TY Leslie

I am a little behind on my posts.  I recently went on a retreat to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware with some friends from my memoir group.  I have actually been making pretty good progress on an autobiography and am using the same format as I use for these blog entries; i.e., I post a picture or a painting and then tell about it.  I was very flattered when my progress was recognized with the gift of a mug with a Cicero quote; "A room without books is like a body without a soul."   That resonates!   I also got some red pens, yellow highlighters and post-it notes as well as a binder with printouts of some of my entries--I can add to it.  It was very thoughtful and I say "thank you" to Leslie Bridgett because she is the person who made it happen and because she has also been foremost in encouraging me in my writing process. All in the group are very supportive, though, and Ann Manheimer, Deborah Hanlong and Patrick Hamilton made the retreat happen.  They also lead regular meetings which rotate between speakers and opportunities for us in the group to share what we've written.

Memories

 

I did this watercolor sketch some time ago when my friend Mary Procter came to my house for a little sketching session.  Mary and I have done plein air outside together, but this was a day when it was cold and blustery and we were indoors.   The Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL) has a monthly challenge, and the February theme was "Memories."  I submitted this.  There is a very informal judging process in which the winner of the previous month's challenge chooses the winner for the next month.  This little sketch was recognized with an Honorable Mention in February, which was a pleasant surprise.

I had won first place in the December challenge for the painting of a Ukranian Snowgirl and and so I got to choose the January winners.  It is just something CHAL does all on-line with postings in our google group, on Facebook and on Instagram and is just for fun and to keep in touch.   This month's theme is "Ocean's Up," and I'm not sure what I will do...yet.

West Coast

I made this painting from a photograph of the view looking south from Gearhart Oregon.  The geological feature is Tillamook Head.  It is kind of a strange sunset/fog time.  I loved that particular spot when I lived there for a few years in the early 2000s.  I'm not sure what else I want to say about it.  The framed piece is 16' x 24" with a mat.  The colors in the original are actually a little more intense than in this photograph.

Storms Brewing in the Pacific

 

This is another painting that will be in the"Environmental Chaos" show at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.  The show begins on March 4.  I based this work, which is unusual for me, on a weather prediction photo that put the wind patterns in color.  There was only an outline of land masses...I think you can see the outlines Alaska and Vancouver Island in my painting.  This was during the time that California was getting what they called "atmospheric rivers" and bringing lots of needed rain....in some cases, too much rain!  

I liked the colors, but I am concerned about extreme storm trends which could lead to "environmental chaos."

Contaminated Oil Refinery Spill

 

This is a little different.  I did this painting of a truck driving through a contaminated oil spill with the refinery in the background.  The photo is one I found on-line and then modified.  The location is Martinez, California.

What was really different for me was that I did it in response to a theme for an upcoming juried show of work by Capitol Hill Art League members.  The theme is "Environmental Chaos."  I felt kind of like the guy driving through didn't know the area was contaminated and now I wonder why there isn't a requirement that it be posted when there is a spill or a leak.  

That area is beautiful.  I used to live across the Carquinez Strait from Martinez in Benicia, California, and it was so peaceful...but they do have oil refineries.  Oh, this piece was juried in to the show which opens March 4 at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.

Great Blue Heron....again

 

Here's still another version of the Great Blue Heron.   I think maybe I should move on to other topics now, but it seemed like a good idea to do one with more detailed wings and neck.   I did a total of three recently and two have sold.  This one is still available.  I used the Velasquez palette in all of them...ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre.   It seems to have a calm effect.

TY Jenifer and Erik Haller

Jen and Erik gave me an ina garten cookbook for Christmas--go-to dinners.  The above little painting is my attempt to sketch the Barefoot Contessa from a photo on the book cover.   I didn't quite get the happy look, but I had fun doing it. 

It has some amazing recipes.  I recently made some cheese crackers that were a huge hit with my Cinephiles group.  She had them as Chipoltle Cheddar Crackers and I have to admit I left off the chipolte, but they were so tasty.

Lots of ideas about what to cook and lots of things to talk about with Jen and Erik!