Plein Air Sept. 2010

"Two Bluffs"
9 x 12 oil on canvas -sales inquiry to shacone@aol.com

Yesterday my friend Patricia Rose Ford and I went to King of Frame for some last minute framing for the Afghan Hound Club of America Nationals.  After dropping of the items for framing we headed to Balboa Island.

This was my first time on Balboa Island and both of our first time to do plein air.   What a fantastic little place.   The streets are lined with unique boutiques and art galleries.   We drove to the end of one of the little side streets, parked the car and started walking to scope out the area for the perfect place to paint.   It was hot!  so hot!   We were sweating as we were walking and wondering if this was even a good idea.   We usually go to the beach to get out of the heat in Redlands, but today we were fooled.    We walked around and looked at the beautiful sites and ran into a couple other plein air artists.    They too could not believe how hot it was.   They told us just to be sure and find shade.   We were rather taken with the canal area.   Beautiful cottages with private decks.   The image reflections in the water were fantastic.   We then realized it was about lunch time and maybe after eating we would be able to choose a spot to paint.   I think we were a little rusty.  The last time I had been out painting in plein air was August 20.   Pat had been out more recent but she was feeling uncomfortable also. 

After lunch and walking back down the canal we decided this was the place to paint.  There was a nice shady spot by the bridge that goes over the canal.

"Contemplating Kayaking"

6 x 8 oil on canvas - sales inquiry to  shacone@aol.com

I especially liked the bougainvillea reflections and the Kayak reflections and was drawn to this scene.   I wanted to show a little movement by adding some people on the walkway between the canal and the cottages that line the canal.    Being rusty it took a little time to do this 6 x 8, but I think I worked it out and was pleased with the outcome.  

We then went back to King of Frame and picked up the works that had been framed and headed out to Newport Back Bay.   This is really becoming a favorite place of mine to paint.  Every time you go it is amazing how different it looks.   After setting up and getting started to paint the tide started going away and this wonderful moss started forming around the edge of the bay.    This is the first time I have done a panoramic view of the bay and I am quite taken with the way it turned out.  
A funny while painting, the clouds moved in and it started to rain.   Both Pat and I quickly put up our umbrellas and continued to paint.   It rained huge drops of rain for a few minutes, cooled it off and by the time we were ready to leave I had to put on a sweatshirt.   From one extreme to another.

Another look at "Two Bluffs"

Until Next Time, please enjoy the ART!      Terry d. Chacon