Plein Air Painting Napa Valley, Ca

Rutherford Winery Afternoon  9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

This was my second time to take a workshop with Susan Sarback in Napa.  Six years ago I  researched to find an artist to teach me how to paint in plein air.   While looking through different collections of artworks on the Internet done in plein air I was most attracted to those with color.   In researching the artist that I chose I found that the majority of them had one thing in common, Henry Hensche.   I am sure I have talked about Mr. Hensche in some of my past blogs, but just in case, here is his website so you can read more about him.    http://henryhenschefoundation.org/  A fascinating artist/teacher who taught early French Impressionism.    So as I researched I found that Susan was giving a workshop in Laguna Beach at Ken Auster Studio's and I signed up.   From day one after I saw her give her first demo, I knew this was the way I wanted to paint.    I have since taken 4 more workshops with her and each time I feel like a sponge taking in everything I can to help me in the direction I am going.   This workshop was no different.   I came home full of energy and anticipation of where my work will be going for the future.  Creating beautiful luminous paintings full of rhythm, harmonious color and pleasing to the eye.  

Sandy Charlebois my painting buddy for the workshop.   What a place to go.    Paint in the morning, wine tasting with lunch, and then painting in the afternoon.   Every artist should be so lucky.   The Rutherford Winery was our first stop and for lunch we were allowed to eat inside and partake in the wine.  My favorite was the  Sauvignon Blanc  at this winery. http://www.rutherfordhill.com/  I now know what it is to taste a buttery wine.    It was delicious.  

This is Susan giving a demo the morning of our first day.  

"Beringer Morning"  9 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

This was an interesting view at Beringer.   I wanted to work on getting lots of atmosphere in my paintings this week.   I am told that the air in Napa is like the air at Giverny where Monet painted.   The distance recedes because of the air quality.   Morning to night the distance always appears to be foggy which makes for very nice atmospheric paintings.  Today the temperature was 104.  It was so hot.  But the mid day wine tasting cooled us off a bit to be able to do an afternoon painting.    

"The Rhine House"   

By the afternoon this 1884 German style mansion on the properly with luscious gardens was in full shade except for the peak on the roof.   I wanted to capture the glow of the roof and beyond.   This photo is of my painting and the mansion.   To read more about the Beringer Winery and take a virtual tour, click on the link below. 

http://www.beringer.com/index.cfm?method=pages.showPage&pageid=67eedfe8-cba8-562f-2d81-184871ed20fc

"The Rhine House"  9 x 12 by Terry d. Chacon

Another photo of the Rhine House.  By the end of the day we were ready to collapse.  We headed back to the motel, and jumped in the pool.    

"Chandon Vineyard"   9 x 12 oil on Canvas by Terry d. Chacon

Today started out with another demo by Susan.   We hiked back to the back of the winery to find this lovely location looking out over the vineyard.   No wine tasting today as this winery is known for their champagne.   But we had a nice picnic lunch and painted the afternoon.   Still very hot, but not quite as bad as the day before. 

http://www.chandon.com/

I think you can tell by this photo how hot I was by the end of the day.   We headed back and jumped in the pool before meeting up with all the artists and Susan for a nice dinner in Calistoga. 

"Pine Ridge Morning"   9 x 12 by Terry d. Chacon

Pine Ridge Winery is on Silverado Road, way out in the boonies.   It is very picturesque, surrounded by vineyards, beautiful mountains, and lovely rose gardens. http://www.pineridgewinery.com/   The manager was especially nice at this winery.   He invited us for a tour during our lunch break and of course a wine tasting.    

 

Back in the caves where they store the wine is this beautiful seating area for wine tastings for tour groups.

A luscious display of their collection of "Chihuly" glass.  You can see the natural rock behind the glass.   The caves are literally drilled out of the hills to store the wine and they are solid rock.   It was nice and cool inside.  Had I known this earlier, I probably would have been taken tours at the other winery's just to cool off.  http://www.chihuly.com/

After the tour, all the artist set up their works for a critique session by Susan.   Here is my collection from the week.   I can't wait to get out and start painting again, to put my new learned knowledge to work.  Because these paintings were done at a workshop they are available at a special price.   Contact me if you are interested.     shacone@aol.com  

Until next time, please enjoy the art.   Terry d. Chacon

If you are in the area please stop by to see 30 of my plein air works.   Show is open until July 14, 2011.  Banning Center for the Arts, 130 N. San Gorgonio, Banning,  California.   Also on display are some of the late Milford Zornes beautiful watercolors.   

Idyllwild Paint Out 2011

"Morning Light" 6 x 12 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

This past weekend was the 2011 Idyllwild Paint Out.   This is my 4th time attending this event over the past 10 years of existence for the Idyllwild Art Alliance.    http://www.artinidyllwild.com/AAI_Eventsx.html  It is always a fun event and such a welcome change of scenery.  

The event used to be in Sept., then they changed it to around the 10th of June.   Since my birthday is the 10th of June often we have other family plans and I am unable to go.   This year my son came for my birthday and we celebrated on Friday.   My husband and son had plans for a golf day on Sat. so I headed off to the Plein Air event.  

I was a little worried about going up the hill on the 2 lane highway because we have been having low clouds and fog in the morning.   Check in time was 8 am.   I emailed the organization to see how late I could check in and they said noon, so I figured I had plenty of time to make it up the hill, even if I had to pull off the road to let the fog lift.   Well strangely it was quite foggy in Redlands as I left, but cleared by the time I got to Banning, CA.   I thought I was home free. Not!   1/3 of the way up the mountain and the fog rolled in.   I could not see very far in front of me but I slowed down and watched the double yellow.   It was only for a few miles but seemed like forever.   After I got  above the fog, it was crystal clear.

I arrived at check in around 9 am and chose the creek to paint.   They gave me a flag to stake down where I was painting as they like to send people around to watch you paint.   When I arrived a couple fellow painters that I had met before were there and we chatted.   They painted on top of the bridge and I painted below.   It was funny to hear the people chatting from above as they watched us paint, but nobody came down to where I was.   That was fine as there was not a lot of room.  

This was the scene and my painting after I was finished.   As you can see the scene has changed since I started.  This is why you get as much information on the canvas as possible.  The Sun doesn't wait for anyone.   

I took this photo to show you how I got to my spot to paint.  Under the bridge the creek was flowing just enough to pass by so I get get to my spot.  

After completing my painting I turned it in at the Quiet Creek Motel and Gallery nestled back in the woods.  Such a charming place.   The owners donate the gallery space for the event.  

The reception was the following day. As you arrive for the reception they have a musician playing.  (Not like my Ellie, but he did a nice job). 

We were allowed to bring another painting to show in the exhibit.  I brought my "Jacaranda Reflections".  

Here is my painting framed and on the wall.   I had to sneak a peak through the crowd of people to take this shot.  

The crowds along with Eric Neubert one of the judges on the panel of 3.   They had 3 judges.  Each chose an honorable mention, then through a point system they came up with 1st , 2nd and 3rd.   There were 30 artists in the event and some incredible work.   They did a nice job of judging.  

The President of the Idyllwild Art Alliance Lea Dessing getting ready to hand out the awards.   They took a photo of me receiving my award, if someone sends it to me I will share with you.

Here it is.   People's Choice Award.   

It was a very nice event and I hope to be able to attend next year.   Idyllwild has a lot of places to paint, the road getting there, however, is much to be desired.  

UNTIL NEXT TIME:   Please enjoy the art!

Terry d. Chacon

Please don't forget my exhibit at the Banning Center for the Arts.  It is up until July 14. 

130 N. San Gorgonio, Banning, Ca.  







Opening Reception "Expressions of Color And Light"



Clidene Roper (Gallery Manager) and Terry d. Chacon





First Sale  "San Gorgonio Inn"  Congratulations to new collector  "Ernest Siva." 



Mayor Barbara Hanna of Banning, CA came by to see the exhibit and  wish me luck!

Rob Mease and his lovely wife.

Some artist friends who came by, David Fairrington, Helga Batmum and Sandy Charlibois. 

View of the gallery with some guests.  That's Bob Bott's former mayor in the center. Carol Newkirk of the Art Alliance on the right sitting in the chair.

Terry and Roz East wall collection.

Painting by David Fairrington.

Terry and Maggie.

One of the paintings by the Late Milford Zornes.  http://www.milfordzornesna.com/

And to my surprise my wonderful husband bought this drawing by Milford Zornes for me for my birthday!

It was a beautiful day with friends, family and new friends and collectors.  I would like to thank all of you who took the time to drive out to Banning to see the exhibit along with the locals and  thank you Clidene for showing my work in your gallery.   

Until Next Time, PLEASE ENJOY THE ART!    Terry d. Chacon

Click on the link to read  an article written by Pat Murkland in the Banning Patch Newspaper.

http://banning-beaumont.patch.com/articles/saving-history-with-a-palette-knife  

 

The exhibit is up until July 14, if you get by to see it, please sign my book which we forgot to do with most of the attendee's  at the reception.   :-(

Art Demo for Canyon Lakes Art Association

"Jacaranda's in Bloom"   9 x 12 oil on canvas, completed demo painting.

Last year I was contacted by Christy Bruce of the Canyon Lakes Art Association to do a demo on June 2, 2011.   I had demonstrated for this group before and said absolutely, I would be happy to demo again.  

This group is nestled in a small community down by Temecula, Ca.   They live in a beautiful  area for plein air artists to paint. I hope one day to go there. 

I wanted to paint the Jacaranda's in my area and was hoping they would be blooming so I could  prepare for the demo on location.   I was able to go out one Sunday and complete this painting location prior to the demo. 

"Jacaranda's" in plein air 9 x 12 by Terry d. Chacon

After completing this painting in plein air I really wasn't totally happy with the color of the Jacaranda's so I thought and thought about my approach.   Because I only get to paint these beautiful trees once a year I forget each year how I accomplished that beautiful color.  It is so difficult to make a bluish purple look like it is in sunlight.   These trees just shimmer in the light and I really wanted to show that in my painting.    For the demo approach I figured it out which made me very happy.

Here are a few photos that my friend and fellow artist Louise Smith took of me at the demo.

Here I am discussing my approach to plein air painting.   Working from a photo is different, but I was able to accomplish it because I had my plein air painting with me that I had done previously, I had my notes and my photo of the scene I wanted to paint for the group.

This is my set up prior to the demo. 

Starting the large shapes of the scene.  They were totally confused at this point.  It was nice to see the audience of around 35 interested artists,  had their pens and papers and were writing away taking notes.   

This is the first step of color.   This should take about 15 minutes.   When painting on location you have to be very quick.   Your scene changes quickly as the sun keeps moving.  

I invited the group to come up and see my palette and to ask questions during the demo.   The questions were plentiful and very good questions for a new plein air artist.   A few of the artist had painted in plein air but most felt uncomfortable so did not do it again.   I took along some membership brochures for the Plein Air Artists of Riverside and all were gone by the end of the evening.  

The painting is coming along and I think they were relieved at this point to see where I was going with all this color and paint.  

Me painting towards the end.   And after viewing the photos I realized from the first I had a spot of paint on my cheek.  Not one person told me.  I saw it in the bathroom mirror at the end of the demo.   Oh well the trials of being an Artist! 

This very excited artist was the winner of my painting that I donated to the group for a raffle.   She was so sweet.

I want to thank Canyon Lakes Art Association for being a wonderful group to demo for.   They were attentive, seemed excited and had lots of questions.   Good Luck to all of them, they have a show this coming Sunday "Art at the Lake".  If your in the area, be sure to stop by and meet this very active group.

Opened June 1, 2011 through July 14, 2011 
Opening reception is June 4, 2011 from 1 to 4 pm.   Light refreshments will be served.   Hope to see you there.
130 N. San Gorgonio Banning, Ca.   92220   951-849-3993