Art in the Pines has come and gone and I'm a bit late in following up from my last post about this plein air event. I had a great time, of course, painting in such a beautiful place. I did a couple of watercolor demo's. One was plagued by wind and the other got shut down by a rain shower, but it's all part of the fun. I made several paintings over the course of the event but finally submitted this painting I did one morning at Torrey Pines State Beach. It won honorable mention. Strawberries on Main Street So, while last month I frolicked amongst the pines, last week, I found myself with strawberries on my mind. Yesterday I found out that my entry for the 2014 Vista Strawberry Festival poster contest won first place. This was very special to me as Vista is my hometown. The scene depicted in my painting is of Main Street and includes the old Avo Theater (now the Avo Playhouse), where I picked Jujubes from my teeth while watching "The Jungle Book" from the cry room. Having recently moved back to Vista, I find fond memories around every turn. I'm also excited that the old downtown is beginning a new chapter as an arts and culture hub. I imagine the giant strawberries in the back of this old red truck probably taste a lot like optimism. Click here to read more about the contest and my winning illustration.
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As mentioned in my previous post, I am participating in Art in the Pines at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The event, in its fourth year, is a two-day "...celebration of nature through the interpretive eye of the artist." This month, California artists can be observed painting throughout the reserve as part of the plein air painting competition. Awards will be announced Saturday May 4th and paintings and other nature-based artwork will be available at an outdoor sale near the visitors' center May 4th and 5th. Hosted by the Torrey Pines Docent Society and the Torrey Pines Association, the event benefits children's nature programs at the reserve. Come on out and see me make a painting while I try to keep hold of my hat and easel. Visit torreypine.org for more info. Did I mention there will be tacos? And coffee? I'm a newbie participant in the monthly artwalk that takes place at Old California Restaurant Row in San Marcos. The artwalk is a relatively small but lively event that occurs alongside, but separate from, a car show. I think it creates a nice mix of people who can appreciate creativity on many levels. This past Sunday was my second day out there and I'm happy to report that some very nice people took home some of my art! It's so gratifying to feel that bit of appreciation for what you do and how you see the world. And it's heartening to know that there are people in your community, aside from your fellow artists, who actively make art a part of their lives. I'm a little bummed that I won't be there for the next one in May, since I'll be participating in Art in the Pines; but I'm already planning for the artwalk in June. So thank you, art appreciators, for supporting the art in our community as well as this particular starving artist! For more info on the artwalk and car club event, click here. Or to check out their Facebook page, click here. And I do mean "BIG," because this template forces me to SHOUT TITLES IN ALL CAPS. Apologies.
If you've somehow landed here, I'm guessing we've crossed paths somewhere in the art-o-sphere, maybe at the intersection of plein air painting and watercolor? In future, I'd like to post about my own adventures, and hopefully not too many misadventures, in painting in the great outdoors. |
AuthorI have a passion for plein air painting. I try to capture and share the moments of beauty I find. You can see some of my work online at: Archives
September 2019
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