On Being There

The image on my blog's home page and the one for this post were done while I was at our annual Shellmouth retreat, which I have talked about at length in previous post's. I guess I can't say enough about the event. What I do know is that I have made some life long friends there and to me that has been the most valuable gift of the place. It seems that I have only touched the surface of the land down there with respect to my plein air work as there is much to paint in that lovely little valley. This year marked my tenth time down there!

Paintings from Shellmouth Retreat

I mentioned in a previous post titled "Observation" my interest in Goldfinches that were visiting the weedpatch next to my home. I was enamored by the contrast of their feathers against the purple flowers of the thistles that they enjoy eating so I decided to do an oil painting based on that vision. I found a canvas that I had started a number of years ago that fit the theme and finished it off with the painting knife. The painting sold instantly! I did another in watercolor and it also sold. I will have to do another for myself.