Forget Me Not Farm Donation

 This Saturday May 20 th is the Art From the Heart fundraiser for Forget Me Not Farm children’s services. 

A therapeutic haven for traumatized children and animals. Since it’s beginning in 1992 the farm has helped thousands of at-risk children and youth break the cycle of abuse.

Sonoma Plein Air Art Festival Sept 10 to 16th

I will be on the square in Sonoma on Saturday September 16th from 10 to 4 as a part of the annual plein air event . Now in it's 15th year, the festival has raised over 1 million dollars for Art Education in Sonoma County.

Here are a few paintings from years past:

A Thirsty Hill

Windbreak Chileno Valley

Pacific Promontory



More information and the complete schedule of events is at http://sonomapleinair.com

November Vines, California Watercolor Landscape Painting

November Vines 13 1/2 x 15 1/2

This started out as an experiment for me, I was waiting for a bicycle event in Sonoma to end and found these two ancient vines next to the road, I was missing fall color in New England so decided to try my hand at these two wild ones.

I liked their wildness and the play of warm and cool reds and burnt oranges.Like painting trees , I concentrated on the gesture and main shapes made by groups of leaves rather than rendering every leaf. The distance away I was sitting helped. It is a luxury to get to paint outside in California where the fall colors are accompanied by temperatures in the 60's.

Fairmont Gallery Representation and Wine Country Invitational

 Hillside Vineyard 10 x 20 Available Fairmont Gallery

I have long enjoyed the work of Manette Fairmont who won the Gold Medal at the California Watercolor Association 2007 National Exhibition. This accomplished artist also has a gallery she curates  in the Square at Sonoma. I have visited over the years and always been impressed with the artists she represents so I am  very happy to be included.
Here is a link to the gallery web site:

http://fairmontgallery.com/   
The Gallery is located at 447 West First Street and I hope you can visit if you are in Northern California this Summer.
I am also participating in the wine country invitational here on September 17th.

Sonoma Vineyard Paintings from October

October Vines 14 x 14
October Vines Study 9 x 12
Vineyard Rythmns 14 x14
Three paintings of vineyards from October. I am working on getting comfortable painting smaller. I like the vineyards climbing up hills and you can see I am still using high horizons.