Five days of painting plein air should have built some skill and some confidence. I learned two things: I paint better alone, and I paint better when there is no sense of being rushed. So, I headed to a place called Lover’s Point Park in downtown Pacific Grove. I skipped the morning Rah-rah meeting—fun, painting […]
Painting Plein Air in Monterey, Day 5 PM
The fog came in thick. We had planned to go to Big Sur, and took the chance that the fog would have cleared. Nope. Our hope was to go the viewpoint just north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where a big deal painter named Bill told us to go in order to paint his […]
Plein Air Painting in Monterey, Day 5 (AM)
Day 5 was scheduled for painting at Rocky Creek/Rocky Point, and Rocky Creek bridge, which is shaped like the Oak Grove Bridge (but built 10 years later.) We drove to Rocky Point Restaurant, which is closed, but has a decent parking lot and some trails out to the point. Looks easier than waves. Better do […]
Plein Air Painting in Monterey, Day 4 (PM)
We were told that Carmel Beach was voted the Best Beach in the country. Or maybe it was on the west coast, or maybe “just” in California. It was tricky to find parking, and a place to paint sitting down in the shade. I found a low bench but was still able to peer over […]
Plein Air Painting in Monterey, Day 4 (AM)
Every moment is filled. There are too many places to see, too many people to meet, too many places to paint. So, today’s blog will only show the morning painting session on Day 4. Roomie and I skipped the morning announcements and found our way to the Carmel Mission. I love those 21 missions and […]
Plein Air Painting in Monterey, Day 3
Day three was a test of my gear: could I fit what I needed into my trusty red daypack and carry my 3-legged stool under one arm and the loaner pochade box in my other hand along a trail? Yeppers. We started at Garrapata State Park, along the bluffs on Highway One. We painted all […]
Plein Air Painting in Monterey, Day 1
On Day 1, we stayed at Asilomar. People needed to get accustomed to their equipment, the schedule, the weather, the whole situation, so it made sense to stay on the premises, which are walking distance to the ocean. Our room is so tiny that I am keeping my supplies in the trunk of the car. […]
Final Thoughts on a Trip to Oregon
My sister and brother-in-law hold a big yard sale once every year or two. We work well together “playing store”, and many other people bring their items. It is a tremendous amount of work to make sure all items are in top shape, priced with the seller’s initials, setting up tables (which often get brought […]
More Thoughts on an Oregon Road Trip
People think that Oregon is green, and you may have heard it said that in Oregon, people don’t tan—they rust. In August, Oregon is golden. There are barns, lots of trees, and golden fields, hills, countryside. There are many rolling hills, some steep grades and curves with lots of warning signs about excessive speeds, and […]
Thoughts on an Oregon Road Trip
Once a year I visit my mom, my sister and her family in Oregon. Flying is an expensive and hasslesome way to travel, so I choose to drive the 750 miles. I can haul stuff in my our pick-’em-up truck, not stand in lines, have transportation when I arrive, AND set my own schedule. (We […]