Cat Tail Clocks In Progress

I have 30 cat tail clocks that I am glazing. It takes a while because of the detail but it is worth it. They are pretty funny when they are finished and hanging.  I hope to have a few for sale at the Manley Art Center Christmas Sale on November 7th in Brookings, Oregon. 

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  As always, we are thankful for our beloved troops, veterans and their families. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.  May God always bless you.

A Brush With Expression

I am enjoying my time on the beach and another workshop. This time I am learning more about expressionist style using color and about brush work.  It was recommended after I did my first still life to paint it again. This would reinforce what I learned. I got a lot out of this one day event.

I taped two 9x12 linen sheets on a board to paint the bottom painting first and  then recreated it in the top panel.

First study where the instructor pushed the color on the  red pot, green vase and tabletop.

Second attempt with more confident strokes and without the green vase.

Brush Practice

Here is my brush practice piece using a different approach. I put a transparent red oxide over the white canvas and then blocked in the dark  with other transparent cools. Then I put the paint down starting with the darkest dark.
I was shown how to push the color a bit with the focal point.

Scraping Paintings Isn't Bad News

I painted a few paintings since Friday and scraped every single one of them.  Good news. I have big pile of grey on my palette.  Bad news?  Please, there isn't bad news when I get to paint outdoors with this gorgeous weather. 

Go Figure

Here is my post from today's figure class. The sepia drawing next to my figure is the instructor's note. Great instruction,

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Hanging Out In the Alley With Urban Painters

I was able to catch up to the Urban Landscape Painters Club today.  This is organized by Patris who owns a studio and gallery in Oak Park. It was a perfect day to paint and practice perspective.  And, of course, I was aching to paint a car.

Since I had an old canvas and yesterday's paint still mixed on my palette, I decided to practice my   cool and warm gray colors with big brush strokes.  I was happy with the results.
There is not a lot of detail in this painting but I think it describes the alley and the car. I painted "alley stuff" in the background with abstract shapes. Again, I am happy with it.

"Free Parking" Oil On Linen - 8x10"

Becoming A Better Painter

I took lessons today with Elio Camacho to learn how to become  a better painter. I know... I am always in class but I understand the saying " Life is short. Art is long".  Since I don't have much time left to stumble along with my art,  I take classes and I practice continuously.

Water, Water, Everywhere, Nor Any Drop To Drink

I am working on water in class. This is the "in progress" piece of Sailor Bar in Fair Oaks, CA.  Which means, I am still not done.

God Bless Our Beloved Veterans

My family and I  would like to thank all of our beloved veterans for their service to our country.  My son, brothers, cousin, father and uncles have all served our country honorably. God bless our beloved veterans.  

Sacramento Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Back home

I did not want to come home from the wonderful town of Mariposa. The whole trip was incredible. I spent the day before leaving sketching St. Joseph Church and enjoying the food. I can honestly say I may never never find another scone and sandwich like the one at Jantz Cafe and Bakery nor will I happily dine like I did at the Charles Street Dinner House.   Each bite was more heavenly than the last. 
Before heading out each day to Yosemite, I attended daily mass at St. Joseph  where I truly enjoyed Reverend Steven's homilies and the friendly parish. I highly recommend going by the church and taking a self-guided cemetery tour. Yes - a cemetery tour. The church was built around 1862 and has much history to share.

St. Joseph Church in Mariposa, Ca

My husband and I also visited the oldest working courthouse. Here is Gerry sitting in the judge's chair. 

Here comes the judge.

Yup - More Yosemite

I spent yesterday exploring the Yosemite Valley, rivers and taking photos.  Today, I was able to get to Yosemite early and painted a study.
I watched three large bucks crash through the trees in front of me when I walked over to the bridge below. Later I saw what I suspect was one of them in the  Yosemite Valley grocery store parking lot getting a little close to the curious tourist.
I bought some lunch and headed over a  campground to sit in the meadow, enjoy the surrounding beauty and eat my lunch. 

Bridge near Half Dome.

River and meadow on the 140 exit route.

My view.

Tree and meadow study with Half Dome.

Painting Again In Yosemite

I painted in Yosemite Valley about two years ago and it was wonderful. I am back painting the same scene and so happy. There is  hardly anyone here and it feels like I have the run of the park. Beautiful. I hiked the trails and took pictures. The leaves are dropping fast so I know winter is coming to Yosemite soon. I was told it was unseasonably warm. I am loving it.

This is the study from yesterday. It is a work in progress.

This is today's study. It was 30 degrees and I didn't notice it.

Yosemite - That Is All I Need To Write

Yosemite and there is hardly anyone here. No traffic at all. Shhhh.

Hard Work

I have studied hard for the last year on how to finish a landscape yet keep it looking fresh. This is not easy. But I am pretty happy with this piece I painted today at the Watt Avenue Bridge in Sacramento. I think I see the light.

"Changing Seasons" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas - 8X10" Oil On Linen Canvas Board