Painting Catalina Island 2012

"Afternoon Reflections"   9 x 12 oil on canvas w/palette knife

Arriving into Avalon on Catalina Express from Long Beach, Ca.  This is our seventh year of painting Catalina Island.   Joan Coffey and myself have gone every year, Patricia Rose Ford has joined us many times as well as other plein air artists throughout the years.  

First stop Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant, love those margarita's.   After checking into our hotel "The Glenmore" we headed out to paint the "Afternoon Reflections" of the beautiful and very famous Catalina Casino.   Check out the hotel we have stayed at for the past 7 years.   The oldest hotel on the island.   If you want to get great exercise, this is the place to stay.   We were on the 3rd floor and there is no elevator.   http://www.glenmoreplaza.com/

Early morning painting.   We love painting the early morning.   No sun this morning, but the clouds were beautiful and the air fresh and clean.  

"Early morning Sail"  6 x 6 oil on canvas board w/palette knife.

The three of us painting early morning.  

"Zane Grey" 9 x 12 oil on canvas board w/palette knife.

Standing on the side of the mountain road to get a glimpse of the "Zane Grey Hotel".   What especially brought my attention to this sight was the bougainvillea.   Most of the vehicles on this road are the famous golf carts that most everyone uses to get around.   This road is one way.   I felt safe and comfortable. 

http://www.zanegreypueblohotel.com/

The Zane Grey Hotel was once the home of the famous author Zane Grey.   Beautiful views of the ocean and a quaint hotel.  

My only problem was the cactus lined road.  I set my trolley up in front of the cactus and when I packed to leave boy did I get pricked.  Thanks to Joan and her handy tweezers who was able to get most of them out.  The rest festered up in the next few days and I was able to remove them.   OUCH!  And everyone was worried about the cars on the road.  

When we finished painting the Zane Grey we hiked back down to Avalon.   A much needed margarita or two was in the plan.  Chips and salsa at the local Mexican restaurant.  

After an afternoon rest we decided to paint the street that leads to the Green Pier.   It was fun painting the different golf carts that lined the street, the people enjoying the restaurants and even a doggie or two.  

After a good nights rest and a wonderful breakfast at our favorite Peach Pancake place we decided to paint at the beach.   As you can see by the photos as time went on the beach became busier and busier.

"Fun times  at the Green Pier"  9 x 12 oil on canvas board.  

When I started this is what the beach looked like.  Actually when you go out at 6 am the beach is covered in towels, blankets etc.  People want to secure their spot for the day.  

Pretty soon the umbrella's start going up, the lawn chairs are in place.

And then it is full.....So glad I can paint fast.  

After a nice ice cream at one of the favorite Ice Cream Parlor's we headed out to Descanso Beach.   We wanted to partake in the 50% off Margarita's and food for Happy Hour.  

My painting above almost complete.

"Happy Hour" Descanso Beach.   Great painting time with friends and Margarita's.  How can you go wrong.

(photo by Joan Coffey)

Getting ready to call it a day.   The moon is coming up and we have quite a hike back to Avalon.

We definitely need to head back!  Sand in your toes or is it sand in your shoes! 

We returned just in time to set up for a beautiful evening of painting.  I had started this painting and didn't like it a couple nights before.   So I finished it that night.  The reflections under a full moon are just amazing.

"Night Life" 6 x 8 oil on canvas w/ palette knife.

Early morning and yes we had sun peaking through the clouds.  It was amazing the reflection on the early morning water in the harbor.

"One Boat"  6 x 12 oil on canvas w/palette knife.

"Buena Vista View"  9 x 12 oil on canvas board w/palette knife

For our last painting session we took a cab up to Mt. Ada.   Looking out over Buena Vista View is so beautiful.  I loves the huge agave, they were taller than me.   Had to put them in the painting. 

Toasting our last dinner on the island.   Lemon Drop Martini's......

A beautiful time with wonderful artist friends.  Cannot wait until our 8th year to visit and paint Catalina.

All paintings are available either through me or one of my galleries.  contact me for details on your favorite.   shacone@aol.com

Prints will be made available on Fine Art America.   http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/terry-chacon.html

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