Redlands Daily Facts

http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/ More on the horse painting I did yesterday and the event. Take note of who is on the front page of the Redlands Daily Facts for today April 30, 2010. Terry d. Chacon

Horse Shoe Ranch

"Reading Stories" 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

Today we were invited back out to paint one of the sites on the list for the RAA and Redlands Conservancy. Seems the day for Horse Shoe Ranch, only a couple artist showed up so they wanted more to come and paint their beautiful horse ranch. The ranch not only boards horses but has cows including Long Horn's (boy were they big).

When we arrived we were met by the owner, she said they had just finished their new home on the property and moved in, in Dec. What a view and what a beautiful new home. She said they had always spent money on the stables and decided they should do something nice for them.

I decided to paint the vista overlooking the stables and I stood right in front of their new home, which this is one of their many views. I have always wanted to paint horses in a vista painting and this was my chance.

I first scoped out some horses and made note of their gestures and most of them seemed to be checking out the ground. Must have been feeding time earlier. My friend tells me when we walk our dogs that when they are sniffing the ground they are reading stories, so I suppose these horses are reading stories also.

I loved the vista with the ever changing colors of trees and the backdrop of mountains in the distance.

All the animals and people seem to be having a wonderful time on their day at Horse Shoe Ranch. A beautiful site to see.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART!

Terry d. Chacon

I decided to put paintings 1, 3 and 4 from my last blog in the Redlands Open Air Show. I turned them in this morning before finishing this painting. Otherwise this painting probably would have been in the show, I love animals. However, this painting and all the paintings I have done are available through me at shacone@aol.com. I will be at Redlands, Art in the Park on May 8 and 9, 2010. Be sure to come by to see my collection of Redlands landscapes.

The Winning Title and Pick Three!

Please scroll down to take a look at the 5 paintings I have done during the RAA Open Air Paint Out. I need help choosing 3 for the competition and exhibit. Which are your 3 favorites?

The title winner of one of the paintings is below. A huge thanks to everyone who participated, it was a hard choice, but I think I found something very suitable.



"Bachelor Button" Three Sisters Farm-9 x 12 Oil on Canvas by Terry d. Chacon

Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food

"Produce on Wheels" 6 x 6 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

"Mandarin Oranges" IOC Packing House - 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

"Fresh As The Morning " Fruit Stand at Soffel Farms- 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

(I chose the title by Bear Rowell, congratulations Bear you win a set of note cards with my artwork on them contact me at shacone@aol.com ) Thanks to everyone who participated.

"Separation Anxiety" Redlands Foothill Groves Packing House - 8 x 10 oil on canvas board by Terry d. Chacon

Ok, now you have seen the 5 paintings I have done during the Redlands Art Association and the Redlands Conservancy Open Air Paint Out 2010. I can enter 3 in the competition. What 3 are your favorites?

This has been a real treat to go to these working farms, ranches and packing houses to paint this last month. I am sorry it is over, I love painting the beautiful Redlands area. I must get out and paint more sites.

Email me your 3 favorites shacone@aol.com, comment to this blog or list them on Facebook, I will then decide what 3 to enter in the competition. If you are available on Sunday, the reception for the Paint Out will be from 2 to 4 at the Redlands Art Association Gallery. The exhibit will be up until May 7, 2010. I will post the results of the competition next week. Wish me luck!

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

California Poppy Reserve

"Poppy's Forever" 11 x 14 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

We headed out to the Reserve Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR early Sat. morning, meeting up with another plein air artist Barbara Parish. Pat Ford, Lilli Miles and myself packed our gear into the car and we were on our way. We thought the best thing would be to have breakfast before going out to the Reserve to paint, that way we wouldn't have to stop to come back to town to eat. Barbara met us at the restaurant. After eating we all went out in one car and once we took the road off the freeway we could see the color, which was 11 miles away. At first we were thinking our eyes were wanting to see the poppies so bad that we were seeing things, but indeed as we drove closer it was more and more clear that the poppies were in full bloom.

We drove around trying to find the best place to set up and paint, away from all the visitors to the park. We took a side road up the mountain side which overlooked the valley below and had a beautiful vista of the San Gabriel mountain range with snow capped peaks. What a view.

Terry getting set up to start a painting!

I finished my painting just in time. The wind started blowing, you can see the death grip I have on my umbrella.

"Tres Amigos" Finished paintings from the first site, Terry, Barbara and Pat, Lilli is taking the photo.

Packing up the car to move onto another spot. (Lilli, Pat and Terry, Barbara taking photo)

On our way out to the Reserve we spotted a previous spot that looked inviting for a painting session which had the beautiful purple/blue flowers that gradated into the poppy fields with the beautiful poppies on the rolling hills in front of the distant mountains. We drove back to the spot and it was even more beautiful as the sun had moved west and the shimmer was on those rolling hills. As we got out of the car we could not believe how hard the wind was blowing now. We set up behind the car trying to shelter ourselves, but still had to anchor our easels and could not use our umbrellas. I even had to take my hat off as the wind kept catching the brim and covering my eyes.

Photo by Patricia Rose Ford, boy was it ever windy!

2nd painting of the day -"Poppy Covered Rolling Hills" 8 x 10 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

Lilli getting up close and personal with the poppies.

What a wonderful day at the Poppy Reserve. Hoping we can return before the blossoms are all gone.

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

Soffel Farms

"Soffel Farm Store" 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

Painted this painting this morning. This cute little farm is down the street from where I live and is surrounded by orange groves. I pass it all the time. They sell honey, avocados, oranges, lemons, just about everything. I took out all the signs and fencing that surround this cute little place as I felt they were an eye sore for what I wanted to capture. Sometimes you have to look past all the stuff to visualize a painting.

Another beautiful part of this particular setting is the beautiful back drop of the San Bernardino Mountains. Fresh snow on the left, this is Lake Arrowhead area. The light was so beautiful on the lower mountains, the sun made them shimmer in the distance.

This is a high contender for the exhibit at the RAA and Redlands Conservancy Open Air show, coming up next weekend. I will have to see if I can get out again next week before take in day.

Until Next Time, Enjoy the ART! Terry d. Chacon

It's a Virtual Party

"Waiting to Ride" 6 x 8 alla prima oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

This is my entry for the Virtual Party. Virtual Party was started by Kim Santini and Linda Shantz. Every few months they send out a photo to the group, the photo for this event was supplied by Kim, you have 24 hours to paint the photo and submit it to the forum. It is challenging as they never give you a heads up, just here it is paint and submit. You can visit the blog by clicking on the title to this blog. Entries are due Sat. April 24 and all entries should be up on the blog next week. Fun to see how all the artist take a photo and interpret it so differently, but that is why I like doing this. I like the challenge and I enjoy painting horses.

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

Separation Anxiety

"Separation Anxiety" 8 x 10 oil on canvas panel by Terry d. Chacon

Today I got up early to get ready to go out and paint with the Redlands Plein Air group and low and behold it was spitting rain and cold. So I decided to start some other things, working on some commission works. Around 9:30 am the sun came out and the sky was blue. I thought ok, I am going to give this a try. I loaded up my painting gear and took off to the site.

Today was the Redlands Foothill Groves Packing House. This is the last big packing house in San. Bernardino County. I arrived and we were told to check in at the office. After signing in and getting my badge a very nice lady took me around to look at some places to paint. A couple artist were painting inside as the workers separated by hand the oranges. I had walked the venue before checking in and notices the machine out back that looked to be separating the leaves and stems from the oranges. They then take these oranges and they load them onto a conveyor belt and it takes them inside. I am sure somehow this is where they are sent to the workers who hand separate the good from the bad. I was especially drawn to the light on the building behind the conveyor belt of oranges and the light on the boxes in the foreground.

After setting up my easel, I started to paint. I quickly got in the bins in the foreground as I had a feeling once full they would be taken away. Sure enough they did. Then a large truck came and parked right in front of me for a while. This is why it is so important to quickly get your sketch on the canvas and block in with color. I was able to work on my painting and then finish it up when the guy moved the truck. Oh the trials of a plein air artist! It became dark and cold and you could see it was snowing on the mountains. I was really freezing by the time I got to my car and put my gear away. So nice to be home where it is warm, but happy that I gave it a try and very pleased with the new painting.

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

PS: Don't forget about my website sale. Ends May 1, 2010. Tiles are still available, however, some designs are sold out. Please let me know which one's you are interested in and I will check it out for you.

"A Fool For Love" Lost Wax Bronze

"A Fool For Love"

Lost Wax Bronze Limited Edition of 25 by National Award winning artist Terry d. Chacon.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you my newest bronze creation. Taken from my own greyhound who has been the most intriguing special animal I have ever owned. April turned 10 on April 1, 2010. She was bred by Scott Thompson and Bruce Clark and given to my son 10 years ago. We have cherished everyday with her and it is only fitting that this new bronze be named after her. "A Fool For Love" April to her friends and she has many!

If you have questions concerning this fabulous bronze or any bronze on my website www.terrydchacon.com , please contact me directly at: shacone@aol.com

I look forward to hearing from you.

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

On another note, I will not longer be selling ceramic tiles or the ceramic tile music boxes that are on my website. 50% off until May 1, 2010. I will, however, continue to offer ceramic tile murals. Contact me directly if you are interested and I will send an invoice reflecting the discount. My website will not give you the discount. I take Visa and Mastercard and Paypal.

Addicted to Plein Air

"Baby Mandarins" 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

Redlands Art Association http://www.redlandsartassociation.org/ partnering with Redlands Conservancy The Redlands Conservancy are hosting an open air painting event. (take a look at the Redlands Conservancy website to see my painting which they chose to promote one of their events) The theme for this event is "Working Properties". We will be painting every wed. and Sat. for the next month with an exhibit of the paintings and juried exhibition May 2, through May 7, 2010 at the Redlands Art Association. All artwork exhibited must be plein air and painted during the month of April. Yesterday I met of with a group of artist to paint a packing house nestled back into a fabulous view of the San Bernardino mountains. When I arrived early in the morning the view was spectacular and the light on the mountains was incredible. The newly planted mandarin orange trees mostly in shadow had a wonderful spot of light as well as the beautiful flowers in the foreground. Sometimes you have to make a good composition of the scene before you, this one was handed to me on a silver platter!

"Santa Rosa Plateau April Flowers" 9 x 12 oil on canvas board.

So how did I jump to the Santa Rosa plateau. While at my demo for Gem of the Valley on Monday another artist said they had been up painting this past weekend the wild flowers of the Santa Rosa Plateau. When I told my friend Pat Ford about this she said when should we go. I said, well lets paint in the morning at the packing house and drive down after lunch for afternoon painting. The Plateau is about 1 1/2 hours from my house. Artist Susan De'Armond and Joan Coffey thought it was a great idea and agreed to meet us there. Pat and I arrived at the ranger station and got some maps and details on where to find the flowers. As we drove into the reserve we could see spots of color everywhere. Some more brilliant than others. We passed this garden on the way out to the end of the road and decided to go back. The distant mountains with snow and the sun lit peaks felt like you were already in a painting. I walked out into the flower field and painted the above scene in bright sun. I don't usually paint this time of day as I like shadows and shadows were hard to find with the sun overhead but the mountains were beautiful so I gave it a shot.

"Lupin" 6 x 8 oil on canvas board. As I finished my first painting Pat had started another one and the other artist were still working so I decided to do a small painting. This is looking into the side lit trees with the shimmer of the grasses going up the hill. Having more shadows made it easier to work with. We then packed up, stopped at a nice little sub shop, ate a sandwich and got home around 8 pm. Twelve hours of painting, yes I think we are addicted to Plein Air!

Let me know which painting is your favorite, I like them all for different reasons, but would like to know your opinion. Close up you see a lot of palate knife strokes which take over, step back from your computer screen you will see the paintings much better.

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

Thank you Patricia Rose Ford for the photos.

Gem Of the Valley

"Palm Light" 9 x 12 oil on canvas panel by Terry d. Chacon

On Monday April 5, I was asked to do a plein air demo for the Gem of The Valley Art Association in Murietta, Ca. What a great group of nice receptive artist, they were attentive, asked lots of questions and were very gracious. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I thank them for the opportunity to give my approach to one of my passions of painting en plein air.

First I sketched a simple sketch on the panel explaining what I would look for in a composition if I were actually painting out doors. I had taken a photo of the San Gorgonio Inn which I had recently painted on another day with the Plein Air Artists of Riverside. I liked the photograph because of the beautiful grouping of palms in the foreground. The beautiful distant mountains with snow caps are always a draw for me. This rustic old building which has great history will soon be torn down and replaced by a multi purpose center. I wanted to show the group about capturing light in a painting, and the grouping of palm trees in the foreground was my main focus. Since you have less than 2 hours to not only paint but talk and teach it is hard to do a complex composition, so this simple composition served well for the demo.

I quickly explained how you only have a short amount of time to do your painting as the light changes when you are painting out doors. You have to quickly get your sketch and values in the painting. I put tiny bits of color in each mass and rework them until I feel the value is correct. I don't fill up each mass until I am satisfied that the colors will work as an abstract under painting.

Once the values are correct I continue to paint each mass starting with the darkest dark first. I try to work with 7 or less masses, this particular painting has 6.

The above painting shows the value in the painting and note the photo on the easel with 2 of my other paintings. I was working from that photograph. It is different to do a painting from a photograph explaining the procedure and approach that I would use if I were indeed out in the open air. But I kept imagining I was outdoors and giving my thoughts as I went along.

There was a full house for the demo (around 40), this was taken during the refreshment break.

After the break I continued to refine the masses, adding some details.

I didn't get a photo of the finished painting at the demo, but when I got home I did some finishing details on the painting and this is the end result below.

Thank you Gem of the Valley and especially Katherine who was so helpful. I really enjoyed sharing my experiences and my art with you.

Until Next Time, ENJOY THE ART!

Terry d. Chacon