Monday, April 30, 2018

Cummins Iris Garden, Scotts Valley - Thursday, April 26, 2018



Many thanks to Irene and Jim Cummins for allowing us to paint in their wonderful iris garden at their private property in Scotts Valley. Their adventure began in 1984 with 6  rhizomes and today their garden is home to more than 800 varieties of iris. In addition to the garden there is an endless collection of curiosities, including bird houses, farm machinery, gardening equipment; and also, a barn, sheds, and a little creek running across the property with a small bridge. It's just delightful!  The property was once a stage stop between Santa Cruz and San Jose where the stages changed to a fresh team of horses to go over the hill. The old house dates back to the late 1840’s and has stood during two major earthquakes, 1906 and 1989. 


For an interesting article about the Cummins and their irises see:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/general-news/20100807/they-only-have-eyes-for-iris-scotts-valley-couple-share-garden-blooms-at-sale


May Paintsites:  There are 5 paintsites this month featuring more flowers in bloom than we'll see the rest of the year!   So if you like flowers, you'll love these Paintsites -- come smell the roses with us.  See the SCVWS website or the May Newsletters for details:
  • Thursday, May 3, 2018:  San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, San Jose.
  • Thursday, May 10, 2018:  CharMarron Peony Gardens, San Jose
  • Thursday, May 17, 2018:  To be determined
  • Thursday, May 24, 2018:  Cooper-Garrod Vineyards, Saratoga (actually here you can smell the horses)
  • Thursday, May 31, 2018:  Holbrook-Palmer Park, Atherton
Shows and Exhibits:
  • Closes May 1, 2018:  SCVWS 50th Annual Member's Show - Truly not to be missed!   Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Centre of Silicon Valley in Los Gatos.   See the SCVWS website for details.
  • Tanvi Buch has a one woman show at the Red Berry Coffee Bar, 145 Main St., Los Altos.   In May she'll have 16 watercolors on the ground floor, in June, another exhibit on the mezzanine.  Go for the artwork and while there enjoy a coffee and a pastry (or two - that's what I'll do) as this is an establishment that supports local artists. 
  • Annie Haines's Point Reyes Lighthouse painting is an Associate Award winner at the Art Between Lines show of the California Art Club San Francisco Bay Chapter. Location: Peninsula Art Museum, Burlingame. Sunday April 29 - July 8, 2018. 
Silicon Valley Open Studios: ( Official website with dates, locations and artists ).  If you follow this blog you've seen many of our Paintsites artists' fine plein air work.   This is a great chance to meet them and see their excellent studio artwork.   Note:  Typically they share a venue with "studio" artists so there will be more than just the artists named below at each venue.    Also, unfortunately, altho' most venues offer "light" refreshments, they don't specify what they're serving so there's no way to plan which to visit on the basis of what's to eat --- you'll just have to visit all of them and find out for yourself.
  • Saturday and Sunday, May 5th & 6th:
    • Annie Haines + Jane Saltman -- Los Altos
    • Jeanne  De Campos-Rousseau   +   Karen Druker  +  Karen Olsen -- Los Altos Hills
    • Kaaren Marquez -- Mt. View
    • Christine Oliver -- Belmont
  • Saturday and Sunday, May 12th & 13th:
    • Jeanne  De Campos-Rousseau   +   Karen Druker   +  Karen Olsen -- Los Altos Hills
    • Christine Oliver -- Sunnyvale
  •  Saturday and Sunday, May 19th & 20th:
    • John "The Painter of Rusty (and other) Things" Ediger -- San Jose
    • Annie Haines -- San Jose
    • Don Paquin -- San Jose

Cummins Iris Garden

A small sample of irises in the garden (photo by Edward)

'Light of Egypt' - another example of the gorgeous
hybrids found in Jim and Irene's garden
(photo by Edward)

Helen

Helen's  close up study of an Iris

Helen's second watercolor with the Scotts Valley
hills in the background

Edward is rejoining Paintsites after several
years absence.  

Edward's  view of the garden 

Benay

Benay's watercolor of the garden's
 collection

Benay's watercolor study of 'Waterline Keppel'

Salinda (photo by Edward)

Salinda's watercolor of one of many beautiful 
multicolored hybrids

Dick keeping cool in the shade

Dick's watercolor of an old farm wagon surrounded by irises

Lora's watercolor sketch of a lovely peach
and purple hybrid

Brad closing the gate so the irises won't escape (photo by Edward)

Marilyn painting a bed of irises (photo by Edward)
Marilyn's painting of a bed of irises


Broncha's watercolor of a salmon and lavender
colored iris

Our hostess, Irene, giving the Paintsites group a brief history of the property
(photo by Salinda)

Irene fielding questions from painters

 Jim Cummins (photo by Edward)
Thank you again Jim and Irene for a wonderful day of painting













2 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. So nice of you to share with us
    I sent your link to our Iris Club

    Jim and Irene

    ReplyDelete