This year Winesong stuff decided to give artists 4†x 4†panels centered on 5†x 5†panels to paint. They are going to make posters from these paintings for a Winesong event.
I have never painted oil paintings on such a small surface, nor on glued a double panel.
After I painted a rainy day ocean scene, I was not sure how to paint the border of the surrounding larger back ground panel.
I stared the painting, then I imagined all day long when we got rain, then suddenly the sky opened up to a beautiful sunset. Wouldn’t it be marvelous?
The ground is covered with wild flowers, waves are moving slowly and rhythmically.
The sun shines, making a colorful bright world.
It gives a big smile on my face, as if skipping happily on a trail.
Don’t worry the temperature won’t get too high in Mendocino CA.
Yesterday we got 105℉ in Sonoma CA, 64℉ in Mendocino CA.
The tomato plants I seeded in a bed on full moon, May 26, and planted in the ground on new moon, June 10, wilted a little from the heat yesterday, looked so sad. But in the evening looked fine. Soil held it moisture, so I didn’t water, this morning they looked fine. They are strong, making me happy.
I painted “1122. The Sparkle of Sunset†inspired by the photo Janet Ashford posted.
When I was painting from her photo, I felt so good, making me smile cheerfully.
I wanted to paint bigger and in watercolor.
Painting in watercolor and in oil is very different. So changing media is exited me to paint from the same photo. It’s a challenging adventure for me.
“1122. The Sparkle of Sunset†is 6†x 6â€, and this painting, 14″x 21â€, sizes are different proportions are different, both from same photo.
Plus my feeling is different everyday, effecting my painting very much.
Soon it got dark and heavy fog rolled in, making it hard to drive on a road I didn’t know well.
It was pitch dark, not many cars were driving. I followed the road not expecting such a sharp u-turn, it was shocking.
I was anxious of missing the Bodega Bay turn to get Santa Rosa or Petaluma, not wanting to go all the way to SF.
It was a such slow drive in the heavy fog and the pitch dark of a winter evening that I couldn’t figure out where I was, only that I was on Hwy 1. My navigator didn’t have reception.
I saw cars in a State Park entrance parking lot. I drove in and asked how to get Santa Rosa, finding via Petaluma was a better way to get home to Sonoma.
I got Trader Joe’s, Petaluma before they closed, to shop there. After that no fog, everything normal, smooth driving to get home. Happy ending😊.
When I was painting “1119. Light Steps at Jug Handle Beachâ€, I wanted to paint on a bigger, long and vertical Gallery Wrap Canvas, 36†x 12†x 1-1/2â€.Â
This location is same place as my painting “1124. Peaceful Fantasyâ€, a little different angle of the view and a very sunny day.
Cheerful, joyful air makes us jump, right?
Hop, Step and Smile😊❤️!!
Please keep the feeling inside of you always, you will have a happy life, why not?
I have a 12†x 36†x1-1/2†deep, Gallery Wrap Canvas, that is perfect size for this scene.
When I was painting “1124. Peaceful Fantasyâ€, I became fascinated by lights dancing on waves.
Fog made a quiet peaceful atmosphere and Sun behind fog made a mysterious cheerful mood.
I love this combination.
After I published the blog “1118. Sun behind Fogâ€, I e-mailed Larry to tell about the blog.
Then Larry e-mailed me back:
Hi Mariko,
Yes I did notice your two new paintings of Jug Handle. You have captured the scene perfectly. And I’m flattered my photo may have contributed to your work. But your Sumi “Peace at Jug Handle Beach†that I have in my office downstairs was the inspiration for the photo. I had admired that painting for several years and out of pure luck was driving from Albion to Fort Bragg one November day and the fog suddenly cut the gap and I pulled over into the parking lot and rushed down the steps to the beach. At moments like that we know the sun is there in a pewter sky but we can wait for it and enjoy what the fog brings, Peace at Jug Handle Beach…
Larry
His writing is so smooth and charming. I love this kind of collaboration😊❤️.
When I’m so exhausted, I love just strolling around without thinking, as I look at the horizon. The waves coming and going is the best background music.
It soothes my mind.
As I walk breathing slowly, deeply, every time I exhale the tension leaves my body.
Body is getting lighter. What a wonderful feeling😊
