Plein Air Painting at Allied Artists in Menlo Park

"The Art Gallery"

15" x 20" Watercolor

"Art Flowers"

7" x 5" Watercolor

"Alied Artists Adobe"

7" x 5" Non-Permanent Ink and Watercolor

Fellow artist Janice Faulstich and I headed north about 35 miles to Menlo Park, a very upscale area of the Peninsula. Janice is a wonderful plein air artist and she creates beautiful art journals of her travels. Recently she gave a demo for one of the art societies and was a huge hit. She is now scheduled to do a demo for a another art association. Do check out her blog.

We met up with more than twenty other SCVWS artists at a beautiful complex of buildings owned by Allied Artists. So much to choose from -- wonderful adobe and old wooden structures, beautiful gardens filled with art objects and flower, and many interesting people visiting the facility. I set up my Sun Eden easel next to a water fountain and painted three pieces in about three hours. 

The first painting depicts the art gallery building, a lovely old adobe. I was attracted by the mural of the woman and two children backed by a beautiful cobalt blue,  and the angles of the roof lines. Plus friend Laurie Barna said be sure to get some power lines in the painting as she liked my "Powerful" plein air piece. I took a little artistic license and moved some nearby lines into my painting. I think they add character and are in keeping with this old section of the town.

Not wanting to move, I turned 180 degrees and did a small painting of some of the lovely flowers growing behind me. I used quite a bit of color on these white flowers to suggest the shadows and texture of the petals.

Next I turned 90 degrees and faced the side of a wonderful adobe building with classic lines. I grabbed my dip pen and some new non-permanent ink Laurie purchased at the the Asian store and drew the building freehand. I notice I have a tendency to drift downhill with lines and I did this painting in about 20 minutes so I was not using care. I convinced myself it adds to the charm. I then dropped in some color, attempting to quickly blot up some of the ink runs with a damp brush. I've added the ink and watercolor technique to my repertoire after seeing a plein air demo by Dick Zunkel. You can read about that experience here. Incidentally, the small painting from that session sold at my art open house in April. 

We got home in time for me to get in a half hour of ballroom dancing with Bob, have dinner, and join my Thursday night art group where I drew my commission painting. I am doing a small piece for the patron's approval. I plan to paint the sample today. I am working from a photo that was likely taken on a cellphone and is a bit fuzzy when I blow it up for a better view.