California Art Club...

So I was supposed to meet some artists at a park in Pasadena. I had no idea who they were because the invite was through Facebook. I figured, "what the heck? Go someplace new, see a new landscape and meet some new artists." When I got to the park, no one was to be found. I asked some nearby women if I was at the right place. Turns out I was, but still no other artists to be found. When I mentioned to them why I was there, one said that she saw a whole bunch of people down the road with easels. I took a chance and sure enough there were a whole bunch of artist there with a bunch of easels. But they weren't painting. They were exhibiting their work right outside. They weren't the people I was supposed to meet, instead these people comprised some the the members of the California Art club, a club I had intended to join at some point but simply never got around to it. This outdoor exhibit that I had fortuitously ran into only shows once a year. It was beshert, (yiddish for fate) that I was here on this day and this place. Some of the work showing was quite good. I joined the club that very day actually!

Since I had my paints with me already, I decided not to pass up some painting time, so I set up down in a valley with a view of this bridge in Pasadena. Turns out another painter had the same idea, and his name was Richard Gallego. We got to talking and he was a totally nice guy, very outgoing and passionate about en plein air work too. We exchanged info and have already went painting at an amazing location.

While I was painting the bridge, I noticed a hole in the ground by my right foot. Throughout the course of the day, an inquisitive ground hog kept on sticking his head out and inspecting my painting. It was pretty funny. I wonder if he saw my shadow...Overall, a very good day!!

Miami Paintings!

So I spent a month in Miami with my brother David and his girlfriend Astrid. He was kind enough to let me crash in his extra bedroom for a long time! He has a beautiful place, kind of dark for my liking since his keeps most lights off, but beautiful nonetheless. I brought my easel and paints, of course, to keep myself sane and enjoy the outdoors. Since I had no form of transportation, I just walked around his place, painting whatever struck my fancy. This one was painted from my brother's building, overlooking the highway to go to Miami Beach, I believe. It was the first one that I did in Miami and perhaps my favorite...A maintenance man from his building came by to see if I was up to no good. My guess is that some occupant noticed me and must have been scared by my intimidating presence...hehehe...




Here is a view of my brother's building from the street. Pretty cool design for a building I must say. David mentioned that Michael Jordan lives here, but I never actually saw him. I was pleased in how I simplified the scene. I did have to remove a house in front of his building. It kind of marred the view, in the painting and in real life too!


So this is the view of his building from the other side. In order to get this view properly, I had to walk a ways down some highway on the shoulder to get far enough away to see the entire building. It was a bit sketchy there because David mentioned that an encampment of sexual offenders had taken up residence a short distance away. Turns out that those offenders in the system are not allowed to live in the city of Miami within a certain distance to schools. Because there are so many schools, living on the side of the highway was the only option. The police know about this and do not disturb them too much. They do go there to kick out homeless street people because they are not allowed to mingle with the convicted sexual predators. Perhaps that is why I finished this painting in less than an hour and a half!! Miami is a place like no other.