September in Napa 2

September in Napa 2, oil on hardboard, 14x11"

Recently I found some precut hardboards at my local art supply store.  The price was reasonable, so I bought two to try. I had to gesso them which was enjoyable; the Ampersand gessobords that I usually paint on, come pre-gessoed, so it has taken some of the hands-on process away. When I was in college, I used power tools to make my own stretcher bars, stretched and stapled the canvas taut until it pinged (was hard on my hands), and then applied three coats of gesso. It was a ground-up process, and I loved it.  The hardboards turned out to be to my liking so I can paint a little bigger for a reasonable price. September in Napa 2 is referenced from another photo taken by my sister on a recent visit to her "second home".  The composition was so straightforward I had a bit of difficulty with it. I think, in the end, I liked the way the shadowed vines in the foreground broke up the space.

"September in Napa"

oil on hardboard

11x14"

Yesterday after a quick warm-up painting, I hunkered down with some beautiful photos taken by my sister Claire. She visited her "second home" in September and sent me a lot of photos. When I began painting, I thought it would be nice to document various stages of the painting, starting with the toned board and sketch and progressing to the end. The first photo is the finished painting and then they progress henceforth. Let me know what you think.

Long-legged

Long-legged, oil on board, 16x20"

I really need to get a phone with a better camera. I took several photos of this painting, and I feel like it still isn't represented to the best of its ability.  Regardless, I loved these long-legged vines.  I wish I knew what varietal they are.  When I was painting the background, I blurred the photo so I wouldn't get to caught up in the nitty gritty, i.e. the details. The abstraction was fun to do, and still shows the depth of space.

Evening Vineyard

Evening Vineyard, oil on canvas, 14x18"

The photo of this painting is actually much duller then the actual painting. I am not sure how to remedy this at this moment. Just imagine it very vivid and alive. While painting it was difficult at first to switch from a vertical orientation of the vineyards to horizontal.  But it was fun because of the light and brilliance that help guide my brush.

Cypress

Cypress, oil on gessobord, 5x7 inches

I began painting again one year ago this month, and I started with similar subject matter as this. Conical trees sitting amongst a vast landscape. You see them everywhere, but do you truly notice them? These trees are lucky to live in California, in the Napa Valley, surrounded by hilly vineyards. The property they rest on contains a 13th century Italian castle that was built after it was brought from its homeland and pieced together.  Wrought iron hardware made by artisans centuries ago hold it all together. I don't know how long the project took from start to finish, nor can I imagine the cost of such a project, but it is fascinating nonetheless.

The driveway to the castle winds up the Napa hillside (where else would a castle rest), and is lined mesmerizingly with these cypress, catching the light and casting their shadows.

Palm Trees, Napa

Palm Trees, Napa, oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

Yes there are palm trees in upper California, mostly imported for decorative purposes. The climate is still mild enough that they thrive.  This painting was so much fun to paint once I got it sketched out on the board.  I have only attempted palms one other time, and I will say, it was great!

This driveway went waaaaayy back, completely palm tree lined, to the main house of the vineyard.

Country Lane

Country Lane, oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

Despite having had a decent day to photograph this painting, I must say the image above turned out too light. I don't have photoshop, and the basic color editing program on my macbook distorts other colors if you try and boost particulars, so I leave it alone.  This painting made me happy to paint because it put me right back in the car, stopping to take a picture of the plethora of vineyards in the area, on the way to a wine tasting   *BIG SMILE*

Red Among the Vines

Red Among the Vines, oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

On a country road that leads to my brother-in-law's home outside of the city of Napa are many beautiful red barns in their fields of grapes. These barns remind me of a red version of the old black tobacco barns that used to dot the state of Kentucky.  I always loved the basilica design of these simple, functional structures. They resembled Renaissance Cathedral architectural design, such as the Church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, who's steps I sat on two summers ago.

Regardless of the architectural influences, the barns are always beautiful. Red or black, they always catch my eyes as if they are protecting their field like a watchful beacon.

Over the Top, Napa

Over the Top, Napa, oil on gessobord, 6x6 inches

I've been participating in a wonderful challenge since New Year's Day called "Thirty in Thirty" organized by online artist, Leslie Saeta.  The objective is to produce one small painting a day and post it. I have been doing this almost everyday, but thought it would be good to start 2015 off with a bang!  I occasionally produce more than one on a given day, to work ahead if you will, then if I have a hectic work day somewhere along the lines(always!) I have one ready to post.  Because of wanting to complete 30 paintings, I have also allowed myself to paint less intricate or detailed paintings and work on sketches, or even abstractly. This is a nice change of pace and still works my painting muscles!

This little scene was the grand, long driveway of a winery in Napa, CA overlooking the hills that go on forever. 

Deck seat over the Vineyard

Deck seat over the Vineyard, oil on gessobord, 6x8 inches

sold

I painted this of my brother-in-law's deck overlooking a field of grapevines near Napa. It's is a place for me that allows complete decompression from the real world, and definitely a world away from Louisville. The best thing about it? It's the serene, natural mental environment that demands a glass of wine.