I have painted Albion River Bridge, “263. Albion River at Sunset” in 2008. The view was from the harbor.

“263. Albion River at Sunset” Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

Now I was curious about the view of the bridge from the Albion River Inn restaurant yard.

I copied about the bridge from Wikipedia below.

The Albion River Bridge is a wooden deck truss bridge crossing the Albion River in Mendocino. It is the only remaining wooden bridge on California State Route 1

In 1944, the present span was opened.^[6] It was built during World War II, and because concrete and steel were in short supply during the war, it was built of salvaged wood,^[2] treated with a copper azole Preservative.

” 660. From Albion River Inn” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

It was sunny and clouds are so exiting. It was in December, but it feels like spring weather and flowers were blooming.

I heard that some people have wedding ceremony on the green on the Albion River Inn restaurant yard.

Today it’s a gloomy day in Santa Rosa. It’s nice to see a sunny day painting, isn’t it?

Though we are waiting for rain.

When I was painting “Valley on Xmas Day”, a person stopped by and asked me “Do you want to see better view?”

I couldn’t figure what he ment. But I said “Yes”

Then he told me that he own the property bihind me. He ask me whenever I want to see the view of the top of the hill, I can call him to take me there.

A few days after, I went to there and called him. The property is a ranch. And the edge of the property is the top of the hill.

“659. The valley at Sunset Time” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

Can you see the white fence on this painting bottom? I painted “Valley on Xmas Day” from there.

It’s breath taking from the top. First hour I just stared and enjoyed the view. I told myself that my painting panel was too small.

After I finish this painting fot that day, when I was driving by their house, his wife wearing cowboy hat was walking towards my car with their dog. We chatted. It was a nice greeting. She continued to walk toward the hill in the sunset. It was a beautiful scene.

I hope that you like this painting as I do.

“658. The Valley on Xmas Day” oil painting by Mariko Irie

That was on Xmas day.

I was eager to paint a picture outside.

Because it was sunny and nice warm and my energy was just right for painting.

I parked on side of the road. I started painting.

A lot of joggers, bicyclers were passing by. The neighbor stopped by in Santa Clause outfit.

When I was finishing this painting, my friend passing by accident and took me to her family Xmas party in Novato.

It was very different Xmas day.

I didn’t plan anything just let it to be.

I really enjoyed.

I’m looking forward in 2014.

Keep warm.

Mariko

www.mariko-irie.com

“656. After Rain at the Lighthouse” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This location is Point Cabrillo Lighthouse CA.

When it’s sunny day, this place doesn’t talk to me.

But after rain, look, it offered so charming scene.

It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

“655. Morning Light on Beach” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

The location was the North of Mackerricher State Park.

It was warm sunny morning.

I enjoyed the morning sunlight at the beach.

I felt that I was absorbing good, clean energy. What a wonderful feeling.

“654. Morning Sun on Waves” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

It was nice warm morning walk at the beach.

It was a little windy, but it was not bad at all.

Beautiful warm light was reflecting on waves.

I felt soooooo good. I was walking in fresh ocean breath on loooong beach.

I just mention that all my original paintings and Fine Art Giclee prints 15% off from original price except ones are in galleries, through January 31 2014.

So if you’d like to purchase during the period, please e-mail me at mariko@mariko-irie.com with the number and title of the image, and original or print. And I will send you the link of 15% discount one.

Welcome to forward this message to your friends & family.

Happy Holidays,

Keep warm,

Mariko

“653. Front Porch Chat” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This scene is along my morning walk.

It was nice warm morning.

Every time I saw these chairs at the front porch, I imagine that they had nice chat on these chairs.

“652.Peeking Through” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This was other foggy morning.

I feel that fog swallows noise. That makes quiet calm day.

Listen classic music, like Vivaldi “Four Seasons” or some with nice hot coco.

It makes happy quiet day. Don’t you think so?

“651. Autumn in Fog” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This scene is in Santa Rosa along my morning walk.

It stirred a vague nostalgia in me.

I feel that I have seen this scene long, long time ago in Japan or in my dream.

It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

I just watched the movie “Local color”, directed and written by George Gallo.

The movie recalls my High school and Art university period, which was Modernism in Japanese Art world.

“Modernism explicitly rejects the ideology of realism and makes use of the works of the past through the application of reprise, incorporation, rewriting, recapitulation, revision and parody in new forms.”

In this movie the art dealer was talking about art: exactly what professors were teaching us when I was a student of Musashino Art University in Tokyo.

Modernism, especially Dadaism, Nonsense took over Japanese art world. I was sad like this impressionist painter in this movie. That was one of the reasons; I didn’t go to a painting major. My major was a space design. It was good for me. We had to study everything including painting, designing, sculpturing, lighting….. And freshman year we had to take drawing class all morning 6 days a week.

I moved to Mendocino CA in 1982.

I was inspired the beauty of nature. I told myself, “I can’t create better than nature does. I’d like to copy the beauty of nature through me.”

In ‘90s, I have red an article about Art in Japanese magazine: The artist said  “I’m happy to say that finally we can say “Beautiful” in art.”

It’s very strange to us now. But that was true.

I have been so happy that I can paint beauty since I moved to Mendocino. And people enjoy my works.

Thank you for supporting me painting.

Have a beautiful day.

“650. Autumn Beach” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This location was almost the South end of MacKerricher State Park, almost North end of Fort Bragg town.

It was sunny morning. Sun shined ground, which grew.

Take a big breath, walking meditation begun.

By the way my customer e-mailed me:

They always look better than on the computer. all of the painting and prints

I heard from other customers as well.

But I have never hard opposite one, which is good.

This year my sale through website is much more than ever. Thank you.

I decided to do Holiday sale. All my original paintings and Fine Art Giclee prints 15% off from original price except ones are in galleries, from Nov. 1^st through Jan.31 2014.

So if you’d like to purchase during the period, please e-mail me with the number and title of the image, and original or print. And I will send you the link of 15% discount to purchase.

Happy Holiday Season!

Thanks stopping by my blog.

www.mariko-irie.com