Winchester Mystery House San Jose, CA February 5, 2015

So fortunate were 18 plein air artists on the day before a much needed rainstorm approached the Bay Area. Early morning fog lifted to illuminate the most elaborate victorian style home in America in full sunlight. Our watercolor artists took full advantage of the opportunity, some staying until late in the day.

Ann

Rich's plein air sketches

Rich's studio painting from plein air sketches above

I painted this quarter sheet version at home last Friday the 13th!  More inline with my interpreted feeling of the setting.    Rich

Bobbi

Bobbi's painting

Caroline

Caroline's painting of Demeter

While I was drawing the statue of Demeter, a tourist said "I'll do this the easy way!" and snapped a picture with his cell phone.  I said proudly, "I can do in six hours what you can do in 30 seconds!"    We both laughed heartily. Caroline

A matter of scale

Yan and Dick

Dick's pen and ink with watercolor wash

Don

Leslie

Elaine and Sylvia

Iris

John's sketch

Jenny

John, Marilyn and Liz

Lisha

Lisha's painting

Liz

Liz's finished painting

Helen's painting

Mary P. and Don

Mary P.'s painting

Melanie's painting with Sarah's ghost in the arch

Pat

Pat's sketch

Row of artists

Sylvia's "Door to Nowhere

John's painting

Marilyn's painting

Lunch in the garden

Critique

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, January 3, 2013

Unlike the last few paint-outs of 2012, weather for the first paint-out of 2013 was merely "brisk" rather than downright numbingly cold.    The group hadn't painted at the Winchester Mystery House for a number of years but the manager remembered us and was pleased that we'd returned --- the sort of welcome we invariably receive.   Lots to choose from to paint in a relatively compact area with some formal gardens and lots of interesting Victorian buildings (or maybe it's just one building - it's difficult to tell).    All in all, a great start to the New Year.

A reminder - bring your plein air paintings (done on paint-out days, when on vacation, or wherever) to the Annual Party for display.     We'll have a dedicated table on the stage for sketch / travel books.   For larger and framed works we'll have a few spare easels but best if you bring you own.

For more information about the Winchester Mystery House, see: http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/

Mary Paquet

I had a lovely time at the Winchester House, standing at my easel in the sun. As I circled the property I was immediately struck by the light and shadow in an old barn leading to a glass greenhouse. The cold moist air made for very slow drying, and I am an impatient painter. I finished a few bits at home. Mary Paquet

Dick Zunkel

 I live only a few miles from this site, but have never been there. What a great place to paint!  The light was perfect, but Yan and I were in the shade. It became so cold I had to stop painting.  This is a good way to keep from overworking. It was my first rendering with a brush pen. I usually draw with a Speedball nib and fluid ink. When I began, I was not happy with the look and considered starting over. The pen is difficult to work on medium texture paper.  However, I kept at it and am satisfied with the results. Dick

Caroline Garborino

This was the first time I really "saw" the Winchester gardens. Decades ago when I
toured the grounds, the out-buildings were not open. I loved the self-guided tours with recorded
(actor's) voices of the gardener, the maintenance man, and chauffeur. I hope to go back and paint
the gardens from the front. This paintout was completely enchanting, and I'm sure I saw Sarah.
Caroline

Sylvia Waddell

This is the Foreman's house, not quite so rambling as the Mystery House so somewhat less intimidating! Sylvia