Katie Wheeler Library, Irvine, California

This past friday was the Gala Reception for the SOCALPAPA "Paint the Parks" Juried Art Show and Sale, held at the Irvine Ranch Historic Park. Juried artwork for the show needed to be dropped off at the park on friday afternoon by 1:00pm, but the reception wasn't until 6:00pm. It was a gorgeous day, and this historic building caught my eye. Five hours went by in a flash as I spent the time painting it in the afternoon sun! Today, the Katie Wheeler Library is a public library, but it's history is quite interesting: http://katiewheelerlibrary.wordpress.com/ We held our 2-Day Art Sale there in the gardens this past weekend, and it was a beautiful venue!

Adjusting to Climate Change

This past week, we've had some crazy weather here in Carlsbad! I painted with a friend on Monday at the famous flower fields and it was a gorgeous and sunny day. Friday, I painted with a few students at Camp Pendleton (thank you Tara and Amit for gaining access for us!) and it was (at least luckily, consistantly) overcast! I thought it would be fun to post these together!

Less is More

Honored to see my painting "The Bridge and the Train" on the full color post card advertisement for the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association's "Less is More" Exhibit. It's sure to be an extraordinary show at the Randy Higbee Gallery! Here are the details:

Randy Higbee Gallery
102 Kalmus
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Artists' Reception: Saturday, May 21,2011 4:00pm-8:00pm
Exhibition Dates: May 21, 2011 through June 4, 2011

SOCALPAPA "Paints the Parks"

Juried Art Show, Exhibit and Sale May 20-22, 2011
Irvine Ranch Historic Park 13042 Old Myford Road in Irvine (Irvine Blvd. and Jamboree)
Gala Reception: Friday 6:00pm-tickets available
Art Exhibit and Sale: Saturday and Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm
For information call 714-832-6299

Here are my two of my recent plein air paintings and accepted entries into the show: "Begonia Park/Newport Harbor" (11"h by 14"w) This quiet little park is tucked away behind the harbor in a beautiful residential area, and overlooks the balboa peninsula.
"Caspers Wilderness Park" (11"h by 14"w) This regional park is a stunning 8,000 acre protected wilderness preserve found along highway 74, inland of San Juan Capistrano. The light hitting this "Old Corral and wind mill" in the early afternoon was fun to paint among the Native Live Oak and California Sycamore!

Live Drawing Sessions at Prior Studios

Wednesday evenings 6pm-9pm we host an uninstructed "live drawing session" for artists of all abilities. The cost is $10. Our studio is located at 2539 State Street in Carlsbad. It sits behind the "Trade Center" buildings at 2551 State Street, so enter the parking lot at the south end of these buildings. We are a few blocks north of Grand Avenue, and just south of Laguna Drive. (Shown here is a photo of a clothed model which we try to include around once a month.) For the most part, artists use charcoal but are welcome to use their choice of medium. The first people to reserve their spot get to use one of the work benches we have at the studio. Otherwise, please bring a portable easel.

Eggstraordinary

Here's a recent still life I've been working on, "Eggstraordinary". I had been looking for eggplant locally (to paint of course) and have not been able to find it. (I guess it's not in season?) Luckily, I came across a box of lovely eggplant at the San Clemente Farmers Market on Sunday when I was hosting the gallery there. I could hardly wait to get back to my studio to paint it! I had this beautiful orange silk handy to wrap it with in this cute little dish that my friend accidentally left at my house months ago!
Now, I better cook something with eggplant in it pretty quick!

What is a Kaffir boom?

This lovely tree caught my eye months ago (before it even had these glorious red blooms) sitting at the corner of Laguna Drive and State Street, right across from the studio space I share in Carlsbad. It overlooks the Buena Vista Lagoon and the light on it (in the morning shown here) or in the afternoon is stunning. My attempt to capture it was a wonderful experience for me, then my search for it's name was a real challenge. (you wouldn't believe how many "flowering trees, specifically "RED flowering trees" there are!) Well, finally I decided that this must be the "Kaffir boom" also called a "Coral Tree" or "Flame Tree". I found that it originated in South Africa, but also grows along coastal areas. We're sure enjoying it here in Carlsbad!

"Overlooking the Buena Vista Lagoon"