Our friends brought us these pears from their tree.

And these grapes are from my neighbor.

I always love home grown, home made….

I really appreciate them to give these to us.

I remember when I was a preschooler; before eating lunch, we used to say “Thank you for farmers growing these foods.”.

I put these fruits in a bowl, I was looking at them, and then I wanted to paint them.

535. Pears & Grapes Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

Only things and shadow are in white background.

The composition came out good.

In August was a busy month. I realized that I didn’t write blog.

I participate “Art in the Gardens” as a Previous Featured Artist at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg CA on Aug.4.

For two years I lived in San Diego, so I missed this event for two years. I shared the booth with Previous Featured Artists, who are my friends. We had a great time together again including our customers, friends and visitors. Thank you for whoever came.

I taught Watermixable Oil painting class on Aug. 11^th and 12^th at the Mendocino Art Center.

It was fabulous class.

They have great energy and enthusiasm for learning new.

They painted great paintings. Two of them were Art Teachers and one of them was a sculptor.

I learned from them as well.

Everybody has own life experience and nature, which show in our paintings. That makes all paintings unique.

532. Green & Red Peppers Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

I did watercolor painting demonstration at Village Art Supply, where I’m going to teach Watercolor class.

Audiences were great. Mostly people have experience of painting.

Then past president of WASCO (Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County), Ben Stanley came in and told me that he remembered me. Over 10 years ago I did watercolor demonstration for WASCO. Wow! He remembered me!

So my watercolor class information is here:

WATERCOLOR PAINTING with Mariko Irie

Please review her works at www.mariko-irie.com

Study the nature of watercolor painting through still life, floral, scenery and figures.

Ages 13 and up. Beginners to advanced levels welcome.

Mondays Class: 10:00-12:00 starting on September 10,

Tuesdays Class 1:00pm-3:00pm starting on September 11

$100/4 classes or $30/class

Class room: Village Art Supply

The First four sessions: Still life

Monday classes: Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct.1, Tuesday Classes: Sept. 11, 18, 25,Oct.2

The Second four sessions: Scenery

Monday classes: Oct. 8, 15,22, 29, Tuesday Classes: Oct.9, 16, 23, 30

The Third four sessions: Floral

Monday classes: Nov. 26 Dec. 3,10,17, Tuesday Classes: Nov.27, Dec. 4, 11, 18

The Forth four sessions: Figure

Monday classes: Jan.7, 14, 21, 28, Tuesday Classes: Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29

One class is up to five students. The seats are limited, please reserve with payment at

Village Art Supply

(707) 575-4501

715 Hahman Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95405

This was very low tide. But after I named this painting “Jug Handle Beach at Low Tide”.

519. Jug Handle Beach at Low Tide Oil painting by Mariko Irie

I saw much lower tide.

The creek didn’t meet the ocean.

I fascinated this view. The composition is Yin and Yang.

It’s a nice warm day at the Beach.

Mendocino Coast is much cooler than inland. It’s a good time for getaway.

I will be at the event “21^st Art in the Gardens” at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: 18220 North Highway One Fort Bragg, CA 95437 USA

http://www.gardenbythesea.org/

on Saturday, Auggust 4th 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Please stop by our booth, which is for the artists were chosen for ” Art in the Gardens” posters.

The location is Jug Handle Beach on Mendocino Coast.

525. Yarrow by the Beach Oil painting by Mariko Irie

I love Jug handle Beach. It’s a small beach. When I go there, even foggy day, there are people. But it’s so tranquil environment. I don’t know what it is.

I received this e-mail from Ellen, who purchased “What is the Next” from dailypaintworks.com.

445. What is the Next ? Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

I’m so happy to hear from her and love to share with you.

Dear Mariko,

What a lovely article and what perfect timing! I bought your painting What is the next. I wrote to you in February about using it for our poster/program for our art show in July.  We did use it for our local Bath County Art Show poster and program cover. The show opened July 21 and closes July 29th.

Everyone that has attended the show has raved about the cover artwork. We printed 550 programs so now your work is in 550 homes!  I also displayed the original painting in a large gold frame on a table at the entrance with your bio and website. When the show closes July 29th. I will be sure and send you a copy. We have 260 artists and 704 pieces of art in the show and we have so far had a very successful show.

You are definitely right about what makes you happiest. I definitely feel connected to you through the painting What is the next. I smile every time I see it!

Thank you for sending the article. I love the painting Shoes also.

Sincerely,

Ellen Collins

Thank you Ellen, dailypaintworks.com.

And thank you who stopped by my blog.

This is other painting of May, my friend’s cat.

521. Talking to Ebisu Oil painting by Mariko Irie

I don’t know if the sculpture is Ebisu.

Ebisu is one of the seven Gods of Fortune. He is always laughing and has a big belly just like this sculpture.

It’s good to talk with him. He gives you happiness, luck and health.

May is doing right thing.

This is my friends’ cat May.

I stayed at my friends’ for one week, then I got know her.

She is an interesting cat. Yes, all cats have different nature.

She has an attitude.

It was drizzling day, so I decided to stay inside and paint. There were beautiful Rhododendrons in a vase by the dinning table.

So I decided to paint on the dinning table. I started to prepare, May came and climbed on the table. I told her “I’m going to paint. Get down.” She ignored me. Then I shouted “Get Down!” She got down from the table, hissed me and left.

I finished painting and clean up the table. Then she came to me and purred.

520. Cat on Windowsill Oil painting by Mariko Irie

After I painted this painting, it remind me women in Japanese Ukiyo-e. May is sitting on the windowsill. The pose is just like a woman is posing elegant and alluring in natural manner.

The location is South of Mackerricher State Park.

516. Blooming Beach Oil painting by Mariko Irie

White sound, white and pink flowers, spring green on the ground, soft blue sky and ocean. Purple shadows. Why not?

I played on surface, scratching, putting more paint or taking off paint to make texture. It became just right, then I finished and signed.

I’d like to announce that I got an interview by www.dailypaintworks.com. Welcome to http://dpwnews.blogspot.com/ to see the interview. Jennifer Newcomb Marine is the editor and writer of the interview. She did excellent work. I’m so pleased. I hope that you enjoy it as well.

You may win my painting “Sunny Sunset Cliff”

To enter to win Mariko Irie’s painting, Sunny Sunset Cliff, go to DailyPaintworks.com and click on the Spotlight Giveaway button in the top-left corner of the website.

During answering questions of the interview, I felt how I’m happy being an artist.

Then I remember this painting “Opening of Happiness”

361. Opening of Happiness Oil painting by Mariko Irie

You may read my blog https://blog.mariko-irie.com/2011/04/openning-of-happiness/, I wrote that right after I painted the painting.

Now I’m dreaming to live in an organic farmland,

If somebody has one with an empty barn, please let me know.

Have you ever watched a movie “Miss Potter”?

The story of Beatrix Potter, the author and illustrator of the beloved and best-selling children’s book, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”.

According to the movie, she made fortune from the tiny books sales, and then she bought farmlands. She preserved the nature and make into working farms.

Have a beautiful life!

I like this scene. I painted same scene on square format before. Now I wanted to paint on long rectangular format.

917. Seagulls on Headlands Oil painting by Mariko Irie

I’m very satisfied with this painting. It looks like old Japanese composition and subject matter as well.

I hope that you like it too.

I love to hear from you.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.