2021 Winesong Box

I painted a Winesong Box this year.

Winesong is the annual event for Benefiting the Mendocino Coast Healthcare Foundation: https://winesong.org/

This box is well made. I love the grain of the wood, so I designed the image to show wood in my painting.

I’m very satisfied with this design and painting.

Very good energy from waves in the morning light.

I put a small sea shell and shadow in the open space.

What do you think?

They are going to put bottled wine in this box and do auction during the event.

1126. The Colorful Ending

When I was painting “1121. Sunset behind the Veil” (oil painting, 6” x 6”), I waned to paint the scene bigger, in watercolor.

So I painted this, “1126. The Colorful Ending” (watercolor painting, 14″x 21”).

I feel so good when I paint on a bigger surface.

My way of painting watercolor takes much more time than in oil.

During painting, I’m not sure what I‘m thinking, just in the zone. I feel fabulous. When something distracts me, I temporarily lose creativity.

I started a morning routine,

waking up around 5 a.m., 

having a glass water (not coffee),

meditation in bed,

taking a shower, then Yoga.

having a breakfast,

cycling to play tennis, or going for a walk in a huge vineyard.

Then, I start my day’s work.

Afterwards I focus easily, feeling positive energy until bed time.

It helps the quality of each day.

Like this painting, when I go to bed, a French blue vail shrouds my soul. I look forward to tomorrow’s beautiful light.

1125. Hop, Step and Smile

This location is at Jug Handle Beach, CA.

“1125. Hop, Step and Smile” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

When I was painting “1119. Light Steps at Jug Handle Beach”, I wanted to paint on a bigger, long and vertical Gallery Wrap Canvas, 36” x 12” x 1-1/2”. 

This location is same place as my painting “1124. Peaceful Fantasy”, 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?

1123. Healing My Mind

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😊

Mendocino Coast is a magical place for refreshing our soul, isn’t it?

1120. Peeking Mendocino Headlands

During pandemic I read about how meditation is good for mental and physical health. 

So I started to do it every morning.

It works. 

My way of meditation is focus on breathing.

Breath in for 7 second to make stomach and breast as big as I can, stop for 1second and breath all out.

I do for 10 minutes.

Then I don’t get the anxiety, irritable feeling all day long now.

Also when I get some kinds of feelings, I analyze them from third person point of view.

I found that was a way not to get too emotional.

Mendocino Coast offers many places to meditate.

This location is looking at Mendocino village from the North, Russian Gulch State Park Side.

I enjoy watching the whirlpools around the rocks.

1119. Light Steps at Jug Handle Beach

This location is Jug Handle State park, CA.

Would you like to take a walk at the beach on sunny day in a warm gentle wind?

Imagine stepping lightly on a beach with the sound of waves as background music.

Feeling refreshed, we can see everything sparkling, making us smile.

What a happy feeling, isn’t it?

Let’s feel this kind of energy to start every morning 😊❤️.