Painting again...a New Start!

This is a very significant painting. Not because it is particularly very good (in fact, it's more of a "warm up sketch"). But it is the first time I have returned to oil painting in 5 years, since my wife Cathy died in 2010. Cat had been the one to get me started painting many years after I had been in college. And when we lost her, I also lost the desire to paint...it was just too painful. I participated in one Plein Aire event a month after she died, in her honor...but nothing since.

Three days ago, my daughter Jenni came for a visit.  She had planned a "dad-daughter day" together. She had told me to get my paints ready, but that's all she would say about it. So two days ago, we traveled to Summerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery near Louisburg, KS. Unknown to her, I had been to this place with Cathy many years ago. Nor did she know that I had not painted with oils since her Mom has been gone, until I told her while on the way to the winery.

I was VERY rusty, and wasn't sure how I would feel, with brush in hand. But I enjoyed it...and will definitely keep going with this. A huge thanks to all my friends and family that have been so encouraging to me. smile emoticon

Then last night, I had a fun time with my daughters, Jenni, Courtney and her boyfriend Clint Hudon. Jenni and I were talking about these classes that people take where they paint and drink wine. So she decided we should do our version of that...she called it "Brews And Hues"!! Instead of wine, she picked out a variety of beers. Jen and I hit the crafts store and I made little easels from leftover boards and saw-horse clamps. A great evening! smile emoticon (And for those who know me well...no...I didn't drink any of the brews. But could have substituted root beer or tea! Ha!)

And so...for a season...I am just going to keep painting and see what happens. Now that I am retired from working at Hallmark, I've got some flexibility to explore whatever grabs me. This morning, I set up in my backyard and painted my geraniums. I don't usually paint flowers, but I couldn't pass up these awesome red blooms.

TRAVEL: "California Coast" Pt. 5

This will be my final chapter to this series. I just wanted to show you some of the amazing sights that I got to enjoy on my trip.  Above...some local color of Pacific Grove, near Monterey.

Welcome to Pacific Grove!

Gorgeous colors on a lovely day along the coast of Pacific Grove.

 Looking south on the beach at Pacific Grove.

 Some cool houses in Pacific Grove...and a wonderful "horizontally-inclined" cypress tree.

Waves along the beach of Pacific Grove on an overcast evening.

A beautiful day at Monterey Bay! Can you see the seals in the water with the gulls?

 Amazing rock formations along Pebble Beach, on the way to "Carmel By The Sea."

The famous "Lone Cypress" on the 17-mile-Drive heading towards "Carmel By The Sea".

A couple of the incredible views on the scenic Highway 1 near "Big Sur". There is a tiny bridge in the distance of both photos. The top pic is where I was headed...the bottom photo was looking back to the same bridge, as I was farther up the cliff-side road.

An impressive light house on a giant rock along Highway 1. You can see the huge rock in the distance in the top photo.

More amazing coastline views on Hwy 1 along "Big Sur". The drive here is breath-taking...and a little bit scary! One false move and off the edge you go!

The Juila Pfeiffer Burns Falls along Big Sur.

Amazing blue Pacific Ocean colors along Hwy 1.

You can just make out a fortress-like tunnel structure on the edge of the cliff that cars pass through on Hwy 1.

One of the beaches along Los Padres National Forest.

The sea elephants were taking a nap. I think these were all females, as the guys took off after mating season. Typical.

A couple of birds that I saw on my trip. I should do some photoshopping and put that ostrich on the wharf. 

A crazy piece of art on wheels in Santa Barbara!!

I hope you enjoyed coming along with me on my trip!

TRAVEL: "California Coast" Pt. 4

This will by my last post of sketches from my wonderful trip to California. I ended my week-long excursion with a visit to South Pasadena. I was so happy to get to meet artist/author/workshop teacher BRENDA SWENSON in person. We had connected through a sketch group on Facebook. When I arrived in Pasadena, I had dinner with Brenda and her equally talented husband, Mike. Such a nice couple of folks!

Above is a sketch I did of the Arroyo Vista Inn B&B, where I stayed. It took a couple of hours, at least, but it was a pleasant morning in the shade. The Inn is only a few minutes walk away from Brenda's lovely new studio.

I still had a bit of time before meeting up with Brenda and her artist friend, Judy Schroeder, to go sketch in the afternoon. So I drew my rental car in the parking lot. I love the big gnarly trees that surrounded the Inn.

The sketch below is of Castle Green. It used to be a famous hotel, but has been converted to residential living. This was a bit of a "break out moment" for me as a sketcher. I started the drawing in ink, which means there is no correcting of the compositional scale, once begun. I had intended to draw the two round towers at the top of the building. But it was cropped off at the top of my page. Brenda suggested that I just keep drawing across the page and finish the building.  RADICAL!!  I rarely to that!!  I like drawing on the right side, with nothing on the left, so I don't have a previous drawing bleed through.  But in this case...since I was hanging out with two free-spirited Californians...I just took the leap and kept drawing.  (I know...most of you sketchers are probably rolling your eyes, and always draw on the front and back of every page.)

Here is the amazing building, and my sketch.

Below, a photo taken by Brenda Swenson of yours truly.

Here is my sketch before adding color. 

These ladies were my sketching partners for the afternoon...Brenda Swenson (on the left) and her long-time friend, Judy Schroeder (on the right).  It was a lot of fun hanging out with these two.

A selfie with the gals in the park.

Here is Brenda's painting.

And here is Judy's.

After we finished sketching, we went over to see Brenda's wonderful newly-opened STUDIO, which is right above a coffee shop!  We enjoyed a cold beverage, and looked at sketchbooks. Later, Brenda gave me a brief tutorial about one of her favorite water color paints, which I had never heard of: Quinacridone Gold! (David Smith brand, to be specific.)

Below is a photo specifically for my Mom, Dee Ludwig, who would have loved to have joined us. I think Mom has been sketch-friends with Brenda online long before I have. So..."Hey, Mom...here I am in Brenda's Studio!"

Finally, as the day drew to a close (a sketching pun not intended...but appropriate), I got to take a quick tour of Brenda and Mike's backyard to see "The Twins"!! Brenda and Mike have a love for restoring old cars and trucks.  Mike is also an amazing craftsman with wood, and with stained glass...their home looks like a fantastic art museum inside. My love for drawing old rusty machines and vehicles is one thing that Brenda and I share in common! What a terrific way to end my trip.

While this post is the last for my sketches...check back soon. I will share a few photos of the beauty that I saw on this "artist retreat".  Thanks again to all my friends that I got to spend time with on the journey!!