Farmers Market

It has been a couple of months since I have painted and posted about it. The weather got cold, it rained, it snowed, and I did not feel like going out on location and fighting the elements. Also I have been busy with illustration work which is good.

So, for this painting,  I resorted to painting in the studio.  This painting was done from some reference I took last year at the Farmer's Market here in Placerville which should be starting up soon every Saturday now that the weather is getting better. The Farmer's Market is a great place to find imagery to paint.  I hope to do a series of paintings from this location this summer.

Finished painting watercolor 14"X17".

South Fork American River

These two painting were done on location underneath the Coloma Bridge, and it was so peaceful. The first one looking south on the American River was painted  in the morning between 10 -12. With the below average rainfall and snow this year, the river is lower than usual.  After a lunch of a granola bar and loosing my apple in to the river, I decided to paint the view looking north on the river, underneath the same bridge.  I seldom do two paintings in the same location on one day, but I was drawn to those mountains scattered with oaks, and decided to seize the moment.  Again, due to the lack of rain and snow, the water was a bit stagnant.  Perhaps the winter weather will return to normal in the next few months and when I return at a later time there will be white water to paint. Both of these paintings were painted on a half sheet of watercolor paper, 15" X 23".

Lake Tahoe 1

Lake Tahoe is 1 hour and fifteen minutes up Highway 50 from Placerville. Truly one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Even with the warm weather lately it is a bit cold to paint on location in watercolor up at Tahoe this time of year.  So I resorted to inspiration from some reference taken by my neighbor, Jerry.  Tahoe is gorgeous all year round.  Finished painting in watercolor 12" X 18".

George's Barn

This is George's Barn.  The first one (bottom) was painted on location earlier this month, and is looking south at the barn from the El Dorado Cemetery.  The second one (top) painted today, is looking north at the barn. This barn is located 1/2  mile from Poor Red's, one of last weeks paintings.  I was granted permission from George to park on his property next to Hwy 49 in front of his fence and sketch this barn.  It is posted no trespassing. I figured I should get permission, something I have learned is a good thing, especially when it comes to painting.  He tells me a lot of people stop to paint his barn. This is my first posting of the week. I have had illustration work, which takes precedence to plein air painting at this time.  Due to the weather and the temperature, this painting was finished in my studio, watercolor on paper,  14"X18".

Turkey Barns

Being that it was raining again today, I had to find shelter in order to paint. I ended up in Pleasant Valley (8 minutes from my studio) at Gist Silversmiths, a company that makes belt buckles.  A gentleman by the name of Jim gave me permission to park my easel underneath the awning of his building.  This was a perfect location to paint these abandoned turkey barns that sit out next to Pleasant Valley road, well I've heard they were turkey barns at one time. They have been vacant since I have lived in Placerville.  I was drawn to their whiteness against the muted mountains and trees on this dreary rainy day.  This completes my first week of painting in Placerville.  Ironically all of the paintings I have done this week have buildings in them. I don't know what this means, nor can I say that I am compelled to paint only pictures with buildings. We will see next week.  I will not paint tomorrow as I am off to San Francisco for a Pro Life march.  Today's painting from Pleasant Valley near Placerville, Turkey Barns, watercolor on paper, 8" X 23". 

Rain On Poor Reds

I have never painted in the rain before.  Today was a first.  It was difficult. I decided to paint this famous bar in the town of El Dorado, which is about 8 miles from Placerville. People come from all over to go to this bar. Poor Reds is known for their "Golden Cadillacs" a drink made with Galliano, Creme de Cacao, and  light cream,  over crushed ice that is.  Today is my sister's 46th B-Day and she would love to meet at Poor Red's and have a Golden Cadillac.  I set up  to paint in an automotive business which was actually a refurbished gas station,  located across the street  form Poor Reds.  I did have an awning type structure over my head, and though it wasn't raining on me, the weather was too damp.  My paper stayed wet the entire time,  and I had to come home after 3 hours and finish the painting in my studio. Rain On Poor Reds, watecolor on paper 14' X 19". 

Crystal Mountains

Today was one of those days. I admit it was a struggle.  This painting did not come together like I had hoped it would. I find myself wanting to go back and paint this painting again.  I feel as though I would change the way I painted a few areas (mainly the vineyards).  This is a case where I was trying to adhere too much to what actually was, and not paint in more of a reactive mode.  Painting in watercolor requires a decisiveness and a confidence in each stroke.  This will lead to a crisp, spontaneous painting.  I did not feel that when I was painting this picture, so there is an uncertainty to this painting that I see when I look at it. This was painted on a hill above Pleasant Valley at Sierra Vista Winery. What I was initially drawn to in deciding to paint this picture was the small glimpse of the snow capped moutains that were barely visible in the far distance.  In this composition the perspective of the building, the vineyards, and the old road all point to these mountains, called the Crystal Mountains, which should have a ton more snow on them than they do. It's been a very dry winter in Placerville, and northern California. Crystal Mountains, watercolor on paper, 14"X 23".