Painting with PAAR

Today I had Franz drop me off at the Coffee Depot in Riverside on his way to work. I knew I would have at least three hours to paint - and with my broken foot would not be getting around much, so chose an indoor scene, a comfy chair and lots of detail. The Coffee Depot is a great place to hang out. It is the old rail way station - the line ran to Salt Lake. The owner and his wife have worked hard to restore it, even uncovered an old fire place which they did not know was there. It is full of cozy nooks to read books in - has a dark room just for people using their lap tops - and has tasty food too. I did not mean to do an advert, but really, I'd go back. I had a great time listening to people's conversations and am pleased with the painting. Technically this is not a plein air painting -as I was indoors - but I did complete it on site, and that is the requirement.

Saturday, as mentioned before, I painted the TACO STATION (top painting).

Both paintings will be on display Saturday at the Riverside Art Museum and possibly again later.

Title: Coffee Depot
Medium: Oil on Panel
Size: 8 x 10"
Price: $300.00
Shipping: $5.00

Title: Taco Station
Medium: Oil on Canvas Panel
Size: 9 x 12"
Price: $ 300.00
Shipping: $5.00

Sick Day

This was last week's project - based on my daughter Eloise and a day home from school with a fever - though still managed to get in a lot of reading.

The background is inspired by the ornamentation on the inside of a famous piano - though don't ask me which one...I thought it represented her imagination.

Title: Sick Day
Medium: Oil on Panel
Size: 16 x 20"
NFS yet...

Redlands Art Association Mini Show

Great news! I was awarded the Past President's Choice Award for the painting Posse. It included a cash award and was a very nice surprise. I will say it pays to research your juror before you submit!

Saturday was the start of the Plein Air Painters of Riverside paint out. I had helpers, Franz, MaCall and Eloise, to assist in getting me set up and sorted. Of course after about 45 minutes of sketching the Historic Taco Station I realised that I did not have my brushes. Difficult to paint without brushes. So phoned Franz and the girls who were half way op Mt. Rubidoux and had to come down to scout out brushes for me. I was on my own, on a street corner - no other artists in sight. They did find a store and arrived with three flats (my favorite brush) - of varying sizes. An hour later - they made it 3/4 of the way up the mountain this time, it was time for lunch - at well, you can guess. I'm happy with just about any place as long as it has a salsa bar.

Redland's Art Association

The above three paintings have been selected for the 40th Annual juried Multi Media Mini Show at the Redland's Art Association's Gallery. There were 380 submissions and 120 accepted. The show will run through March19th. If you are in the area please stop by...215 E State Street, down town Redlands, CA.

Starting tomorrow I will be painting with PAAR (Plein Air Artists of Riverside) at their annual paint out. We will be painting at locations around Riverside throughout the week - ending next Saturday the 28Th with a quick draw painting contest and wet painting exhibit. Franz and the girls will take me down tomorrow, get me signed in, help me find my painting spot and set up, then they will go to the movies. Heaven forbid I need to use the bathroom! With my big boot and crutches, it will be an adventure!

Broken foot!

Okay, we are snowed in and I have broken my foot - a Jones Fracture. I am pretty exhausted from hauling myself around on crutches but have a goal to work today - rather than just having my family fetch and carry for me! No school as well - that means kids under foot - ha ha.

Little Luxuries

If you've ever been without it, you'll know how much it can be missed!

Title: Little Luxuries
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 11 x 14"
Price: $600.00
Shipping: $20

Vestiges of Rome; or, The I 10 in Redlands

The other afternoon we were enjoying some time in the park near the University of Redlands, when in the distance I viewed what I was certain was some sort of decorative colonnade - much like I used to see in Eaton Park in Norwich. I took my camera and walked closer only to find that it was not a Roman folly, but rather the I 10 Freeway. Never the less, it was still beautiful in the fading light.

Title: Vestiges of Rome; or, The I 10 Freeway
Medium: oil on canvas panel
Size: 8 x 10"
Price: $199.00
Shipping: $5.00