Happy New Year!

2023 was a very challenging year, hitting high and lows on all five senses and leaving, like most years, with gains and losses. This year was no different; but seeing this year in the rear view is more welcome than most years.

Artistically and personally, this was a high year with the ‘California Views’ exhibition being presented at the Pacific Grove Art Center.; the culmination of two years’ efforts. My personal highlight was capturing Bixby Bridge from the water aboard the Ocean Pearl in eight foot swells.

Captain Phil, Anne, Artist

Another highlight is the Yosemite Renaissance 38, a traveling show of artwork in galleries near and inside Yosemite National Park. I was very pleased to have sold one of my pieces in this show. Yosemite is a very cherished experience for me my whole life. I’ve already entered Yosemite Renaissance 39! Fingers crossed.

‘Yosemite Half Dome from the Camp Curry Bridge’ found its forever home this year.

Looking forward to 2024 and whatever it may bring.

I hope your 2024 is everything you want it to be!

‘Morning Light 12 Rain’ Watercolor - Final painting for 2023

'California Views' Closes Thursday, 14 December 2023

I have been very fortunate to have my collection of paintings for ‘California Views’ on display at the Pacific Grove Art Center. But alas, the show closes this coming Thursday, 14 December 2023.

Along with ‘California Views’ are multiple exhibits and artists in residence you should check out at the PGAC. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

I want to give a big ‘thank you’ to the PGAC crew, and especially Kim, for this opportunity.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

All 24 paintings featured in ‘California Views’ - Not to Scale

Opening Night Reception 3 November 2023

PGAC Show 'California Views' Ends 14 December 2023

I wanted to send out a reminder that there is less than two weeks remaining for the exhibition ‘California Views’, at the Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove, California.

‘California Views’ concludes Thursday, 14 December, 2023.

Below are three watercolors from this exhibition.

Golden Gate - Watercolor 20x16

Pavla at Aquarium - Watercolor 22x30

San Giovanni - Watercolor 22x30

'California Views' Opened November 3, 2023

California Views in Pacific Grove Art Center Now through December 14

It was amazing to me to walk into the gallery and see my work on display - all at once in one place. PGAC has the best curator and people helping to put everything together.

Lovers Cove Interior - with Jill and her dog Ringo

I finally found out at the exhibit opening last night the names of the swimmer and her dog in the ‘Lovers Cove Interior’ painting: Jill and Ringo. More than a few people knew them and been swimming with them. Very fun.

It was a delight to share some of the paintings’ backstories with guests. Even more fun for me was to have a chance to get real-time feedback from people as they shared their comments. The weather cooperated and the evening was balmy and contributed to more people out and about and visiting the PGAC.

Another wall.

I also had a chance to briefly check out the additional exhibitions and was impressed with the variety and professionalism in the other galleries. So much energy!

Bixby Bridge, Monterey Harbor, Monterey Kelp with artist for scale.

Come and see for yourself at the Pacific Grove Art Center - Open Wednesday to Saturday 12-5pm; Sunday 12-4pm. Website: Pacific Grove Art Center Home Page (pgartcenter.org)

Hope you enjoy the exhibition.

California Views – Opening Reception 7PM, November 3 at Pacific Grove Arts Center

New Show – Opening Reception 7PM, November 3

California Views in Pacific Grove Arts Center November 3 through December 15

For over a year I have been preparing paintings for this new show highlighting views of California including Yosemite, Golden Gate, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Bixby Bridge. Also included are several multi-image paintings using different mediums and timeframes to show off a specific location. While mostly acrylic on canvas, there are a few watercolors and oil paintings on display.

For the paintings from a boat, I again enjoyed working with Phil Sammet and the Underwater Company in Monterey, Santa Cruz, Carmel, and Bixby Bridge. We used the small zodiac for Monterey and Santa Cruz over several days. The first day of painting the Bixby Bridge from the back of the Ocean Pearl is shown here (courtesy Phil Sammet). We all learned a lot about securing large canvases on a boat with this one!

Bixby Bridge Painting Day 1 from Ocean Pearl

The excitement of painting on a rocking boat out on the ocean never gets old or dull. More than once in the course of these paintings the wind went one way and the painting went the other way. Everything worked out in the end. Painting the Lone Cypress in Carmel resulted in blue hair and a colorful sweatshirt (photos courtesy Phil Sammet).

Come and see for yourself at the Pacific Grove Art Center - Open Wednesday to Saturday 12-5pm; Sunday 12-4pm. Website: Pacific Grove Art Center Home Page (pgartcenter.org)

Hope you enjoy the exhibition.

Yosemite Renaissance 38 for 2023-2024

I am thrilled two of my paintings will be included in the Yosemite Renaissance 38 traveling art show to help inspire the public to understand, preserve, and protect our wild lands and natural places. This annual Yosemite Renaissance Exhibition offers artists inspired by Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada a unique opportunity to promote their work. The exhibit opens at Yosemite Gateway Art Center in Oakhurst, March 18, 2023, then travels to other art centers across California. The traveling exhibition will run through March of 2024.

For more information about the Yosemite Renaissance Program visit their website : Yosemite Renaissance

2022 Journey Through Artwork

This year saw me try some new techniques, take a class, make mistakes and have fun. A few highlights are I have met new people at paint outs, was successfully juried into a national watercolor show, and am enjoying a solo exhibition in a San Mateo County Gallery through February 2023. Another major highlight for me this year was working one-on-one with a Visual Arts Association mentor, Karen van Hoey Smith.

I cut back from entering many online exhibitions that I had entered over the last few years; I am saving up for the work that I started in 2022 and continues in 2023 for a major exhibition this coming November-December in Pacific Grove Art Center.

I have attached a collage video of the artwork I have completed this year minus the artwork I am creating for my show in Pacific Grove. I am looking forward to a fun 2023!

2022 Artwork

Santa Cruz 14-17 November 2022

Santa Cruz session for next year’s exhibition was filled with fun experiences, great weather and inspiring locations. This water episode concentrated on Natural Bridges State Park and the Dipper at the Boardwalk. Both off to great starts thanks to Phil’s placement and patience. We learn something each time on the water to better stabilize the painting platform. We also had time to check out the surfing contest at steamers and the world’s largest pier. Very happy with the results.

Off to Natural Bridges State Park.

San Mateo County Art Gallery Exhibition 9 November 2022 - 7 February 2023

Very excited to have sixteen paintings of California exhibited in the San Mateo County Art Galleries through February of next year! The paintings include pieces from my 2021 ‘Above and Below Point Lobos SNR’ collection with several additional newer paintings.

Monterey 28 October 2022

Second outing this week for Monterey with Phil Sammet and Underwater Company to try and capture Lover’s Cove in the morning light. The swimmers came over to boat and checked out the painting - what fun! Then motored over to the Aquarium through the rocks. Fortunately, we had a cooperative Stand-Up Paddler who helped add reference for a later watercolor. Both pieces definitely works in progress.

Lover’s Cove start.

Lover’s Cove in morning light.

Accommodating happenstance SUP at ‘Aquarium Through Rocks’

Sunrise at Launching.

Monterey 23-26 October 2022

Stunning weather working on paintings intended for 2023 exhibition in Pacific Grove Art Center. Phil Sammet of the Underwater Company took me to several spots to capture iconic Monterey-Carmel-California landmarks from the water side. It was a great experience in calm weather that changed from moment to moment.

Lover’s Cove far side movie compilation.

Yosemite 17-20 October 2022

Annual pilgrimage to Yosemite National Park this week. Visiting this national park is always a delight and you never know what you’ll see during your time here. This year the plan was to work on a few oils and watercolors.

One of the things that surprised me was the incredible amount of people at this time of year! Coming into the park about noon, there wasn’t a single parking space available at any of the multi-car areas - just a few at isolated turnout spots and a few at the Valley Lodge parking. Campsites were all full as well. We have usually come in early and mid-November or in Winter. Keeping this in mind for next year!

The plus side was bike rentals were operating, the restaurants were all open, and the shuttle buses were running both the smaller loop as well as the whole valley loop.

Weather was 75f daytime and 50f night/mornings and clear - very nice.

This visit I concentrated on Yosemite Falls - dry this time of year, and the Half Dome at sunset. Both walking distance from the Lodge. I was very happy with the results and even had a happy visitor buy a painting right off the easel! I enjoyed the deer eating next to me while I painted, the coyote walking and stopping next to me, and the blue crested jays keeping track of what I was doing very closely. Overall, I’m claiming victory for this trip.

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