Week 3, March 29 to April 4, 2020

We SCVWS paintsite artists are keeping our painting skills limber and our minds free from worry during this stressful time by doing what we enjoy while we are sheltering in place. This week some of us painted en plein air in our own gardens while others painted from our own personal photographs.

We will continue to publish the weekly blog during the "Shelter in Place" requirements while Thursday and Weekend paintsites are cancelled.  We invite paintsite artists to paint or sketch on your own time during the week, pick one painting from that week and submit it by Saturday of that week. Here are some guidelines:

• submit a photo of your artwork for the blog to paintsites@scvws.org
• include your name and any comments e.g. location, date or what inspired you
• photos which are cropped and ready to upload are preferred
• painting/sketching subjects might include objects or views in your garden, views from your window, house plants, or something inspired by personal photographs

For information about upcoming paintsites (when possible) and SCVWS activities (including online activities), see the SCVWS website or the April newsletter for details.

Take care, stay well, and for any concerns or questions regarding the cancellations or blog posts, please contact us at paintsites@scvws.org

* Several of the paintings shown here have editor's comments.

Alison's Camelia sketches including the model

Brad's "Time is?"

"Time for Flowers" by Brad

Arizona Cactus by Tanvi

Toni's painting, front yard.
*Formerly grass, now drought resistant rainbow of color

Floral detail by Toni
*During the "Shelter in Place" era, a front yard is ideal for plein-air painting

Dick's plein-air sketchbook painting of Alpine Creek at Sam McDonald Heritage Grove

We chose a spot where there would be no people. The park was closed so parked and painted from the side of the road.

Salinda's plein air painting of Alpine Creek
*Two people, same scene, different interpretation

Indira's Sierra Nevada Scene
*The boulders in this painting give it an abstract cubism look.

Sham's painting of Utah ochre landscape

Leslie's painting of Shoreline Amphitheater

Lorraine's Forsythia and Ceanothus
*A "textbook" example of complementary colors with a warm middle ground 

Plein-air painting by Jane S in the Stanford Cactus Garden last Thursday

Jane says, "One sure way to ensure people stay their distance is to surround yourself with cacti.”

Western Bluebird by Marilyn

Marilyn says, "In honor of the live video bird sketching class that Edward Rooks taught this week at Laguna Seca, I painted a Western bluebird.  I photographed this bluebird at Belgatos Park last spring."

Bhutan Garden, From a personal photo by Jane P.

Maryknoll Tower  plein air by Elaine

"Hope and Joy" by Kathy

Kathy says, "I was in need of a hopeful subject to paint when I remembered a series of photos I took at Grand Teton National Park of a family of frolicking fox puppies that I was fortunate enough to see at this fabulous park."

Still life "Towel by Window" by Annie

Annie says, "This is a still life of a towel that I did in my studio. I am part of a Facebook group called The Art Refuge created by Heather Ihn Martin. She created the group to help artists deal with the lockdown. She gives artists prompts to get them motivated and one of them was to paint a towel because towels are comforting, everyday items. I painted this in gouache.*