Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills Thursday, April 27, 2017

Once again we had the good fortune to be invited back to Hidden Villa to paint plein-air, and once again we were able to share our visit with some enthusiastic school groups. It’s always a treat when the children stop by and show interest in our artwork. The sun was out, the farm was abuzz, the calves and lambs were gamboling in their paddocks and the spring light and colors were perfect. It truly is a wonderful spot to paint. 

Hidden Villa was founded by Frank and Josephine Duveneck in 1924 as a retreat for discussions on social justice and activism, and later for environmental education and continues today as an non-profit organization to promote the same values. The Hidden Villa site is a preserve and organic farm with plenty of subjects to paint including barns, farm animals and the beautiful Mediterranean-style Duveneck home.

Link to Hidden Villa

Set-up on the lawn of the Duveneck house

Salinda

Dick and Marilyn

John and his portable studio

Lois’s sketch book entry of the Duveneck house

Joe’s painting of the Duveneck House

 Irises by Jane S

Joy’s painting of the milk shed and barn

Candy’s sketch of the white barn

Candy’s sketch of a wildflower

Candy’s sketch of an artichoke

Candy’s sketch of a water pump

Candy’s sketch of a goat  

Jane P’s painting of the cottage

Broncha’s painting of the barns

 Iris’s painting of the white barn

Jenny’s sketch of the sheep barn

Mary’s unfinished painting of the cottage

John E’s painting of the barn

Helen's sketch of the barn

Helen's Painting of the barn

Marilyn's painting of wisteria arbor at Duveneck House

Dick's painting of the Duveneck house

Dick's "postcard" detail of a ceramic tile in wood

Salinda's painting of the Duveneck house

Lunch vacated for the critique

Artists viewing their fine work

What is it about John's painting that caused such a reaction?

Weekend Paintsites, Hidden Villa and Uvas Open Space Preserve Saturday, April 22, 2017

Our artists were busy during the spectacular weather weekend paintouts April 22. The "usual weekend suspects" met at Hidden Villa in Los Altos Hills while others took a wildflower "hike and sketch" at the Santa Clara Valley Uvas Open Space Preserve. The photos below are from the Hidden Villa paintsite.

"We were invited to paint at Hidden Villa Farms, Los Altos. The farm looked much more vibrant compared to last year. Brooks bumbled along, vegetable patch looked bountiful and loads of enthusiastic parents with very young kids trundled along the walkways. I wasn't at the March for Science but it didn't leave my mind. Thank you to all those who marched and let know that scientists work among us for the good of all and many a times for a low wage for a very long time."  Uma

Dave and Caroline

Uma's palette, a seascape unto itself

Uma's painting

Uvas Creek Preserve is a very pretty preserve southwest of Morgan Hill with wildflowers, rolling hills, oak trees, ponds, horses,  and a view of Uvas Creek Reservoir.  At this time it is only available to the public on docent-led hikes.  We were extremely lucky to be invited by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority to join a docent-led hike in which we turned out to be the only hikers.  We had two excellent docents to show us around and to identify the many wildflowers.

Link to Open Space Authority

Helen and one of our two docents making friends

Helen, Jenny, and Marilyn showing their quick watercolor sketches

Jenny's quick watercolor sketch of pond

Marilyn's quick watercolor sketch of the pond and owl's clover.

Helen's sketch of wildflowers we saw on hike

Helen's sketch of two docents and Marilyn

Some of the wildflowers at Uvas Creek Preserve

Agnews Historic Park April 20,2017

The Oracle R&D facility and conference center, a campus-like setting, was the former Agnews Insane Asylum. It consists of numerous beautiful buildings in the Mediterranean Revival style. Agnews first opened in 1889, and was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake with low-rise buildings along tree-lined streets. It was specifically intended to be a “cheerful” place to bring light and air to patients.  Agnews Hospital closed in the late 1990’s and the campus was sold to Sun Microsystems (later acquired by Oracle). Today it is used as an R&D campus with public access to many of the buildings preserved for the park-like setting. With their elaborate brickwork and rich details, the Clock Tower Building, the Auditorium, and the Administration Building were a challenge and a pleasure to paint.

Agnews History  

Link to City of Santa Clara Parks

Joy’s painting of Clock Tower Building

Jane’s painting of Clock Tower

Helen’s watercolor sketch of Clock Tower Building

Helen’s painting of Clock Tower Building

Cindy’s ink sketch of Clock Tower detail

Cindy’s painting of roses

Leslie painting in front of Clock Tower Building

Leslie’s painting of Clock Tower

Leslie’s sketch of Joe painting Administration Building

Leslie’s sketch of tree

Jenny’s drawing of Clock Tower

Jenny’s painting 

Marilyn’s painting of Clock Tower Building

Broncha’s painting

Joe’s painting of Administration Building detail

Candy painting in front of Clock Tower Building

Candy’s sketch of Administration Building detail

Candy’s sketch of cars with tall palm tree

Candy’s sketch of vehicles

Ji-eun’s painting

Iris’s painting of Administration Building detail

Bob’s painting of Auditorium

Lisha showing her Auditorium painting

Lisha’s Auditorium painting

A group of picnickers

Another group of picnickers