A concerned friend texted me about the beautiful weather yesterday and very colorfully insisted that I better be outside painting, thankfully I was or I think I would have lost my street-cred. I texted back this painting from the Big Rock trailhead overlook above Lucas Valley and saved my rep.
I did this painting a while back, it was a really beautiful afternoon but blazing hot. I didn’t last more than an hour and a half in the direct sun. On the way down the hill I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. I need to remember to come back here with a larger canvas. There were some great panoramic compositions but they didn’t work on my little panel.
Post fathers day taco dinner painting. It’s amazing how long the light lasts in the summer. Also amazing how predictably windy it gets around sunset.
Between the deadlines at work, all the end of the school year events and friends getting hurt or sick. I’ve found it difficult to find time or motivation to paint. I force myself to paint today just to break the trend. I feel really rusty, like I haven’t painted in years. Got to get that momentum back.
When I set up my gear the overcast sky led me to believe that it was going to be a pleasant rose colored sunset, then the wind picked up and by the time I had the under painting down the veil parted. It was so bright. This view is probably etch onto the back of my eyeballs. I’d squint for a quick peak and then turn away to paint and that was too much. I was just guessing at the colors until the sun dropped behind Kentfield. note to self: always pack your sun glasses.
As I was cleaning up I met a friendly neighbor and we had a lovely conversation about art, philosophy and the joy of learning. It was a nice way to wrap up the day.
I think I’m loosing it. I went out to paint and forgot my paints and medium. Had to scrape my dried up pallet with turpentine. Everything is so difficult these days. I can’t think straight anymore. Way too many variables to juggle. Its not fun.
Quick morning sketch with a little bit of clean up at home. Looking west from the vineyard shop.
On the hill behinds mom’s looking east. It was a burn day and smoke from the neighbors left a thin veil over the valley
Looking south from the hill above the solar farm on a burn day. Very bright late morning with lots of smoke haze from the neighbors clearing brush.
Looking west towards my uncle Fred’s house from the junkyard overlook after sunset.
