American Art Collector Magazine January 2011

A wonderful way to end the year.  The January issue of American Art Collector has arrived.  I am excited to be included in this months special Still Life Painting Section.  Please find a scan below (click to view, then click once more, it will get large enough to read!) The magazine can usually be found at Barnes & Noble.  Thank you all for visiting my blog and website this year.  Best wishes for a very Happy New Year!

Segil Fine Art Gallery & Old Town Monrovia

'Tis the season for our large California Navel Oranges.  Seeing them at the market, I could not resist painting one more orange painting!  I am thrilled that Laura Sigel, gallery owner of Segil Fine Art, has added this new painting to her Holiday Small Works Show, as well as "Pear and Plum."

"Navel Delicious,"  oil on linen,  6"x12"  (sold)

 

Laura Segil has a wonderful fine art gallery located in Old Town Monrovia.  http://www.segilfineart.com/  The town is located at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. With many great restaurants and lots of charm, the town is not to be missed, take a drive and stop by the Gallery.

Myrtle Ave.

A French Bistro, Cafe Massilia, which we enjoyed very much!

Painting Persimmons

"Persimmons" oil on wood panel, 6"x12" - update sold

It appears I love the color orange.  Didn't know, but it sure got me thinking after painting pumpkins, squash, and oranges.  So, why not try persimmons.  Here is my first attempt at painting some winter persimmons.  I thought it was quite challenging.  The difficulty here is to not make them look like tomatoes! 

Painting more Oranges

"Green and Orange," oil on wood panel, 6"x6"  - update sold
(Though this painting sold in January, from the American Art Collector Magazine article, please inquire if interested in additional orange paintings. Thank you.)

"Sunlit Orange" oil on linen, 6"x8"

Painting Oranges

"Orange and Slice" oil on linen,  5 1/2"x10"  (SOLD)

It's been a while since I've painted one of my favorite subjects....oranges.  (Since this posting, "Oranges and Slice" was selected for the Holiday Small Works Show at the Segil Fine Art Gallery and sold. Thank you!)

Plein Air Still Life

I painted these lemons outside in the summer sun while on my vacation in the Sawtooth Valley, Idaho. I had fun with these lemons, using thicker paint on my brush, making quicker but more deliberate strokes.

"Lemons Plein Air," oil on wood panel, 6"x8"

Lawer Art Gallery

Closing reception for Summer Days Exhibit:

"Strawberries" oil on linen, 6"x6" (shown on the postcard) is available, by Amanda Fish.

____________________________________________________________

The opening of Summer Days exhibit:

New Socalpapa Art Gallery Exhibit

Socalpapa Art Gallery presents a new show. The exhibit features paintings done of locations that were favored by the Early California Impressionists. In partnership with Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 600 East Bay Ave, at the Fun Zone, Balboa Peninsula.

My painting, "Sycamore Meadow" has been juried into the show by Jean Stern, Irvine Museum Director, the judge for "California Impressionism, Then & Now" exhibit. (Please see previous post regarding this painting which I did Plein Air at Casper's Wilderness Park.)

Idaho Vacation

There have been more local art shows and events this year than in the past. It seems it's been non-stop for the past 3 months....all good...I say!  There have been juried gallery shows at the Socalpapa Gallery, the Balboa Island Art Walk, Art in the Park with Newport Beach, the Center Club Event, and two shows at the Lawler Art Gallery. I would like to thank those of you who have stopped by one (even more) of the shows I have participated in.  After the very successful Back Bay Show in Newport Beach a few weeks ago (with socalpapa), I took off on a vacation!

 I had a great trip to the Sawtooth Valley in Idaho. I brought my painting gear and went out painting plein air a few times, in between some relaxation and hiking. (I will post the paintings soon, need to photograph them.) In the mean time, here are some pictures from my trip. The weather was glorious, and the landscape was lush and green with lots of wildflowers. That's not usually the case this time of year. But, they have had a lot of rain the summer, which also made for mosquitoes. Not the best when painting by the rivers and lakes!

Rainbow after a storm.

I have painted on this road during previous trips. With the pastures being so green this year, and the beautiful aspen trees,  it's a perfect spot to setup. I love the peaceful feeling painting here and listening to the wind rustle through the aspen leaves.

My sister Linda.

After a storm passed, early evening sunset over the Sawtooth Mountains.

I took this picture during a hike. I did not have my painting gear with me. Maybe next time.

"Sycamore Meadow" oil on linen, 11"x14"

My finished painting from my day at Caspers Wilderness Park. See my last post.

Painting at Caspers Wilderness Park

A new favorite place to paint! A few weeks ago I joined fellow artists from SOCALPAPA to paint at Caspers Wilderness Park. Located off Ortega Hwy, in San Juan Capistrano, the park is 8,000 acres. It's filled with huge California Oaks and Sycamore trees, a beautiful place. The area reminds me of paintings done by early California Impressionists. I had such a good time, and found many varied scenes to paint, I went back this past Friday to paint again.

My painting of a sycamore (along with an oak tree growing behind it, or in it?) was begun about 3:00pm.  I found that the shadows and color did not change too much over the few hours I stood painting it.  Not sure if it was due to my location in the park, or the high summer sun.  I felt as if I did not have to rush through the painting, which was most enjoyable.  I can't wait to paint here come autumn, or spring. There is a large creek which passes through Caspers Park...many great painting opportunties.

Back Bay Painting

"Summer Reflection" oil on linen, 9"x12" - update sold

I'm still painting scenes of the Back Bay in Newport Beach for the upcoming show. I went out early evening to capture the setting sun. Painting directly into the sun had its challenges. I painted this between 6:45-8:00pm....I think the sun finally went behind the dover hills about 8:15pm. A lucky night, not many bugs and no mosquitoes. (This painting was selected for Opening Night Reception July 23rd, a juried show, for the Back Bay Show.)

More painting Plein Air in the Back Bay

A few days ago I joined friends from So Cal Plein Air Painters in Newport's Back Bay. We set up about 4:00 and painted until after 6:30pm. The light was beautiful giving us options for atmospheric (and scenic) painting. Here are a few pictures of us...you can see some of our paintings, a work in progess.

Wendy

Larry, Wendy and Allyson enjoying our afternoon.

Amanda painting into the late afternoon sun.

Newport Beach Scenes

"Crab Cooker," oil on linen, 6"x8" and "Back Bay Field" oil on board, 6"x8"

 (Both paintings sold at the Back Bay Show.)

Balboa Island Candy Shop

"Balboa Candy Shop" oil on linen, 8"x10"

 (Sold at the Lawler Art Gallery "Summer Days" Exhibit in August)

My painting of a delightful candy store (great homemade fudge and carmels) on Balboa Island in Newport Beach has been chosen for the "Islands" exhibit at the SOCALPAPA Art Gallery. It received an Honorable Mention Award from the shows judge, artist Frank Serrano. Additional information  http://www.socalpapa.com/ Exhibit closes August 8th.

Painting Grapes, Wine and Cheese

"Gabbiano" oil on canvas, 8"x16"

Here are new paintings for the exhibit, "Vines and Wine" at the Lawler Gallery, June 4-July 31. I have been enjoying the challenge of painting new things, like cheese! It's been a fun show to paint for.

"Brie and Grapes" oil on wood panel, 8"x10"

"French Corks" oil on wood panel, 6"x6"

Studio Pear

"Studio Pear" oil on canvas, 10"x 8"

I painted this pear at my sisters art studio. You might notice it has quite a yellow cast on it. It's amazing what the eye sees!  I did not realize how different the light was in her studio until I looked at the painting at my house. I used a lot of yellow and blue tones in the white table cloth, though I was certain I was painting it with a lot more white!

Painting in Sonoma and Napa Valley

I've just returned from a wonderful painting trip to the wine country in Northern CA. Staying with our artist friend, Brent Jensen, he took us to a variety of picture-perfect places to paint! "Vineyard Barn" was painted along a small country road in Sonoma. We also painted at beautiful vineyards in Napa Valley. What a fun time, not to mention perfect weather and fabulous wine!

"Vineyard Barn" oil on board, 8"x10"

Larry painting barn in Sonoma.

Amanda in Sonoma.

Brent in Sonoma.

Though Brent is painting a vineyard scene in front of him, we were all struck by the beautiful wisteria behind him.

Painting at the Mission

"The Mission" oil on linen, 12" x 9"  (Sold)

A few days ago I joined other artist friends at the San Juan Capistrano Mission to paint. The Southern California Plein Air Painters Association chooses a location (around Orange County) to paint each week, on Friday and Saturday.  I have often wanted to paint at the Mission, it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Linda and Larry

Amanda

Lawler Art Studio and Gallery

Gallery Owner and artist, Linda Lawler with Wendy Boyd.

Opening exhibit at Lawler Art Studio and Gallery in Newport Beach. Here are some pictures from the fun weekend event.

Herbs of Provence and Garlic

"Herbs of Provence and Garlic" oil on linen, 5"x7" (sold)

Here is a painting I did today. I am really pleased with the colors and feel. More of a Chardin palette - a very good thing to strive for!

Newport Harbor

Here are a few local scenes to go with my Balboa Boats post below. One of the pictures is looking toward the historical Balboa Pavillion in Newport Harbor. The other, of beautiful roses along the Balboa Island boardwalk.