse on graphic design. It stimulates the creative juices. This was an attempt at using transparent watercolors to catch the colors created by primary colors and then trying to shade them. There are two light sources for shadows. The line work just covers up any confusion(?). This is all imagined after seeing a display this morning.

Sharks at the Beach

I did a quick sketch of my grandkids playing cards while we were in Mexico. They were having a great time. The younger ones want to wager everything and do get away with it. I thought of this as I prepare to head back down to Mexico with friends. The kids are all back in school, mostly in the cold east and would love a return.

Cold Morning at the Train Station

We have not had a lot of opportunities to paint plain air. Lots of rainy days which we desperately need here in Northern California. Visited my favorite site yesterday and painted for a couple of hours in the cold. Yea, we are real wusses when it comes to cold; comes from being too comfortable over the years with warm weather. Most of the trees and shrubs are bare. The station is busy, both with travelers and homeless who gravitate to this location. I am unsure but maybe it is the warm waiting room. The painting has plenty of lost edges and color runs. I like mixing my colors on the paper, feeling that it intensifies the hue. Hope this is the beginning of a run of decent weather.