Pastorino Farms, Half Moon Bay - Thursday, October 3, 2013

Our first "Fall Themed" paintsite found the group returning, after several years absence, to Half Moon Bay - The Pumpkin Capital of the World - to paint, what else, pumpkins!    Of course there were also pony rides, hay and train rides, a petting zoo, and almost as many children as pumpkins.
For additional information about Pastorino Farms, check out their website at:
http://www.pastorinofarms.com/


Upcoming events - check the Watercolor Society website or October newsletter for details:

• Thursday, October 17, 2013:  Saratoga History Park, Saratoga
• Thursday, October 31, 2013:  Hike & Sketch -Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont 

Ongoing, -  through Saturday, October 26, 2013 - 46th Annual Member Show in the Rose Shenson Gallery at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara:  http://www.tritonmuseum.org/index.php

At work among the pumpkins ...  (photo by Anna Jacke)

At lunch after our labors ... (photo by Yan Zunkel)

Here are a few snapshots taken by Yan during the post-lunch critique ...

Sylvia

Bonnie

Leslie

Linda

Susan

And here are some finished paintings ....

Leslie Grimm

The pumpkins are colorful in themselves, and the purple flowers behind them complement them perfectly!    Leslie

Dick Zunkel

Perfect weather and so many subjects to choose from!   The pottery was closed, so I opened it in my painting. Great fun at the pumpkin patch!     Dick

Jane Saltman

The Turban Gourd were a nice change from a morning of pumpkin painting.   Pastorino Farms.    Jane

Jane Saltman

Quick pen and watercolor sketch.   Pastorino Farms.     Jane

Brad Santos

 Two of the "Three Sisters" modestly posed for me.  Brad

Jenny Tero 

I have seen these little red and white structures passing Pastorinis on the way to Half Moon Bay many times, and have never stopped and looked around.  It is delightful place, admittedly more suited to kiddies, but there were some lovely features to paint.     Jenny

Jenny Tero

I loved the way this tractor seemed to be hiding amongst the corn and pumpkins. Jenny

Caroline Garbarino

 

Annual Santa Cruz Paintout, Thursday, September 26 - Saturday, September 28, 2013

When we got to Santa Cruz for the Annual PaintOut, there was quite a buzz amongst the locals.   We thought it was for us but turns out it was for the many recent whale sightings close in-shore and just off the Capitola wharf.     Other than that, the 2013 Santa Cruz PaintOut was an absolute success!    The weather couldn't have been better, the variety of  subject matter couldn't have been more diverse, or the camaraderie more convivial.

Much thanks to Watercolor Society members Shirley Motmans and Jane Ferguson who hosted afternoon parties and critiques in their lovely Santa Cruz homes; to Karen Druker who organized the event and conducted the critiques; and to Sylvia Waddell, co-chair of the Paintsites group,  who coordinated with Karen and kept everybody on the same page.

Shirley & Jane

Karen

Sylvia

Day 1, Thursday, we met at Moran Lake Park which offered a choice of painting the lake proper or crossing E. Cliff Drive to Moran Beach and painting the beach & surf.    For more information about Moran Lake Park, see:  http://www.scparks.com/moranlake.html

After a morning's painting, it was lunch followed by an afternoon painting session.   Then, late afternoon, we broke up and headed to Shirley & Augie Motmans' spectacular bluff top home for a wine & cheese reception and "gentle" critique by Karen Druker.   

Shirley & Augie - our gracious hosts

"Gentle" Karen's critique was, but also insightful and entertainingly animated:

"Thumbs up" - the unanimous verdict

A yellow sky?   Yes! - What else could it be?

Thank you, I'm pretty happy with it too

This little gem speaks to me

 After the critique, some of us headed to The Crow's Nest for dinner.

Day 2, Friday, the group met in the West Harbor parking lot where boats (lots of boats, too many boats); a breakwater with fisherman and a lighthouse; paddleboarders, and the breaking surf all offered wonderful subjects.  See http://www.santacruzharbor.org/index.html  for information about the Harbor.

Again, after a long day's painting we met at Jane Ferguson's beautiful new home for yet more wine & cheese, fancy little pastries (which Jane baked that morning), and another "gentle" critique led by Karen.

It's not the size of the canvas that matters

Looks like a home run!

 After the critique, those who weren't exhausted by the already long day headed to the Pearl of the Ocean restaurant.

Day 3, Saturday, the group, which included a number of Santa Cruz Watercolor Society members, met at Lighthouse Point at the Surfing Museum on West Cliff Drive.     Check out
http://www.santacruzsurfingmuseum.org/  for info about this very popular and scenic location.

 Here are some snapshots taken during the Day 1 critique (photo quality is poor, the paintings actually much superior):

Jan

Judy

June

Kay

LaVonne

Pat

Shirley

???

Karen #1

Karen #2

Deborah

Janice

Brad

 And here are some from Day 2 (the photos are just as poor, the actual paintings just as fine):

Jan

Jane

Judy

Karen

Kaaren

Brad

Santa Clara Caltrain Depot, Saturday September 21, 2013

Rain was forecast to arrive in the South Bay Saturday morning. Dark clouds hovered over the circa 1863 depot, but held off until eight determined artists had nearly completed their work. We are plein air artists... rain shall not dampen our spirits.

Brad Santos

An interesting day to paint - we barely finished before the first storm in many months bore down on us.      I believe the old "Oregon & Washington R.R. & Navigation " passenger car on the siding next to the Depot must have felt like it was back in the good old days racing a storm along the Columbia River into Portland  .   Brad

Dick Zunkel

Marilyn Perry

I got shelter from the rain under the eaves that you see in the middle of my painting.  After so long without significant rain, it was nice to watch the rain.  Marilyn

Uma Kelkar

The sheer joy of painting outside, with wind in the hair, the musty smell in my nose that I get after every paint out, I returned home elated and emotionally relaxed. Next time anyone is here, please lug your giant camera with you. I am against lugging around things that will be used only for few minutes, but this spot has the expanse of wide rail road depot tracks in the middle of town and a museum with wonderful models. Imagine the amount of sketching one could do at home using the reference photographs! For another wonderful paint out, to our fearless outdoor leader, cheers!
Uma

Gamble Garden, Palo Alto, Thursday, September 19, 2013

With the wonderful Summer of 2013 winding down, the Watercolor Society plein air painters visited the always popular Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto.       The only disappointment was that those hoping to paint the Cinderella pumpkins,a favorite in past years, were foiled by the young gardeners who'd planted the big squash joyously harvesting their crop.    Fortunately, there was much more to paint: the Gamble House itself, the challenging Gazebo and its cloak of the spectacular Porcelain Berries, the zinnia beds, several formal gardens, fountains and walks ...

For more information about the Gamble Gardens, please check out:
 http://www.gamblegarden.org/
Artists are always welcome - just don't set-up on the bricks or tiles (stay on the paths) and don't dump your waste water on the property or in the restrooms.

Upcoming events not to be missed:

• Thursday, September 26 - Saturday, September 28, 2013:   Annual Santa Cruz Paint Out - check the Society website or September Newsletter for details.
• Saturday, October 5, 2013:  Annual Show Reception & Awards - 1:00 - 3:30, Rose Shenson Gallery, Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara

Lunch & critique

still critiquing - missed Caroline the first time

porcelain berries!

Some of our finished work:

Dick Zunkel

 Media: Brush pen and ink with watercolor wash.   I created the falling water by scratching the paper surface with a knife point.  Great fun at Gamble Gardens!     Dick

Mary Raftery

Caroline Garbarino

Always a symbolist, I chose the artichoke because it is a flower and delicious edible that can protect itself.   Thank you for the meditative beauty and warm community of yet another wonderful paintout. Caroline

Brad Santos

Thought I'd try something more intimate this time.   Unfortunately, intimate, in this instance, doesn't mean simple or easy.    Brad