"Late Day in Napa Valley"
Silverado Resort grounds from the Mansion Lounge
In May, Bob and I attended a lovely wine tasting and dinner honoring patrons of the School Health Clinics of San Jose. There was a silent auction and I was the lucky winner of two days at a condo at the Silverado Resort . What better time to get out of Dodge for a brief respite than while under remodel construction. We loaded the tandem and vowed to park the car for our stay. The condo is beautiful with a master suite, living area and kitchen right near the main pool and jacuzzi.
On the first evening we shared a light meal at the Mansion Lounge. This was our view.
The real deal
I was intrigued by the play of light and shadows as the sun dropped low in the sky over one of the golf courses at the resort in wine country (pardon the reflections on the glass door). I played up the shapes and light in my small sketch done in my Moleskine watercolor journal using Koi pan paints and a water brush.
The next day we rode the tandem up that mountain you see and were very happy we did not have a huge touring load on board.
Bob and bike at the Silverado Resort
We spent time at the pool where I captured a view I want to paint. I was prone on a lounge chair when I saw the play on shadows on the umbrella and had to get my camera. I plan to fill the picture plane with the umbrella.
At the main pool
Tomorrow I will attend a demo by Derek Gores and then a 4-day workshop to learn his approach to collage. We will be painting with paper. Because of my love of the shape element, this workshop is calling me.
7 comments:
Hi Mary, Oh what fun! Winning two days in a condo sounds festive. I enjoyed looking at your photos and your watercolor study. How are you liking your Koi set? I hope you have a great time in your workshop and hope you post photos!
Peggy, I love my little Koi set. It's all I take when we travel cause we go light. Myrna Wacknov suggested I get one before I began my cross-USA bicycle tour.
It is a fabulous little piece, Mary! You just know how to live right, my friend. Glad to hear more on the Koi sets; they are on my agenda.
Sherry, I am so fortunate to be able to do many things that I enjoy doing. I realize that these are the best years of the rest of my life. Right now I am blessed with good health and a lot of luck. Having lost a spouse to cancer after 16-years of surgeries and radiation, I know how fickle life can be and things can change in a moment.
You did a beautiful painting, Mary! Napa Valley is on my list of places to visit!
I love those shadows in the last photo, and they match your trees in the top painting (delightful). Have fun.
what a great time for a few days away from home! It's difficult to take a bad picture in the California Wine Country!
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