Painting Kimberly Crest

"Southside Entrance"  Kimberly Crest Redlands, CA.   9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon (plein air)

I was so excited to have the chance to once again paint the famous Kimberly Crest Mansion in Redlands, CA.   On Wed. Mar. 30, 2011 the Redlands Plein Air group were invited to paint this beautiful, picturesque mansion nestled in the hills of Redlands.    Read more about this mansion at:  http://www.kimberlycrest.org/.   Always a beautiful place to visit, when we first moved to Redlands 22 years ago.   I used to take my son there for a nice picnic on the lawn, overlooking the beautiful Redlands and the valley of the Inland Empire.   We used to take our dogs there for photo shoots that we would use to advertise them in the Afghan Hound Review.   Sadly this all stopped around 2005.   I had painted there in 2004 and not a problem.   Upon returning in 2005 I was quickly escorted off the grounds and told that I needed to make an appointment to paint on the grounds and it would be $150.00 an hour.   I tried calling the city who said I needed to speak with the Non-profit that was in charge.   Not one person could tell me who to talk to only that they would bring it up at their next meeting and get back to me.   Well I never heard back.  Over the years it has been a joke when people ask about painting there.   

This year Redlands Art Association in partnership with the Redlands Conservancy is hosting a plein air event and "Kimberly Crest" is one of the historic buildings that is on the list.   I really appreciate the opportunity to paint this beautiful place and happy my artistic abilities were in positive mode.  I am so very happy with my 2 paintings.    

"What no Lillie's?"  Lily pond at Kimberly  Crest.    6 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon  (plein air)

In my dreaming about painting at the Kimberly Crest Mansion I for sure wanted to paint the beautiful lily pond.   Luck would not be on my side.  The one day I can paint the beautiful pond not one lily was in bloom.   I chose to still paint the pond because of the beautiful colors and reflections. 

The Redlands Art Association exhibit "Treasures Of Redlands" starts April 16 with a reception to honor the artist from 2 - 4 at the Redlands Gallery.    http://www.redlandsartassociation.org/.

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