For a second year, I am joining a group of artists for a week of coastal plein air painting and art discussions, shared meals and laughter. Pure joy,
Feels good to stretch artistically and have a week of nothing but painting and talking art. super fun, exhausting and energizing. Here’s a photo of most of the retreat participants sitting around a fire the last night.
I am working on a project to paint 50 small 6″ x 6″ paintings of Yosemite for a show in September and wanted a bunch of them to be painted on-site. I completely lucked out on my early July painting trip with glorious weather, wonderful painter friends and I didn’t experience any difficulties associated with long wait times or overcrowding. Still, I made sure to arrive on a Monday. I was also fortunate to stay with a painter friend in Mariposa so we were able to enter the park early, early, early.
So fun to spend time paint in Mariposa. I went up with a wonderful painter friend in the middle of a pretty epic rainstorm. We had a blast painting around Mariposa in the sunshine that followed. We met up with a group of group of artists who all participated in an event sponsored by the Sierra Artists Gallery there. We were all encouraged to paint a nocturnal on Main Street which took me out of my comfort zone but it was fun and I like the painting that resulted from it.
I also made it into Yosemite to experience a postcard beautiful day. I was hoping that the dogwood would be blooming and they were. I was able to paint them backlit by the afternoon sun alongside Tenaya Creek on the trail that leads up to Mirror Lake. That morning we painted at Cathedral Beach.
The plan is to head up again soon. I am looking forward to it already!
Every year I take a trip with three wonderful friends that I met when I was living in Colorado. This year we were in Roatan with plans to catch up over good meals and morning scuba dives. I had been to Roatan before but pretty much stayed and had all my meals at a dive resort so I didn’t see much of the Island and I was looking forward to exploring a bit. While this was not really a painting trip, I did make time to paint between activities.
I’ve added the people to this view of West Bay Beach to convey a sense of the activity. Turns out this is a really nice snorkel beach. We enjoyed daytime snorkeling near the point and a night time snorkel just a bit beyond. I lost count of the free swimming octopus we saw in our flashlights. “West Bay Beach” (11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel)
The rock outcropping at the end of the beach is made of ancient coral which has been undercut by the waves. This made a particularly good painting spot because it was the only spot on the beach with shade. I enjoyed observing the color changes (shade vs sunlit) on the beach and foreground water while I was painting. “West Bay Rocks” (10″ x 8″ oil on linen panel)
The town of West End is actually east of West Bay Beach. I think the road was extended after the town was established. I really enjoyed this town particularly because of the low key local (rather than resort) feel. And, it’s easy to catch a water taxi between the town and larger beach. “Roatan Water Taxis” (8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel)
One of the places we stayed was a very nice house in a small resort development. I am not completely sure that I would have thought the adjacent horse stable would be plus but it was all so well kept there were no downsides and I was able to practice painting one of the residents. “Island Pony” 8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
Hibiscus flowers just sing of the tropics making it fun to paint the intense colors and happy forms. “Tangerine Hibiscus” 6″ x 6″ oil on panel
This is the second year in a row that I’ve been fortunate enough to paint along Eastern Sierra streams with gorgeous fall colors. We were thinking we might be hitting Highway 395 a bit late for peak color and there had been forecasts of rain and snow.
Fortunately for us, there was tons of color to savor while we were there and a dusting of snow on the peaks as a bonus. Our first stop came along Tioga Pass itself as we approached Lee Vining. There was just time for a quick painting next to the sounds of rushing creek water. The aspen leaves blowing on my palette served as a color check. My painting of the spot has been pretty much left as is though I’m not sure I consider it to be a finished piece. In any case, I am very interested in hanging on to the sense of fresh air in this little painting. “Autumn, Lee Vining Creek”
I didn’t get a chance to paint in McGee Canyon last year but fell in love the stunning views. Not only are the aspen beautiful but the purples, greens and magenta tones of the brush make a lovely counterpoint. Too windy for a tripod, I painted this in my lap and found my wet panel covered in seeds from the surrounding brush. The painting is not finished but I have been able to remove the seeds. “Waking Canyon”
I painted this in the June Lake Loop area near where we were staying. I’ve only had enough time to sort out the composition and block things in while I was by the stream and took it from there once I was home. I am not sure it’s finished but it is close. I thought I ws going to add the drifts of aspen leaves as they came down the stream but now think there is already plenty going on for very small painting. I left out the ducks too. I may have a go at a larger studio painting of a similar view. “Rush Creek at Rest”
The Lundy Canyon views of mountains, rock formations, colorful aspen and quietly reflective beaver ponds is pretty magical. Unfortunately, we had to call a rain delay at when we arrived at our planned painting spot. Still, as we were leaving the canyon, the sun came out and we happened on a delightful spot by the river. Turned out to be wonderful to the colors of the water and rocks beneath the surface. Joyful low-key moments to wrap up our experience. “Mill Creek in Gold” and “Mill Creek Bank”
I’m still basking in the glow of the Eastern Sierras and hoping for an opportunity to visit and paint again there next year.
I’m posting this while on a on a painting trip with Allied Artists West. We are chasing fresh air and fall colors.
Most of these pieces were painted on the property of a friend who has a home here. Veronica hosted dinners each evening of our Artists Retreat and taught us a bit about mono-printing as well. I may post on that separately.
Next … A few of us are on our way to the Eastern Sierra hoping to catch some fall colors.
A week of painting our beautiful coast with a 25 artists. I went with 3 friends I frequently paint with. We kind of liked being referred to as the “Fab Four” while enjoying making new artist friends. Artist John Hewitt arranged it all. I am hoping to join again next year.
The images above that include titles link are linked to views of the finished pieces.
With views of the Pacific and mountains that rise vertically from the ocean covered with ferns, Kauai is a paradise for a painter.
The friends I went to Kauai have been buddies for decades. We used to work together in Denver. After two of us moved out of state, we began arranging an annual trip. For me, this time is always a highlight of the year.
So enjoyed a painting getaway with a delightful painting buddy. We set up at three locations – Garrapata, Point Lobos and Pacific Grove.
What an exhilarating experience to spend a week painting in the mountains with friends. As a bonus, we were so fortunate to hit the fall colors at their peak.
Some of these pieces are finished, some will get some attention in the studio and others will remain as field studies.
