Pears and Broccoli

On an early March morning, I discovered a blue wheelbarrow in a garden which was within a pear orchard in Walnut Grove, located in the Sacramento River delta area, south of Sacramento.  The cerulean blue of the wheelbarrow was a beautiful contrast to the early Spring pear blossoms in the background.  This painting brings back memories of that early Spring morning, painting among the brilliant pear blossoms sharing their light with the blue sky.  This painting has been showing at the Folsom Art Association show at the Harris Center, Folsom Lake College, this summer through August 31st.


The second painting was also painted in the early morning this last February at a junior high school garden.  The preliminary painting was begun on the morning of the school's first ever broccoli harvest.  Community volunteers and students came out to harvest the broccoli which was going to be utilized at the Davis School District central kitchen for student lunches.  By the end of the harvest days in February, 600 pounds of broccoli were harvested.

This painting of the Broccoli harvest was donated to The Village Feast fundraiser this month for the Davis Farm to School and Yolo Farm to Fork programs.  This fundraiser, The Davis Village Feast, is patterned after the "Le Grand Aioli," the food feast that is a summer tradition in Provence, France. (http://www.davisvillagefeast.org)  It was truly great food and conversation at this summer feast.  A good way to bring August to a close and begin to prepare for the autumn season ahead.

Spring Into Summer

This Spring I found myself painting almond blossoms up close here in northern California.  The blossoms gave a silvery cast to the early Spring morning sky.  The blossoms so delicate would give way to the beginnings of almonds on the sturdy branches of these trees that will be experiencing Spring and enduring the summer heat ahead.

As June leads into the serious summer months of July and August, I also decided to repaint an artwork that I had titled "Road Home."  This new revision, "Road Home Revisited," hopefully has a better perspective, better value ranges shown that the first attempt.  Always learning, new insights, perspectives, continuing to travel that road.

Winter or is it Spring?

Here in northern California, we just had some welcome rain; however, we hope for more before Spring blooms fully in April.  While we wait and hope for a little more of that rain, early Spring is showing itself.  As I drive around town this month, the fruit trees are showing their white and pink fragile petals.  The daffodils are giving way to azaleas and the deer, too, hear sounds of the coming Spring near the American River.  During this winter time, I also think back to last autumn's trip to Montana and the horses there were able to roam free near Glacier National Park.  One horse came close to me as if we were having a conversation.  It was one of those moments, I will remember.  Glimpses of wild nature, just like the two deer I saw moving through the brush near the river. Early Spring.

Hope Valley Light

Hope Valley light in the snow.  Walking in the cold and taking in the brisk mountain air, and then just around the bend, there it is- a special late autumn light setting a lone tree aglow against the dark green of the pine trees surrounding it.  These are the moments that I cherish and make me want to go out again hoping to eventually see that unplanned discovery of light that can only be revealed outdoors and capture that moment in a sketch or a painting.  This watercolor was of such a discovery during last year's late autumn in the Hope Valley area of the Sierra mountains.  Wanted to share with you and wish you a warm holiday season.

Harvest

Harvest season- A time to "bring in," to harvest what was planted and explored in Spring and Summer.  This fall I had a painting (inspired by these Spring and Summer painting experiences)  shown here, "Phoenix Vernal Pools" that was shown at the Splash Education Center juried exhibit located near Sacramento.  I enjoyed exploring and painting these vernal pools which only appear in the Spring and learning about the Splash Education Center that offers science education programs to elementary school students in the Sacramento Valley.  This education center, I learned this Spring and summer,  provides students opportunities  to explore the Mather vernal pools, wetlands and prairie landscapes located in western Sacramento County, while learning how to observe, analyze and make comparisons.  

I also have another painting, "Road to Kisi Farm" in another current exhibit this fall at the Gallery 625 in Woodland, CA.  The proceeds of this exhibit and art auction benefit Yolo Arts, and the Yolo Land Trust that both provide opportunities for classes and experiences for art students of all ages and their programs also highlight and support the important work of the Yolo farming and ranching community.  My painting and all of the other art entries, including my husband's  photography, can be seen at www.yoloarts.org/programs-and-services/exhibitions

Through the above experiences this Spring and Summer, I have gained knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the agricultural community and the biologists at the Splash Education Center, who are not only working and preserving the landscape but also have developed programs to educate students on the valuable work they do and the importance of sustaining the landscape.

Wishing you a warm harvest this autumn!



 

Thoughts from the pond

 

This time of year, June and July, the dragonflies are very present in and around our garden koi pond.  The dragonfly has always been a special symbol for me  of transformation from cocoon to dragonfly in flight.  As I continue to develop new skill and insight in drawing and painting, I feel the slow transformation that a dragonfly-to-be must feel.

 

There have been new beginnings or re-beginnings in other areas also this summer.  Our venture into gardening this season has produced a small yield so far; however, what a delight it has been to harvest a zucchini or a few tomatoes in the garden and I am beginning to learn what to do next year differently in planting. 

 

Also, this last winter and Spring I worked on and completed a large painting of the Carson River (this river is located in Hope Valley in the Sierra), which as of this month is now being displayed at Folsom City Hall in Folsom, CA.  And, after a fifteen year hiatus, my husband has returned to Sierra fishing and we hope to visit our old favorite fishing spots this summer and I hope for new sketches and paintings to share with you.

 

Also, a new beginning this Spring, involved creating a new website (www.marytheresestudio.com)

I welcome your feedback on this  site.

 

Summer, I am finding out, can be a time of transformation and renewal to prepare for the harvest in the fall and the holiday season.  Wishing you gentle transformation and renewal in whatever area that you want to explore.  Wishing you a happy and fruitful summer.



River in the Valley

This Spring I took walks along the American River Parkway and explored the walking paths at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.  From my river walks, I prepared  a painting to enter in the 4^th annual “Painting Where the Wild Things Are” art show, auction and gala.  This is an annual fundraiser for the E.Yeaw Nature Center, a non-profit environmental educational and visitor center operated by the American River Natural History Assn. (ARNHA). I was honored to have one of my paintings juried into this show.

The 77-acre nature preserve (www.sacnaturecenter.com) has interpretive trails that run along the American River.  On my walks I saw deer, egrets, rabbits and wild turkeys.  The center’s educational programs introduce  the local community and visitors to the wonder of this very special river parkway.

Beginnings of Early Spring

Here in northern California, winter is slowly leaving us and the early signs of Spring are beginning.  The air is a little warmer in the early morning hours.  The daffodils are in full bloom in the garden now.  The bluejay are flying around and perching in the backyard trees, the squirrels are scurrying around.  The weeds are sprouting and growing too well.

Time to start weeding.  I'm looking forward to fertilizing the roses this month, looking forward to new rose blooms, new discoveries, in and out of the garden.

Wishing you some newness in your March and subtle anticipation of what is to be discovered in this new year still unfolding.

A New Year

In January each year, I look back to look forward.  Last fall, my husband and I found ourselves back in Hope Valley near Lake Tahoe to take in the brilliant autumn golds shining against the dense, dark green pine trees and not too far away to take in the blue depths of Lake Tahoe.  I started this watercolor in the fall and finished it this week in the new year.

In the current January issue of Sunset magazine, there is a quote by Kaui Hart Hemmings (author of the book, "The Descendants"), "We are known for slack key guitar, which is appropriate." "Hennings writes of the spirit of aloha." "It means to loosen the key and that is what we are able to do while maintaining busy, productive lives."

Maybe this is the way to start the year, as I begin my renewed resolutions, begin them with new energy but maybe in a more relaxed way, also. Kitty Morgan, Sunset Magazine's editor-in-chief stated in this month's issue of Sunset- about her new year's resolution, "To loosen the key.  To enjoy the every day miracles around me."

I hope to explore and paint the natural world around me more this year.  And, also, this week I began a new experience by joining a great group of artists at the Sutter Street Artists Gallery in historic Folsom, CA.  I hope to learn from and share new experiences with this artist group  as we all begin this new season (www.sutterstreetartists.com).

Wishing you health and happiness in this new year.

Autumn Road Trip

The idea of getting out on the road and exploring the west during the autumn season was something my husband and I looked forward to this last September/October.  We started out in Albuquerque and headed north to Santa Fe one afternoon to witness the first of many spectacular sunsets during our trip.  We explored Madrid, an old coal mining town-turned artist community. Not too far away, we explored an old twenty-eight room adobe trading post out in the middle of the desert run by the same family for the last 40 years.   I thought who would want to live out in the middle of a dusty desert without much around and then we began to share family roots that we both had in Nebraska and then I understood.  We heard about the owners hopes and dreams (new and old), and there newly obtained mining rights to a turquoise mine which will provide new hopes and dreams for them, their children and grandchildren.  The flavors of New Mexico food were amazing, also.  It will take awhile to really absorb all we saw-the deep green pine forests north of Taos (flecked with the golden leaves of aspen), the George O'Keefe country (Abiquiui and Ghost Ranch area) and the sunrises and sunsets of Monument Valley (This is a place where time seems to stand still, while clothed in brilliant golden oranges, vermilion, and rose magenta).

Wishing you warmth and small golden discoveries on your daily journeys this November, this month of Thanksgiving.

August - Late Summer

Late summer-how can that be?  Last I wrote, I was gearing up for the Colfax July artwalk.  For all of the participating artists and Colfax businesses, the art walk took on new meaning as the "Robbers" fire was still growing near Colfax, the day of the artwalk.  I had brought cookies and sparkling water originally for the art reception and attendees.  Instead the sparkling water was offered to the town's residents that I met who came into Bear River Trading Company asking about each others homes, offering each other support and offering places to stay for families who were evacuated from their homes.  I learned a new meaning of community spirit that night.

My husband and I shared in the spirit of Courtland's (another small community-this town is located along the Sacramento Delta) annual Pear fair, also, in late July.  There was music, awesome vintage cars, artisans and bbq.  Picked up pears (of course) and made my first pear pie-a new future  summer tradition. Attached painting is an image of the Sacramento Delta.
I would love to hear about your summer discoveries, too.

As summer winds down and we gear up for autumn, I leave this post with a quote from a cooler summer place- this last week's Big Sur's Nepenthe restaurant facebook page, "Waking up to fog-while remembering heat waves stretching coast to coast-imbues the morning coffee with a sense of gratitude for this uniquely Big Sur kind of weather.  Cool foggy mornings that ask us to dwell inward.  As the day opens, like a flower to the sun, so do we.  At Nepenthe this week, summertime lingers for those who have just started back to school-hovering the edge of autumn with all the changes that post-Labor Day season invites.  Fog dissipates finally and sun beams down bouncing off shade umbrellas and the red terrace, while stellar jays caw and swoop, and the red tail hawk navigates the thermals below, his flight a suspension of gravity as if on one breath, not a flutter of a wing."

July in Colfax

 

July is the month for 4th of July celebrations, picnics in the park, summer reading, summer day trips, summer clothing sales, and the July 13th Colfax Artwalk.

I will be participating in this artwalk next Friday, July 13th from 3-8 p.m. at the Bear River Trading Co. (http://www.bearrivertradingco.com/) in Colfax, CA.  Bear River Trading Co. is a women's western wear clothing store that sells name brands at a great price (see their website for details).  If you happen to want to get away to a historic little town located in the Sierras (not too far from Auburn) with a lot of railroad and goldmining history (http://www.ci.colfax.ca.us/), join me in celebrating summer!  There will be food to sample and I will have my latest paintings there.  There will be other artists to meet at shops and restaurants throughout historic Colfax that day 3-8 p.m., also,  who have created great artwork to view and be inspired.  (facebook.com/colfaxartwalk). If you cannot make it up on the 13th, all artwork will be on display for the month of July in this wonderful historic town. There are some great restaurants and a restored train depot (Amtrak still has a stop here).  There is much to explore in scenery and history in the Colfax region.  Wishing you a little sunshine in your summer.

May

May flowers and mountain creeks and streams.  My discovery of all of the flower blooms this Spring and the gentle sounds of mountain creeks can be viewed at the following shows.

My painting Hope Valley Creek is in the current Folsom Arts Association membership show at the Bank of America Art Gallery/Three Stages at the Folsom Lake College.  http://www.threestages.net/
This show reflects local artists who have created wonderful images reflecting the area where we all live.

May flowers are blooming at the ACAI Gallery in Fair Oaks.  Four of my flower paintings are showing with other local artists at this gallery this month http://www.acaistudios.com/ 

Winters Plein Air Festival

This last week I participated in the annual Winters Plein Air Art Festival 2012.  There were over 40 artists who participated in this event.  We had from 5/4 to 5/11 to paint the wonderful small agricultural town of Winters, CA and/ or paint the vineyards and the surrounding hills (just so the painting location was within a 15 mile radius of downtown Winters).

The artists who participated produced some very strong paintings by the end of the week.  I enjoyed getting to know some of these artists.  One day while painting a vineyard, I met an almond grower who pulled up on his tractor to see what we were doing. He gave us a wonderful agricultural history of the area.  Twelve miles from Winters you can see the beginnings of Lake Berryessa (ptg attached).  While painting at the Berryessa site, we heard bull frogs!! very loud!  The third painting shown here was painted on Russell Blvd.  These paintings (along with many other great artists' works) can be viewed at Briggs and Company, 314 Railroad, Winters, CA 95694 (http://www.briggsandco.com/)

from May 11th through May 30th.

Spring

1. 

Hay fever aside, I do enjoy the newness that Spring brings.  The new buds on the trees are symbols of hope.  Hope for new growth, new experiences that will be different than the year before.  New colors and shades, new tastes, new restaurants, new Spring landscapes to be discovered.

This last winter and early Spring I have been taking an oil painting class from Terry Miura.  I have learned so much about color, form and values in his class.  His paintings have incredible depth and skill and he posts great information on his blog (http://www.terrymiura.blogspot.com/
I'm going to challenge myself in May with my new found knowledge to participate in the 5th annual Winters Plein Air Festival (May 4-26th) (http://web.me.com/shaunied/Site/The_Winters_Plein_Air_Festival.html/).  Winters is a wonderful agricultural town with a lot of heart.  I participated two years ago in this festival, so I'm looking forward to reacquainting with fellow artists and reconnecting with the 2012 Winters landscape.

Wishing you a little newness and joy this month.

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."-Anais Nin

Monterey Coast

This last month we met friends in Monterey, CA to catch up with our lives since we last met and to explore Monterey's offerings.  We discovered wonderful food all weekend and on Saturday we went over to the Monterey Bay aquarium. (http://www.montereyaquarium.org/).  The aquarium revealed a stunning world of unusual and graceful sealife.  The jellyfish showcased their ancient dance through the ocean.  In watching the many unusual shapes of the seahorses and sea dragons in another exhibit, I was awestruck with nature's diverse artistry in design.  On our last morning we had a wonderful breakfast at a Pacific Grove Restaurant and then a drive along Ocean Avenue, which offered spectacular views of the ocean on one side of the road and the Asilomar State Beach and Conference grounds on the other side.(http://www.visitasilomar.com/)    The word "Asilomar" means "refuge by the sea" and it is certainly that.

May this month you find a breathtaking vista.  Maybe it will be a sunrise or sunset where you live.  I'll be thinking of you as I take in the rich colors of early morning and the golden light at dusk here in the beginning of the northern California foothills (while remembering the sites and sounds of the Monterey coastline this last month).  Take care.

Early Signs of Spring

February signals the early beginnings of Spring, even though we are still in the midst of winter.  The daffodils in our garden are just about ready to open their yellow blooms and the camellias are in full bloom in the garden.  These beginnings of Spring have me thinking about what to plant in the vegetable garden in April and May.  Vegetable gardens and fresh eggs are nothing new to Fair Oaks, a community located east of Sacramento, CA.  Fair Oaks community farming roots go back to the early 1900's.  Today there are chickens who have walking privleges in the streets of old towne Fair Oaks village area. 

Attached are two of these resident chickens that can be seen strutting their featheres in the Fair oaks village.  It is quite a feat (and a sight to watch) to sketch or try to take a digital image of these ever-moving feathered fowl.

Wishing you a little quiet time in February and a little sunshine.

A New Year

A new year.  A new beginning.  New beginnings are always great to discover and explore.  This last year we discovered a wonderful jam made by a friend of a friend (the best way to new discoveries) who picks organic peaches at Mas Masumoto's family farm to make her Elberta peach jam.  It tastes so wonderful.    Mas Masumoto is not only a farmer, he also is a writer.  His book, "Epitaph for a Peach," is a good read about his experiences through the seasons on his farm growing and harvesting his organic peaches.  He has a wonderful website that gives information on his orchard, his family, experiences farming, and his "literary" farm.  http://www.masumoto.com/

As we begin a new year, I wish you new wonders and blessings along the way.  I welcome to hear about your discoveries and new journeys throughout the year.

Thoughts of Warmer Days Ahead

February has been a good month on the rainy days to make plans for day trips this Spring and Summer to the mountains.  The sunny days this month (in between the rainstorms) have been a good time to walk out in the winter garden to make plans for the vegetable and flower garden this coming planting season.  Even with the rains that we have had this month, our Bird of Paradise bush has been blooming abundantly.  It has been great to look out the kitchen window and see all the orange and purple blooms.  A little tropical in the midst of winter. 

This month I have been working on an image (sketches from last fall) of  a warm-looking Sierra meadow which hearkens warmer days ahead.

Wishing you a little warmth in between the rainstorms.

New Beginnings

A new year has started with the beginnings of new intentions, new promises to be made as the year 2011 unfolds.  Because of this, I thought it would be  good to spend some time during this first month of the year to paint the January moon at dawn.  These images are from the first light discovered at the break of day along an early morning walk along the American River in northern California.  The first light of the day spotlights the tops of trees and ground with a glowing rosy shade as the darkness of the night gently and silently gives way to the new day.

As we begin a new season, I would welcome to  hear of your new discoveries and plans for the new year.  Wishing you new wonders and blessings along the way.