Cotati Pastures

Some painting friends from Monday Morning Painters used to have an annual pot luck, paint out, and critique at their place. This pasture adjoins their property. I loved he colors. The foreground was painted with a pallette knife.

Pond at Saralee's Vineyards

These vineyards and property are spectacular with multiple areas to choose for painting. I had tried to paint this pond before, but didn't love the results, so I thought I would try again. The reflections were perfect that day and I think I pretty much captured them. This painting is 16"x12" done en plein air (alla prima).

Afternoon Flower Garden

A few weeks ago I painted this property from the side yard. This time I saw the beautiful flowers and late afternoon shadows on the planter boxes and had to paint it. This place is in Bodega, CA, and the owners say it's been painted countless times. Can you see why? Plus the weather was gorgeous and stayed that way all day.

Old Mill Challenge

This was the Old Mill challenge at Dailypaintworks.com, done from their photo. I cleaned it up a bit taking out some bushes and limbs. I'd like to be here.

Poplars

While at a paint out in Alexander Valley in Healdsburg, CA, I was struggling to find something to paint when I saw these poplars and pasture gate. It was a challenge because of all of the green, so I tried to get a variety of greens. I also tried to create a pattern of darks to move your eye throught the composition.

Sbargia Winery

This is a great place to paint with vast views looking south. It's near Lake Sonoma in Healdsburg, CA, and the people are very friendly and inviting. They even brought us bottled water, so we wouldn't pass out in the heat.

Views at the Top

Patio Retreat

I did a plein air scene in a retreat in the Valley of the Moon. I liked the unusual subject matter and the shadows, plus the shape of the tree trunk that seemed to pick up the curves of the pots and leaves coming out of them.

John's Garden

Marilyn and John live on a fabulous piece of land in Healdsburg, CA, where Marilyn is a Master Gardener and has landscaped multi-acres. Every once in a while they invite people to paint their place. What a treat! There's never ending material to paint. This piece is a converted barn, now a guest house surrounded with gorgeous flower beds.