"Ascent" on Ridgecrest Blvd., towards Mt. Tam. 16" x 20".September 2009
The Depot Bookstore & Cafe
Solo Show of Cycling Paintings
87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA
Opening Reception; September 1, 6pm to 7pm
In the Studio Today... "Ascent"; Final Painting
Monday, August 31
"Ascent" on Ridgecrest Blvd., towards Mt. Tam. 16" x 20".
I just finished this painting moments ago, and will hang my show in Mill Valley TODAY! In 3 hours, I will be at the Mill Valley Depot, hanging the cycling paintings... Hooray! This painting is very simple, but I love the feeling of climbing into the clouds, at the top... It's a great metaphor for finishing a set of paintings and hanging one's show. Hope to see everyone at the reception, tomorrow night.
September 2009
The Depot Bookstore & Cafe
Solo Show of Cycling Paintings
87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA
Opening Reception; September 1, 6pm to 7pm
"Ascent" on Ridgecrest Blvd., towards Mt. Tam. 16" x 20".September 2009
The Depot Bookstore & Cafe
Solo Show of Cycling Paintings
87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA
Opening Reception; September 1, 6pm to 7pm
In the Studio Today... "Ascent"; Session #1
Sunday, August 30, 2009
"Ascent" (cyclist on Ridgecrest Blvd., near Mt. Tam) 16" x 20", o/c.
Day 1 on this canvas... I have wanted to paint this one for some time now, but it's been a busy time, getting the kids back to school and looking for additional work. Tomorrow, I hang this show of cycling paintings at the Mill Valley Depot. This one will be the last in the current set, but more are definitely planned. 10 cycling paintings in all for this show. I considered having a couple of my older paintings printed on canvas and stretched to look like paintings, but instead, I started this one today. It has to be finished tonight, or it won't be dry enough to hang tomorrow. I am using Liquin as my medium today, so this should be fine to hang tomorrow.
I hope you will all come out for the reception, Tuesday night, 6-7pm, at the Mill Valley Depot Cafe and Bookstore. We plan to head for dinner afterwards to celebrate a friend's Birthday, so it will be fun. Please stop by! Wine and cheese provided by the Depot.
"Ascent" (cyclist on Ridgecrest Blvd., near Mt. Tam) 16" x 20", o/c. I hope you will all come out for the reception, Tuesday night, 6-7pm, at the Mill Valley Depot Cafe and Bookstore. We plan to head for dinner afterwards to celebrate a friend's Birthday, so it will be fun. Please stop by! Wine and cheese provided by the Depot.
Out in Nature... Gathering Imagery
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Input before output... I am home this week with my kids. Visits to Grandparents are over, Camps have ended, and all the big trips of summer are behind us... but yesterday, I took the boys on a "Staycation" one night camping trip right in our very own Mt. Tamalpais State Park. One of my favorite places to camp locally is Steep Ravine Environmental Campsites, right on the coast, just down from Stinson Beach. The boys and I did it! We arrived at 3pm, set up a tent by ourselves, hiked all our gear into the campsite, and then went out to the coast to explore for the day. It was wonderful, and as the sun was setting, we watched nearby campers on their bikes, riding down into the campsite. I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos for reference for my next paintings. View photos from our trip on Flickr.
Photo: Cyclist Descending Steep Ravine, by "Shark Fin" Rock(that's what we call it)
You have to get out for input... One of my favorite children's stories is "Frederick", by Leo Lionni. My mom used to read this to me as a child. Frederick was a mouse who didn't help the others gather food much for winter. Instead, he sat staring into the sunset, and looking at the leaves and colors of nature. In the winter, after all the food was gone, and the mice were sitting in their home, bored with nothing to do until Spring, Frederick began telling tales of life, the colors of nature... He was a poet, and he made all the others happy by bringing the colors of life into the darkest times. I think of Frederick when I am out gathering my images for painting. I hope that my images bring happiness and joy to those who end up with them.
Input before output... I am home this week with my kids. Visits to Grandparents are over, Camps have ended, and all the big trips of summer are behind us... but yesterday, I took the boys on a "Staycation" one night camping trip right in our very own Mt. Tamalpais State Park. One of my favorite places to camp locally is Steep Ravine Environmental Campsites, right on the coast, just down from Stinson Beach. The boys and I did it! We arrived at 3pm, set up a tent by ourselves, hiked all our gear into the campsite, and then went out to the coast to explore for the day. It was wonderful, and as the sun was setting, we watched nearby campers on their bikes, riding down into the campsite. I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos for reference for my next paintings. View photos from our trip on Flickr.
Photo: Cyclist Descending Steep Ravine, by "Shark Fin" Rock(that's what we call it)The Bicycle Works Grand Opening
Monday, August 10, 2009
It was fun to see my paintings in "The Bicycle Works" yesterday, and hear some of the comments by the visitors. This photo shows a few of my paintings up high, with some great black and white paintings by John Hersey. I stopped by at about 5pm and there was a healthy crowd, both indoors and out back, enjoying food donated by Sol Food of San Rafael, and discussing the possibilities of this neighborhood cycling hub. The favorite thought was coffee... all the neighbors want coffee with their bikes. If you'd like to visit the new shop, or see my paintings through August, you can find it here:
or
In the Studio Today...La Coppa Coffee Bikes & Show on Loan to "The Bicycle Works"
Friday, August 7th - Saturday, August 8th
"La Coppa Coffee Bikes", Downtown Mill Valley, California. 16" x 20".
• View Session 2
• View the start of this painting, in the workshop, with Christin Coy
This painting is the 9th in a series of paintings, "Cycling Through Landscapes", that will be available for purchase in September, at the Mill Valley Depot Cafe & Bookstore. A percentage of the sales from paintings sold in September will go to The Bicycle Works, a new, co-op style, community bike shop, opening this Sunday, in San Anselmo, California. To read about this new shop, check out today's article in the Marin IJ. Some of the paintings from my new series will be on loan to the shop for the next few weeks.
We hung part of the series up this evening at The Bicycle Works. Click photo to enlarge... Pictured in the photo, above-left, is Spokey Godfrey, Director. Come out tomorrow for the shop's Grand Opening Celebration, with food by Sol Food of San Rafael, and film "The Triplets of Belleville", provided by Tom Boss of "Film Night in the Park". The paintings give the shop a little color, in contrast to the black and white of the bikes on the stands.
My painting from last year's, Mill Valley Paint Out, with bikes in the bike rack... next to a Breezer commute bike, by local cycling legend, Joe Breeze. Breezer Bikes plans to give a portion of sales from it's bikes at "The Bicycle Works" back to support the new shop and it's mission.
"La Coppa Coffee Bikes", Downtown Mill Valley, California. 16" x 20". • View the start of this painting, in the workshop, with Christin Coy
This painting is the 9th in a series of paintings, "Cycling Through Landscapes", that will be available for purchase in September, at the Mill Valley Depot Cafe & Bookstore. A percentage of the sales from paintings sold in September will go to The Bicycle Works, a new, co-op style, community bike shop, opening this Sunday, in San Anselmo, California. To read about this new shop, check out today's article in the Marin IJ. Some of the paintings from my new series will be on loan to the shop for the next few weeks.
We hung part of the series up this evening at The Bicycle Works. Click photo to enlarge... Pictured in the photo, above-left, is Spokey Godfrey, Director. Come out tomorrow for the shop's Grand Opening Celebration, with food by Sol Food of San Rafael, and film "The Triplets of Belleville", provided by Tom Boss of "Film Night in the Park". The paintings give the shop a little color, in contrast to the black and white of the bikes on the stands.
My painting from last year's, Mill Valley Paint Out, with bikes in the bike rack... next to a Breezer commute bike, by local cycling legend, Joe Breeze. Breezer Bikes plans to give a portion of sales from it's bikes at "The Bicycle Works" back to support the new shop and it's mission.
In the Studio Today... Burley Parade; Day 2
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
"Burley Parade on Shaver Grade", near Phoenix Lake. 24" x 30".
To read about the inspiration for this painting, click here to read my previous post.
"Burley Parade on Shaver Grade", near Phoenix Lake. 24" x 30".
In the Studio Today..."Burley Bike Parade
on Shaver Grade"; Session #1
Monday, August 3, 2009
Day 1; "Burley Parade on Shaver Grade", near Phoenix Lake. 24" x 30". I have been wanting to paint Burley bike trailers into my paintings for a while now, but have had the hardest time coming up with a concept for this. We have pulled our twins in Burley trailers since they were under a year old. They are pretty much beyond Burley's now, at age 7, but we have a very fond appreciation for the great rides we were able to take, with the boys keeping quiet in the trailer, or falling asleep for much of the bike ride. We even pulled them with a tandem mt. bike with string lights all lit up at night. I hope someone will enjoy this painting with memories of transporting their kids as I have. It's a gamble to paint something new and different, but if you don't take the chance, you never grow... right?
Day 1; "Burley Parade on Shaver Grade", near Phoenix Lake. 24" x 30". I have been wanting to paint Burley bike trailers into my paintings for a while now, but have had the hardest time coming up with a concept for this. We have pulled our twins in Burley trailers since they were under a year old. They are pretty much beyond Burley's now, at age 7, but we have a very fond appreciation for the great rides we were able to take, with the boys keeping quiet in the trailer, or falling asleep for much of the bike ride. We even pulled them with a tandem mt. bike with string lights all lit up at night. I hope someone will enjoy this painting with memories of transporting their kids as I have. It's a gamble to paint something new and different, but if you don't take the chance, you never grow... right?
In the Studio Today...Ridgecrest Sunset Cyclist; Final Painting
Friday, July 31, 2009
DETAIL OF HILLS: Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest.
"Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest", Ridgecrest Blvd., Mt. Tamalpais State Park,
Marin County, California."2 ft. x 4 ft.", o/c.
DETAIL OF CYCLIST: Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest.
DETAIL OF HILLS: Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest.
"Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest", Ridgecrest Blvd., Mt. Tamalpais State Park,Marin County, California."2 ft. x 4 ft.", o/c.
DETAIL OF CYCLIST: Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest.Please come see the painting in person, September 1st at a wine and cheese reception in downtown Mill Valley, California. A beautiful place to ride your bike!
September 2009
The Depot Bookstore & Cafe
Solo Show of Cycling Paintings
87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA
Opening Reception; September 1, 6pm to 7pm
The Depot Bookstore & Cafe
Solo Show of Cycling Paintings
87 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley, CA
Opening Reception; September 1, 6pm to 7pm
In the Studio Today...Sunset Cyclist on Ridgecrest; Day 2, work in progress
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
"Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest", Ridgecrest Blvd., Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Marin County, California."2 ft. x 4 ft.", o/c. Day 2; work in progress.Fleshed out details on the mountains in background and foreground, as well as light on Bolinas Lagoon and some of the trees. Coming along. Still lots to do.
Painting at the exact same state as above, but inside, with halogen lighting. Colors look much warmer with lights on the painting.
"Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest", Ridgecrest Blvd., Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Marin County, California."2 ft. x 4 ft.", o/c. Day 2; work in progress.
Painting at the exact same state as above, but inside, with halogen lighting. Colors look much warmer with lights on the painting.
In the Studio Today... Ridgecrest Sunset on Mt. Tam; Panoramic with Cyclist
Monday, July 27, 2009
"Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest", Ridgecrest Blvd., Mt. Tamalpais National State Park, Marin County, California."2 ft. x 4 ft.", o/c.
I am delighted to be moving into a large canvas today, and back to a landscape. I still have finishing details to do in two other paintings, but I wanted to start this one, as the sunset scene with rolling hills had got me really excited. The big paintings always are fun at a show, and stand out. Smaller, more detailed ones force the viewer to go up to the canvas and look at all the stuff in them, but my big paintings usually do not. The image of the rider is pulled from a shot I took at the Tour de Marin, in Sausalito. He was part of the peloton, going around the Stage in Sausalito for folks to take photos. The image of Tam is from a sunset shot, a week ago with my family. This painting makes me want to go for a ride!
"Sunset Cycle on Ridgecrest", Ridgecrest Blvd., Mt. Tamalpais National State Park, Marin County, California."2 ft. x 4 ft.", o/c.
I am delighted to be moving into a large canvas today, and back to a landscape. I still have finishing details to do in two other paintings, but I wanted to start this one, as the sunset scene with rolling hills had got me really excited. The big paintings always are fun at a show, and stand out. Smaller, more detailed ones force the viewer to go up to the canvas and look at all the stuff in them, but my big paintings usually do not. The image of the rider is pulled from a shot I took at the Tour de Marin, in Sausalito. He was part of the peloton, going around the Stage in Sausalito for folks to take photos. The image of Tam is from a sunset shot, a week ago with my family. This painting makes me want to go for a ride!
Plein Air... Mill Valley Paint Off 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
"Saturday afternoon on Miller & Throckmorton", 16" x 20", o/c.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Models, beside "Miller and Throckmorton Saturday";
16" x 20", o/c. (Click image to enlarge).
The man and dog standing beside my painting showed up about 10 minutes before the end of the paint out, so I asked him to stand by the clock tower, and I painted him and his dog into the scene. It was fun. Most of the people always paint the red awnings of the Depot Cafe, and the last painting here, by Scott Grabowski, won first place and the people's choice award. Mill Valley just loves those awnings.
Above: 1st Place Award to Scott Grabowski
"Saturday afternoon on Miller & Throckmorton", 16" x 20", o/c.Final painting. Started at the Mill Valley Paint Off, 2009, completed in studio.
This is my painting from the Mill Valley Paint Out, 2009... after a second day in the studio. I had originally wanted to paint the scene with the street signs for "Miller" and "Throckmorton", as well as add the lip of the red awning from the Depot Cafe as a repoussoir element. I also added a woman driving a classic mint green convertible in the background, as well as the Cici Gelato bike. Cici sponsored the paint off this year, and sold gelato from Lytton Square during the judging of paintings, and I managed to capture a few shots of the bike and rider, leaving the Depot in his new, burgundy red clogs that matched the bike. I decided to go with the quirkiness that this paint off result produced, and include as many people and bikes as possible. It has a feeling of being a fun, friendly illustration, rather than a work of realism. Below is a detail of the Cici Gelato man and bike.
DETAIL: Cici Gelato Bike from "Saturday afternoon in Mill Valley", 16" x 20", o/c.
DETAIL: Cici Gelato Bike from "Saturday afternoon in Mill Valley", 16" x 20", o/c.Saturday, July 25, 2009
Models, beside "Miller and Throckmorton Saturday";16" x 20", o/c. (Click image to enlarge).
Above: 1st Place Award to Scott GrabowskiPam Gould, of "More Marin", the blog... also visited the event and wrote us up on her blog! Here is the first press I know of about the event: (Mouse over the images to read the artist's names)
"Paint Off in Mill Valley draws enthusastic crowd"
"Paint Off in Mill Valley draws enthusastic crowd"
In the Studio Today... La Coppa Coffee; Day 2
Friday, July 24, 2009
"Ride to the Roasters 2".
La Coppa Coffee, Downtown Mill Valley, California. 16" x 20".
Painting in progress. Will feature 4 bikes in painting. See my previous post on this painting, here.
"Ride to the Roasters 2".La Coppa Coffee, Downtown Mill Valley, California. 16" x 20".
In the Studio Today...Farmstand Bike; Day 3
Thursday, July 23, 2009
"Gospel Flat Farm, Farmstand and Produce Bike" 18" x 24".
"Gospel Flat Farm, Farmstand and Produce Bike" 18" x 24".In the Studio Today...Bolinas Farm Bike; Day 2
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Work in progress... Produce stand owned by Gospel Flat Farm, as you enter the town of Bolinas, CA. Details of Bike and close up of stand, image 1 and 2 above... image 3 is the full sized canvas, 18" x 24".
Work in progress... Produce stand owned by Gospel Flat Farm, as you enter the town of Bolinas, CA. Details of Bike and close up of stand, image 1 and 2 above... image 3 is the full sized canvas, 18" x 24".
In the Studio Today...Christin Coy Workshop & Mill Valley Coffee Shop
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I started 2 paintings in one day, today! Wow...! You know you have a deadline when you start 2 good sized, detailed paintings in a day. The paintings I started today are local shops in Marin County; The red awning of the Specialty Coffee shop in downtown Mill Valley, and the Gospel Flat Farmstand as you enter Bolinas, California. I now have a total of 6 paintings for the Mill Valley show, and I have about 5 more to go. I chose some large canvases, so the paintings should fill in the Depot Cafe walls with some good negative space around them. If I have 10 new paintings, I will be delighted. If I can finish 12, that will be even better... but quality versus quantity, always. Spoken in the voice of Ellen Degeneres, as Dory in "Finding Nemo"..."Just keep painting, just keep painting, just keep painting, painting, painting...". By the way, if you've read this far, this marks my 202nd post on my blog! I reached 200 posts with out even realizing it!
"Ride to the Coffee Shop", 16" x 20", o/c.
Work in Progress... (Will detail 4 bikes in scene when complete).
Actually, the real reason for the 2 paintings in one day... I had a workshop this evening with artist, Christin Coy. It was a great session. Richard Lindenberg, who used to work for Sennelier Professional Oil Paints, was on hand to give a color mixing lesson. It was fantastic. I haven't mixed colors in a color wheel format in many years, but it was a great reminder, and I learned about "Chinese Orange", a color specifically commissioned by Cézanne. It's sort of a burnt umber, rust orange red color, but has a great transparency to it so it can be used to varnish, or when mixed with white, it is more opaque.Christin taught me to pre-stain my canvas with an acrylic color and water, to give it a warm undertone and get away from starting with the blank white of the canvas. The color I used was a warm sienna red color, which was perfect for the reds in the awning of the coffee shop.
"Ride to the Coffee Shop", 16" x 20", o/c.Work in Progress... (Will detail 4 bikes in scene when complete).
In the Studio Today...Bolinas Farm Bike; Day #1
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
"Bolinas Farmstand & Produce Cycle" 18" x 24".
Session one on this painting, for the Mill Valley Depot show, September, 2009. This is a great farmstand in Bolinas, run by Gospel Flat Farm. They bike all the produce from farm to stand. The back seat is holding a galvanized bucket of flowers... stay tuned. I wanted to show the variety of uses of bikes in Marin for this Fall show; not just recreational road cycling and mt. biking. Click image to enlarge.
"Bolinas Farmstand & Produce Cycle" 18" x 24".Session one on this painting, for the Mill Valley Depot show, September, 2009. This is a great farmstand in Bolinas, run by Gospel Flat Farm. They bike all the produce from farm to stand. The back seat is holding a galvanized bucket of flowers... stay tuned. I wanted to show the variety of uses of bikes in Marin for this Fall show; not just recreational road cycling and mt. biking. Click image to enlarge.
In the Studio Today...Mt. Tam Cyclist; Session #3
Monday, July 20, 2009
Detail: "Afternoon Ride on Ridgecrest" 24" x 36", o/c. Painting in progress, Day 3. Click images above to enlarge to show details of paint.
Detail: "Afternoon Ride on Ridgecrest" 24" x 36", o/c. Painting in progress, Day 3. Click images above to enlarge to show details of paint.In the Studio Today... Mt. Tam Cyclist; Session #2
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Detail: "Afternoon Ride on Ridgecrest" 24" x 36", o/c. Painting in progress.
This is the second day on this painting for the Mill Valley Depot show, September 1st. I've had a postcard from MALT painter, Dana Hooper, sitting on my dresser since the May show. She paints with a palette knife which produces thick swatches of paint and a more painterly feel. For some reason, I was inspired to paint this cyclist with a knife today. More details to come, but I think I like the contrast of the foreground texture with the smoothness of the background. I used to paint more like this in college.
Detail: "Afternoon Ride on Ridgecrest" 24" x 36", o/c. Painting in progress.This is the second day on this painting for the Mill Valley Depot show, September 1st. I've had a postcard from MALT painter, Dana Hooper, sitting on my dresser since the May show. She paints with a palette knife which produces thick swatches of paint and a more painterly feel. For some reason, I was inspired to paint this cyclist with a knife today. More details to come, but I think I like the contrast of the foreground texture with the smoothness of the background. I used to paint more like this in college.
In the Studio Today... Mt. Tam; view of Bolinas
Saturday, July 18, 2009
"Afternnon Ride on Ridgecrest" 24" x 36", o/c. Cycling painting in progress.
"Afternnon Ride on Ridgecrest" 24" x 36", o/c. Cycling painting in progress.This is the first day on a large painting for the Mill Valley Depot show, September 1st. I was up on Mt. Tam a few days ago, capturing reference images for some new cycling paintings. This painting will have a cyclist in the foreground, headed up Ridgecrest Blvd. towards Mt. Tam. I liked the composition, with the the layers of hills, trees, Bolinas Lagoon under the fog, and Bolinas above the fog. Stay tuned for the next couple days of painting on this one.
In the Studio Today... Elephant Mt. Cyclist Final
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"Dwarfed by Elephant Mountain".
"Dwarfed by Elephant Mountain".Platform Bridge Road near Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road.
O/C 30" x 30", gallery wrap canvas, unframed.
Available at Mill Valley Depot show, September 1, 2009.
View painting in progress, in a previous post here.
DETAIL of above painting.
O/C 30" x 30", gallery wrap canvas, unframed.
Available at Mill Valley Depot show, September 1, 2009.
View painting in progress, in a previous post here.
DETAIL of above painting.
In the Studio Today... Ole's Boathouse
Old Greenwich/Riverside, CT
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
"Ole's Boathouse, Riverside, Connecticut" o/c, 24" x 36". Commission.
I grew up down the road from this active boat yard, with access to Long Island Sound. I was able to spent part of my recent vacation time painting this commission. I forced myself to leave out details in the trees and water, and I like how that part of the painting turned out. It is very easy to over work a studio painting and add too many details. In this case, concentrating the details in the building, and leaving them out of background forces the viewers focus to the building, as one might paint a portrait of a face, with a misty or abstract background. Prints of this image are available. Please email me if you are interested.
"Ole's Boathouse, Riverside, Connecticut" o/c, 24" x 36". Commission.I grew up down the road from this active boat yard, with access to Long Island Sound. I was able to spent part of my recent vacation time painting this commission. I forced myself to leave out details in the trees and water, and I like how that part of the painting turned out. It is very easy to over work a studio painting and add too many details. In this case, concentrating the details in the building, and leaving them out of background forces the viewers focus to the building, as one might paint a portrait of a face, with a misty or abstract background. Prints of this image are available. Please email me if you are interested.
In the Studio Today...Elephant Mt. Cyclist; Day 1
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
"Dwarfed by Elephant Mt." 30" x 30", o/c, Day 1. Click Photo to enlarge.
Starting on my series of "Cycling Through Landscapes" for the Mill Valley Depot show, September 2009. I love this drive out towards Pt. Reyes, and the feeling of emense mountain awe you get when you round the bend on Platform Bridge Road headed towards Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road, and see Elephant Mt. (Black Mt.) for the first time. The day I was out there to take this photo, I had pulled my car over and was taking pictures from the side of the road when this cyclist came by. I knew I wanted to paint this image right away. More details to come...
"Dwarfed by Elephant Mt." 30" x 30", o/c, Day 1. Click Photo to enlarge.In the Studio Today...Second Commission of Two & Christin Coy Summer Workshop
Detail: "Bike at the Cabin"; Original painting 12"x 16", o/c, 2009.My June news is that I will be taking a summer workshop with Marin Landscape Painter, Christin Coy, beginning in July. I look forward to getting out of the house with my paints for 5 weeks, and hopefully, I will be able to use the time to work on my landscape paintings with bikes in them, for the Mill Valley Depot show in September. Please save the date for a September 1st, 6pm reception at the Mill Valley Depot.
I visited Mill Valley yesterday to measure the walls at the Depot Cafe & Bookstore, and plan out my show. I am looking forward to filling the space with Marin cycling related scenes. It should be a lot of fun for me, and hopefully too, for the great cycling enthusiasts in the Bay Area.
In the Studio Today... The Art of Creative Writing
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
From Left to Right: Cover of Miller Brothers book, my painting of Nicasio Fence Post by Old St. Mary's Church, and photo of me and my own twin boys at Nicasio Valley Farms, 2008.
My knee is still throbbing from surgery last Friday. Being in physical pain is something I am really not good at. I've survived years of emotional pain, but the real, OUCH kind of pain that feels like someone is sitting on the back of your knee with a truck tire... no, this ain't for me. Wrestling would not be my sport of choice. However, here I sit after having read a book for 4 hours that actually took my pain away with out medication. "Either You're in or You're in the Way", by Logan and Noah Miller. This book is phenomenal. I laughed out loud, cried, and laughed out loud again and just could not put the book down(Ok, confession... minus the 10 minutes it took me to eat a yogurt).
This book means a lot to me as a Marin resident, a mother of twin boys, and as a painter, who loves West Marin. I lived in the hills of Fairfax for seven years in a rat infested rental home owned by Forest Knolls women who rode motorcycles. When we told them the house had rats, they said, "Welcome to West Marin". And over the next years, I witnessed baby deer born under our deck, wild turkeys landing in flocks on our roof around sunset, and rainbows you only had seen in movies, crossing over the three mountains we could see from our house. There is something about the land here that is so special, you just don't want to leave. It perhaps has to soak into you a bit, and you have to be tough enough to live with "great habitat", as the watershed district once told me... West Marin is a true gem, and until I read the Miller Brother's book, I didn't realize fully that this has become my home.
Their book is not about Marin, but about the creation of their film about their lives and their father, who lived in Samuel P. Taylor park for 15 years, as a homeless roofer. He was an alcoholic and loved by everyone he met, but he didn't get the help he needed and ended up dying in 2006 in prison. The most amazing thing is how these boys, Logan and Noah Miller, were able to love him for who he was, and promise to make this film for him, and do it in one year. The power of a "deadline" is very amazing and real for artists. Perhaps for everyone in life, but I have found that if I don't have a deadline, I just won't get the work done. I want to commend these boys for their will and love of their Dad, and Northern California.
As a painter, I often see and feel things in the landscape, but can't describe them the way I'd like to in words... so I paint. The Miller Brother's can describe scenes with words, that I could probably paint... For example, "We drove along the river, passing rolling vineyards glowing shades of pink in the dusk as the redwood hills turned to shadows against the dying light behind them." I live to paint moments like these. Here's another one of my favorites from their book: "Later in the afternoon, the sun warmed the redwoods above the Monte Rio Bridge and we jumped off the concrete slab and swam in the cool waters below."
For the past 4 years, I have made the drive out to Nicasio to our favorite pumpkin patch, to let my twin boys pick out pumpkins, run through the hay maze, and jump and slide in the big jumpees at Nicasio Valley Farms. I would go more than once per season, just to let the boys jump off steam and I would relax and take photos of the rolling hills, and gorgeous produce. Inevitably, I would end up chatting with the lovely woman who worked at the farm, and she would tell me about her twin boys, the writers. When you have twins, you always chat with others who have twins. It's a club, for sure. You can't understand what it's like unless you've joined, and it is always nice to meet another twin mom to chat with. So each year, Lynnette would tell me about her boys, the writers, who were trying to make a film. I'd never met them, or knew about them more than this.
It is so wonderful to be able to congratulate this mom and these twins today. My week of pain in my knee post surgery has been bearable because I've had this story to enjoy and celebrate Marin. I am so proud of these guys, and I want to tell everyone to go read this book! It is a miracle. It is that first great effort by any artist, that puts them on the map. A dedication to a deadline, and getting it done, despite all odds. I hope that some day, my twin boys will be able to do something as extraordinary as the Miller Brothers, and I can be as proud as my favorite twin mom out in Nicasio. If my leg is feeling great on Saturday, you may see me out in Pt. Reyes with my crutches, waiting to get my book signed for my twins to have some day.
If you go: Meet the Miller Brothers, this Saturday, May 30th, in Pt. Reyes Station. Book Launch and Benefit for MALT with the Miller Brothers at Toby's Feed Barn. 6:30-9pm. Clips from the film will be shown. Oysters, hot dogs, Lagunitas Brewing Company Beer, and Straus Family Creamery ice cream will be for sale, with part of the proceeds going to help preserve more family farms in West Marin. Ticket price for adults includes one beer (I.D. required), price for under 21 includes one non-alcoholic drink. Purchase tickets online or at Point Reyes Books.
From Left to Right: Cover of Miller Brothers book, my painting of Nicasio Fence Post by Old St. Mary's Church, and photo of me and my own twin boys at Nicasio Valley Farms, 2008.My knee is still throbbing from surgery last Friday. Being in physical pain is something I am really not good at. I've survived years of emotional pain, but the real, OUCH kind of pain that feels like someone is sitting on the back of your knee with a truck tire... no, this ain't for me. Wrestling would not be my sport of choice. However, here I sit after having read a book for 4 hours that actually took my pain away with out medication. "Either You're in or You're in the Way", by Logan and Noah Miller. This book is phenomenal. I laughed out loud, cried, and laughed out loud again and just could not put the book down(Ok, confession... minus the 10 minutes it took me to eat a yogurt).
This book means a lot to me as a Marin resident, a mother of twin boys, and as a painter, who loves West Marin. I lived in the hills of Fairfax for seven years in a rat infested rental home owned by Forest Knolls women who rode motorcycles. When we told them the house had rats, they said, "Welcome to West Marin". And over the next years, I witnessed baby deer born under our deck, wild turkeys landing in flocks on our roof around sunset, and rainbows you only had seen in movies, crossing over the three mountains we could see from our house. There is something about the land here that is so special, you just don't want to leave. It perhaps has to soak into you a bit, and you have to be tough enough to live with "great habitat", as the watershed district once told me... West Marin is a true gem, and until I read the Miller Brother's book, I didn't realize fully that this has become my home.
Their book is not about Marin, but about the creation of their film about their lives and their father, who lived in Samuel P. Taylor park for 15 years, as a homeless roofer. He was an alcoholic and loved by everyone he met, but he didn't get the help he needed and ended up dying in 2006 in prison. The most amazing thing is how these boys, Logan and Noah Miller, were able to love him for who he was, and promise to make this film for him, and do it in one year. The power of a "deadline" is very amazing and real for artists. Perhaps for everyone in life, but I have found that if I don't have a deadline, I just won't get the work done. I want to commend these boys for their will and love of their Dad, and Northern California.
As a painter, I often see and feel things in the landscape, but can't describe them the way I'd like to in words... so I paint. The Miller Brother's can describe scenes with words, that I could probably paint... For example, "We drove along the river, passing rolling vineyards glowing shades of pink in the dusk as the redwood hills turned to shadows against the dying light behind them." I live to paint moments like these. Here's another one of my favorites from their book: "Later in the afternoon, the sun warmed the redwoods above the Monte Rio Bridge and we jumped off the concrete slab and swam in the cool waters below."
For the past 4 years, I have made the drive out to Nicasio to our favorite pumpkin patch, to let my twin boys pick out pumpkins, run through the hay maze, and jump and slide in the big jumpees at Nicasio Valley Farms. I would go more than once per season, just to let the boys jump off steam and I would relax and take photos of the rolling hills, and gorgeous produce. Inevitably, I would end up chatting with the lovely woman who worked at the farm, and she would tell me about her twin boys, the writers. When you have twins, you always chat with others who have twins. It's a club, for sure. You can't understand what it's like unless you've joined, and it is always nice to meet another twin mom to chat with. So each year, Lynnette would tell me about her boys, the writers, who were trying to make a film. I'd never met them, or knew about them more than this.
It is so wonderful to be able to congratulate this mom and these twins today. My week of pain in my knee post surgery has been bearable because I've had this story to enjoy and celebrate Marin. I am so proud of these guys, and I want to tell everyone to go read this book! It is a miracle. It is that first great effort by any artist, that puts them on the map. A dedication to a deadline, and getting it done, despite all odds. I hope that some day, my twin boys will be able to do something as extraordinary as the Miller Brothers, and I can be as proud as my favorite twin mom out in Nicasio. If my leg is feeling great on Saturday, you may see me out in Pt. Reyes with my crutches, waiting to get my book signed for my twins to have some day.
If you go: Meet the Miller Brothers, this Saturday, May 30th, in Pt. Reyes Station. Book Launch and Benefit for MALT with the Miller Brothers at Toby's Feed Barn. 6:30-9pm. Clips from the film will be shown. Oysters, hot dogs, Lagunitas Brewing Company Beer, and Straus Family Creamery ice cream will be for sale, with part of the proceeds going to help preserve more family farms in West Marin. Ticket price for adults includes one beer (I.D. required), price for under 21 includes one non-alcoholic drink. Purchase tickets online or at Point Reyes Books.
In the Studio Today... Session #2; Greenhouse
Thursday, May 14, 2009
"Lizzie's Greenhouse", Cow Track Ranch, Nicasio, CA 14"x 18", oil on canvas.
Day two working on this painting I started en plein air in the Cow Track Ranch Greenhouse on Tuesday. For more info on that "Art on the Farm" visit, please see my previous post.
"Lizzie's Greenhouse", Cow Track Ranch, Nicasio, CA 14"x 18", oil on canvas.In the Studio Today... Cow Track Ranch Greenhouse
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
"Lizzie's Greenhouse Starts", 14" x 18", oil on canvas.
I drove out to Nicasio today to paint with the "Art on the Farm" group at Lizzie Daniels stunning property, "Cow Track Ranch". It's just past downtown Nicasio and the Nicasio school, and also just past Nicasio Valley Farms, where I have seen Logan and Noah's mom smiling and telling me about her twin sons, the writers, every Fall at the pumpkin patch, where my own twin boys have spent endless hours in the jump house and hay maze. Congratulations, twin mom. You must be so proud! : )
Today was a sunny, 64 degree day, with light winds, and perfect weather for outdoor painting. Lizzie boasts of her Marin County Fair "Best of Show" Merlot Red Lettuce(photos below), and it was a sight to behold, growing all over the property, surrounding the barns, amongst the roses, and in the new greenhouse. Liz offered a tour of the greenhouse, where she grows all varieties of organic vegetable and herb seedlings that are sold to businesses such as Local Flora, and provided to several school gardens in West and Central Marin County. Liz has also provided Osteria Stellina in downtown Pt. Reyes Station with assistance, lettuces, and produce.
"Cow Track Ranch" Organic, Merlot Lettuce, is a dark, burgundy color.
For more on today's visit, please visit the "Art on the Farm" Blog.
www.artonthefarmblog.com
"Lizzie's Greenhouse Starts", 14" x 18", oil on canvas.I drove out to Nicasio today to paint with the "Art on the Farm" group at Lizzie Daniels stunning property, "Cow Track Ranch". It's just past downtown Nicasio and the Nicasio school, and also just past Nicasio Valley Farms, where I have seen Logan and Noah's mom smiling and telling me about her twin sons, the writers, every Fall at the pumpkin patch, where my own twin boys have spent endless hours in the jump house and hay maze. Congratulations, twin mom. You must be so proud! : )
Today was a sunny, 64 degree day, with light winds, and perfect weather for outdoor painting. Lizzie boasts of her Marin County Fair "Best of Show" Merlot Red Lettuce(photos below), and it was a sight to behold, growing all over the property, surrounding the barns, amongst the roses, and in the new greenhouse. Liz offered a tour of the greenhouse, where she grows all varieties of organic vegetable and herb seedlings that are sold to businesses such as Local Flora, and provided to several school gardens in West and Central Marin County. Liz has also provided Osteria Stellina in downtown Pt. Reyes Station with assistance, lettuces, and produce.
"Cow Track Ranch" Organic, Merlot Lettuce, is a dark, burgundy color.For more on today's visit, please visit the "Art on the Farm" Blog.
www.artonthefarmblog.com
In the Studio Today... MALT's Annual Show!
I have been attending the MALT show for more than five years now, and anticipate it every year. As a plein air landscape artist in Marin County, this is the most coveted place to exhibit one's work. To be accepted to MALT for their annual show is an honor, when there are hundreds of landscape painters that would like to hang their work on the walls of Druid's Hall in Nicasio. For me, it is a goal to be included in this group some day, but for now, I enjoy visiting the show each year when I can, and talking to the artists, who often are there to share and discuss their paintings.The drive to Nicasio alone will have you feeling at peace with our natural surroundings, and then to enter the show is just magical. The walls in this small space are packed like a patchwork quilt; every painting packed into the Hall contributes something unique and special about Marin county farms and land that has been preserved by Marin Agricultural Land Trust. It is a joy and treat for me to be there each year, if not as an exhibiting painter, at least as one in spirit! Please go and support MALT on May 16th(my Birthday!)from 2-5pm, or on May 17th, from 10 -4pm. They offer books, greeting cards and other items that are fairly priced and make great gifts, as well as prints and paintings. Visit the MALT website for more information, and some great audio interviews with participating artists.
You may also want to take a look at the MALT website and a new MALT Blog that is written about Ranches and Rolling Hills, and full of information and inspiration about art and farming, by Elisabeth Ptak.
Finally, you may also want to visit the blogs of 2 MALT artists I have had the pleasure of venturing out to farms with through the "Art on the Farm" group trips:
• Christin Coy's Blog
• Richard Lindenberg's Blog
Enjoy!
In the Studio Today...OPEN STUDIO; May 2 & 3rd
"Lemons Before Mt. Tam" Plein air at Fairfax Fresh, Meyer Lemon Farm, 2008.Hello Friends and Art Enthusiasts!
There are 4 artists in my neighborhood that will be opening their doors to the public on May 2nd and 3rd. 3 of these artists are right on San Anselmo Avenue, so look for their signs and balloons. They are on the map found in the recent issue of "Marin Magazine". I am located just off San Anselmo Ave, at 92 Elm, but I am not on the map this year.
Please click here for a map:92 Elm Ave., San Anselmo, CA (Just off of Scenic Ave., or San Anselmo Ave. White house with a red door, and large palm tree in front.)
I have many oil paintings of local, Marin County landscapes, and I am trying to clear them out, as I am creating 20 cycling related scenes for a September show at the Mill Valley Depot. So, what this means is that ALL prices are negotiable at this time, and I have let a few things go for as low as $150. So, if you need a painting for a graduation gift or Mother's Day.... Please take a look a this link below and consider stopping by. I will put a few balloons out in the yard. The paintings are all hanging in my home, and you may click here to preview what I still have available online here. (or paste this url in your browser http://tinyurl.com/dmsyxt)
Thanks for your support!
-Colleen
In the Studio Today... This Sunday-April 19th;
"Art on the Farm" Reception at VMA, San Rafael
(click image below to enlarge)
Please come for a reception this Sunday, April 19th, hosted by the Friends of Marin Veterans' Auditorium and Marin Arts Council, 2-5pm. I have 2 paintings on display, among the 40+ artists that will be exhibited. Paintings are from plein air outings to Marin Organic Farms in 2008. Please RSVP to Friendsmc@co.marin.ca.us or phone 415.499.6014. For more info, please visit: Art on the Farm Blog
Take the North San Pedro exit, and go east.
Turn left at the first light, Civic Center Drive.
The Center is 1/2 mile down on the right, just past the lagoon.
FROM 101 SOUTH (From Santa Rosa):
Take the North San Pedro exit
At end of off ramp turn left onto Merrydale
At traffic light turn left onto North San Pedro Road, and go east under the freeway.
At the first light, turn left onto Civic Center Dr.
Follow Civic Center Drive approximately 1/2 mile.
The Center is on the right, just past the lagoon
Please come for a reception this Sunday, April 19th, hosted by the Friends of Marin Veterans' Auditorium and Marin Arts Council, 2-5pm. I have 2 paintings on display, among the 40+ artists that will be exhibited. Paintings are from plein air outings to Marin Organic Farms in 2008. Please RSVP to Friendsmc@co.marin.ca.us or phone 415.499.6014. For more info, please visit: Art on the Farm BlogDirections to Marin Center:
FROM 101 NORTH (From San Francisco):Take the North San Pedro exit, and go east.
Turn left at the first light, Civic Center Drive.
The Center is 1/2 mile down on the right, just past the lagoon.
FROM 101 SOUTH (From Santa Rosa):
Take the North San Pedro exit
At end of off ramp turn left onto Merrydale
At traffic light turn left onto North San Pedro Road, and go east under the freeway.
At the first light, turn left onto Civic Center Dr.
Follow Civic Center Drive approximately 1/2 mile.
The Center is on the right, just past the lagoon
In the Studio Today... I Spy Art Mirrors & Poster
Monday, April 6, 2009
(Click above image to enlarge)
The above is a poster of 18, 10" x 10" individual "I Spy" mirrors my son and his classmates created to raise money for the YES Foundation. "YES" funds Art and Music at their public school. I photographed the kids mirrors and combined them to create this poster, and put all the questions the kids came up with in the center of the poster. We are framing this and auctioning it off at the YES Gala this year. Wouldn't this be great in a pediatrician's office, or waiting room? Kid's playroom? Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing a poster. Also, check out and feel free to bid on the great items for auction online to support the boys' art and music programs in the Ross Valley School District.
(Click above image to enlarge)The above is a poster of 18, 10" x 10" individual "I Spy" mirrors my son and his classmates created to raise money for the YES Foundation. "YES" funds Art and Music at their public school. I photographed the kids mirrors and combined them to create this poster, and put all the questions the kids came up with in the center of the poster. We are framing this and auctioning it off at the YES Gala this year. Wouldn't this be great in a pediatrician's office, or waiting room? Kid's playroom? Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing a poster. Also, check out and feel free to bid on the great items for auction online to support the boys' art and music programs in the Ross Valley School District.
In the Studio Today...Bouquets to Art 2009
I had a brief glimpse at this year's "Bouquets to Art" show at the de Young in San Francisco today. Floral designers choose a painting, sculpture or piece of art in the museum, and let it inspire them to create their work. Some are very traditional displays, while others are truly unique, and modern works of art in themselves.
It was a gorgeous day, great weather, and the opening day for the show, St. Patrick's Day. I saw a lot of people wearing green, and many beautiful hats and brightly colored outfits. The show inspires so much color, and it was so crowded I had to line up behind other camera carrying folks to snap my photos for this event. Very well attended today. 4 more days, through March 21st. Don't miss it! Always worth the trip! Click here to check out some of my photos from today...
Frank Lloyd Wright House Cookie
An MFA graduate of CalArts and friend is currently working on a feature length documentary about Architecture inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's "Organic Architecture"; architecture which blended into the landscape and expressed the beauty of natural elements, such as falling water and rocks. His 1939 Kaufman House, known as "Fallingwater", has repeatedly been named the most beautiful house in the world by the American Institute of Architects.
2009 marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of Frank Lloyd Wright, and my friend has launched a baking project to compliment and raise funds for her film. If you make a donation to the film, you can have these amazing house cookies sent right to your door..... or you can join her "Architecture Cookie Club", and receive a new cookie inspired by one of the architects in her film, every 3 months. For more information, please contact Holly at durivage@mac.com or check out her blog, which is soon to become a more elaborate website for the film and the cookies, of course!
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