4th Annual Catalina Painting Trip

"Descanso Beach" Early Evening 9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

Our 4th annual Catalina painting trip.   Each year we invite other plein air artist to join us, this year Patricia Rose Ford, who also came last year, Louise Smith who has joined us for 3 years, Joan Coffey and myself headed out to Avalon to paint for 3 days.   We stayed at the fabulous Glenmore Plaza Hotel, http://www.glenmoreplaza.com/ one of the oldest hotels in California.   Charm is the word and this year we were treated by the hotel because of a mix up with our room to stay in a suite that has a patio overlooking the marina and some other views that I won't discuss in public.   :-) right Louise......... 

Joan and Terry on Catalina Express to Avalon.

 

The tradition as we arrive into the harbor at Catalina is to get set up at the hotel and then to a nice restaurant for a bite to eat and to toast our 3 days of painting with a margarita.   This year was no exception.  After a short rest back at the hotel we hiked over to Descanso Beach http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/poin_descansoBeach.php.   Joan and I had gone to paint at Descanso Beach on our first trip to Catalina and loved it.   The little snack bar where people hang out had music and very good margaritas.   We celebrated the late afternoon until dark.   Yes, I did paint and the first painting I have up on this blog was my painting from the evening and my most favorite of the trip.   Hummmmmm was it the excitement of being in Catalina or was it the margaritas that let the artistic juices flow.    

I think we were the last people to leave the beach that night, but boy did we have fun and everyone was very pleased with their painting results.

That evening after having a night snack on the patio back at the hotel we decided to try some night paintings.  Last year I did so well at this and this year my painting did not turn out.   Pat and Louise came up with some great paintings so all was not lost.  

  

"Bell Tower" in morning light   6 x 12 Oil on Canvas by Terry d. Chacon

The next morning we got up early to get an early start.   Before hiring a taxi to take us up the mountain side to the famous bell tower, we had a nice latte and I had a fresh cinnamon roll at the local coffee shop.   I was thinking I sure wish I had brought some different size canvas's so I walked into a hardware store and the guy had no problem in cutting a couple canvas boards for me.   I always love the effect of a 6 x 12.    So we arrived at the Bell Tower walked around and found our painting spots.   To our surprise up the road walks in two more painters.   Ghislaine also a member of PAAR and her friend Robin from San Pedro.    They painted at the Zane Grey Hotel.    When finished we walked back down the hill, they said it was easier to walk down than up, well I guess if you aren't lugging your painting gear that might be true.  

We all gathered for a tasty lunch and margaritas at the local Mexican restaurant.  

 

Afterwards we said our good byes to the San Pedro girls and they had just come in for the day to paint with us and we headed out to the beach.    Pat and I had decided before coming that we would paint people on the beach.   Something I don't do often and really need to do more of.   I took one of the little scraps from where the man had generously cut my boards in the morning 3 x 12 and painted this little scene.   I was very happy with the turn out.

 

Sometimes it is not the size of painting that makes it special but the content.   I don't think I could have done any better at telling this story on a large canvas.   My smallest wonder of the trip.  "People Watching".  

After packing away People Watching I wanted to paint a boat.   The night before when we were walking back from Descanso Beach we noted how beautiful the light was on the water with the beautiful reflections at dusk.   Well it was no different that night.   I now know why the Plein Air Painters of America organization started in Catalina.   The light is something to experience a plein air painters dream.

"Early Evening Light" 6 x 12 oil on canvas board by Terry d. Chacon

We had a long day so we ordered Pizza, went back to our room ate and had a critique session.   Each of us laid out our paintings and we all discussed each of them at length.   

Terry with 4 paintings from the trip.

We called it a night we were all too tired for night painting.   I was very disappointed that I just didn't have the energy to go out and try for a nice night painting, but it just wasn't in me and the rest agreed they were exhausted also.

Day 3 we were up and out of the room in time for morning coffee and a pastry before hiring a taxi cab to take us up to Buena Vista Point.   We had painted there before and this year we all agreed we needed to go back.   I found this nice little area down from the bench by the cross (those of you who have been there know exactly what I am referring to).   Unfortunately on one of my trips down the steep incline I fell.   I did hurt my shoulder and my butt, so I was much more careful coming in and out after that.   The dirt and gravel just gave way.   

"Buena Vista View" Early morning after the fog lifted.  

We later had a wonderful late lunch at the new Avalon Grill and picked up our luggage back at the hotel and headed to the Catalina Express http://www.catalinaexpress.com/ .  What a great time was had by all.   We are thinking we need to plan a November trip.   I think we should go at least 3x a year.  Better yet I think we should stay longer on one of the trips.   3 days is just not enough time to paint everything I want to paint.  :-)

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

OK, there is a story behind this but we won't discuss it in public, right Louise! 

Louise Smith and Pat Ford on our way back on the Catalina Express

Thank you Pat and Joan for taking photos and sharing them with me.