Celio Arts

Wine and Books

2011-07-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

On Friday I painted and and framed 3 watercolors I studied from a lovely book on how to paint watercolors (the first photo). My intention was to sell my studies only at the Coffee Society giving credit to the author. However, my critiquing gallery here at home thought I'd do better if I drew and painted my own. I think they were right (what do you think)? So I took the paintings out of the frames and painted the first one again today. I'm calling it, Wine and Books. Now I can make cards and prints from it too. Even though my originals from the book were ok, they didn't have much of me in them. But as you can see, this first one has my tablecloth and chair in it and even my first "signed book"! Tomorrow I'll paint the other two. Happy 4th of July everyone!

Vineyard in the Tuscan Hills

2011-06-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

Introducing my latest watercolor painting: Vineyard in the Tuscan Hills. These days I look forward to painting vineyards. I really hope I can visit Tuscany (and Provence) one day. If painting a place from there makes my heart soar, just think what going there will be like! I can't wait!

Birthday Party Painting Time!

2011-06-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

Getting artsy with the walls. I had help rehanging my paintings all over my walls (instead of storing them in the garage) after our open studios. They may not make it out to the marketplace after this! Then Bethany and I drew and painted a vine around them to settle them in!

Grandpa and Evelyn at Grandpa's Birthday.

What a fun Double Birthday Party we had for Rich and Jonathan. We left the paintings out for anyone who wanted to be creative on the day.
Jonathan celebrated his birthday with Evelyn and Beth. What a great time to remember.

My Website Using Weebly

2011-04-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

I now have a new website with Weebly.com! Same web address, different web provider. I recommend it for ease of use and a great price. I can now sell my art and gifts on my website so I'll be adding them as soon as I can. Visit it at my web address: http://www.celioarts.com/. See you over there soon! CC

Ukrainian egg decorating

2011-04-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ukranian Egg Decoration Festival

2011-04-15T13:10:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday a group of us painted Ukranian Egg Decorations. What fun it was to paint with four of my favorite ladies (my three daughters and my wonderful sister in law). This was the first time for Bethany, Aletheia, Katherine and me so Corinne did an excellent demonstration for us with the kistkas, dyes, pattern books, candles and bees wax. My thanks to Dave for taking the great pictures. I found a series of good you tube demos of the process and included them on my next post. You may just find a brand new art form you'll love!

Wiki Gallery and the Pacific International Quilt Festival XIX

2011-04-05T21:34:00.000-07:00

Just got a neat request the other day to link to Wiki Gallery (http://www.wikigallery.org) and one of their sponsors , 1st Art Gallery (http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Camille-Pissarro/Camille-Pissarro-oil-paintings.html)
Take a look at both for some great art and art history!

Bethany and I saw more great art at the 2010 Pacific International Quilt Festival XIX. A quilt competition held in Santa Clara, CA. last year. Her Graphic Design class took a field trip and I got to drive the 5 students and her teacher. They all designed the T-Shirts they're wearing! Mrs Sweet, their talented teacher, is the creator of the quilt with the people in the car.

Swans and Tulips

2011-03-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

Swans and Tulips... need I say more? Glory to God for making such wonderful creations!

Windmills and Tulips

2011-03-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

This month I had a request from a store, asking if I had any Spring flower prints on canvas they could sell on consignment. I thought I could paint for them and for the gallery at the same time and thus: Spring flowers, tulips, windmills, swans... this was my train of thought for what I decided to hang in the gallery this March. I finished two of the paintings but not the third so I guess I'll hang the swans in the gallery next month. I have a show in Santa Cruz tomorrow that I have to pack for, but I really want to get back to painting the swans (finished 6 but 9 more to go...) And by the way, the store decided they didn't want the Spring flowers after all, but now I have three paintings I'm glad to have brought into the world because of their request.

Stage Panels for 42nd Street School Musical

2011-02-18T14:36:00.000-08:00

Wednesday and Thursday of this week I painted for hours and almost finished the panels for the school musical, 42nd street. I put "sparkle dust" on the dancers' dress and shirt (and onto the wall sconces) by shaking some onto the palm of my hand and blowing it onto the wet paint. Most of it went into the air and onto the ground (you can see some on the floor under the lady dancer) but the part that stuck looks real snazzy.

Painting projects day

2011-02-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

Look at the colorful environment I get to paint in at Michaels. I had a prepared lesson plan for the demo, but see the silk tulips on the table next to me? I ditched the lesson plan and painted the tulips instead! The painting needs more work, but thought you'd like to see it.

Here's the update I promised you. While I demonstrated at Michaels, two parents at the high school painted the bars of the gates today. Thank you!!

Set for 42nd street

2011-02-12T08:41:00.000-08:00

I'm helping out with the high school musical my daughter is in by painting some of the background sets. Each of these four panels is 8'x4'. Another mom and I traced the collage onto transparencies and then projected them onto the black cardboard panels. Then we traced again onto the panels with chalk. Today some of the parents will start painting in the gates while I'll be at Michaels doing another painting demonstration. I'll take pictures as we go. It's fun to work on a large scale.

Butterfly in the Springtime

2011-02-11T16:48:00.000-08:00

I can't wait for springtime so I'm hurrying it along by painting butterflies again! I've also been busy teaching a watercolor class to five ladies, doing acrylic demonstrations at Michaels, and painting a background set for my daughter's high school musical. More to come on these projects... stay tuned.

Vineyard in Napa Valley

2011-01-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Ah, vineyards. I love the orderliness of their clean, straight lines that stretch on till you can't see them any more. I love how the vines change color with each of the seasons. I appreciate all the planning and hard work it takes to produce those grapes and the delicious things that come from them. When I was painting this I was also reminded that Jesus said He is the Vine and we are the Branches and if we abide in Him, we'll bear much fruit. So as I reflected on this truth I remembered that no matter what happens in my life (good or bad in my eyes) it's all going to help to produce good fruit when and since I abide in Him.
Here I've painted a large, 24x36 acrylic painting of a vineyard in Napa Valley in the fall. I got my inspiration from a photo of the Castello di Amorosa Vineyard taken by Rick Klau. The original painting is now hanging in Gallery Saratoga for the month of January. If you live in the area come on by to see it!

Charlene's Featured Artist Reception at Gallery Saratoga 12-2010

2010-12-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

My featured artist show in Gallery Saratoga marks the end of a very busy year of art shows for me. What a lovely day it was too. Rich played drums in the trio while I talked with family, old friends and new. I never did paint those vineyard scenes I wanted to paint, but I'll try again next year for my featured show in August. (As you can see I already had enough paintings to fill the wall.) For now I'm happy to get back to house work, decorating for Christmas, wrapping presents and having family and friends over. I'll try to post more pictures of the show soon.
Thanks to all of you who came to the show! Your love and support keep me going!

Welcome Signs in Coffee Society

2010-12-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

Today I hung my Welcome Signs in The Coffee Society in Cupertino (near the library). In my collection of ribbon I found some sturdy cords of all colors that fit nicely into the holes. Perfect.

Welcome Signs

2010-11-30T17:57:00.000-08:00

Here is new product I'm offering that's hot off the press, just created today! Art on UV protected aluminum so it doesn't fade with sun or weather. It's perfect for outside. Here are three welcome signs I'll have at my shows, but anyone can order most of my paintings on the aluminum and I'll ship to you. These are 12"x12" and also come in a rectangular size. They'll have something creative to hang it from, probably copper wire and beads, but that'll be hot off the press tomorrow.

My Baby and His

2010-11-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

Aaahhh, can anyone be any prouder than I am of them? My boys and my grandbaby. Family is indescribably good when it's good.
Ok. I just had a 3 day show at Villa Montalvo and it was successful so I'm very glad (I'll post about it soon. but I still have 2 more shows in two weeks!!!!) I have to tell you though, that the love of family is tops and if it ever comes to choosing between success in the art field and them, well, is there any comparison? I'll choose family any day.

Red Hat Ladies in Miniatures for Villa Montalvo!

2010-11-17T17:00:00.000-08:00

Introducing the Red Hat Ladies in Miniature Paintings with Collage. I'm painting this series to sell at the Yuletide Event at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga this coming weekend. I took photos of the ladies dressed in their finest when they came to the Yuletide last year (and at the summer luncheons). Now I'll frame each of these in 5x7 frames and make greeting cards from them. What fun.

Silicon Valley EVA Artists Miniatures Show

2010-11-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

Recognize some of these?

Last Saturday I had an art show with my art club, the East Valley Artists, at a local restaurant.
I had the privilege of heading it up this time so it was good practice for me. Only 8 of us could make it, but it was well worth the effort to get out there and offer our artwork for sale to our neighbors. We made it a miniatures show, so the originals had to be under 11x14". I'd like to do this again but next time plan for everyone to paint the same size painting on the same material.

Art Journaling Class in Saratoga

2010-11-13T20:42:00.000-08:00

We just finished our first class at the Saratoga Senior Center on Art Journaling. Christine and I taught it to two very talented women. What fun we had. It really was not like work at all. I was amazed at how creative they all were and how nice their journals turned out. Next January Christine will teach this by herself and I'll go on to teach miniature acrylic and watercolor painting.

Painting Acrylics for Teaching Fine Art Classes at the Michael's Arts and Crafts Store in Cupertino

2010-11-12T17:15:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to teach Fine Arts classes at a Michael's Store nearby! Here I'm practicing what I'll teach with small canvases that are 2 1/2" x 3". What fun it is to paint very small paintings. Each one takes me about 2 hours to do and so far I've painted 3 of these. You can call the Cupertino Michaels to sign up for classes too.

Wedding in Soquel Day 10- Complete

2010-10-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

Presenting: The Wedding in Soquel.

After 10 days of blogging the step by step process (and more days before and in between), I have completed my assignment. There is a definite feeling of satisfaction and peace with knowing I tried my best at this job. I'm sure there is so much more I can learn, but for now this is the all I have and today I will rest. Till next time, God bless.

Baby Baby!

2010-10-31T11:40:00.001-07:00

Painting break... Feast your eyes on this beautiful little creation. Evelyn smiled at me this week for the first time... aaaaahh.

Wedding in Soquel Days 8 and 9- Flowers, Colors,Trees

2010-10-30T14:50:00.001-07:00

Hello, changed my mind and I'm back blogging this step by step. You'll see lots of changes in two days of work. Hopefully today I'll get much more done since I stayed home this weekend to concentrate on finishing the painting. I did get slightly sidetracked so far with starting a new facebook group page for my business. I'm so busy with planning for new shows and classes coming up that I think it will be better if I told everyone from one page made for that.
The Group name is: Celio Arts and Friends on facebook.
and the email for it is:
celioarts@groups.facebook.com

Wedding in Soquel Day 7- Back to the drawing board

2010-10-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

Here is the painting taken in the daylight. I like how the Ott light from last night showed me the way it will look with more whites on the gazebo and tent, so I'll definitely do that today. This will be my last photo in the step by step till I show you the completed painting. Don't know when that will be, but I'll have other posts from my exciting adventures in painting!

Couldn't wait to show you what I've done since the regrouping earlier (that was around 4:30 pm and I've been working till now, 11:00 pm) This was taken with an Ott light, so I'll have to take it again tomorrow. I'm happy with how the barrels are coming out and that the path is fitting in better. Tomorrow, flowers, flowers, flowers.

Sometimes I reach a point in a painting where I really don't know what to do next, and I hit that point today. I thought I needed to change this or that, but after I went back to my original idea, and after I asked a friend to help, I broke through and have a clear path ahead of me again. I am about half way there so it makes sense that I'd re-evaluate my direction in how to complete this painting in the best way. By the way, the friend I told you about, it's her birthday today!
Happy Birthday Barbra Joan! Thanks for being a good friend.

Wedding in Soquel Day 6- Adding more elements, highlighting and correcting

2010-10-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

On to day 6 of this wedding painting. It's Saturday and I have the whole day to paint. I hope to get very far along with it. I love putting in the elements and even correcting things when they need it. Thanks to Rich for suggesting I measure the photos of the actual wine barrels with a ruler and then measure what I painted in to get the proportions right. Things are open to lots of change at this stage. You just don't know how some things will look till after you put in everything around it. I am liking the focal point though.

Wedding in Soquel Day 5- More Background

2010-10-22T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today I painted at my house with Christine. It was drizzling off and on outside, so it was nice to stay inside and paint with a friend.

Wedding in Soquel Day 4-Background

2010-10-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

Paint to canvas. It's a start. This painting will change so much from this, believe me and hang in there. Now I only want to paint constantly till I finish.

Wedding in Soquel Day 3- Sketch

2010-10-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow bloggers! Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this sketch is almost beautiful to me. It stands for good communication, forward movement and colorful possibilities! I've sketched on a piece of watercolor paper I cut to the 18x24 size of the canvas. The placement of things may still change a little, but by this stage I'm really committing myself to where I'll put things in the painting. Tomorrow I plan to start the painting with acrylics.

Villa Montalvo Calenders 2011 are in!

2010-10-18T23:15:00.000-07:00

Look! The Villa Montalvo Calendars are in! They have 2 different backgrounds to choose from, patterned and plain colors. You see them at Gallery Saratoga. I love the way they turned out. I think I'll work on another calendar of some kind for next year too.

One Wonderful Field Trip

2010-10-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

On the day before the birth of my grand daughter on September 4th, we visited The Birth of Impressionism exhibit in San Francisco at the DeYoung Museum. The height of the trip was having my talented niece who is assistant curator at the Legion of Honor of Fine Arts in SF , give us a guided tour of this exhibit! She helped set up this exhibit at the DeYoung and even wrote some of the information cards for the paintings! In some of the photos you can see Christine and me going back in time and space, dancing and making merry music right in the middle of our favorite paintings! Hoozah!

Queen of the Night...Sold a Night Before the Show!

2010-10-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

Queen of the Night... Sold! Guess where? At Aaron Brothers to a very nice lady who was getting a frame at the same time I was reframing this (the glass got cracked while transporting it from the Garden Party sale in August this year to my home). She saw my painting and heard I was entering it into a juried show the next day for sale and said it matched the colors in her living room so well. So I sold it to her, and as they were taking it into the framing room I said goodbye to an old friend who found a loving new home. What a road this painting traveled: the subject matter started in Peru (its a Peruvian Tree Cactus Flower), then went to Melbourne Australia where my brother found it on the cover of a Sunday newspaper and sent it to me, to America (where I painted it), back to Australia to my brother who personally thanked the photographer (who grows the cactus in his back yard) with a print, and finally to a woman of East Indian decent who thought it would match her home. Maybe it will go to India some day?

Garden Party in August and EVA Juried Show in October

2010-10-15T18:00:00.001-07:00

Here are 2 more shows I've been in this year: the Gallery Saratoga Garden Party in August, and the East Valley Artists Juried Art Show in October. At the Juried Art Show I brought only a few of my paintings for jurying, but at the Garden Party I brought every single painting I still own! I'll never do that again. I won an honorable mention for my Yellow Rose of Filoli for watercolor. It still is one of my favorites and instead of selling it, I think I'll retire it to my living room for good.

Wedding in Soquel Day 2-Collage

2010-10-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

Remember all the photos from day 1 of this project? I had time to cut and tape them together how I saw them in my mind. And I feel like I made a breakthrough today. I can see the end now and very very excited about it. Now I'm free to paint! After I come home from driving on a field trip with my daughter's graphic design class (an international quilting and textiles show which should be fun) I'll put some paint to that blank canvas and away we'll go!

Wedding in Soquel Day 1- Reference Gathering

2010-10-13T23:27:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a new wedding painting which I'll do in beautiful 'Golden' acrylic paints this time. As you can see I have plenty of reference materials and a lovely canvas. Now I just have to translate the photos into paint on a blank canvas! Again, I'll take you through the process step by step. Notice my doggie Caspian in the top photo? I had to get a closeup of that sleeping position. He makes me laugh.

Cabin in the Snow - Day Three

2010-10-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

And... Voila! Presenting: The Cabin in the Snow . The newest watercolor/pen and ink painting from the Cabin Series, by Charlene Celio. Enjoy!

I painted this last night and will continue today. I love the way the trees cast the long shadows across the snow. I also like the happy surprise of how the trunk on the right came out. Makes me want to go back to the cabin.

Cabin in the Snow - Day 2

2010-10-08T15:25:00.001-07:00

So, not so hard after all. I didn't wreck it, and I found that I actually really like it and that's why I keep painting! (amazing for someone who has to relearn this fact every new painting!)
Now I'll work on it some more and take a picture of it in the morning light. Let's see how far I get! Oh, did I mention this is our family cabin and it holds a special place in my heart?
Day 2 of making the Christmas Card. Last night I went over all the pencil lines with different colored artist ink pens. The next step was to paint it, but this is usually the hardest time for me. I look at the drawing and think that I may just mess it up and waste all the work I've done so far.
Then I think, "How in the world am I going to do this? What colors should I actually use, how should I put in the light, how much white should I save..." After taking way too long to set up my painting area (procrastinating) I then stare at it for a long time, getting up the nerve to put paint to paper. Then I try out paint on a scrap watercolor paper. Then I take the plunge! (ask my friends and family, it's the same drill every time.)

Cabin in the Snow

2010-10-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

Today I started a new addition to the Cabin Collection. I'm calling it, Cabin in the Snow, and eventually it'll become a Christmas Card. I'll take you step by step and then show you the finished card after it comes back from the printer. Hang on tight since it's going to be a whirlwind creation!

Beth's Window Seat

2010-10-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

Every time I go to my friend's house I'm inspired to paint it. She's so good at arranging each room that her house is like a still life ready to be painted.

Sitting Room at Beth's House

2010-10-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

Going back in time, here is one of my first attempts at watercolor painting in 2002. I call this one

Bethany's Butterflies. Our friend, Beth, gave Bethany and me watercolor lessons at her house. The subject was from Bethany's tee shirt she was wearing. Bethany was only 8 then.

Here's another room at my friend's former house. Right after we painted the butterflies, I tried to paint the living room in watercolors using my oil painting techniques and some pointers Beth had just taught us. At this point I realized that I could paint in watercolors by using what I know of drawing and painting. After this, Bethany and I took more private lessons in watercolor together from another artist. This all happened during the years Bethany was home schooled.

Making Lavender Sachets

2010-09-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

I love sewing, smelling lavender and painting so combining these three activities into one tiny bundle delights me to no end. Here you can see some of the steps it takes for me to make my lavender sachets. I grow the lavender in my front yard from two plants and my next door neighbor also is giving me her lavender now. Then I harvest it and let it dry in pillow cases and roll the cases to release the seeds. After I paint the paintings I take a photo of them and then copy them onto printer fabric. The fabric is then ironed and cut and sewn onto pouches. Then I clean up the lavender by sifting it etc. and scoop it into the pouches. There you have it: 72 pouches of lavender and 2 days later! I'll be selling these lavender pouches at my 4 upcoming shows in October, November and December. One of the shows will be at Villa Montalvo at their Yuletide celebration in November. Come on by! There's one with your name on it!

Watercolor Art Journal

2010-09-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

A new art form for me! Here is my first Art Journal. I have 2 new jobs now and for one I'll be team teaching art with my friend Christine (from www.ChristinesArts.blogspot.com) at the Saratoga Senior Center. Our first 4 week class is going to be on how to make Art Journals. Christine came over for a few days this week and we each made one (I'm sure Christine will show you hers if you ask nicely.) You can make these for telling stories, dreaming about what you'd love to do, writing poetry, scrap booking, you name it. I decided to make my first one as an instructional tool for showing some color theory and watercolor techniques (for example, you can see I sprinkled some salt on the bottom right corner of the cover to get the paint to push away.) I haven't finished the last 3 page pull out yet. I'm thinking of painting an actual landscape painting applying all the techniques and demonstrating which brushes I use. (I'll add that when I finish). I'll take photos as I teach the class too and I'll let you see what they've created. So more to come! Special thanks and recognition to Teesha Moore for instruction on her blog on how to create Art Journals.

Villa Montalvo Stables

2010-09-16T18:23:00.000-07:00

Today, 9/18/2010... Finished!!! Thankyou Deborah for your suggestion on finishing touches. And now (drum roll please Rich, on to the calendar!)

And now I'm almost finished, but what else does it need ?(beside my signature).

and then...Stables with more color and tree. Halfway there?...

The next day 9-17-2010...Stables with some color...

9-16-2010: Here is my preliminary pen and ink drawing for the Villa Montalvo Stables. I didn't even know it was at Montalvo until someone at the summer luncheons suggested I'd like to paint it. I found it off the last parking lot nestled in the woods. Now it is used as a ceramics studio and for other things, but I can imagine it as it use to be, with the horses nearby ready to retire for the day. Tomorrow I hope to watercolor it and then... I will have all the paintings I need to finish my calendar!! I love the challenge of completing a project. So rewarding.

A Window and Camellias at Villa Montalvo

2010-09-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

I saw this while walking around the Villa and thought it was so pretty I just had to paint it.

Villa Montalvo Domed Resting Spot

2010-09-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

I'm getting closer and closer to finishing the paintings for my calendar! Here is a pretty little resting spot at Villa Montalvo. One day last winter I parked in the lot and then was so surprised to see this dome when I looked up. This one probably will be December in the calendar. Two more to go!

Villa Montalvo in the Springtime

2010-09-10T17:08:00.000-07:00

Villa Montalvo in the Springtime. I just finished this one today but I drew it out while sitting at the beach a few months ago.

Villa Montalvo Wedding Day

2010-09-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a commission I just finished for someone I met at the Montalvo Summer Luncheons. It was fun to paint from the actual photos of this wedding, especially the people. This painting will also be in the calender.

Villa Montalvo Wedding Spot

2010-08-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

Villa Montalvo looks good from every angle and that's why I think it's a great place to paint. Here is the back of the Villa where they have weddings. I thought I'd be finished with this and sell it during the summer luncheons, but I just finished it today (a day after the last luncheon day), so now I'll sell it at the Montalvo Yuletide in November.

I have 7 paintings completed and 5 other paintings from Montalvo drawn out and ready to be painted. Altogether I'll have 12 paintings of the Villa and grounds so hopefully I'll be able to make a calendar! (I love calenders and collect them so it will be fun to make one of my own.)

Villa Montalvo Gift Shop at the Summer Luncheons 2010

2010-08-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Charlene and Christine selling art at Villa Montalvo

Montalvo Summer Gift Shop

Ladies at the Montalvo Summer Luncheons

Hi again! I was pretty busy this summer and couldn't get to my blog, but now it's time to give you an update on some of the things that kept me so busy. Every Wednesday in July and August I was a vendor at Villa Montalvo for their summer luncheon series. This is the first time they tried having a gift shop while the ladies lunched and had a fashion show. For three of the eight weeks I shared a booth with my artist friend, Christine (check out her blog at http://www.christinesarts.blogspot.com/). Across from me was a fantastic jeweler, Cynthia Sasakia. At the other tables were Big Paws Oils and Vinegar, Narsai David's Specialty Foods and the Montalvo Service Group. By the time the 8 weeks were over I became much more familiar with all the setting up and packing away you have to do with a temporary store. So much work, but the funny thing is, now I think I'll miss that routine. It was a great experience and I will consider doing it again next year.

Yellow Iris on a Fountain Tile

2010-05-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

Guess what's happening to my Irises! They're being put onto a very large (15 x 35") high quality tile! This is going to be used as a sample of my artwork on tiles which are suitable for outdoor fountains, patios, pools, on buildings and other places. Wow, this teaches me to never get discouraged if my paintings don't sell right away. These five paintings went from the gallery to the farm to a tile! They may be meant for people and places I've never dreamed of. Woohoo!

Nola's Iris Garden Show on Mother's Day Weekend

2010-05-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

On May 8, I participated in a show with the East Valley Artists (www.eastvalleyartists.org) at Nola's Iris Garden in San Jose, CA. To get to the garden you have to drive up the mountain for a few miles. Once you get there the beauty of it all takes your breath away. This is the show I painted five iris paintings for at Easter time. By the way, Nola sells online if you want a place to buy bulbs. Also, did you notice the rose bush I took a photo of? Someone near by told me it's called, "Joseph's Coat of Many Colors." I've never seen anything like it before.

Gamble Garden Spring House and Garden Tour Art Sale

2010-05-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

Here is the living room of the Gamble Garden House where we sold at their spring house and garden tour in Palo Alto, CA. Christine Harkins (paintings and jewelry), Allison Kreft (blown glass), and Judith Turner (flower photography), were sharing the show with me. This time we went as members of the arts and crafts group called Fabrication.

Gamble Garden Gazebo

2010-04-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

Here is my version of the gazebo at Gamble Garden in Palo Alto, CA. After I set up the sale tables in the living room of the house and put my paintings on easels near the front door, I discovered that there was a large contest that had taken place one month earlier. The artists' tasks were to paint Gamble Garden. The winning painting would be printed on the advertisement for the house tour and it would have posters made of it. Over 40 artists entered and 20 were chosen to show and sell their paintings at an Art in the Garden Show this coming July.... I hadn't heard about the contest before this. What a coincidence that I was painting this gazebo along with many others and I didn't even know it. To tell you the truth, I like mine and I think it's a winner too.

Gamble Garden House in Palo Alto, CA.

2010-04-28T22:55:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I had a show at the Elizabeth F. Gamble House in Palo Alto, CA. They were having a house tour of six houses and gardens in the area with Gamble Garden being the last house on the tour and lunch was provided. Since I was selling there, I thought it would be nice to paint the house and the gardens and make prints, cups, and magnets with the images on them. What a weekend it was. The gardens were filled with flowers, vendors, strolling musicians. people milling around enjoying the wonderful weather. The fragrance of flowers and flowering trees, crepes and scones was in the air. And even though I was working, I got the benefit of being in wonderful company on a perfect weekend.

One Creative Family!

2010-04-28T22:23:00.001-07:00

Here's a little window into my life. Paint the paintings, clean up to color eggs and have fun with the fam (yes, those monocles are really egg holders!), clean up to frame the paintings... Can anyone ask for more? I'm really blessed.

Easter Iris

2010-04-28T22:06:00.001-07:00

Here's the 5th painting in Iris Collection. I call it Easter Iris because I finished on Easter Sunday, a day before I had to hang the paintings in the Gallery. As I was framing them I started to go slower and slower and realized soon afterward that I was getting sick with the flu. However, before I quit to lie down, I looked at the painting again and thought how much of a coincidence that it was in the shape of a cross and on Easter. Other things began to stand out to me too. The flower is purple like royalty, the leaves are like the thorns on Jesus's "crown", the top petal looks like linen and like an empty tomb, and the red, yellow and orange color around the flower is like a choir of thousands singing with triumphant voices that "He is Risen!" Yes, He is risen indeed!

Iris, Blue

2010-04-11T14:42:00.001-07:00

Want to know what happened with this one? Again, I thought I was finished and signed it but the background was so bright that it looked more like a cut and paste or a poster to me. So I thought I'd paint more leaves here and there to set in the flower. It became more wild than ever!...but I like it and think I might have started something.....

Irises, Purple and Yellow

2010-04-10T19:50:00.001-07:00

The inspiration for these Irises was taken from flowers in my front yard, but with the yellow coloring of some from my friend Beth's yard. My husband came through the door yesterday and said, "I think you dropped a painting in the front yard." Of course I had to see which one... and it was the flowers.

Irises in the Field of Flowers (or, Take Cover! Twister Blowin' Through!)

2010-04-09T16:12:00.001-07:00

Hello friends! Here are before and after photos of this painting. After I finished and signed it I thought it still needed a few more flowers in the field. The funny thing is though, by the time I got around to adding them I had an unexpected argument with someone. It was like a spring storm blew into my dining room (where I was painting) and it gave me super boldness to add those extra flowers (every single little dab of boldness!) I like both versions, but you sure can tell there was a change in weather!

Yellow Irises

2010-04-01T14:06:00.001-07:00

Time to paint for Gallery Saratoga again (new paintings go up on Monday for April) , and I've decided to paint a series of irises. Why did I choose irises? Well, first of all because I love them so much. I mean I really delight in them. We had blue, purple and yellow irises in our yard in Massachusetts when I was growing up, and in my Grandfather's yard across the street. Irises are at the top of my list of favorite flowers along with yellow roses and hollyhocks (also in my childhood gardens.)
I think God made such an elegantly beautiful flower in the iris. In fact, I started painting this particular flower in acrylics on an 18x24 canvas, but I didn't feel confident that I could bring out the delicate flowing lines in acrylics, so I switched to drawing and watercolor.
The other reason I chose irises is that there's going to be a show at Nola's Iris Garden on Sierra Road in San Jose on May 8 and 9th (come by if you can), so if they don't sell at the Gallery in April, I can just take them over to Nola's in May. I have another show in April and many more I've signed up for throughout the year, so it's much better I plan ahead to avoid getting nervous or have to stay up all night painting. (I've done this many times before, but if you can't think straight or talk coherently to people at the show because of sleep deprivation, what's the point?) Keep tuned, at least 4 more irises to come...

Painting with a Friend

2010-03-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I painted for 6 hours straight with someone who was so eager to learn. Gabby and I painted while my son David played the piano for our background music. What a special day it was! Thank you Gabby and David! You are the best!

Woodland Walk (Part 7-the Finished Product)

2010-03-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

And I'm finished with the Woodland Walk!! I've learned so much about painting with acrylics from doing this painting. Thank you to Christine, Jonathan, Bethany, Rich and Barbra Joan for helping me along with great suggestions. I'm about 5 months early with this commission so woohoo, now I can play! Off to paint a watercolor next.

Woodland Walk (part 6)

2010-03-15T19:37:00.001-07:00

The Walkers! I made a b&w copy of the original photo and the blew it up 200, 275, and 300%.
I chose the 200% size and taped it to carbon paper and then those to the painting. Then I outlined the figures with pencil on the photo. The carbon comes right off when you paint.

Woodland Walk (part 4)

2010-03-14T18:37:00.001-07:00

Here's the Woodland Walk after 2&1/2 more hours of work. I defined more midground trees and then I got brave and started putting in a heavy fog rolling through the whole painting! Once I got started I couldn't stop! It's hard to feel like you're "messing up" all the previous work you took hours getting "just right", but changing the mood to what you want trumps being perfect!
(I cut off the tree on the left in this photo, but I had to show you Cozette begging to go out. She matches the color of the painting too!)

Woodland Walk (part 3)

2010-03-13T23:24:00.000-08:00

Its now 11:45pm but really 12:45 with daylight savings. I went back to painting tonight and have been at it for about 4 more hours. I'm happy with the way it's turning out, but it still needs alot of work. I may try to get more of a misty feel again by glazing over it with grayish paint, maybe not. Some of the trees are transparent, so I'll have to give them some more paint. Then I put in the stars of the show, the walkers, and detail it, and then I'm done!

How to have fun procrastinating...

2010-03-03T13:52:00.001-08:00

Today I feel the way my dogs look... so I did some creative procrastinating. I brushed the dogs for about 3 hours, I added 33 new art (some food) blog sites as favorites to follow (check them out on bottom of the page, they're great! Thanks Christine!), and I searched on my photos for things to paint (my cat Chino who never minds me taking his photo.) Now I'm watching the rain pouring down and talking about art with my son that came for a visit. Time to get my daughter from school. I enjoyed this parenthesis. See ya next time...

Beach House in Southern California

2010-03-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of doing a commissioned painting of this beautiful beach house in Southern California. I'm finding I love the challenge of painting architecture and indoor living spaces as much as I love painting rural landscapes.

Van Wickle Gates in the Fall

2010-02-15T13:17:00.001-08:00

Here is a watercolor I painted in December '09 of the Van Wickle Gates from Brown University in Rhode Island. This was a commissioned painting from someone who saw the first "Gates" painting I posted here on my blog on 2/22/09. To make this one unique, I drew out parts of the painting with ink, and changed the season and color palette. This time I painted the bricks in front with a kind of plaid coloring to remind one of chilly Fall air and the east coast woolens.

I love the challenge of painting commissions. Matching a person's idea of what they'd like to receive with my interpreting it into a painting for them is like puzzle work to me, only easier since I get to make it up. Hopefully the finished product is better than what we both expected. In this case I know we were both happy with the result.

Chickens and Checks

2010-02-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

Now this was fun to do. I thought I'd take a break from painting larger paintings and create these little 5x7's. My friends and I brainstormed about what to make from these and I can't wait to do it!

Jonathan's Paintings: Landscape with Gates from Frank Clarke's DVD

2010-02-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

Here's a special treat for you. My son, Jonathan, is painting now and here's a landscape he did from the Simply Painting instructional DVD taught by the Irish artist, Frank Clarke. This DVD is called, Introduction to Acrylics, Landscapes. Frank is light-hearted and a great teacher. I'm looking forward to showing you more paintings from Jonathan in the future.

Sunflower Farm in Gilroy, CA

2010-02-08T17:50:00.001-08:00

This farm was across the street from the seed flower farm in Gilroy. So much yellow, orange and green in one place. I painted it on a full sheet of watercolor paper and had it professionally matted and framed for my gallery show.

The Lavender Farm in Oregon

2010-01-31T16:39:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone! I'm back after a very long work spell. I have so much to tell you about and to show you! This is my latest painting of a lavender farm I saw last summer. We were driving on the Historic Columbia River Highway on our way to see the famous Columbia Gorge and the double waterfall there when someone pointed out that they saw a lavender farm off the side of the road. A lavender farm they said? You mean I could stop regretting that I didn't sign up for the dreamy painting trip to Provence? Yes, I could! The lavender farm was right next to me in Oregon! How many people reading this love lavender? Let me hear you shout it out! Alright, me too!

Flower Farm in Gilroy

2009-12-01T11:20:00.001-08:00

Hot off the press! I just finished this painting last night. I took the photo while on a road trip to Los Angeles with my daughter, Katherine, this summer. I was snapping photos along the way when to my great and delighted surprise I saw this flower/seed farm at the 101 and 152 junction in Gilroy, California. Then I looked to my right and saw a sunflower farm! I've already drawn that one out on paper and I'm ready to paint it today. Both of these paintings will be ready to show for my artist's reception at Gallery Saratoga on Dec 12th. Come on by!

Villa Montalvo on a Throw Blanket

2009-11-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this! My Villa Montalvo painting on a throw blanket! The throw is a large, 53"x 71" , thick, 100% cotton, made in the USA blanket. I've bought two throws like this in the past from gift shops and specialty stores and now I'm thrilled I can sell throws with my own paintings on them.

Fairy Land

2009-11-28T14:50:00.000-08:00

I just finished the Fairy Land painting this morning while listening to some beautiful Celtic music sung by Heather Dale. (I highly recommend her music www.heatherdale.com) Why do I always want to stop at only drawing the pen and ink picture (see October 26th's entry). Color is the life and soul of the painting! I think I may be heading toward children's book illustrating one small step at at time.

Holiday Gift Bags

2009-11-07T20:01:00.001-08:00

I just finished the first holiday boutique of the 'o9 holiday season. My kitchen table was converted to the manufacturing and packaging center complete with stations for making cards, magnets, lavender sachets and bookmarks. What an understanding family I have to let me take over the dining room for a while.
The Unique Boutique in Sunnyvale California is a wonderful little shop run by seniors. It was the first shop I sold anything in and I love the ladies that are in it.

Proteus Flowers

2009-10-28T23:08:00.001-07:00

These South African Proteus flowers thrive in the Southern part of Australia too. I painted these flowers on a Get Well card while in Australia for my brother's friend who had a bike accident. I hear he's better now though still not 100%, 4 months later.

Fairy Land Drawing

2009-10-26T11:40:00.001-07:00

This weekend while I was watching my daughter's soccer tournament in Fresno, I drew out a "Fairy Land". I'm at the point where I think the drawing is finished and don't want to wreck it by messing up on the painting, but I must press on. I got the idea for doing this when a patron at the Coffee Society asked if I could do a fairy painting and put it on a cup since his wife loves fairies. I've loved the idea of fairies since I clapped my hands for Tinkerbell to live, and she did! I'll post the painting when it's finished.

Cabin Pine Cones and Leaves

2009-09-30T20:28:00.001-07:00

What can I say? When God makes the raw materials for a painting, and they fall from the trees to the ground in just the right position for a painting, can I really take the credit for it? I just want to praise the Creator who does all things well.

p.s. this little painting found a loving home and I'm happy it did.

Little Cabin in the Woods

2009-09-30T20:10:00.001-07:00

My husband encouraged me to walk down the hill a bit and look at the cabin from a new angle since the trees were cleared and new pathways were available to us. I hadn't seen it look quite so picturesque before, though it does look very beautiful in the snow. My imagination took hold and I had to draw all the rocks and boulders with a pen before I painted it. I've been wanting to use this kind of style even more since I painted this picture.

Years ago Rich's great step-grandmother made a beautiful garden all around the cabin. I wanted this painting to sing out echoes of it's former glory.

Deer at the Cabin

2009-09-30T20:03:00.001-07:00

Again, I love seeing deer in the woods...

Cabin View

2009-09-28T21:04:00.001-07:00

This is the view from the back deck of our cabin in the Sierra foothills. We just had some trees removed so we can see the view of the next mountain range. I painted the same spot for Cabin Dreams, but it looks very different from that painting. This is the 2nd time I posted this painting (see April 19th). Since I had this painting already, I had the idea to build on it to make a collection of one of my favorite places.

Cabin Rest

2009-09-28T20:57:00.001-07:00

What do you know. On the back deck of the cabin we have a hammock for dreaming, but on the side deck we have a hammock for resting. The hammock was actually blue and white stripes, but I wanted to paint it like Joseph's coat of many colors.

Cabin Dreams

2009-09-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

At our cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills, we have this peaceful spot off the back deck where we can nap as long as we want to. Heres to the lazy summer days at the cabin.

The Making of the Cabin Collection

2009-09-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

Hi! In this entry I want to show you what it was like at the end of July, beginning of August for me. I took on this project of making an entirely new collection of paintings to hang at the gallery for August. I've been in the gallery since February and have had to provide from 5 to 8 new paintings each month (with a few I could carry over from a previous month.) So by the time August rolled around I ran out of new and slightly reused paintings! The only thing I could do was to paint like a madwoman... 7 paintings in 2 weeks! I drew on my old elementary school teaching skills to "assembly line" each step of the way. First, I drew them all out. Then I painted one background, and while that was drying I started another and then another and another....

In the second picture you see the framing process. Same assembly line mentality. You never know when you will use the skills you learned for another job on a totally different job. I remembered when I was teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and had to prepare the crafts for 25 to 75 kids. This felt so much like that.

The last picture shows the paintings hung at the gallery. I finished 6 of the 7 paintings. One is still here in the studio waiting on me for inspiration. Since then 2 of the paintings found good homes. I'm glad I finished it since now I can bring six of them to another show I'll be attending in Roseville on October 17th. That'll be a piece of cake now that I have all the paintings I need for it.

Gallery Saratoga Garden Party and Art Show 8-09

2009-09-27T15:25:00.001-07:00

We had a lovely garden party and art show hosted by Gallery Saratoga this August. A jazz band played while people looked at the art. I shared my booth with two other artist friends. Fun for all.

Villa Montalvo

2009-09-26T19:37:00.001-07:00

After I finished taking photos, I walked to the middle of the grass, sat down, and drew out this picture. I had my paints all set out and ready to go, but I only had time to draw that day. Later I drew over my pencil lines with pen and ink and added more details to the picture. I decided to keep most of what I did Au plein air and not to correct it too much. I liked the spontaneous feel it gave to the painting. Oh, the pink tree in the front was painted using my artistic license...

No, I'm not getting paid by Villa Montalvo to promote them. I chose to do that all on my own. But I did discover they're having a holiday arts and crafts show on November 20, 21 and 22 this year and I applied to sell at a table there. This came about because I gave some cards I made of some of these paintings to someone who works with my husband, since she's a member of the Friends of Montalvo group, and that same day she emailed me about this show! What a pleasent coincidence!

Some of the people who saw these paintings said they remind them of story book illustrations. I had the idea to publish a small book of some kind with these paintings in it to sell at the show. What do you think? Any suggestions?

To finish the Wikipedia article, I'll post the part about what Villa Montalvo is doing today:

Villa Montalvo today

Today, Villa Montalvo is a private non-profit arts center called Montalvo Arts Center. The 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of hiking trails are maintained through a partnership with Santa Clara County. The park and arts center are open to the public. Funding support is provided by the Friends of Montalvo memberships, as well as foundation grants, other private donations, and earned income via ticket sales and rental fees. More than 600 volunteers donate thousands of hours annually to support the arts programs and maintenance of the villa and grounds.

Since 1939, the estate has hosted "artists-in-residence" who live and work on the property. Artists range from musicians, painters, actors, writers and architects. While in residence, the participants produce works and give performances. Since Montalvo started its artist-in-residence program, more than 600 artists from 20 countries have participated. In the fall of 2004, Montalvo opened Sally and Don Lucas Artists Programs which offers facilities and staff supportive of the creative process as well as state-of-the-art technology.

A small gallery, called the Project Space, as well as the box office, are located in the building between the mansion and the Carriage House Theater. Montalvo and its arts programs serve nearly 200,000 visitors each year.

Muses in the Fountain at Villa Montalvo

2009-09-26T19:15:00.001-07:00

In the courtyard behind the Villa I found this beautiful fountain. I loved the way the sculptor created these three ladies. One can only imagine the story behind their emotions. I'm going on a fact finding mission to find out, but for now I'll post the painting my imagination came up with. The fountain itself had layers of dried minerals of all colors running down the forms of the ladies.
It wasn't too much of a stretch for me to imagine them in flowing watercolors.

Here again is what Wikipedia has to say about how the Villa was named. Does it mention who these mysterious ladies may be? Perhaps...

Phelan named Villa Montalvo in honor of the popular 16th century Spanish writer Garci Ordonez de Montalvo. Montalvo coined the name "California" in one of his fables. In it he described an island rich with gold and jewels, peopled by Amazons ruled by a queen named Califia. The Amazons in the fable rode griffins, mythical winged guardians of precious treasure. Griffins can be found throughout the arts center grounds, standing guard over Phelan's precious gift.

Did I mention that on the left and right of the ladies are winged creatures?

The Red Hat Ladies at Villa Montalvo

2009-09-26T18:43:00.001-07:00

When we arrived at the Villa on that lovely day, we discovered there was a very fancy luncheon going on where all the guests were dressed in their finest. The grand piano was playing favorite songs in the background while the diners were eating both inside the Villa and on the veranda. My eye was captured by these ladies who were all wearing Red Hats. They were from the Red Hat Society, a group of women who celebrate their age (being over 50) and the particular wisdom that only comes from living long and learning from the many experiences life has to offer.

The original owner of this Villa, Senator Phelan, also entertained many famous people here in his day. Here's another timely quote from Wikipedia:
During his lifetime, Phelan hosted many celebrities and notables of the era as guests at Montalvo. Jack London, Ethel Barrymore, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Edwin Markham were among Phelan's many guests. Though not his only home, Villa Montalvo was one of Phelan's favorites and is where he died.
I close my eyes to picture one of the luncheons in his day and hear the grand piano playing in the background, and I'm glad we can still do the same today.

Columns in the Courtyard at Villa Montalvo

2009-09-26T18:16:00.001-07:00

In my previous post I showed you my artist friends at Villa Montalvo. If you turn to see what they're sketching, you'll see this lovely pillared walkway. I particularly liked the way the shadows created the same beautiful patterns on the pillars.

Here is another portion of the Wikipedia article:

In 1911, James D. Phelan, a three-term mayor of San Francisco, California who would go on to be California's first popularly elected US Senator, purchased 160 acres (65 ha) in the Saratoga countryside and foothills.

Phelan began construction of the mansion in 1912. The initial supervising architect was William Curlett. When he died in 1914, his son, Alex Curlett, took over supervision along with partner Charles E. Gottschalk. The construction of the building was completed that same year.

Upon his death, Phelan bequeathed Montalvo thus:

"I would like the property at Saratoga, California, known as Villa Montalvo, to be maintained as a public park open under reasonable restrictions, the buildings and grounds immediately surrounding the same to be used as far as possible for the development of art, literature, music, and architecture by promising students."

Though I may never live in a mansion like this one, I'm so glad it's being shared with fellow artists and with the community. I'm thankful for Senator Phelan's gracious intent. I love the concerts and plays given at Villa Montalvo and I know it has inspired me to paint.

Villa Montalvo Artists

2009-09-26T18:09:00.001-07:00

My friends settled in to sketch and paint Villa Montalvo from the side and I thought they made a beautiful picture. A gazebo behind them added to the beauty of the scene. While they were painting, I decided to walk around and take photos of the grounds. Thanks to my friends for the inspiration!

Villa Montalvo: Stairs to Heaven

2009-09-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

After so many months I'm back to update the blog. I missed you all and I missed doing the blog! I'm going to start by showing you some paintings I'm currently working on called the Villa Montalvo Series. I've painted 6 and I have 4 small ones drawn out and ready to paint. Three are hanging in the Gallery Saratoga this month. Villa Montalvo is a beautiful set of buildings that use to be owned by a prominent Senator in the area. Here's what Wikipedia says:

Villa Montalvo is an Italian Mediterranean style mansion nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in Saratoga, California, United States. It was constructed from 1912 to 1914 by California statesman and businessman James Duval Phelan. After Phelan's death, it was donated to the state as a park and then a cultural and arts center, as it exists today. It is a historic landmark and in 1978 was awarded inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

Myself and my two artist friends (two followers of my blog, guess who...) decided to paint and photograph the Villa one day. Soon after we got there we settled in and I turned around to see these wonderful stairs cut into the hill. I just knew I had to paint them. Later when I got home I saw the pink roses arching over the top of my photo. This was just the start of what would be a magically wonderful day.

Fleur: On the Front Porch

2009-07-19T00:41:00.000-07:00

Fleur is a little store in Aptos, Ca. They sell wonderful things for the home and garden. I was even inspired by her front porch so I painted it in watercolor/pen and ink. This will be the first in a series of paintings I'll make cards and prints from. The owner, Nancy, actually has a beautiful standard poodle that stays with her in the store sometimes. This one on the porch is made of iron.

Gallery Flowers #2: Red, Orange and Yellow Lovelies

2009-07-18T23:14:00.000-07:00

Fun, pure fun. I just had to paint the flowers at the gallery again. Someone brought in these red and yellow flowers (can anyone tell me their name?) and I painted while it was my turn to sit. It's great to just let the colors flow and play with the salt. Look at the colors in the photo of Hildy's lovely loon paintings and pink, yellow and orange seascape on the wall to the right of the desk. I let them inspire the background of the painting. And yes, that's really how I set up to paint this time.

Seascape Beach Resort Wedding Bluff #5

2009-07-18T22:57:00.001-07:00

Hello my blogging friends! I've been back from Australia for about a month now and getting back into my routine, though it is summertime and I'm still going with the flow around here. I have many more great photos to show you of my trip, but they will come along later. I've been painting little paintings in between attending a wedding, a memorial service, framing for the gallery, family gatherings, cooking for groups of teenagers and hungry 20 somethings, watching fireworks at the beach, two road trips to L.A. with my actress daughter Katherine, tending to 2 sick dogs one week after another.... you get the idea.
Thought I'd show you one painting from that continuing series I have. How many ways can you paint one place? Well, this is #6 (#5 flopped) and I'm working on what may be my personal favorite, #7 (show you that soon.) Since it is a place for weddings I decided to throw roses on the path. Then I put the tree shadows all along it and the grass. I think the effect is interesting. It's like one of those seeing double paintings where it can look like shadows and petals on the sidewalk or a crumpled up red and white sheet. Oh the fun of painting.

Driving home from Churchill Island--Day 7

2009-06-12T19:52:00.001-07:00

Here are some images that caught my eye on the drive home from Churchill Island. I was sorry to leave this haven for animals, but as you can see in the last photo, no U-Turns (any way you look at it.)

Churchill Isand-- Day 7

2009-06-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

I love farms and farm animals! Rich, do you think we can retire on a very small farm? I loved visiting Churchill Island, a historical settlement by one of the first governors in the area.

Phillip Island-- Day 6

2009-06-12T19:10:00.001-07:00

The Penguin Parade!! I was here 17 years ago with my two older girls, Aletheia and Katherine, and was glad to show Bethany the penguins waddling in from the ocean. This time there were no cameras allowed at all past the visitor center, so I took photos inside and drew a sketch of the area while sitting on the bleachers. This has to be one of the most strikingly beautiful places on the earth, the kind all set up for a painting. Too bad there was no photography, but the penguins are upset by flash photography they say. What a memorable time we all had.

Koala Conservation Center on Phillip Island--Day 6

2009-06-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

Koalas, koalas, koalas! and a wallaby thrown in as a bonus!