Randy Higbee's Holiday 6"SQUARED Exhibit; December, 2013

Two of my recent paintings, inspired by the Southern California landscape, have been juried into the Randy Higbee's 6" Squared Exhibit!  The first one, "Dolphin Watch" was from a quick snap shot I took with my phone while I was painting in Laguna Beach.  I had set up my easel to paint a view of the bridge that leads from Dana Point into Laguna, when I noticed three friends walking on the beach behind me.  I watched them for a while and was drawn to their gestures; looking out to the ocean and talking about what they were witnessing.  I'm just guessing that it was dolphins they were enjoying but I couldn't help but snap a photo to record it in my mind's eye.

"Dolphin Watch" 6" by 6" oil on panel

The second painting, "Protected" was inspired by a trip to Aliso & Wood Canyons Park with my husband and his friend.  They rode their mountain bikes on the marked but rugged paths, and I planned to walk to an inspiring spot to paint "en plein air".  In a few short minutes from the parking lot where we parted,  I came across this beautiful landscape, with the morning light falling gently over the hills.  I was struck at how "untouched" by humans it remained, with a chain link fence guarding it.  I wondered about all the wildlife the chain link fence was protecting, (and frankly wondered about my own protection a bit too) and decided to include it in my painting. 

"Protected" 6" x 6" oil on panel

The Randy Higbee Gallery

102 Kalmus

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Exhibition Dates:

December 7-21, 2013

regular hours are tuesday-friday, 9:00am-5:00pm

Opening Reception and Sale:

The evening of December 7th, 2013

15th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational October13-20, 2013

15th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitaional Artists

Here we are in the October 17th Orange County Register

What an experience this was!  I was invited  just a few months ago, as a result of winning the Grand Prize at the LPAPA "Best of Plein Air" Juried Exhibit.  Nervous as ever to paint along side some of the most respected plein air painters of our time, I showed up!  I was ready for the "quick draw" event (where the invited artists have 2 hours to paint a scene in a designated area) In this case, it was the "Treasure Island" area, behind the Montage Resort in South Laguna.  I had set up a plan with my daughter to model for me, seated on a bench over-looking the coastline below.  (Of course it was my hope that it would be a beautiful and sunny day) Well, it was sunny (for about twenty minutes!), then the sun went into hiding.  Luckily, I had taken  photo reference from my practice that I was able to conjure up in order to emulate the beautiful sunlight on her dress and hat.  The two hours were over in a flash, and all the artists' paintings were hastily framed and hung for an auction at the beautiful Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course Resort.  I was thrilled that my painting, "Weekend Repose" was sold to a wonderful couple!

The rest of the week, the weather couldn't have been more cooperative, the LPAPA Organization literally catered to us artists; providing meals at several paint out excursions and great lectures, my generous host family provided a comfortable and friendly place for me to rest, and I enjoyed painting the beautiful light in Laguna Beach! 

At the Collectors' Soiree  I was THRILLED that my "Dinner Time" 12" x 20" oil was awarded the "Distinctive Merit" Ribbon; Thank you Seawind Properties!  The painting was sold that night!

"Crystal Cove Morning" 12" x 12" oil on linen (still available on my website!)

"Heisler Morning" 12" x 12" oil on linen (still available on my website!)

 

CALIFORNIA ART CLUB GALLERY

Along EL Camino Real: Missions of California

September 4, 2013-January 12, 2013

Rita Pacheco, "Fountain at the Mission San Juan Capistrano"
8" x 8" oil on linen , $700.00

Here is one of my most recent plein air paintings, done on an excursion with the California Art Club at the Mission San Juan Capistrano.  I'm honored that it was selected to be exhibited among the other Artist and Signature Members' paintings at the California Art Club Gallery at THE OLD MILL, 1120 Old Mill Road, San Marino, CA 91108

Please join me at the artists' reception: Thursday, September 5, 2013  5:30-7:30

to R.S.V.P. 626-449-5458

www.old-mill.org

Hours: 1:00pm-4:00pm Daily, Closed Mondays

*directions from 210 fwy: drive south along Lake Avenue, which becomes Oak Knoll Avenue, turn left on Old Mill Road

Additionally, I've included a Sign up Form for my (not-quite monthly) Newsletter for your convenience:

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Telluride and Aspen Plein Air, 2013

 The Telluride and Aspen Plein Air Events were both a success!  The Sheridan Arts Foundation (and for Aspen, together with the Wheeler Opera House) hosted nationally recognized plein air artists, (including yours truly), to spend a week in each town capturing the light, color and unique character of this breathtaking region.  Both historic opera houses benefitted from the sales, which were good!  Below are two of the paintings I created during our visit to Colorado, and are still available:

"Telluride Charm for Sale!"  6" x 8" oil on canvas panel, $345

"Aspen Gondolas in the Summertime"  11" x 14" oil on canvas panel, $850

My husband and I drove to the events all the way from Carlsbad, California and stayed right in town for the Telluride event. I hooked up a trailer to my bicycle, and tooled around town (without regard to finding parking, etc) and painted 2 or 3 paintings a day!  The quick draw, an otherwise stressful event, was a success for me too! I painted the front of the Sheridan Opera House and the piece sold to a nice couple who are planning to give it to their daughter as a gift.  Telluride is a sweet little town; the people are friendly and there's a great view at every corner!  We moved on to Aspen (neither my husband or I had ever been there) and it was a grand town!  The historical architecture is something to see, many of the buildings built in the late 1800's.  This was another beautiful town to paint (me), fish (my husband) and spend time. The quick draw for Aspen not only also sold to a lovely woman, but won the First Place Award! I painted the hillside from a little restaurant in town called The White House Tavern.  My husband and I were treated to dinner there by the management that night and it was a WONDERFUL meal (even before we found out that they were treating us!-truly I highly recommend it!)  It was humbling, and a real thrill to be awarded among such other accomplished artists and quite a pleasant surprise! Additionally, since I was a "top seller" in Aspen, I am guaranteed an invitation for 2014, and you can bet I'll be applying to the Telluride Plein Air Event again!  Feel free to contact me about the purchase of these Colorado plein air paintings,  visit my website to see all of the "still available" Colorado paintings, or my facebook page to see many photos from the weeks of events!

"Paint San Clemente" Plein Air Competition; June 15-23, 2013

June 15th, 2013 the "Paint San Clemente" event began with a three hour "quick draw" in the area surrounding the San Clemente Community Center and Art Gallery.  "Quick draw" is a timed event, where artists paint a designated area.  The canvases of all the participating artists were stamped at 12:30pm, then we were given three hours to compose, paint, and frame our piece.  Midday is not my favorite time to begin a painting, but  I was able to produce a piece that I was pleased enough with to frame up and enter for judging (Mine was a version of a Spanish style home that sits right across the street from the Community Center) At 3:30, the paintings were turned in for judging.  While I didn't win a ribbon for my painting that afternoon, I counted it as a success since I'm feeling more comfortable painting within a set time frame, and it's good practice for the mere 90 minute quick draw events I'll be doing in the Telluride and Aspen Plein Air Invitationals in a few weeks!  As the years go by, my "batting average" is certainly improving; scraping less and less of my efforts, and more often I'm quite happy with my studies!  This I attribute to painting all the time from life, encouragement from the right people, and God's grace!

3 hour "Quick Draw"; "Restored"  11"h x 14"w 

After spending much of this week painting the beautiful town of San Clemente, here are my favorites:

"Bob's Auto Repair"  12"h x 16"w 

June Bloom 8"h x 16"w

High Tide 11" x 11"

Torrey Pines "Art in the Pines" this weekend!

"Torrey Pines Rescue" 8" x 16" oil on canvas panel

2nd Place! "Beach Hike"  11" x 14" oil on canvas panel

 Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve will host Art in the Pines 2013 this weekend, May 4th and 5th!

Art in the Pines: A Spring Art Festival & Sale

The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Docent Society and Torrey Pines Association present the fourth annual Art in the Pines to be held Saturday, May 4 from 10 to 5 and Sunday, May 5, 2013 from 10am to 4pm. The Festival is free and open to all and will be held at the Reserve just south of the Lodge.

Art in the Pines is a two-day event featuring a professionally judged (Scott Prior, well known plein air artist locally) plein air contest with an awards ceremony; artists’ booths exhibiting nature-inspired art for sale in a variety of media such as painting, pastels, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and photography; food; live music (Mission Bay High School jazz trio, Sara Mussen, Minera Trio, Jen Hajj, Endangered Speciez band and Joe Marillo on sax); children’s art activities; a raffle and silent auction; guided nature walks; tours of the historic Torrey Pines Lodge; and expert demonstrations in painting and basket weaving.

This year, for the first time, artist participation has been open to all California residents. This juried art show features over 50 artists from well-known masters of the landscape to new talent.

The Art in the Pines festival provides opportunities for individuals, community organizations, foundations and businesses to support children’s nature programs at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. That model program serves 4,000 children in the San Diego area every year with an exemplary outdoor experience tied to the school curriculum.

The event is free, but there is a charge for parking. The Reserve has two parking lots, South Beach and North Beach. The lot closest to the Art in the Pines event is the South Beach Lot where there will be preferred parking for $20 per car during the event. You will not be able to use annual passes of any kind on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, in the South Lot. In the North Lot, you will be able to use passes on those 2 days or the charge is $10 per car. A free shuttle will run frequently from both lots. For safety reasons, bikes will not be allowed on the reserve's road that connects both lots during the May 4th and 5th weekend. Instead, you may enjoy walking to the event. It is a fifteen minute walk from the South Beach Parking Lot.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California, north of San Diego. From Hwy 5, exit on Carmel Valley Road and drive west for about 1.5 miles till you reach the Coast Highway 101. Turn left and proceed along the beach for about a mile. The park entrance is on your right just before the highway begins to climb the Torrey Pines grade. The street address is 12600 North Torrey Pines Road, San Diego CA 92037.

 "April in Torrey Pines"  11" by 14" oil on canvas panel

"Torrey Pines Lodge"  10" by 8" oil on canvas panel

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/may/05/art-show-torrey-pines-state-park/

Perspective

I met Bill a few years ago when I had a studio space at the New Village Arts Foundry in Carlsbad.  Bill is a soft spoken, friendly man, and very easy to talk to.  When we met, he had just begun to explore painting after retirement, and enjoyed the company of other artists. He and I have remained friends, even after I moved from the Foundry, and have frequently met for coffee or lunch here in Carlsbad.  

"Perspective"  12" by 16" oil on canvas panel

About a year ago, we met for coffee at a nearby cafe' where Bill's artwork was displayed. I took Bill's photo as he told stories of earlier times in his life.  I felt so honored to know this gentleman, who's life experiences (some of them quite devastating)  have not made him hardened and calloused, but instead humbled and gentle.  He is a dear friend, and I am blessed to have been touched by him.  

Gouache Studies Now For Sale!

Laguna Tidepools Study 4 1/2"h by 6"w $100

Recently, a friend and fellow artist was visiting and commented that she really liked my gouache works.  Truly, I love gouache, but use it primarily for studies for larger oil paintings. ( I hadn't thought to market them on my website)  So here they sit, stacked up in my studio, unframed and hidden from public view. Well, all that's changed now and I've posted quite a few of them on my website this morning for sale!  They are all very reasonably priced and can be shipped to you; ready to frame!  Here are a couple of them; the rest are in the "Gouache Miniature Gallery" found on my website.  www.ritapacheco.com

Carlsbad Jetty Study 4"h x 10 1/2"w $100

Gouache should be framed behind glass and I highly recommend a nice white matte around them!