St Mary's Hearst Gallery, Opening Reception and Paintout for "Superbly Independent: Early California Paintings by Annie Harmon, Mary DeNeale Morgan and Marion Kavanagh Wachtel" this Sunday

I have been invited to paint during the opening events of this exhibit this Sunday.
I can't wait to see the works by these painters.



Superbly Independent: Early California Paintings by Annie Harmon, Mary DeNeale Morgan and Marion Kavanagh Wachtel
July 25 - Sept. 19, 2010
Nearly 100 landscape paintings by three pioneer Western women painters

Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel (1870 - 1954), Untitled (Eucalyptus Trees, watercolor, 12 x 9 inches, n.d. Courtesy of The Irvine Museum)

Tenacious and talented early women landscape painters often received scant attention from the art world. Although it was unusual at the turn of the century to find women artists working atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific or deep in the middle of a pine forest, that is just where these three artists spent much of their careers.

The Hearst Gallery first became interested in Annie Harmon because of her connection to landscape master William Keith—she was his painting student for many years, and became a family member when her brother married Keith’s daughter. Keith’s pupils were primarily women, and he was known to encourage others in their pursuit of a painting career.

While researching Harmon and her relationship with her mentor, interesting parallels emerged with her contemporaries Mary DeNeale Morgan and Marion Kavanagh Wachtel. By presenting the three gifted, independent and pioneering painters together, we are also able to look at the breadth and variety of the California landscape—from the densely wooded forests of the north, to the Bay Area and the spectacularly scenic central coast, to the bright, strong colors and tones of the desert and the Southland.

This exhibition and accompanying catalogue would not have been possible without the generous support of two dedicated collectors, Betty Boone Williams and Alberta Parker Horn. Works are also on loan from museums, galleries, public and private collectors. The richly illustrated color catalog includes a complete checklist of paintings, with biographical essays by Jean Stern, Executive Director of The Irvine Museum; independent art historian, Erika Esau; and Julie Armistead, the exhibition’s guest curator.

" Forest Hill" 14 x 14 from the Superbly Independent  Opening Day Paint Out.
I wanted to focus more on trees in tribute to Harmon, Wachtel and Morgan.

Public Hours: Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 am – 4:30 pm Telephone: (925) 631.4379 Website: www.hearstartgallery.org Contact: Heidi Donner, hdonner@stmarys-ca.edu (925) 631.4069

Five Watercolorists Exhibit at Epperson Gallery extended to August 15th

There has been strong interest in the watercolor exhibit at the Epperson Gallery, so it has been extended through August 15th. If you are interested in seeing some of the most accomplished watercolor painters in Northern California ,I recommend that you make time to travel to Crockett to see it. Artists in the exhibit include Dick Cole, Linda Sutton  Michael Reardon and me.
Here are some of my paintings at the Epperson Gallery

 Mount Diablo, Northern View 14 x 14

Spring Tapestry 16 x 12

Here is a link to the Epperson Gallery in Crockett for hours and information

3rd Award Watercolor at the 80th Statewide Exhibit of Contemporary Landscape Painters at SCAL, Last Chance ,closing this weekend

My Painting " 'Mount Diablo Morning"  was Awarded 3rd Prize Watercolor in the exhibit by Juror Richard Mayhew. The exhibit closes this Sunday ,so you still have time to see it. The complete list of award winners is posted here at the SCAL web site.

Art Vs Oil Spill:Artful Products at Zazzle for Save the Gulf- Wild Life Rehab

Paul Jackson  has offered artists a way to do something about the Gulf of Mexico. He has set up a Zazzle store where you can buy products with the proceeds going to the Wildlife rescue. Here's a link to the online store, there are 18 new products in just the first day, so please take a look. Zazzle store link.

 Pacific Swirls. I feel lucky to live in Northern California relatively near the Coast, and am grateful for the chance to help.
This online Zazzle store features a collection of artwork donated by artists around the the world specifically to benefit wildlife rescue operations along the Gulf Coast in the wake of the BP oil spill disaster.

Proceeds from your purchase will benefit an organization that is all volunteer and they will use the funds where they can do the most good.

The name of the organization is Wildlife @Rehabilitation & Nature Preservation Society, Inc. or WRANPS. TIN is 64-0701440. They were formed in 1983 and are a 501(c)3. Their info can be verified on Guidestar, the official website that monitors US Non-Profits. They are also registered with the Secretary of State of MS as a Charity. Their address is P O Box 209; Long Beach, MS 39560.

Please feel free to donate to them directly!
Make checks payable to Wildlife Rehabilitation & Nature Preservation Society, Inc. or WRANPS. P O Box 209; Long Beach, MS 39560. (in the note/subject line of your check, please include "art vs oil spill") Attn: Jan Dubuisson
Thank you for all that you can do to help!!

Sneak Peak of New Publication "Splash 11" on Amazon.com and Five Watercolorists at the Epperson Gallery

Northlight Books Biannual Publication series of the Best in Watercolor has just published the latest edition " Splash 11 New Directions". I am pleased that my painting "A Tangled Place" is included in this book which includes only  111 Artists who entered the competition.

 I usually paint panoramas and began looking in a new direction, directly in front of me as I tackled the challenge of abstracting a foreground. Amazon lets you look inside  and my painting is in the samples  selected.

 A Tangled Place 14 x 14 

Carpet of Flowers 12 x 16 Available at the Epperson Gallery


One of the reasons I was able to succeed with this new direction is that I was interested enough to create a series of the same theme and explore variations.
Another painting in this series, Carpet of Flowers, is a part of the five watercolorists exhibit at the Epperson Gallery, Crockett, on display now through July 11th , with an opening reception June 5, 5 to 7.
Other watercolorists in this exhibit include Linda Sutton, Dick Cole and Michael Reardon who all do some of the most beautiful and accomplished paintings in watercolor I have ever seen.
I am thrilled to be a part of this exhibit and hope to see you at the reception.

Sonoma Plein Air Day Four to Six

We finally got some sun on Thursday and I got in two very different paintings.

Survivor 12 x 12
I was happy to have sunlight to paint and this gorgeous Eucalyptus caught my eye. I like it when there is one tree left of what you know was  once a windbreak .

A Perfect Day 12 x 16

After another fabulous lunch by Terry ( apricot chicken ) I drove over to Green String Farm where Hylla Evans pointed out the way to a wonderful painting spot beside the pond, and out of the wind. There were egrets, cranes, red-winged black birds , crows( having a discussion about what the heck I was doing)  and sheep baahing in the next field. This is the kind of setting I love to paint in and will be back to paint.

Friday was spent staring at paintings touching them up and framing. Friday night was the gala at Cline Cellars where Dick Cole very deservedly won artists' choice with his masterful watercolor.
Saturday, the rain held off and we had good foot traffic all day. A side benefit of the sale is being able to talk with other artists ,something I don't do often enough. It was especially fun talking with Dick Cole and Micheal Reardon, my fellow Watercolor painters.  My hosts, the Bieneman's were gracious and generous hosts.
If you would like to read about other painters at this event, my fellow bloggers for this event are Terry Miura and Bill Cone
In spite of the weather, it was a great week , in no small part because of the wonderful job done by the volunteers who work on this event year round. Art education in the schools needs all the support we can give it. To find out more about the foundation go  to the Sonoma Plein Air Web Site