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Mountain Retreat, 10 x 10" o/c
This "faux plein air" (painted from a photo) was the most successful of the three pieces I did at last week's workshop. The other two, painted from life, are below. In spite an accident that nearly destroyed my French easel on Day 1 and contracting a cold on Day 2--which fortunately did not get nasty until the last day--I enjoyed the beautiful mountain setting and getting some insights into how the other illustrator/painters work. I also left with a little more confidence in my own developing style and ability.

I have just returned from being away for two more weeks, with another load of inherited "stuff" to add to the pile that needs organizing and putting away. Hopefully I will be able to stay home and work on that and some painting for a good long while now. A small show at Latitudes in Auburn has been scheduled for August. Never a dull moment.

Cowboy, 14 x 18" o/c

Earthy Crocks, 11 x 14" o/c

9 x 12, oil on linen/hardboard; work-in-progress
After not painting at all for two weeks, then dabbling on a book illustration for a couple of days, it seemed essential to paint something. Although I began painting regularly last summer more as a diversion, doing so now feels like the only thing that makes illustration tolerable. But I lack confidence and feel I've lost a lot of what I had gained over the past few weeks. Art is such a struggle for my dominant right brain.

If I were taking Clint Watson's advice in today's FineArtViews blog, the "social object" story I would tell about this painting is that I started it on the first day of the Sac Plein Air Festival and was so sick I had to pack it in.

14" x 11" o/c
For some of us, avoiding negative language about our own work is a challenge—the I have come to understand the importance of being quietly positive is in preparing potential buyers to like our work. Frank Ordaz has discussed this, referring to having "a bit of the ShamWow guy," and Lori Woodward Simmons put it very well in this article on FineArtViews. This whole blog is terrific, BTW; it has a huge archive of great advice and inspiring articles on art and marketing.

So I finished this painting, at least for the time being. Nope, I didn’t achieve all I had hoped, but I still like the subject and more-or-less got the light effect I wanted. I think I am pretty good at recognizing a good scene or still life composition—not as good at editing and finding well-composed paintings in less-than-perfect ones. This one was almost perfect to begin with. I only had to remove some wires, poles and signage and adjust the trees a little.

I also finished two book illos this week. Need crank out one more, because I will be taking next week off to participate in the first Capitol City Plein Air Festival!

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24" x 8", o/c
This granite bridge in a little park near my house was built by Chinese laborers in about 1900. It is one of the few charming remnants of historic Rocklin. The morning light gave it kind of a storybook quality.

Still too tight.