100 Days of Pastels - Napa Valley Art Museum

Last Sunday I traveled to Yountville for a little art & pastry run. Several loaves of french bread safely packed in the back of the car (and a chocolate crossaint later), Jim and I went over to the Napa Valley Museum to see the exhibition by 4 artists that runs until February 28th.

One of my former art teachers, and a long-time environmentalist, Marc Pandone, was showing some of his Sierra paintings and 100 days of oil pastel paintings of nearby Buzzard Peak. A fantastic 100 consecutive day view of a subject near and dear to him.

Be sure to catch the show "4 On Form" before it ends Feb 28th

Story at : http://www.napavalleyregister.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/article_0eec6978-0aec-11df-9743-001cc4c03286.html

St. Vincent's Church - January 31, 2010

I met the North Bay Plein Air Painters in Marin County this last Sunday. They returned to St. Vincent Church on an initially overcast day. Later the sun decided to show its face and all 11 of the painters were glad for it, I think. The artists worked in oils, watercolor and pastel (me).

We all found different subjects to paint: the church, the courtyard fountains, the arched doorways and corridors, the surrounding countryside and gardens.


12"x18" pastel (Artist Janice L-H)



"Past the Wall at St. Vincents Church"

Below: (photos by Janice L-H)

Entrance road lined with giant Eucalyptus trees.

St Vincent's Church - marvelous stained glass interior

I loved the stone wallwork surrounding the area - need to paint this!
I will return...

See lots more photos of the art created that day on http://www.meetup.com/North-Bay-Plein-Air/photos/817112/

More Figure Drawing & Painting - January 29. 2010

The model today is Rachel

Five minute and ten minute charcoal and conte drawings


Below are 20 minute pastel paintings and a 40 minute acrylic painting.

Painting from the figure is definitely a different skillset for me!

Back to Figure Drawing 2010

I signed up for a figure drawing class this semester and I definitely need more practice since I haven't done this in &%$# years! Looking forward to making the paint fly. This model is Lisa.

3 minute, 5 minute and 10 minute model poses. Charcoal & conte on 18"x24"paper (Artist Janice L-H)

Goodbye to 2009, Hello 2010!

2009 was a year of discovering painting en plein air and forming new friendships.

I got myself back in the the classroom and that led directly to my painting en plein air.

I discovered the "wonderfulness" of working in pastels and became determined to follow up
that discovery with forays into acrylic painting.


Here's a few works from late in 2009 that I never got a chance to blog about:



November 7th, 2009 at Viansa Winery with one of the East Bay Plein Air Groups:

The view from the winery grounds was spectacular that weekend but VERY bright!



Overwhelmed with color and patterns, my initial attempt here didn't have very much focus. When I returned home I tried to tone down the background to give more depth, but I guess I'll just have to go back this year and try again.

"Viansa View" (12"x 18" pastel on paper) Artist Janice L-H




November 22, 2009 at the Shollenberger Park, Petaluma with Northbay Plein Air

I certainly can't improve on the great write-up that Gerald DeDios posted on the NBPAP blog. See it for yourself at http://nbpleinair.blogspot.com/2009/11/ghhhyes-we-are-painting-in-petaluma.html. Meeting up with the painters and visiting Alfredo Tofanelli's studio in Petaluma was the highlight of the day.


"Under The Overpass" (12"x18" pastel on paper) Artist Janice L-H



Acrylic Fun and Games
Fall Class in acrylic painting tried my patience with the new medium!

"Soup's On" - acrylic on canvas (Artist Janice L-H)

I came to the realization that I didn't own ANY white cups or saucers.
And didn't have the required lighting in the house for dramatic lighting. Using the camp flashlight just didn't cut it!

Luckily the class had great lighting and some of the exercises we did just made me realize
that I need to get some figure drawing or painting opportunities in 2010!

"Babydolls and Mannequins" - acrylic on canvas (Artist Janice L-H)


"Viansa Fountain" - 24"X36" acrylic on cardboard (Artist Janice L-H)


Here's looking forward to a great 2010 with more painting opportunities with
local artists in the Bay Area and beyond: East Bay, North Bay, Benecia, Solano and Sacramento!

Grizzly Peak with East Bay Landscape Painters - December 19, 2009

Grizzly Peak View (pastel on paper12"x18") -Artist Janice L-H

This is a part of the overlook view that aims toward Berkeley and Albany with Mt. Tam floating in the clouds. Gloomier at 1PM, the clouds were very ethereal and only a hint of the golden shimmer was beginning to show.

This was a particularly interesting challenge for me last Saturday. After almost by-passing the meeting point (!), I was able to join the group and caravan in search of The View. It was pretty cloudy over the bay, but the hills in Berkeley were fairly sunny. The photo above was taken after I finished and walked back to the parking area (the sun was illuminating below the clouds by then).

The view from the little lot to the north of Lawrence Hall of Science has a ledge that would be easy to set up for painting. There is a charge for parking all day ($3.50). I was able to go in and buy lunch at the cafe on the lower floor and peruse the bookstore without paying admission (I asked first). The glare from the sun lighting up the Bridge(especially near the end of the session) makes me want to go back and try and catch that golden light better.

I found a Japanese website that can convert photos to looking like old fashioned silver-nitrate images: http://labs.wanokoto.jp/olds

Take a look: Cool, huh?

November - Lynn House Art Gallery Local Artists Collection

From the Antioch website:

http://www.art4antioch.org/Local-Artist-Collection.asp

5th Annual Local Artist Collection
November 14th - December 5th
The 5th Annual Local Artist Collection is a diverse, non-themed mixed media exhibit of artworks featuring paintings, sculptures, pottery and more. In its 5th year, the show is a local favorite; providing the community an opportunity to view and purchase art during the holiday season.
... The Lynn House Gallery is located at 809 W. 1st Street in Antioch (across from the Amtrak Train Station) and is open Fridays and Saturdays, during exhibits from 12 noon - 5 PM.

Pastel Paintings by Artist Janice L-H on display:
"China Camp Beach Shack" and
"Marshview Afternoon"

Check out the website above for more pictures and a list of participating artists!