New Exhibit

I paint with a group of amazing women artists and occasionally we hang exhibits together. 

After waiting 2-3 years for a show at the Orinda Library Gallery BASA's name finally came up.

We were due to hang on March 31st and then the pandemic hit.

So with Covid-19 on everyone's mind we decided to take what we have been working so hard on and give you a virtual show. How creative is that!

Here is the link: Click Me!

During this stressful time I hope our video gives you a moment to relax.

Stay well......Jeanette

May Girls Trip

Song - "These Are The Days" by Van Morrison

For the last ten years five women and myself go on a weekend trip together.  Since this was our 10th Anniversary, we decided to spend 4 days in Lake Tahoe.

Our cabin was far enough away from towns and roads that we only heard the sound of Tahoe lapping gently against the shore and an occasional breeze through the trees.


We had a pier and a white sand beach!



We were very close to heaven!

You can see the "cabin" peeking out from the pines.

Zen rocks were all around.

Snow was on the mountains around us but it was sunny and warm on the beach - I came home looking somewhat like a lobster!

We read, relaxed, painted, took photo's, did needlework, laughed, ate some great food, walked, shared stories, slept in cozy beds, played games, meditated, breathed in the mountain air and enjoyed each others company as well as some solitary time.

At times there may have been some dancing and singing going on......but my lips are sealed!

Barn Swallow with beautiful colors

We did some bird watching.....

Do I spot a white head?

Yep.....a Bald Eagle flew over the lake looking for dinner!

Nothing like enjoying a hot tub with this view!

Every morning I enjoyed the sunrise from my bed.....

Will we go back to this little spot of paradise?  I don't think we can wait until next year! Love all of these wild women!

"Each person's perspective contains a pearl of wisdom, but this only becomes apparent when you string them all together."
--Thanks for being part of the necklace of my life. – Joanne Taeuffer

New Art Show in Napa

My artist friends and I from BASA just hung a new show at the Napa Library.  We will be having a reception and Artists' Talk this Friday.  Check out the flyer for more information!  

I hope you can join us for a fun evening.

If you click on the above BASA link, you will be able to see some of the wonderful pieces of artwork.

Plein Air Painting in Napa

Song - Autumn Leaves by The Carlos Herrera Band

Woke up early on Saturday morning to head up to Napa to paint with some friends at Chimney Rock Winery.

Bay Area Studio Artists actually did paint outside!  Well, most of us did......

It was a lovely clear day and the winery was having a new release celebration.  They had a the Carlos Herrera Band playing in the courtyard and we painted while members ate, drank and enjoyed the music, art and sunshine.

This is the outside of the barrel room....

....and inside......

I took most of these photos before the crowds arrived.

Sharon Tama and Susan Bonebakker discussing their painting plan of action!

Sharon painted a lovely little courtyard painting of the trees and flowers while Sue painted the iron gate and flowers.

Marcy Wheeler hamming it up after selling her painting of the band.

Ellen Reintjes chose to do some creative iPad paintings!

Suzun Almquist had a beautiful little painting of the interior of the courtyard. Suzun, myself and Joanne all painted from behind the low courtyard wall looking in at the activity.

Here is Joanne Taeuffer packing up a little early as she had finished her "schmoozing" for the day!!!
Actually, Joanne is an incredible artist and lot's of fun to paint with but she just wasn't "feeling it" on Saturday.

And here I am getting my easel set up to paint.  I did paint the interior of the courtyard as well.  It was great to be surrounded by the vineyard, listen to the Cuban/Spanish music and paint.

 Some of the food servers found these little birds that had fallen from their nest.  They look about ready to fly!

"Beautiful day, good friends, great music and happy to be painting!" - Jeanette Crawford Baird

A Moment of Zen

Song - Painting Pictures - Adele

A morning of painting is usually like meditation for me. Especially if I can get into that "zone".

This morning I went to my favorite painting class and that was just what this girl needed.

Our teacher, Marcy Wheeler creates a wonderful supportive, fun environment that also encourages us to step outside our comfort zone.

Some are more willing than others.

Joanne Taeuffer (detail)

(I tend to be a little "pokey" in that department.)

Today, I brought in my Sergio Romo painting and although I thought it was close to being finished, there were several suggestions made that really improved the painting.  As soon as I add all of the raindrops, I will post it for you.

Everyone in the class is at a different level and each has their own personal style but each of us respects that style and each other.

At the end of class we all participate in a critique of our current work.

Patricia Dallacroce

I have been painting with Marcy for 6 1/2 years now.  She still amazes me with her insight into art, design and life!


Thank you to the Thursday morning painting group and especially Marcy!

If you live in the Bay Area and are interested in painting please check out Marcy's website at
http://marcywheeler.com/

Joanne Taeuffer -  http://joannetaeuffer.com/

Patricia Dallacroce - http://www.dallacroce.com/#home

And many other fine artists in the group!

“As long as one keeps searching, the answers come.” 

– Joan Baez

Heatwave

Song - Too Darn Hot by Ella Fitzgerald

Welcome to Summer!

Our  BASA group (Bay Area Studio Artists) participated in the Artist Market in Lafayette over the weekend. It was a scorcher to say the least!  Someone said it was breaking records in the area. Even though a few brave artists weathered out the heat, we had very few customers.

It was the kind of day that could of melted Joanne Taeuffer's yummy Banana Split!

Usually I paint during such events but it was too hot to get my supplies out.  So we visited with each other, wilting in our chairs. Luckily we had the shade of a big Oak tree but the heat from the pavement added to our discomfort. One woman across the way was trying to sell crocheted shawls!!! Good luck there! 

Marcy Wheeler's "Big Granny" in the background & Patricia Dallacroce's cityscape in the foreground

Even my chickens where looking for shade!

No sales for our little group except one!

I purchased a painting from Patricia Dallacroce and I just love it and so does Mr. B!  It hasn't been hung yet as I keep walking around the house trying to find the exact place for it to be at home! I am so excited.

Pat is a relatively new painter but she has an amazing eye and plenty of talent. Lately she has been painting San Francisco city scene's.  The color on this painting is so much better in real life than this photo shows.

Please check out her website here - http://www.dallacroce.com/

Catch her fresh work before her prices skyrocket - I mean....really!

Doesn't that car look real?

Just AMAZING!

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."  - Marcel Proust

In case you missed my Summer Solstice recipe this spring, here it is again!  Just in time for the longest day of the year!

SUMMER SOLSTICE MARTINI - Inspired by AZ88 

• 2 1/2 ounces raspberry vodka
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce Rose's lime juice
• 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
• 2 ounces orange juice 
• Place in an ice filled martini shaker and give it a good shake.  Pour into martini glass and add a slice of orange.  Enjoy! 

A Sketchy Workshop

Monday I took a little informal "Travel Sketchbook Workshop" in Healdsburg given by Joanne Taeuffer.  Several friends of hers are traveling to Italy next month and they wanted to chronicle their travels with a sketchbook-travelog.  So I joined in!

When you walk into Joanne's beautiful home you are met with this.....

A Cowgirl (Joanne) with guns raised and attitude!

Please check out her site at -

http://joannetaeuffer.com/
You will be amazed!

Joanne's sketchbook

There is a certain excitement in trying to capture the energy in a quick gestural sketch.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Merriam-Webster's definition: 

sketchy

adj \ˈske-chē\

sketch·i·ersketch·i·est

Definition of SKETCHY

1: of the nature of a sketch : roughly outlined

2: wanting in completeness, clearness, or substance : slight, superficial <the details are sketchy>

___________________________________________________________________________________

Joanne was very organized with supplies and several of her own sketchbooks to use as examples. She had reference books and props to get us started.

We began with black & white - pencils & pens.

But I jumped ahead to color a little too soon because I just couldn't resist not making that tube of lipstick pink.  

Then we moved on to color - watercolor.  Not my thing. But I did try.

"Teacher-Joanne"

  

Watercolors in stick form

Joanne had some great examples to share.

I really love this one!

It is so the opposite of oil & acrylic painting. You really need to focus on going from light to dark and if you happen to make a mistake - new page - no going over it with new paint!

 Hannah's beautiful attempt at a California Poppy growing in the yard.

Really amazing

I attempted Joanne's little studio cottage in her backyard but my painting turned out like a Frank Zappa Fiesta Pizza run over by a car. Not showing you that one!

The shady little park square

After lunch, we strolled down to Healdsburg square to sit in the dabbled shade and sketch people walking by.  Only problem was.....they moved!  So Joanne was a sport and did several short poses for us.

Laurie & Hannah sketching Joanne

Just a 2 minute light-dark composition

I like my various shades of gray, a good camera.....

.....and to travel light.

 A variety of pages from my sketchbook done in France.

It was a fun day and I truly hope Hannah continues with her artwork as she has a great eye for proportion with both buildings and people.  For a lot of artists that takes a lot of time to develop! 

 And on a final note, I hope you take the time (one minute) to watch this guy paint - FAST!

Ken Auster painting to Surf Medley by Junior Brown

“The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention.” - Richard Moss