Monday, August 24, 2015

Plein Air at the Villa

 Villa Catalana Stone House 11" x 14", oil on canvas board $150
 Villa Catalana Lotus Pond 14" x 18", oil on gallery wrapped canvas $350

Last Saturday was the second annual garden party at Villa Catalana where artists were invited to paint plein air.  The gardens are sumptuous with rare plants and a large pond with lotus flowers.  A jazz band played on a gazebo overlooking the pond while guests strolled with glasses of Villa Catalana Cellars wine.  Although the location is in Oregon City, it felt like a vacation in Spain or Italy!  The air was hazy with wind blown ash from wildfires east of the Cascades, but it was still beautiful, especially the vivid orange sunset.  I painted the Villa Catalana Stone House that afternoon, and brought with me several paintings from last year including the Villa Catalana Lotus Pond.    Art, music, fine wine: a lovely day!

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Paint out

 Cooper Mountain View 11" x 14", oil on canvas board

 Vineyard, 12" x 12", oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Had a wonderful time at a workshop with Don Bishop, arranged by the Roaming Studio, at Cooper Mountain Vineyards.  It's so amazing to find such a gorgeous view just outside Portland and the suburbs of Beaverton.  The sample of pinot noir was part of the pleasure of this day!  The first painting was done alla prima on site, the second one from my photo.