Bodega Bay, Ca.

Driving up to the Bodega Head was fun... but the parking lot is small.... and filled up rather quickly! It was a bit crowded due to the Summer time visitors. I'll have to revisit again in sometime in the Fall.

So I decided to drive back down the hill and over to the Marina. Didn't find anything that caught my attention at Spud Point Marina but found a nice spot at the Porto Bodega Marina. I had set up my gear .... and it suddenly started to RAIN! Typical weather along this part of the coast.... So I packed up, parked and painted some studies from my car. 

(top) View at the entrance of  Marina - a boat parked in front of large lush trees. 

(bottom) Squeezed in one more study of a hillside behind one of the vacation homes.

(Gouache studies 4"x6" each in sketchbook) 

Well that was my plein air adventure along the northern California coast! 

I may try for another farm or maybe winery next paintout :)

California Poppies

Went for a hike and came across these Golden Poppies growing between these cluster of rocks.

(7" x 10" Watercolors on Watercolor board)

For the past month I would see these bright orange flowers blooming along the North Bay freeway. If you haven't seen or heard of this flower it's call the "California Poppy" but also goes by "Golden Poppy" and "Cup of Gold". It's the California State Flower.

Pt. Reyes Vineyards - Summer Rain!

 

(Watercolors on 12" x 16" waterboard) 

Took a day trip up to Pt Reyes with my wife. It's normally about a 45 minute drive ... unless there's RAIN..... which makes it that much more dangerous when driving through Lucas Valley's curvy roads. Luckily it rained only the first part of the day... which allowed me to park and set up.

During this type of weather I'll have to find some coverage.... in this case my SUV trunk door! As for views, the options are limited by the fog and misty air. I walked around and scoped the area.... off to the distance I spotted a barn.... and a truck loaded with hay!

Usually around this time I have to work fast because of the summer heat.... but working wet on wet with these low temperatures requires some patience to allow the watercolors to dry. I've always had a hard time approaching misty skies and usually over-work the painting.... but I think I captured the atmosphere and how the day felt from Sunday's paintout :)

At the Water Tower

Occasionally at work, I drive the water truck.  I sketched it while refilling the tank.  A very quick and simple drawing using my fountain pen with Noodler's ink and a little water color.

Tulips in the Rain

Roozengaard Gardens during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. 11X15 watercolor on Arches 140lb cold press paper by Megan Seagren.

 



The Seattle Watercolor Meetup Group went to Roozengaard Gardens during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April. The day was dismal and rainy, but the tulips lit up the region with beautiful color. I painted this while hiding out under the food tent.

Black Point - Old Dock (Novato, Ca)

(8" x 10" watercolors on 140lb. waterboard)

Took a drive down Hwy 37 and set up at the Black Point boat launch. Followed a hidden trail that led to an old dock. While sketching my layout... my tripod cracked and my portable stool broke!!!

Luckily I also packed a beach chair.... and ended up painting on my lap. The winds picked up and my umbrella kept flying away... luckily I always tie down my umbrella just in case this happens :)

Other than all the mishaps... I  had a great time here!

Old Lakeville Road # 3 - Petaluma, CA.

I drove along Lakeville Highway and turned into Old Lakeville Road # 3.

That's right.... there are three roads to choose from but # 3 is the longest road...with great landscape views of barns and farm animals.

i immediately pulled over to admire the ponies! But just behind, I noticed a large group of sheep beginning to come up and over the grassy hillside.

So I started setting up along the fence and comfortably between two eucalyptus trees.

 The sheep were long gone by the time I finished up this painting, but sure was nice they kept us company throughout the afternoon.
 (9" x 12" gouache on watercolor board)