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Weekly Paintings By National Award Winning Artist Terry d. Chacon

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Painting the American River


"River Trees" 9 x 12 Oil on Canvas by Terry d. Chacon

William B. Pond Park on the American River was named after the first director of the county of Sacramento Parks and Recreation Dept. in Sacramento, CA. His dream was to have parks along the American River for people to enjoy the great outdoors. See more about him and the parks at: Regional Parks Boy did I enjoy the park. If I lived in Sacramento it would be one of my favorite pass times. "River Trees" was completed on location on the first afternoon of my workshop.

I went to Sacramento to take another workshop with Susan Sarback, owner of the School of Color and Light in FairOaks, Ca. Susan Sarback, master painter of light and color, has distilled the essence of Monet's luminous approach to painting into a w... This workshop was more attention on color, composition and painting different times of the day and because of the weather we were also treated to different weather conditions. I first took a plein air workshop with Susan 6 years ago in Laguna, Ca. I had always loved Monet paintings and this is the closest I could ever come to learn this impressionistic technique. Susan studied with Henry Hensche who studied with Charles Hawthorne and later bought his school in Cape Cod. A Painter's Painter: Charles Webster Hawthorne; The Influence of Provincetown and Henry Hensche on Sammy Britt, Gerald DeLoac... Charles worked directly with Monet to bring back and teach his style of work in the US.


"The Morning After" 9 x 12 Oil on Canvas by Terry d. Chacon

On Sunday we all met at William B. Pond Park and started painting immediately upon arrival. I chose to paint the above painting as I loved the reflections in the water although they were not near as crystal clear as the day before. The day was very cold and windy and the wind proceeded to get stronger as the day went on.

"Distant Tree on a Windy Day" 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

I was drawn to this sight because of the way the wind was ripping across the water, making the reflections not near as clear as the day before and the distant tree on the bank followed by the distant trees in the back ground. I liked the way the water swirled around. This painting ended up with quite a bit of sand, leaves and bugs before the days end. I was able to clean it off and it now looks terrific. I couldn't wait to get home and jump in the shower.

Judy Bloom lives in Sacramento and invited me to stay at her house if I would ever came up for a workshop with Susan. My friend Abbe and I drove up on Thursday, stopped to take my son out to lunch in Monterey and continued on to Sacramento. While there we got to visit with another dear friend Susie Daft. Always special to combine business with pleasure and boy did we have a great time together. Margaritas and Martini's, I have such wonderful friends.......


"Cloudy Day" 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

The last day of the workshop I woke up to clouds, wind and the worry of rain. Oh boy, this was gonna be fun. We all met at Susan's studio in Fair Oaks before heading out to Nimbus Flats on the American River. Really famous area for their Aquatic Center, fishing, boating, hiking, trailing etc. Aquatic Center - Special Events We were warned that the weather would not be good and high winds were expected. I had 3 sweatshirts on when we arrived, several of the artist were wearing gloves and coats and it was really chilly. We parked the cars and hiked back to this large meadow that overlooked the river. Susan gave some instruction on what to look for on a cloudy day and some tips on how to get a true cloudy day painting. Funny thing about an hour into the painting, the sun started coming out. Thank goodness it would go in and out as I was confused when the light was hitting my subject and then dark. But kept concentrating on the overcast day. I was thrilled with the outcome. So wonderful to step out of my comfort zone and be pushed to the next level. I think I like painting moody overcast days!


Terry with finished painting after the sun came out.


Photo of the area when the sun was under clouds.



Photos of artist hiking to the meadow.

What a great experience. I hope you enjoy the paintings and one day will go to visit the places I painted. They were so beautiful and I definitely have to go back and paint at Nimbus Flats. You could paint every day there and never once be bored with the scenery.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART! Terry d. Chacon

Please let me know if you are interested in any of the paintings First Come First Serve.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Santa Barbara Kennel Club



"Breeder"s Showcase" Santa Barbara Kennel Club

Commissioned by SBKC, this painting is 18 x 24 oil on canvas done with a palate knife.

In 2009 SBKC held the first ever Breeder's Showcase at Earl Warren show grounds in Santa Barbara, CA sponsored by Purina. This painting is a result of many photographs that I took during the event. The event showcases breeders and their dogs. Please see more about this event at Santa Barbara Kennel Club

I chose this year to do the hound group because Afghans are my breed and I felt they should be the in the first painting. This painting will be the cover of the catalog, adorn 22 x 28 size posters and some merchandising materials that you can purchase during the 2 day weekend event coming up Aug. 28th.

(Please note) I will be available for poster signing during the group level of competition at the SBKC Kennel Club shows, so be sure to stay tuned for more info on this.

More on the 4 - day Dog Show event:

Simi Valley Kennel Club Dog Show - Aug. 27, 2010

Santa Barbara Kennel Club Dog Show, Breeder's Showcase, handler & breeder dinner - Aug. 28, 2010

Santa Barbara Kennel Club Dog Show Aug. 29, 2010 with all new Parade of International Bred Dogs

Conejo Kennel Club Dog Show - Aug. 30, 2010

For more information on this prestigious event go to the SBKC website. Santa Barbara Kennel Club or join Santa Barbara Kennel Club on Facebook for updates.

After completing the painting above I have just found out that Earl Warren put in stadium lights for the arena. Sadly these old time lights are gone. I am so glad I was able to paint the arena the way I have known it and will always remember it.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART! Terry d. Chacon

Crystal Cove


"Family Day" Crystal Cove, CA. 6 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

We had a really beautiful day to paint Crystal Cove on Thurs. The day was bright and sunny but a little chilly. Not many people were in the water but they were enjoying the beach, the sail boats and the sand. This family set up under the bright colored umbrella caught my attention. When I go to paint at the beach I am always overwhelmed with the scenery that I don't paint people. Today I decided to paint people. My quandary is that I painted a 9 x 12 oil, I am thinking I should cut the painting down to a 6 x 12. I didn't realize until I got home how far away the people were in my painting, and since the painting is about them, if I crop the painting to a 6 x 12 the people become more of the focus of the painting. What is your take on this? Below is the full painting.


"Family Day" Crystal Cove 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART! Terry d. Chacon

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Santa Barbara Ocean Views




"Bougainvillea View" 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

My reason for going on the trip was to attend a Santa Barbara Kennel Club meeting where I would debut a painting commissioned by SBKC. The members were especially gracious and seemed to really love the painting. I will soon put the painting on my blog, I need to collect all the information about the upcoming shows so all of you will be well informed about the painting and the SBKC upcoming events.



We got up early Tuesday morning so we could take the dogs on a nice walk and get them ready to go see Dr. Shaw, another reason for the trip. Abbe was kind enough to take them to the hospital for their appointments so I could get out and paint. It had been very windy in Santa Barbara so we were amazed how calm it was during our walk and I was anxious to go paint.

I traveled down to Summerland to the beach. I had been to this area a few years ago to take photos of Apache when he was a puppy. You might remember the painting of him in the poppies.

I arrived at the site and yes the flowers were all in bloom and the site had many places to paint. I chose this area overlooking the bougainvillea's. Started out great. About an hour into the painting the wind came up, it became 20 degrees cooler and I was freezing. I was hanging on to my hat and my easel. I soon took my hat off and actually carried my easel to the car. I was afraid to take my painting off the easel that it might flip into the dirt or leave my easel, which might have ended up in the ocean. Another tid bit about this area, is they are fighting an oil rig company that wants to set up right off the distant bluff in Carpinteria. Carpinteria Oil Drilling Initiative, Measure J (June 2010) - Ballotpedia I had no idea that I might be painting a view that might no longer be this beautiful if the oil rig company gets its way.

I was able to pack up the car and drove to meet Abbe and Fran Reisman (editor of the Afghan Hound Review) Afghan Hound Review. We went to my favorite little restaurant down on state street (Tupelo Junction Cafe). They have the best fried chicken salad with cranberries and cornbread. Oh what a treat. Tupelo Junction Cafe - Santa Barbara, California After finishing up a delightful lunch Fran and Abbe drove me to the hillside to try and find a place that I could safely set up and not be blown away and still get a nice view of the ocean. It was perfect.



"Mountainside View" 9 x 12 Oil on Canvas by Terry d. Chacon.

It was a great trip, short but sweet. The doggies got a clean bill of health and we are back home safe and sound.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART!. Terry d. Chacon