Plein Aire Painting at Sand Harbour, Lake Tahoe

Sand Harbour, Lake Tahoe (i)
Oil on Panel
7x5"

For the past couple of days I've been taking advantage of the tail end of a spell of glorious weather here in Tahoe, by painting outdoors - a thing I kind of dread and love in equal measure.

The last time I did it, was last winter in a snowstorm as part of a plein aire event in the Martis Valley near Truckee. It was cold and as I was entirely inexperienced, I made some logistical errors which made things a bit stressful (overly large canvas got blown into bush, 'buttered side down' as it were). However, I did enjoy the experience - in a masochistic way, I suppose, fancying myself as a 'proper' artist for once, getting out there in the elements in true Turner-esque fashion.

So this time I was more prepared, and had the inspiration of some seasoned plein aire painters to draw on. Artist friend Donald Neff was visiting from San Jose, to pick up his work after the gallery we were both exhibiting in closed down - such a shame.

He invited me and some local artists, Bonita Paulis and Penny Shrawder (who are fellow members of the Tahoe Art League) to go out painting with him. I jumped at the chance, hoping to glean some tips from this award-winning artist - what kind of set-up does he have? how does he deal with annoying tourists/insects/wind/rain/wildlife? Bonita and Penny also work outdoors a lot (in pastels, very beautiful) so I was ready to peep over shoulders.

However, when we arrived, we discovered the beach was being appropriated for a Tommy Hilfiger photo shoot...

...to be continued tomorrow!

Pitcher & Glass Bowl

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Pitcher & Glass Bowl
Oil on Panel
6x4"

I'm thinking I need to be more imaginative with my titles for these paintings...I guess because I'm kind of new at the whole 'Still Life' genre, I'm still a bit literal-minded with them. I have a narrative in mind for the big painting (for which I'm using these as practice pieces, or test runs) - and that's not to say I don't think these studies don't have character, but I'm finding it difficult to express in words what I feel about these paintings (gasp! isn't that the purpose of this blog?!!)

St.Patrick's Day Wine Tasting & Corned Beef Feed

I've donated one of my little paintings to the Silent Auction at this event organised by the Tahoe Rotary Club. A bespoke frame has been kindly donated by my framer Doug Rousse of Lake Tahoe Master Framing - thank you Doug! Tickets are still available - come on over it's all for a very good cause.*

SOUTH SHORE'S MOST POPULAR SHINDIG OF THE YEAR!

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It's the best Irish party of the year! The Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club will host the 40th Annual St. Patrick's Day Wine Tasting and Corned Beef Feed on Saturday, March 15, 2008 starting at 6:00 p.m. It is the best Irish party of the year and a true Lake Tahoe tradition! This lively fund-raiser will be held at Harrah's Convention Center and everyone is invited to come and join in the fun! Enjoy a complete Irish buffet dinner featuring corned sirloin of beef and cabbage with all of the trimmings. Sample generous pours of premium California wine from 12 different wineries. Music and dancing by JJ Entertainment DJ. It's a full evening of St. Patrick's Day celebration!

*The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

Pitcher & Peaches

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I was given a few beautiful white pitchers by a friend, Lon Marie who is clearing out because she's moving to Hawaii to marry hunky surfer/artist Derek Glaskin - how exciting! I couldn't wait to get them home and start painting them - their simple forms are stunning, and the effect of different light on them has given me lots of ideas. Expect lots more of these paintings!

What is Art?

I love this, it's brilliant fun! I nicked it off my artist friend Donald Neff's blog, who nicked it off another artist...isn't that part of what art's all about? watch this and see.

Afternoon Sun

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This is today' s Painting a Day, Afternoon sun, Oil on Panel, 4x6".

When I was ill recently, and spent a few days languishing on the sofa. Fortunately, the light is amazing in the lounge, and I took the opportunity to watch the shafts of sunlight moving over all the objects in the room - in this case, the curtain, a fossil, a speaker, a Yoga manual and a Physics book. It's amazing how ordinary objects can become infused with a subtle magic when the searchlight of sun passes over it through the angular obstacles of architecture. I did several pencil sketches, and saved them for my daily painting when I was feeling better.

China cup & Teapot

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I had a meeting with Billy McCullough of the very lovely Dragonfly Restaurant in Truckee, California yesterday, and he has offered me a couple of spots in their exhibition program! The first will be this August in the bar area, and then in about a year, the swanky Sushi Bar area which will take several very large canvases. Check them out at www.dragonflycuisine.com