540. Fence on Mendocino Headlands Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

This painting is same location as “539. Sunny Mendocino Headlands”.

I feel vibration of sunny day from this painting. Don’t you?

This painting composition is very successful.

They put this fence for avoiding people fell into the ocean. There is a hole to the ocean. So when waves are rough, you can see the splashing of waves from the hole.

I went to Mendocino Coast on Sept. 7^th. It was gorgeous weather.

In August, every time I went to there always it was gray sky.

Sept. 7^th was First Friday, which is Art Walk in Fort Bragg. Of cause everybody was happy about the weather after whole month gray sky.

This month feature artist at the Northcoast Artists Galley is Rita Crane. She is a one of my good friends, fantastic photographer. She is showing some of her photographs, which she doesn’t show normally. It’s very interesting show.

My oil paintings, which are “Way to Mendocino II” and paintings of vegetable and fruit, are in the front window of the gallery.

Anyway I was talking about the day of weather.

So I painted this painting “Sunny Mendocino Headlands”.

539. Sunny Mendocino Headlands Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

If you know the Mendocino Headlands in Mendocino Village, you know where it is.

Old time, over 100 years ago two people started logging company in Mendocino Village and built the village, and they tied ships here. If you go to Ford House museum and Kelly House museum in Mendocino Village, you will see the old photographs and the model of the village, which shows ships were tied on this Headland.

I went to Mendocino Coast three times in August.

Every time I was there, days were very cloudy.

My friends who live on Mendocino Coast, they got sick of gray sky.

I understand that feeling.

But I like to paint any weather. All weather have character.

528. Lonesome Seagull on Cloudy Day Oil painting by Mariko Irie

I love these colors of this painting. I call these color combination “Wabi Sabi”. It’s Japanese.

Japanese tea ceremony is based on Zen Spirit. Sen Rikyu was Tea Ceremony Master. He profound these color combination.

How do you like?

I’m having fun with painting in oil and watercolor back and force.

538. Pears & Grapes in Red Oil painting by Mariko Irie

They are so different media to deal with.

For example: When we paint in oil, we paint dark to light. But when we paint in watercolor, we have to paint light to dark, otherwise, dark paint bleed and smudge the painting.

Anyway switching oil to watercolor, I have to switch my brain as well.

I used the background, brick red. It’s quite success, isn’t it?

It was almost Sunset.

I was driving on Casper Main Street.

This house and the light caught my eyes. It’s very sweet scene.

537. House in Light Oil painting by Mariko Irie

Cypress trees are behind and old fence is in front. It’s a very typical Mendocino coast scene, isn’t it?

When I stayed at my friend’s house, I saw this small bottle with a pink rose on a kitchen counter. Reflection on a counter was beautiful. Then I found several same shape blue bottles. I put them on the counter and I fascinated these things and shadows.

At that time, I just had oil paint, so I painted in oil.

Now I painted in watercolor.

536. Blue Bottles & Pink Rose Watercolor painting by Mariko Irie

I painted only things and shadows on white watercolor paper. I love this painting so much.

I painted “ To Mendocino” in watercolor in 2008.

I love this scene so much.

Victorian house, eucalyptus trees, barns and big field at sunset. Such an exquisite scene isn’t it.

Now I painted the same scene in oil again. I named “Way to Mendocino II”.

530. Way to Mendocino II Oil painting by Mariko Irie

When I’m painting in oil, I don’t need to wait to paint to be dried. So I can keep painting till bedtime or finish. I like it. Brash strokes are so alive.

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.