Monterey, Beauty Above and Below

The beauty of Monterey California is difficult to compare to anywhere else in the world.  I love going there and watching the waves, birds, sea life and people enjoying the scenery.  When I was invited to participate in a show at the Monterey Conference Center with 8 other members of the Central Coast Art Association, I began to think about what I could do to show all the beauty around me.  Below is the painting I came up with.  

 I love exploring the Monterey Bay Aquarium so I just had to add some of those images to my painting.  So you see a window with things below and above the water around the edges.  It was a fun challenge to do this painting.

This painting will be on display along with two more of my paintings at the

Monterey Conference Center Alvarado Art Gallery
(at the top of the escalators)

 September to the end of November 2019.  

Artwork copyright protected.  No reproductions, or copying allowed!

PASTEL: Calla Lilies in Pacific Grove

Calla Lilies in Pacific Grove  pastels  22" x 26

Calla Lilies on the Coast  8" x 10"  oil 

My friend and I decided to paint along the coast in Pacific Grove, CA in Monterey County.  It was such a beautiful day and we were delighted to find a big stand of calla lilies which someone had planted near the water.  We set up our easels and painted. 

< Here is my plein air painting / study from that day.  The calla lilies were thick and in full bloom as was the purple Pride of Maderia.  The sea was brilliant blue and there were large black cormants sunning themselves on the rocks.

It was a lovely day and I never forgot those pretty white calla lilies on the coast.

So when a pastel show was announced at our Carnegie Arts Center, I thought I might try working from my plein air study and create a new painting from that day.  The finished painting is above and below you can see a few shots I took in progress as I worked on this pastel painting.

Study for the final painting

 

< Here is a small study I worked up to get ready for the larger pastel painting.   Now for sale on Daily Paintworks.  

 9" x 10"   Callas and Butterflies in Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove is famous for its Monarch Butterflies so I added butterfly stamps around the border and colored them with the Pan Pastels.  

I have been wanting to try out my new Pan Pastels so here was my chance!  I bought a large sheet of Uart sanded pastel paper and cut it to fit a frame I already
 had.  

My idea was to have a painting within a painting.  Like you might look out a window to the scene.  I wanted to try some mixed media techniques as well  using stamps and a Versa stamp pad with the pan pastels.  

I wanted the area around the central square to be soft and dreamy, mystical and magical surrounding the more in-focus center.  So I began by taping around the central square to form a frame.

<  This photo shows the beginning stages of working the outer frame with the soft pan pastels and the sofft sponges.  Sofft sponges are specially designed to use with the pan pastels.  They are in the shape of standard artist's paint brushes so are so nice to work with. 

< Here I am starting to work the central section.  I wanted some of the leaves and lilies to overlap into the border for added interest, so I needed to plan it out a bit.

Close up.  Working with large sofft sponges

Let me know how you like my pastel painting and wish me luck getting into the pastel show!

My painting was accepted to this National Juried Competition along with a 2nd pastel painting.

On display at the 
THE FINE ART OF PASTELS
March 28 - May 26, 2019
Carnegie Arts Center
250 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA  95380

Also accepted is my pastel
"Carmel Mission Sanctuary"
Which won an award in another
show (shown in photo)

ACEO BLACK & WHITE Drawings

DRAWING IN BLACK AND WHITE

Above Monterey Bay  SOLD

I have been exploring drawing with a variety of mixed media including white ink, white pastel and pencil, black and brown inks and other pens.  It is interesting to see what a colorful scene looks like using just these medias.  I am working for a good NOTAN design and practicing for a possible painting as well.  I have been influenced by Vincent Van Gogh's drawings after reading Irving Stone's book "Lust for Life".  Vincent was an amazing observer of nature and used his pens magnificently!  

The drawings are small ACEOs.  An ACEO stands for "Art Card Edition Original" and they must always be to the standard size 2.5" x 3.5" a little bigger than a business card. Collectors are putting these into binders as well as framing them.  

Collectors trade these ACEOs like trading cards.

My drawings are on a variety of papers,  usually grays and dark greens.  I have some of them in auctions on eBay and on Daily Paintworks.  Below are a few I have been working on lately.  
If you would like to buy one of these contact me.  

Each of these have been matted to fit an 8" x 10" frame. 

You can click on an image to view it bigger. 

Calla Lilies in Pacific Grove - ACEO  - SOLD

Splashing Swan  - ACEO

Sunset #1 - ACEO

By the Sea -  ACEO

Trip to Monterey Bay And Moss Landing - Boats & Sea Otters!

I really enjoy the Central California coast.  The smell of the sea, the sound of the waves and the seals and the flight of birds in the air.  We go to the Monterey Bay beaches as often as we can.  It is always difficult to leave.  While there last week we spotted a number of sea otters just off the dock in Moss Landing.  

I did not have time to paint this trip, but I have painted there in the past.  Here is one of those paintings:

Moss Landing Bird Haven    oil

I call this "Moss Landing Bird Haven"  This is a great place to go bird watching.  There is a power plant in the distance and many pleasure and fishing boats dock there as well. 
You can buy this painting on Daily Paintworks.

Moss Landing is just west of Monterey, CA.  There are many interesting things to look at there including Elk Horn Slough which is a haven for birds, seals and other aquatic sea life. 

Here are some photos I took on this trip.  Can you see a future painting here?
The day was very overcast and threatened rain.  It made the colors almost look like a black and white photo.  The tide was way out when we were there.  

Geebes are one of my favorite birds.  They have such elegant long necks and swim so gracefully.  Now you see them, now you don't!  They disappear into the water instantly!  There were lots of them at Moss Landing on this trip.  So wonderful to see!

I hope you get to go to Moss Landing one day.  

5 Paintings in Monterey County Show!

I was delighted to learn today that one of my 5 paintings which had been juried into the Art Council of Monterey County's "Celebrating Artist of Monterey County" show has won an Honorable Mention!  We enjoyed the reception for the artists at the government office buildings.
The show is beautifully hung and 3 of my paintings are displayed right under the sign!

All paintings are for sale and the show will be up for one year in the Government Center Administration Building,  168 W. Alisal, Salinas, CA.  

"Carmel Mission Sanctuary"
pastels

I saw this lady walking down the aisle at Carmel Mission one rainy day.  She had a very large umbrella which she was using as a cane.  I was captivated by the warm glow in the mission and the refections on the well worn tile.  

Salinas Valley Lettuce Farm  -  oil,  9 x 12

< Also accepted to this show

Harvesting Radicchio   oil  12" x 16"

It is interesting to see these hard workers in the lettuce fields. 

Monterey Rec Trail  oil  20" x 16"

Above the Salinas Valley   oil   12" x 16"


See more work on my website:  www.RhettsStudio.com

I painted the trail along the beach in Monterey standing in a parking lot.  The eucalyptus trees are so beautiful along this path.  

Monterey Artists Open Studio Tour Sept 24 & 25th 2016

My friend, Tamara Keiper, and I had a great time displaying our art at the Monterey County Arts Open Studio Tour.  We were at a beautiful house above Monterey Bay and I was lucky to be located in the dining room and kitchen.  I set up my display with my new paintings, cranes, note cards and a few prints.  In one corner I had my easel and incredibly I was actually able to work on a small painting on Sunday.  

Tamara worked so hard to the signs ready to direct folks to our studio and her husband and a friend helped by getting them put up. 

Carolyn was our greeter and helped us by getting folks to sign the guest book.  Tamara had a beautiful display of her work as well.  Be sure and click on the link to her website.   We had refreshments and a friendly group of people stop by and visit with us.  

A little of Tamara's display of wonderful paintings!

On Sunday it was really hot for the coast and we only had a few visitors.  We think they all went to the beach!  Not really a bad idea.  I want to thank all those who did stop by and visit with us.  It was a lovely weekend.   

I had my decorated paper lanterns on display too!

Just look at those Daily Paintings!

My easel set up in the corner!  Even got a painting started!

 

My Gift Box Note Card display

Some of my paintings on easels next to my multiple crane display rack.

I tried out my new display A frame.  I am happy with it.

More Daily Paintings on the other side. 

 Check out my website at:
www.RhettsStudio.com

My next events.... 
 Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival ... Nov. 5th and 6th at Hutchings Square, Lodi, CA
 and 
 the 23rd Fine Arts Festival, sponsored by the San Joaquin Potters Guild
  at St. Basil's Greek Orthodox Church  920 W. March Lane, Stockton, CA
  Fri. Nov. 18th  4pm - 8pm  and Sat Nov. 19  10am - 4pm

Still Exploring the Color ORANGE

SPRING POPPIES  6x6  oils

APRIL 11th  Monday
Last week we took a 3 day trip to Monterey, CA and the coast.  I was amazed to see all the California poppies in bloom on the hill sides and even in downtown Carmel and Monterey!  Well naturally, I had to take photos! After all, they are ORANGE!  I was so surprised how difficult poppies are to paint and they are made up of such a variation of oranges and yellows.  Capturing the various shadows and changes in color was a challenge.  

< Here is my first effort.  I worked in water mixable oils on an ampersand gesso panel.  DAILY PAINTING # 29

SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE

< Here is my 2nd effort.   I am worried that my paintings will not be dry in time for my Open Studio April 23 & 24th, so I thought I would try acrylics this time.  Wow!  What a difference!  I have not worked in acrylics in a number of years and found it quite a challenge.  The colors change as they dry, blending is more difficult and making puddles of color doesn't work because they dry so quickly.  But I worked on.
DAILY PAINTING #30    6x6 acrylics on ampersand gesso panel

CALIFORNIA GOLD   6x6 acrylics

< Second try at acrylics. I am slowly learning to manage acrylics and remembering from my work with them years ago.  I realize that I could use some new brushes,  I don't want to use my oil brushes and the ones I have are just too soft.  And I am struggling with the transparency of acrylics too.  But I do think this one is a little better.  
DAILY PAINTING #31

CARMEL POPPIES  4X6 acrylics

< So now I am getting a little more confident in acrylics.... well just a little.  This time I tried a smaller painting... just 4" x 6" on gessoed watercolor paper.  I found these poppies growing near the Carmel River in front of a house.  So cheerful to see them!
DAILY PAINTING #32





I can't believe I have painted 32 paintings now!  Great practice!
These little guys will be available for sale at my Open Studio.  
6x6s are $100 without a frame / $125 with a floater frame.  
4x6s are matted to fit an 8" x 10" frame and are $45 each.  
Believe me, they look better in person!  Come on by and check them out!

I am often asked "How long did it take you to paint that?"
My answer is simple: 
"After 50 years of practice, it took me 3 hours to paint this small painting." 

2013 Plein Air Conference in Monterey CA

I just returned from a very fun and informative event in Monterey, CA.  Plein Air Magazine hosted this conference and it was wonderful.  Eric Rhoads and Steve Doherty did an excellent job organizing everything.  We were with over 600 artists oozing with enthusiasm and eager to learn.  Some artists came from New Zealand, Africa, Canada, South America and Saudi Arabia!  I think every state was represented as well. 

We were up very early at 6:30 for Art Marketing workshops.  We listened to speakers and took lots of notes!  Ed Terpening did a very interesting presentation on marketing.

Then we watched some of the best artists painting today doing demos.  Some of the artists were:  Scott Christensen, Don Demers, Peggy Kroll-Roberts, Ned Mueller, Donald Neff, Morgan Samuel Price, Brian Blood, Lori Putnam and Camille Prizewodek!  It was like taking 20 workshops all rolled into one!  They were all awesome! 

The highlight of the event for me was to meet Mian Situ.  What a charming man he is and such an amazing artist!   I honestly think he is the greatest living artist today painting in the realistic style. the entire audience gave him a standing ovation!  Do look at his awesome paintings on his website.  He is a photo of me with him.

It was amazing to see how each artist has their own style of painting, way of approaching a painting, and choice of materials. What I learned most was to keep doing it my own way, but to experiment with new things too!  I love color and want to explore some new paints.  But at the same time I want to try some limited palettes too, with just a few colors. 

I am looking forward to the conference next year!