on the work table

The beginnings of the latest mixed media work - I'm thinking this is how I'll be working for awhile - this is a 18 x 24" canvas with about a 9 x 12" silver gelatin print - and on the wall you can see my most recent, waiting for the final decision on whether it's done or not -

sycamore park

Finished mapping Sycamore Park in Davis today, caught this lovely sight - sun coming through the trees -

lafayette art & wine festival

Spent the weekend at another art & wine festival - this one in Lafayette, not too far away - Saturday was cool & overcast, Sunday sunny & warm & perfect for photos -

Plenty of great art, but being on the job, I can't speak for the wine myself - folks seemed to be having a good time -

My booth was a long skinny affair this time, with great neighbors on both sides & across the way. It really makes a show to be doing it alongside friendly people!

My friend Kristen Hoard was sort of a ways away from me, but I got a chance once or twice to pop over to say hello -

Got a decent shot of her new jellyfish pieces - even more fun when they're lit up in the dark -

My friend Michelle MacKenzie was there, too, of course but I didn't get a shot of her this time.

faith

(Click on the image to see it larger.)

Finished the new piece, titled "Faith." That's what alot of this is all about - having the faith to do what I've been called to do & do it regardless of what it looks like in winter. Looking very close at what I've got growing so that I can see the tiny tight buds of promise, and having the faith that they'll grow into flourishing vines...

north star park

Back to tree hugging (which I really do when I'm measuring the DBH.) And another couple trees that made me wonder exactly what kind of ash it is - I still don't really know, maybe a flowering ash -

And a cool little surprise on the trunk of a smaller valley oak - I think katydids must be pretty mellow bugs - I've found others before, always easy to catch for drawing or posing nicely for a photo like this guy.

A parting shot of North Star Park, where I've been mapping for over a week - and now I'm done - next time I'll be back for real fun.

studio work

I've been working on another canvas piece, this time two black & white prints in one collage. I'm feeling pretty good about it & getting more excited about where my work is going.

more mystery

Another day of tree hugging & mapping, another day of trees that I needed help with...

Blackwood acacia:

Unknown Eucalyptus - maybe "small leaved eucalyptus:"

And a young Incense Cedar:

mystery trees

Out at North Star Park today mapping trees - found a few mysteries, then solved them with help -

Arizona Cypress:

Scotch Pine:

foggy beach

Sept 7
morning
Sunset Beach Rd
cool, foggy

Heading for our favorite beach takes us right into a fog bank. Huge old cypress line the road next to a field of brussel sprouts - no doubt here long before the farmers - maybe Spaniards planted them here or maybe they're the last ones allowed to stand from an otherwise clear cut grove...

Pine tree near the campground where we've stayed many times.
Birds sing a little, voices from campers carry -

A little too foggy for our taste right now - we'll look elsewhere & try again later.

We spend some time at Seacliff Beach - until it starts to get too crowded and has developed a high fog as well. We return to Sunset, a little clearer now.

Scott flies his glider off the cliff and I climb down it to do some beachcombing - my way - we'll meet up again later and head home, catch dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant on the way...

running away

Sep 6, 08
Monterey - Pebble Beach 17 Mile Drive
evening
sunny, warm, not much wind, clear

Weekend with Scott - checked out the Capitola Art & Wine Festival earlier - checked into the hotel and now we're our just to play - never had gone on the 17 Mile Drive before and I'd like to see the famous Lone Cypress here - but there are many awesome cypress trees here -

this on a golf course, the ocean to my back - lots of tourists taking the drive & stopping to see the sights.

We caught a beautiful clear evening, the dramatic light adds to the scene. Very calm wind, waves not too hard right now on the rocky coast.

Drove farther and found the Lone Cypress - so many have taken this shot, but I'm doing it my own unique way - an oil painter works quickly in the evening light - first shot a little thin in the shadows, so a second is in order (final print will have best detail from both) - I feel blessed to have caught it just right -

Started out the drive by looking at the map - now just looking around - had to have Scott stop the car here to catch this pair of cypress on the rocky cliff. Dead stumps surround them but they've held on together...