Written while or about traveling.
A dear friend and painting buddy, Karin Leonard, a few years ago created a website to support and preserve parks – whether neighborhood parks, local preserves, state parks, national parks, or parks throughout the world. The idea – artists creating paintings in parks anywhere join and then donate a portion … Read More
Often I choose to paint out in a new location, but with the quarantine in place, I have stayed home, choosing my subjects as the spring comes on. I planted a magnolia tree several years ago. It is the first large tree to bloom on our property in Soquel each … Read More
During the month of July, a number of plein air artists were invited to paint at several farms, vineyards, and ranches, to highlight the beauty of our productive lands in the Pajaro Valley. The month of painting will culminate in an exhibition at the Pajaro Valley Gallery, 37 Sudden Street … Read More
For the past ten years, I have enjoyed 4 straight days of painting on the Big Sur Coast. During these four days, I paint like a fiend as there are no other responsibilities. I have been accompanied by some combination of nine friends, as we share meals, art books, and … Read More
All the rains of winter have given way for a spectacular spring wildflower bloom as the sunshine warms the land. Poppies on the hills in So CA. My garden was also in bloom with drifts of calla lilies, forget-me-nots , rosemary and clematis. On our return trip from San Diego … Read More
Lunasea Gallery in Pescadero is now representing my paintings and prints. Stop in and say hi to Janice in this great weekend adventure village. Look for my paintings in the upstairs gallery space. Lunasea is located at 290 Stage Rd in Pescadero CA , a small village a few miles … Read More
Winter has clearly arrived here on California’s central coast. The rain is so good for all of the land; already we see the green beginning to arrive. Soquel Creek, flowing beneath my house and art studio, has become Soquel River! During these cool, wet days, I love to hole up … Read More
This autumn I joined several of my painting friends on an adventure in Yosemite Valley. The group were all members of a Santa Cruz area painting group I helped form back in 2001. At least 15 members of that group went to Yosemite in the middle of October. We hoped … Read More
So far this summer, I have been dodging the fog to paint our glorious Coast. Garrapata, Carmel Highlands, and Davenport Landing have been some of my plein air subjects. I also painted some new oak meadow spring pieces with wildflowers and one of an old sycamore tree with a … Read More
A sparkling highlight of my painting year was a trip to Amsterdam and Italy with Richard. In Amsterdam, I was inspired by Van Goghs colorful paintings with their rich texture. I also visited the Dutch masters at the Rijksmuseum. The Rembrandts, Vermeers and Israels paintings exhibited masterful use of light … Read More
Travel Report: hunkered down to study the waves I just returned from my annual retreat to Carmel with artist friends. We painted for 4 days, ate out at fine restaurants and laughed a lot. The wind and fog during the retreat necessitated many layers of clothing, but despite the cold, … Read More
Cloud formations provide a stimulating challenge for a landscape painter. After a spring rain, I often see formations of cotton-like cumulus clouds, billowing in from the sea. When choosing to paint them, it is quite helpful to prepare a draw down of grays, 4 values. Don’t let the darkest be … Read More
Today, Richard and I made a trip to Carmel Valley to check out the new Local Color Gallery. It was a fine day, and a fine ride.Local Color has been selling my paintings out of their Big Sur gallery and store since 2009, and my prints for the last 4 … Read More
A new public access point has opened at Lower La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. This preserve is located on the peninsula south of San Francisco by about 45 minutes, and north of my Soquel studio by about an hour. In December, Sue Elliott (of plein air muse) and I … Read More