Linda Vista Park, Cupertino. Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Weekend Paintsites group had a special two-for-one day at Linda Vista Park in Cupertino.    Dedicated Paintsite organizers Jenny Tero & Sylvia Waddell gave an encore performance of their "Introduction to Plein Air Painting" demo.    They covered all of the little, mundane, not-specifically art related things that can be so frustrating for the plein air painter, experienced and beginner alike.     We discussed how to deal with problems never encountered in the studio:  paint and paper drying too fast, not drying at all, no shadows and then shadows shifting 180 degrees --- and that's in just one painting session!     Sylvia led us in some exercises searching for focus where there was so much to see in every direction.     After the Intro, we spread out and painted trees, distant mountains, people, playground equipment, bridges --- anything and everything.   After lunch and a brief critique, everybody went home having learned something, shared something and made some new friends.

For additional information about Linda Vista and other Cupertino parks, see:

http://www.cupertino.org/index.aspx?page=591

photo by Rajit Chandra

Jenny & Sylvia discussing the finer points of successful plein air painting before an attentive audience.

Bonnie Sandler

The weather was gorgeous today! It was so much fun to see everybody's different travel palettes and other equipment.   I loved the sweep of the land at the park.  That's what I tried to show in my painting.  A big thank you to Jenny and Sylvia for their informative talk about pleine air painting.  I'm enjoying getting to know the different members of this organization. You're a lively group!   Bonnie

Caroline Garbarino

Thanks for the excellent introduction to plein air painting.   I knew there would be some information I could use. I'm glad you encouraged us to put figures in our paintings--this creates a real challenge with a wonderful result. In an attempt to "break out of my box," I tried a loose style, using your 5-5-30 rule. Together,you two are both informative and entertaining teachers!

For twelve years, I lived near the Cupertino hills and have never been to this park.

Thanks for another grand adventure, Caroline

Marilyn Perry

The plein air lesson had a good turnout, and I hope that many of the new people turn into regulars.  I chose this subject because I felt that my sketchbook was in need of more red.  Marilyn

Brad Santos

It's rare that plein air painters confront such in-your-face primary colors in the average landscape.   So a number of us jumped at the chance to paint the bright blue, red & yellow playground equipment.    Each time Jenny & Sylvia give a demo I learn something new and useful --- I'm working on a wish-list for future demos.    Brad

Jenny Tero

I used the perspex viewer and erasable marker for this, and was surprised how much larger the figure came out than I would have drawn her freehand, probably because I was really focusing on the playground equipment with the figure as incidental.  But this looks in balance, so I was pleased with the result, even though the equipment got a bit wobbly.   Jenny

Rajit Chandra

After a very successful day at the pleinair painting introduction, in Linda Vista Park, by Jenny and Sylvia, I learned to sketch fast and to connect with the landscape and people around me.   Afterwards as we settled down to our various spots around the park, to paint on our own, I decided to sketch my fellow painter Dick Zunkel concentrating on his painting that you see above.   The sketch was not on watercolor paper, so I added some water color lightly on the sketch to complete the painting.   Thank you Jenny and Sylvia for making the art lesson so much fun.   Rajit

Broncha Berger

This plein air outing made my day!     Broncha

Dick Zunkel

The Saturday paintout and introduction to plein air painting was a huge success. Everyone enjoyed the day.The bright spring sunlight enriched the many colors of Linda Vista Park. The serene atmosphere made for very pleasant painting day.    Dick

Weekend Site. Rengstorff House April 20, 2013

It was a beautiful warm spring day, and Mountain View's Shoreline Park was a whirlwind of activity with aquatic lessons, sailing, standup paddleboarding, windsurfing, pedal boating, canoeing, bicycling, hiking, bird watching, and picnicking all taking place at once.  Most of the eleven plein air painters enjoyed painting in the gentility and relative tranquility of the beautiful gardens of the Rengstorff House, one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture on the West coast. Adding to the ambience were the ladies in Victorian costumes who arrived to prepare the "Spring Melody Tea" to be served in the house that afternoon.

For more information and photos of Rengstoff House and Shoreline Park, see:
http://www.r-house.org/
and
http://www.mountainview.gov/city_hall/comm_services/shoreline_regional_wildlife_area/default.asp

- Marilyn Perry

Rengstoff House Paintsite, April 20, 2013

Marilyn Perry

When I attended a docent-led tour of the Rengstorff House in the past, I was told that the very fancy entrance in the front was mostly for show, and everyone actually used the side entrance which I painted.  With the beautiful garden, gloriously blooming roses on extensive trellis, and red rhododendron about to bloom, I found the side entrance to be very inviting, indeed. - Marilyn

Broncha Berger

Kotani-en Japanese Garden Estate, April 18, 2013

Twenty three strong, the Thursday Paintsite group had, thanks to Sylvia through her friendship with the master craftsman restoring the buildings and grounds of this private garden estate, a privileged and magical experience.    Tucked in a small valley in the hills above Silicon Valley and isolated from 21st Century sights and sound, we were transported back 800 years to feudal Japan.    Temples, shrines, stone lanterns, massive gates, a tea house, a huge Copper beech, brilliant red and green Japanese maples, manicured conifers --- too much to recount but an experience to remember.

For more information and photos of Kotani-en, see: http://www.kotanien.com/

Mary Paquet

Thanks for a great day at Kotani En. The story of the development of the private garden by a partnership between an rich man and the Japenese cook/architect was fascinating. The shapes of the ancient trees, rocks, and man-made structures are honored in this simple painting. I was especially taken with the 300 year-old evergreen donated by the emperor of Japan backed by the flaming red beech tree.    Mary

Broncha Berger

 

Dick Zunkel

Special thanks to Sylvia and Jenny for organizing such a beautiful paintout, particularly the complexity of getting everyone on the grounds with their shuttle service. 

 

The rapidly changing light made this a challenging exercise painting from shadows to sun-dapple to white-paper blindness.  I tried out a new paint set today, the Yarka pan set from Cheap Joe's. I really like the intensity and transparency of the pigments, but hated the way they packaged them. I secured the paint pans and rack with double-face tape making it a viable plein air paint set.   Dick

Marilyn Perry

A huge thank you to Sylvia and Jenny for their extra effort to organize and implement all the logistics. Also thanks to the drivers.  It was a beautiful garden and a beautiful day, and I feel privileged to belong to SCVWS to get the pleasure of painting at Kotani-en.  Marilyn

Brad Santos

A serene and seemingly timeless garden, I could almost picture a samurai, hundreds of years ago, strolling through his garden, admiring the structures, the plants, supervising the artisans, admiring the artist's work.     Brad

Sylvia Waddell

Every step in this amazing historic garden revealed yet another interesting view to paint. What a great experience.    Sylvia

Jenny Tero

With bright sunlight coming through the overhead foliage, the amount of light on the subject went from total clarity to complete obscurity every few minutes.  I settled on a darker background to contrast with a light stone lattern.

Jane's Garden, San Jose, April 11th 2013

Our plein air group had lots of treats today painting in Jane Kwant's Garden. The great weather and a garden full of gorgeous flowers would have been enough, but Jane also generously provided drinks, yummie brownies, and oranges from her tree! Thanks Jane! We had a lovely time! Sylvia

Bonnie Sandler

This was my first time at a SCVWS paintsite. It was a great pleasure to meet so many wonderful artists. I had a lot of fun playing with these Iris. Bonnie Sandler

Clematis with Bee by Leslie Grimm

 I hadn't intended to paint this bee but it insisted on visiting the clematis, so here it is! Leslie Grimm

Judy's Iris by Michael Hogan

 Thanks Jane for inviting us to visit. I started a flower painting but, was more interested visually in what was happening between the painters and the flowers, the resonance of garden and figure. Judy was painted in the stealth. I have seen Judy paint before and known her to be an intense observer. I wanted to capture the delicacy of the action. The single flower helps to repeat this theme against dominant color and value mass. Thanks to Jenny and Sylvia without whom, there would not be these opportunities for SCVWS. Michael Rogan

Laurie Barna

 What a smorgasbord of flowers and floral scents at Jane's garden today!  Beverages, orange slices and brownies, to boot!  I could do this again.  I also enjoyed meeting the several newcomers. Laurie Barna

Mary Paquet

The warmth of the spring sun and the smells of the garden made for a perfect setting.  Irises and California Poppies are favorites and I love the contrasting colors. I used some negative painting to create the foliage. What a great day of painting! Mary Paquet




Sylvia Waddell

There were so many flowers it was hard to pick one thing to focus on! I was very taken with the lemons, the purple wisteria, and all the different greens...such fun! Sylvia

Jenny Tero

Jane's garden was colorful and peaceful, and it was a beautiful day; just the right temperature. The treats were lovely too, and much appreciated.  Jenny

Broncha Berger

I enjoyed very much painting at Jane Kwant’s garden, and learning so much from her about compost and fertilizers. No wonder her garden looks so colorful.  Broncha

Grace Tang

It was wonderful painting at Jane's garden with our fellow artists.  Every corner is a piece of art. Her house is surrounded with a vast variety of beautiful colorful flowers; a lovely vegetable garden; a harmony of flower bearing and fruit bearing bushes; a cute gold fish pond.....and it was a lovely morning! Grace Tang

Pueblo Day Use Area, Santa Teresa County Park, April 4, 2013

Ever wondered if it's possible to get frostbite in April in the Santa Clara Valley?     Probably not.    In the hills above the Valley, however, the answer is "yes" ---  we weren't quite prepared for such a cold early April plein air session but we hung in there and did our best to capture the beautiful Spring greens on the hillsides and in the just leafed out trees.     There's so much to paint:   lovely hillsides, rock formations, and distant valley and mountain vistas that we're already planning a return visit.   When it's warm. 

For more information about the Santa Teresa County Park, check out:

http://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Ride%20Here/Pages/Santa-Teresa-County-Park.aspx

Mary Paquet

"Ancient Rocks." These old rocks were quite lovely with hardy bushes snuggled against them. I liked the old fence posts climbing across and up the hillside. Though we had to brave cool, damp, windy weather, it was a treat to share companionship with my fellow artists in the midst of such natural beauty.    Mary

Mary Paquet

"Spring in Santa Teresa Park." I was loving the overcast clouds over the Santa Teresa Hills and the mist over the mountains.   Mary

For more of Mary's comments and photos of the park, please check out:

http://mary-artadventures.blogspot.com/ 

Brad Santos

Greens and greys kept me occupied; a Western Bluebird kept me entertained --- and I hardly noticed the hypothermia creeping in.    Brad

Brad Santos

One of those vistas where there's a temptation to put down one's brush and follow the trail down the valley to see what lies beyond.   Brad

Jenny Tero

With a fierce, chill wind blowing this was a challenge.  At home I added a blue wash in parts to try to convey the dullness of the day. Jenny

Jenny Tero

Us hardy plein-airers stuck it out and the temperature had risen a bit after lunch.  The sky was still grey and "threatening" - it actually makes a nice change from all that Californian blue.  Jenny

Caroline Garbarino

The view of Mt. Hamilton was spectacular on the sunny Wednesday on which I painted. Santa Teresa County Park is enormous and offers a good composition almost everywhere you look. I eliminated the "little boxes made ofticky tacky" on Hwy. 101 South to draw attention to the mountain. Thanks for introducing me to this new wonderland.    Caroline

Kirk-Farrington House, San Jose, March 21, 2013

The first full day of Spring found a score of eager plein air painters swarming around the Kirk-Farrington house and gardens.     Although only a few of the over 160 herbaceous and tree peonies for which the garden is famous were in bloom, many of us were drawn to them -- just as they drew the native bees living in the garden.     Other equally attractive subjects were the 1878 house itself, a wisteria covered gazebo, and the formal rose garden with a gazing globe.   Too much to paint in one session!

For information about the house and gardens, see:

http://www.farringtonfoundation.org/legacy/thehouse/

Note:  The peonies should be in full bloom starting in a week or so followed by the roses --- well worth a look-see if you're in the neighborhood.

Leslie Grimm 

This giant bloom grew on a 70 year old Chinese Tree Peony plant.  With the perfect weather today I thought there'd be no problems painting it in plein air, only to discover that the blossom opened up more as the sun shown, changing the shapes and lighting before my eyes!   Leslie

Laurie Barna

 It was great to see such a large crowd at our paintsite today--lovely weather, and nature's "aromatherapy" and mellow honeybees set the mood.     Laurie

Anna Jacke

Liz Siegel (watercolor pencil)

Caroline Garbarino

I painted the doorway because I wanted Dorothy Farrington to come out and invite us in for tea. (My only excuse is too much "Downton Abbey.")  This wonderful adventure was all too short.  Thanks again, Caroline

Mary Paquet

I was drawn to the front of the house where two stately Magnolia's welcomed visitors who entered the gate and approached the front door.    Mary

Brad Santos

Even partially hidden from the street behind two huge ancient Magnolias, the perfect proportions of the house are evident.   It's only when one gets closer that the wonderful detail and craftsmanship can be appreciated.   Brad



Sylvia Waddell

This was a lovely painting experience with a great turnout - 20 painters! The house and garden were just a feast for the senses.  Sylvia

Jenny Tero

A perfect day for painting outdoors, sunny but not at all hot.  The garden held lots of promise for glorious blooms later in the season, but the wisteria was ahead of them all. Jenny

Marilyn Perry

What a gorgeous garden!  I allowed time to just sit in the gazebo and appreciate the beauty. Marilyn

Picchetti Winery, Cupertino, March 16, 2013

Above the still fog enshrouded valley floor, the old Picchetti homestead and winery was clear, bright and sunny.   We initially had the picnic area adjacent to the old barns and tasting room to ourselves but by noon were joined by a number of young families with lots of small children.   Running (and falling), climbing (and falling), the children were a delight to observe as they gave such energy to the scene which went from serenely antique to whirlingly alive and youthful.   What's even better is that the children were such appreciative critics of our paintings.

For more information about the Picchetti Winery and the Open Space Preserve, check out:

http://www.picchetti.com/

and

http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_picchetti.asp

Saturday Plein Air Painters

  

Laurie Barna

Brad Santos