It was a clear and mild spring. The location was the south of Albion Ridge CA.

612. Bridge with flowers Watercolor Painting by Mariko Irie

I felt so good there.

Just feel the breath, watching swaying weeds and flowers in wind, clouds going and coming,

Do you feel it?

There are other shows at De Young Museum. So I went to other ones after Richard Diebekorn’s show.

The title of the show is “Modeled Bodies”.

I used to go to figure drop in. Always models were nude. I wanted to draw or paint models in nice outfit.

611. Modeled Bodies Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

I love this lithograph very much. It’s by David Hockney. It’s hard to believe it, because it’s so different from his other works.

Probably the lady, who is looking at his lithograph, got a shock like I did.

I just finished “Conversations with Picasso” by his photographer Brassai in Japanese. It’s a great book.

I always respect Picasso since I saw his drawing of a foot. When he was fourteen years old, he drew that. He mastered traditional drawing already. And then he copied masters’ paintings. After that he started his own. He lived in art and  the art movement.

Brassai explained Picasso’s nature “ He has a nature royal to happy events, so he is remained in only memories of happy days.”

I’m not sure I translate right. I red the book in Japanese. Now I’m writing in English. I hope that you feel it.

And he believed “ Achieving to Abstract, you should start from concrete reality.”

Then Picasso said “ Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an Artist.”

Now back to David Hockney, he has lived in Art movement as well. He was born in 1937, so he is 76 years old. He is still painting biiiiiiig paintings plein air, size like 15’ x 40’.

I love to have that energy, don’t you?

By the way, the lady, who is looking at David Hockney’s Lithograph, wears jacket and boots. It was early August. It’s San Francisco outfit in summer.

Thank you for reading my blog.

I’m going to demonstrate this painting step by step in next workshop on Sept. 7 & 8 at Mendocino Art Center: http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/Fall13/Irie.html

613. Wildflower on the coast stage1 Watercolor by Mariko Irie

613. Wildflowers on the Coast Stage 2 Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

613. Wildflowers on the Coast Stage 3 Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

613. Wildflowers on the Coast Stage 5 Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

613. Wildflowers on the Coast stage 8 Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

613.Wildflowers on the Coast Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

You will learn watercolor nature better and easier through this process of using Masking fluid.

And I’m happy to assist you for your painting.

I painted these pictures using masking fluid as well.

585. Ukiah Street Watercolor Painting by Mariko Irie

546. Road in Autumn Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

249. Mendocino Headlands in Fall Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

182. By Van Damm Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

If you are relax and happy mood, and then let watercolor paint, watercolor magic happens.

Let’s have a fun. Splashing watercolor.

In Japan, they say autumn is a season for Art.

Especially watercolor you can paint in a nice room. No mess, no toxic fume. So it’s good for winter project as well. Painting adds your life more colorful and happy.

I still have some seats for this workshop. If you don’t sign up yet, please do so. Time goes by so quickly, don’t you think?

Beginners are welcome as well.

I hope to see you in my workshop.

Happy painting!

After I painted “ After Richard Diebenkorn Show”, I wanted to focus on these two men on the bench, and still it’s related with Richard Diebenkorn Show,

610. Sitting Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

And then I named this painting “Sitting” with a char of Richard Diebenkorn’s painting.

I was talking with one of artist who was at my opening as looking at my paintings “Cakes & a Boy” and “Thiebaud & Skateboarders”. She told me that if I like Wayne Thiebaud’s works, I might like Richard Diebenkorn’s works. Yes, I do. Then she told me that De Young Museum is having a show “Richard Diebenkorn The Berkeley Years 1953 – 1966”

So I went to see his show.

It was a great show. I have never seen his works in person. It was real treat to me.

I love his 50’s and 60’s works.

As looking at Richard Diebenkorn’s works, I felt nostalgic and same time they bring me something new.

Inside of the show, no camera is allowed. So after get out from the show rooms, it’s at the hallway. There is a huge print of  “Interior with Doorway” by Richard Diebenkorn. It’s amazing technology. The print is way bigger than original painting, but it’s not fuzzy at all.

Anyway there are two men sitting on the bench by the print of Richard Diebenkorn.

609. After Richard Diebenkorn Show Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

599. Spring by The Ocean Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

I painted this painting as my demonstration at my workshop.

One of students requested to paint seascape, especially waves.

People ask me how to paint waves.

My way is: go to a beach, staring waves coming and going for least half of hour. And paint the scene.

Painting from only photo is so difficult, because I have to know how waves move. When I’m painting, the memory comes back. And then in my painting, waves move.

I’m a realist. I love to watch.

I hope that you enjoy this painting. It’s warm springtime by the ocean. Can you hear waves coming and going?

This is Mendocino Bay, CA.

587. Rock at Mendocino Bay Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

The scene is over the bay, you can see Mendocino Main Street.

It was a nice warm day, cute cotton candy clouds were flouting.

Waves were coming and going.

What a relaxing day in Mendocino, isn’t it?

This is in Mendocino Village CA.

586. From Heider Field Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

It’s a nice field middle of Mendocino Village. There is a cypress tree, water towers and ocean.

Is there any village has a water tower like this besides in Mendocino?

We used to cross this field to get post office.

What a sweet town, isn’t it?

585. Ukiah Street Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This location is on Ukiah Street Mendocino, CA.

A couple years ago, when I was painting at the location, one lady came up to me.

She told me that she was staying at the house. And she wanted me to paint the house.

At that time I took a photo of this scene.

When I was thinking about my watercolor workshop, I like to show how fun to use masking fluid. So I painted this as a sample.

But I took the painting to the gallery to show. It was sold. The manager told me that the person, who was staying at the house, bought the painting.

Then I should paint other painting using masking fluid for my workshop. It’s fun to play with masking fluid.

I’m having a show “Mariko Irie 2013” at the Northcoast Artists Gallery through September 3^rd.

This is the biggest, best of my shows in this year.

January 1^st 2013, something happened to my soul. I got great energy for everything. I’m so happy to paint and the energy is kept going.

After I set up my show, I’m so pleased to see what I painted.

Thank you for who could come to my opening. I had a great time with you.

591. Spring at Heeser Drive Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This painting “Spring at Heeser Drive” is in Watercolor.

The location is on Mendocino Headlands, CA.

There is a big parking place. A lot of times, I bring my lunch here and eat as watching ocean, birds flying by…. This view is facing East from the parking.

In spring, there are many kinds of wild flowers. The ground is covered with colorful carpet