Sutter Creek weekend...

Sutter Creek is hopping this weekend, friends! It is their official opening to the Christmas Season. Sutter Creek is a special place to visit during this time of year. The local merchants are very creative, and work hard to make sure everyone has a wonderful experience. People dressed in Victorian costumes, music ~everyone wears smiles.

I will be manning the Sutter Creek Gallery on Sunday from 10 to 5 and I can't wait!  I love busy days. I stopped by the Gallery today. There were some boy scouts selling mistletoe.  I bought THREE bags. A girl can never be too prepared. 

It was a beautiful sunny day~ crisp and smoky~just the way I like it. On my way home today, I decided to take the scenic route from Sutter Creek. I drove up Shake Ridge and cut over on Hale Road. It was inspirational. The leaves are coming down, and the damp forest smells sweetly of pine and cedar. There is a creek in the bottom of the canyon that I splash across, pausing to roll down my windows to listen to the music in the water. It is very quiet there, and the light is soft and misty.

...all is well, friends

Fiddletown~Residents

"Fiddletown~Residents"

This cow and calf live with their herd on Ostrom Road.  I happened upon them one Sunday afternoon while eating my lunch.  I had bought a slice of pizza at Pokerville Market and had pulled over to enjoy the sunshine near these cows. They were as interested in my pizza as I was!  I enjoyed their presence so much, that I snapped a few reference photos of the different individuals just for fun.  I didn't know there was a painting in this until I was admiring my shots on the computer. How surprised and excited I was that my camera caught these beautiful shadow patterns on their coats!

In this painting I experimented with my composition some by placing the tree directly in the center of the painting and "anchoring" the cow and her nursing calf to it. It's funny how little real black there was on this cow's coat, it was mostly reflective blues and reds. Lots of pen and ink and Prismacolor pencil in this painting.  The original hangs in Sutter Creek Gallery, giclee prints are available.

It was misty and cool today. There is a Japanese maple at work that has the most gorgeous crimson leaves.  (In the summer I plucked several of it's seedlings from its shadow.  They grow in small pots until they are large enough to plant in my garden.) Each day, when I pass it by, I choose one of the leaves to enjoy in my office cubicle. I have quite a collection of leaves right now.  I can't seem to resist the impulse to rescue fallen leaves. Their beautiful shapes help me get through the day.  As I walk through the casino, I am often seen carrying a leaf, now.  I am sure that nobody sees this as unusual behavior....

I am enthralled by Nature....

Mossy Walnuts

Today, I worked at Sutter Creek Gallery. 

I love to be there to greet people and see what they are interested in. It is fun to know that everyone who comes in likes something different! Thank you to Mark and Dee for their purchase :) 

The rain today was amazing. There is nothing quite like a good storm to clear the air and wash things clean. I am enthralled by the power of Mother Nature. The energy of a big storm lifts my spirits, helps me think through problems, and put things in perspective. It's like sitting at the edge of the ocean. If you pay attention, the answers are there. It is a spiritual awakening....

My angels are singing, friends....

Hale road maples

Hale Road in autumn...

The oaks and maples have been the boldest, brightest fall colors that I have seen in ten years. Incredibly rich, powerful golds. The hills show brilliant patches mingled with pines. 

My conversation with myself: "Quinacridone gold with just a hint of alizarin",  I think out loud. "Maybe a little cadmium orange, not too much, or you will muddy the hue." "Too muddy and the light won't bounce the way you need it to. Now, add a few horses, and some mist for atmosphere."  Hmmmm, sounds like my next painting....

Today, the rains began. The little riparian creeks began collecting their pure, fresh wild water.  The pines began sipping, their roots plumping. The mosses on the trunks began greening. The oaks and maples released their jewel toned leaves to fall.

I am so grateful for today.  It made my heart sing.

RUN!!!

"Running in Heaven"

watercolor and prismacolor pencil

Ariel loved to run for the sheer joy of it.  This little painting is about 11" x 14" and is painted in a very high register to show him enjoying a sunlit pasture. He was a sweet and gentle gelding....pure Arabian.  His coat glistened with coppery highlights.


...MMMMmmmm, I can still remember how he smells :)

Elephant tales...

Nancy Filippi, Managing Director of the Oakland Zoo identified my elephant. His name is Osh ;) How COOOOOOL is that??

Many thanks Nancy!

August paintings....

This is a portrait of an African elephant who lives at the Oakland Zoo.  I loved the interesting skin textures, and the way the light plays off the trunk and ears. I added the contrasting color of the bright green foliage~ it really help to make the greys of the elephant's skin more interesting.

I recently learned of the PAWS organization, a performing animal sanctuary that is very near us. They rescue neglected or abused animals. I have asked if I could photograph their mountain lion. I would love to paint her! I hope they will consider it, it may turn out to be a mutually beneficial relationship.

My next painting is a beautiful finch on a butterfly bush, so far it is going well!  Tomorrow, I will be at Sutter Creek Gallery for the day.

Here is Whimsy waiting to be milked. (I see that she needs her hooves trimmed again :)  We are doing well with our daily milking ritual. I am getting plenty of delicious creamy milk, and I am making fresh cheese weekly in my kitchen. I am still learning, but I am enjoying the process AND eating the results!

...fresh chevre at FiddleSong Farm....