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

Walking the Dog

Title: Walking the Dog
Medium: oil on canvas panel
Size: 8 x 10"
Price: $199.00
Shipping: $5.00

More Oranges

We had a stormy weekend with the fire going in the fireplace. These oranges were such a nice warm subject, unlike the M.C. Escher project I'll be doing at my daughter's school today. His work was very linear and cold - though wonderful.

Title: More Oranges
Size: 12 x 16"
Medium: oil on panel
Price: $600.00

Oranges and Cezanne

Last week we purchased a nice supply of oranges from some gentlemen in the Home Depot parking lot. I knew right away they would be the subject of a painting or two. This is not categorized as a daily painting. It took much longer and is much larger than a daily painting, but I was too impatient to jump right in, so was not willing to start with a daily.

As I was painting I found something emerging in this painting and quickly decided it was Paul Cezanne. I had not looked at any work by or thought of Cezanne in years. I went right to my book shelf, pulled out a volume of his work and immediately found the similarities.

So, for your viewing, I present "Oranges".

Title: Oranges
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 20 x 24"
Price: $1000.00

Have Joy!

Here's wishing much Joy to all of you this Christmas season! I am starting to get back on my feet, thanks to a terribly healthy diet and the support of many. I have much to be thankful for.

Title: Joy
Subject: my wonderful girls
Size: 8 x 10
Oil on canvas panel
Not for Sale

Coming Soon - Off The Wall art exhibit at Riverside ART Museum.

I'll have eight paintings in the show.

Now in its 5th year this event features works of art for sale in $100 increments and priced at $100, $200 and no more than $300. Each artist may submit up to 8 original works of art and all art must be ready to hang at intake. All artists will have at least one piece exhibited during the preview and at the opening event. Art will not be sold until the opening party and sale and the sale will continue for an additional week with new works being continually hung. The sale will culminate with a Riverside Art Museum member Appreciation Sale on Saturday, November 15.
Admission to the public sale is free and entrance will be by numbered pass which will be distributed beginning at 4:00pm and continuing until the 6:00pm sale on Friday, November 7 in front of the Riverside Art Museum.

Back to Basics

As my health continues to decline and I continue my fight with doctor's receptionists and nurses in an effort to see a specialist, I find I am in bed dreaming of creating. I long to get back to it, but do not have the means just now. I did start sketching in a pad on the couch the other night. It reminded me of how much I love just the basics of drawing. As soon as possible I would like to get back to life drawing. There is nothing so satisfying as successfully completing a drawing of what is really the puzzle of the human body. Training your eye to report to your brain then to hand distance, shape, perspective. It is a rather amazing process. Addictive as well. I find I can physically detect my brain switching gear when I start to draw.

This drawing is one I did while in New Hampshire. I do not recall the exact dimensions. If interested I will get her out of the portfolio.

September Wanes

As September wanes I find myself still drawn to my bed like a magnet. There are days when I hardly feel human, more like my cat who accompanies me there. This condition of mine was caused by a "harmless" little virus called the Parvo B 19. My daughter brought it home from nursery school five years ago. Unfortunately I was one of the lucky few adults to contract the full force of the virus resulting in permanent damage to my entire system. For some reason the virus likes to recharge at the change of seasons, though this fall is particularly worse than last.

I particularly like this art deco painting of a sleeping woman because she feels so solid, all there. I often feel I am fading away, not so for this sleeping beauty.

Thank you to those who bid on the painting and helped make the auction a success!

Serena

Charity Auction

This painting is currently being held for auction at www.talesofgooddeeds.blogspot.com The proceeds go to help the Nielson family. (if you're not famliar wth their story click on their name to learn more about them) It is a great cause so bid away!

Not far from Running Springs, in the San Bernardino mountains, there is a place called Daffodil Hill. A woman started planting bulbs nearly 50 years ago and now they sweep over and around a mountain side. Unfortunately the recent fires did destroy some of the bulbs but it is still beautiful.

Title: Daffodil Hill
Size: 6 x 8"
Medium: Oil on panel

This is what I am doing...

For some reason fall is the time of year I always get hit hard - perhaps the kids going back to school - new germs floating around. I'll be back as soon as I can get myself out of bed!

Snow Valley Reservoir in full colour

I spent the morning with Helga painting in the Children's Forest - near Running Springs. This is a colorful version of the Snow Valley Reservoir (used to fuel snow making machines during the winter).

Title: Snow Valley Reservoir in Full Colour

Medium: Oil on Panel

Size: 11 x 14"

Price: $300.00

shipping: $20.00

Halloween Vigil

I could not resist painting some of my garden harvest.

Title: Halloween Vigil
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 9 x 12"
Price: $ 300.00
Shipping: $10.00
SOLD

PAAR at MALOOF

A friend sent me this preview photo of the exhibit at at the Jacobs Center at the Maloof Foundation. If you have the time to attend, it is a lovely venue - great gardens and great art.

Plein Air Painting Exhibition Thursdays and Saturdays in September1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Jacobs Center, Maloof Foundation Reception and Awards Saturday, September 13, 4-6 PM R.S.V.P. Appreciated: (909) 980-0412This exhibition features work by PAAR (Plein Air Artists of Riverside), artists from throughout our region who have been painting in the Maloof garden.

For Looks Only

Several years ago my then eight year old daughter gave me these shoes for my birthday - picked them out all by herself. I came up with all sorts of reasons why I could not wear them - nothing to match, will be walking too far - might give me blisters, too nice - don't want to mess them up. Well, not long ago, without thinking, I bought a cute retro 1950's green madras plaid dress. First thing my daughter says is "wow, that will look great with the green shoes". Out of excuses, I wore them. Not three steps across the church parking lot, I twisted my ankle and had skinned my knee. Blood running down my leg, I sat through church with a wad of paper towels on my knee. So here they are. For Looks Only!


Title: For Looks Only
Medium: Oil on board
Size: 6 x 8"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00
SOLD

Cat Nap

Title: Cat Nap
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6 x 8"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Nephew Jake Pulls off an excellent exhibition!

My nephew and his wife Jeni are living in Auckland, New Zealand right now. Two years ago they quit their jobs in Salt Lake, sold their condo, shipped their scooter and went to NZ without any jobs or prospects. They took the plunge and are doing great. What an adventure. Jake just had a one man art show. Check it out. http://www.jacobedwardshirley.com/art/tone.html

I love this one called Crab Fishing on a Foggy Day. Sold of course.

Seed Pods

I found these under a tree in Redlands. I have no idea what sort of tree it was. Do you? I thought they were interesting though.

Title: Seed Pods

Medium: oil on panel

Size: 6 x 8"

Price: $100.00

Shipping: $5.00

SOLD

School has started. We are nearly done with the studio conversion. I can't wait to have my space!

August Grapes

Today was a busy day. We had three extra girls at our house. We had High School registration - they got my daughters schedule wrong. My husband was painting the shed- studio. It was rather chaos, but I found by putting on my earphones and painting was a good way to escape!

Title: August Grapes

Medium: oil on panel

Size: 6 x 8"

Price: $100.00

Shipping: $5.00

The studio

When my husband and I bought our house last year we had talked of turning the back yard shed into a studio/writing space. Well, this week Franz decided the time had come. Not being a handy man by profession, he is after all an English Professor, this is all new to him, but together, and with the help of a friend, it is coming along nicely! It does mean however that I am not getting nearly enough painting done. With school starting next week we also have the renewal of exhibitions. All the call for entries are next week as well. I am busy trying to frame things, fill out forms etc.

We will be announcing a back to school sale soon. Watch this space!

Day Laborers

I've been wanting to paint the California migrant or day laborers for ages, but never found myself in the right place at the right time. Finally, on my drive around Watsonville I came across this group hard at work. I believe it was some sort of cabbage they were picking. These people are the back bone of the California economy and should not be excluded from exhibits of mission paintings, bougainvillea, fountains, and seascapes.

Title: Day Laborers
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6 x 8 "
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Pajaro Dunes Watsonville

While in Gilroy we decided to take some time out at the beach. The closest one is in Watsonville - Pajaro Dunes. I don't know how it got it's name, but the windblown trees on the tops of the dunes are rather bird like. This is genuine plein air - evident by a few grains of sand stuck in the paint!

Title: Pajaro Dunes Watsonville
Size: 6 x 8"
Medium: oil on panel
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Quiet

Sorry for the quiet. We have been and still are out of town. I do not have any means to upload photos, but will do so when we return. Happy summer!

Serena

Remnant

On our drive home from Gilroy, we stopped at Camp Roberts, outside of Paso Robles. My husband's Grandfather was stationed there after WWII. We've gone past many times and I've always said, "oh, we have to go in there. I love the old buildings". Well we finally did it. They have a nice little museum - always seeking memoirs and donations of old things...I secured permission to wander about and photograph. The derelict buildings go on row after row. It is very spooky. I had not realised that in 1944 Camp Roberts was the largest military training center in the world.

Title: Remnant - Old Camp Roberts
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 5.75 x 6 "
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Drive Home

This is scene is at Eagle Ridge - a community in Gilroy. I liked it though, because it could be anywhere.

SOLD

Title: Drive Home
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6 x 6 "
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Half Light on San Felipe Lake

As we left the Pacheco Pass and drove down the 152 into Gilroy I looked back at the hills and saw this wonderful lake. The colors were so warm and the sky lit up the water like glass. I insisted we return one evening so I could paint. The mosquitoes were thick! The semi trucks shook the car on the side of the road and sent chills up my spine. I sat in the back seat with the door open to the lake. We artists have to take risks!

Title: Half Light (on San Felipe Lake, I think that is the name)
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6 x 6"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Yellow Roses

While in Gilroy I took advantage of a lovely evening to paint the yellow roses on my in-law's patio. The soil is so rich there. Everything seems to grow three times as big as in our garden.

Title: Yellow Roses
Medium: oil on panel, plein air painting
Size: 9 x 12"
Price: $200.00
Shipping: $5.00

Signing out for a few days

I'm off to Northern California tomorrow and will be doing lots of painting up there. I don't think I'll have any way to upload photos so may be silent for a week. I will be checking e-mail though just in case someone wants to buy a painting! :)

Monique

Title: Monique
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6 x 6"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Tavern Bay Trees

Today we enjoyed a lovely picnic and swimming at Tavern Bay on Lake Arrowhead.

Title: Tavern Bay Trees

Medium: oil on panel

Size: 6 x 6"

Price: $100.00

Shipping: $5.00

Evening on Lake Gregory

Friend Helga and I went down the corner and painted the evening view. It was lovely.

Title: Evening on Lake Gregory
Medium: oil on board
Size: 6 x6"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Cellist II

Due to popular demand I have painted another cellist. This one is very similar to the first, but has some slight variations.

Title: Cellist II
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6 x 6"
ON RESERVE

Storm Passing

Title: Storm Passing
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6 x 6"
Price:"$100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Summer Afternoon

Title: Summer Afternoon
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 6 x 6"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Pizza For Two?

Title: Pizza For Two?
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 6 x 6"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Star Theater in Oceanside

The old Star Theater is still a defining feature of down town Oceanside. I love capturing these remnants of time gone by.

Title: Star Theater
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6 x 6"

SOLD

Killing Time

Title: Killing Time
Medium: oil on panel
Size: 6x6"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Dry Creek near Old Town Temecula by SERENA POTTER

This is an evening view of the dry creek bed running along side of Old Town Temecula.

Title: Dry Creek
Size: 6 x 6 "
Medium: oil on panel
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Search for Gold

The inspiration for this painting came from my daughter's 4th grade Gold Rush day. When I suggested to her that this boy might like her she said "Oh Mom! He's so annoying!". Ah well, I thought they made a cute pair.

Title: Search for Gold
Size: 6 x6"
Medium: oil on panel
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Gabby on Cello

My daughter's quartet was practicing at our house yesterday and I was taken by the back light on the cellist, Gabriella. This is the result. Need a quartet for an elegant occasion? I can put you in contact with Quartetto di Suona.

Title: Gabby on Cello
Size: 6 x 6"
Medium: Oil on panel
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00
SOLD

Gourd Horizontal

Title: Gourd Horizontal
Medium: oil on canvas paper
Size: 9 x 6"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Gourd Vertical

Title: Gourd Vertical
Medium: oil on canvas paper
Size: 6 x 9"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00

Thank you Heidi for helping me find inspiration in my own backyard!

Historic Wheeler Farm in Murray Utah

Wheeler Farm is a wonderful place to visit if you want to get the feel for an authentic pioneer farm. This particular day was very HOT and HUMID! I suggest you go on a cooler day.

Title: Historic Wheeler Farm in Murray, Utah
Size: 9 x 12"
Medium: oil on Masonite
Price: $200.00
Shipping: $5.00

SOLD

Arrowhead Village Dog Walker

There is an amazing number of Dog walkers in Arrowhead Village. I always think it is fun to see what sort of person goes with what sort of dog.

Title: Arrowhead Village Dog Walker
Medium: oil on canvas paper
Size: 6 x 6"
Price: $100.00
Shipping: $5.00