Weekend Site Sunnyvale Heritage Orchard, Feb 16, 2013

 

Artists at the weekend pleinair paintsite, Feb 16, 2013

First time in four months we painted under dry conditions at the weekend pleinair paintsite, under diffused sunlight and comfortable temperatures. About a dozen artists came to the Sunnyvale Heritage Orchard and painted a medley of landscapes. Over lunch we shared our paintings, at various stages of completion, and enjoyed the insightful comments that were made by fellow artists.

It was a great day. I learned a lot and look forward to painting together again! - Rajit

Brad Santos

This is the third time in the last couple of years I've painted the dormant Apricot trees at the Sunnyvale Heritage Orchard.    I intended to focus on just one tree this time but the interesting perspective of the rank & file of all the trees intrigued me.     We'll have to go back at least three more times:  when they're in bloom, again when they've leafed out and finally in the fall when the leaves change color. - Brad

Laurie Barna

Jean Massey

Sitting in a plowed field sketching mustard and a tree was delightful.  My first experience with the SCVWS weekend paintsite was memorable.   -Jean

Anna Jacke

Anna Jacke

It was a beautiful day in the dormant apricot orchards.  For me the challenge was painting the stark fruit trees.  I chose one particular tree that looked as if it was ready for a new season.  I did like the magnolia tree in the courtyard where we met up later to view our works and a bite to eat.  Hopefully, the next visit to the orchard will be more "fruitful." -Anna

Rajit Chandra

I wasn't the only one interested in painting this wagon leaning by the side of the orchard! It was an interesting subject with a range of colors and shapes, reflected light and shadows. -Rajit

 

Santana Row, San Jose, February 7, 2013

The Thursday Paintout group covers the Valley like no one else:  One week we're rugged outdoors persons painting the hills and mountains above the Valley; the next week we're cool sophisticates working on urban-scapes in the heart of the Valley in upscale Santana Row.      Considering the weather forecast, we had a fine turnout for a morning which started out cold.     And then it started raining.     Undeterred, we found cover where we could until we retired (we did not retreat) for a hot lunch in one of the chic cafes.      (Special thanks to Sylvia for arranging with Santana Row management for permission to paint there.)

For general information about Santana Row, see:    http://www.santanarow.com/ 

(The specific area where we painted was the Chess area between The Vintage Wine Bar and El Jardin in the wide median at the south end of the complex.)

Leslie Grimm

I found a place under cover from the rain to paint this charming fountain featuring mosaic geckos.  Because of the dampness the paint wouldn't dry enough to add details, so I finished it at home.  Despite the cold it was a pleasant morning in a beautiful area with other hardy painters for company!    Leslie

Sylvia Waddell

The rain started soon after I got out my paintbrushes - you can see the drop marks! So I moved undercover to finish this one as best I could. It was so damp the paint just wouldn't dry! We had a great turnout for a cold rainy day - 9 artists - and boy, did we enjoy the hot soup at mid-day! Sylvia

Caroline Garbarino

I'm so impressed with our hardy plein air group! I was astonished to

see artists painting under only a leafy canopy. Sue Newberry made an irresistable

model with her visually vibrating blue and red rain apparel. Thanks for another

grand adventure.   Caroline 

Marilyn Perry

I drew and inked my painting on site, and added the color at home, because the arbor that gave me refuge from the rain was not perfect, and every once in a while, a big drop of water landed on my table or sketchbook.  It was very fun to sit and sketch while watching the rain, yet I was happy to stop to have hot soup.   Marilyn

Brad Santos

I always associate Gothic buildings with damp, cold, grey days and bundled up, hunched-over people scurrying to find a warm spot indoors.    This paintout had it all:  The Gothic "Vintage Wine Bar", appropriately gloomy weather, and both shoppers and artists keen on finding that cozy spot indoors when their tasks were done.   Brad 

Fremont Older Open Space Preserve Hike & Sketch, January 31, 2013

We absolutely could not have had a more perfect day for the first Hike & Sketch of 2013!  The Paintouts over the past three months have presented us with some challenging weather (to say nothing of fierce wildlife) --- but no such challenges this time.      The last Fremont Older Hike & Sketch several years ago was sparsely attended as only Jenny & Sylvia braved the elements to produce some wonderful atmospheric, "rainy day" paintings.   And although one might not recognize it was the same location, the dozen artists participating this time produced some equally fine paintings --- again proving just what a talented plein air artist can produce in only 20 minutes!

For more information about the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, check:  http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_fremont.asp

 

Jenny Tero

A beautiful sunny, warm day, just right for hiking – who would believe it was January. The view was lovely – such rich dark shadows in the trees, and layer after layer of receding hills beyond.   Jenny

Jenny Tero

This is a glimpse of the Ranger's House on the tarmac road back to the parking lot - I believe it was the original home of Fremont Older.  I left the middle distance trees in pen and ink, because I hoped they added to the sense of the house peaking out from the foliage.   Jenny

Leslie Grimm

There were several luxury homes visible from the trail that overlooked the cities below.  This one caught my eye.  I hadn't tried to sketch a city seen from a distance before, but hopefully this suggests it!     Leslie
  

Brad Santos

 I got a little carried away with the old stone retaining walls and steps leading to the Ranger's House when I meant to focus on the beautiful Madrone (Manzanita?) -- in full bloom, its twisted, peeling red limbs positively glowed where the light fell on it.    Brad

Fremont Older 2013- Sylvia Waddell

The vistas from Fremont Older are a joy, and this was a perfect day to paint them. Last time Jenny and I were hiking here it rained. See painting below. Sylvia

From Hunters Point, May 2010 - Sylvia Waddell

                

Caroline Garbarino

This paintout let me see a new side of Fremont Older Open Space.

You "take me places where I've never been before!"   One observer of my painting

thought that aliens were about to land.   (They must have waited until after I left...)

Thanks again for the tea party,   Caroline