One of the places I really wanted to go to when in California was Mendocino. I had heard a lot about it over the years, how it was a haven for the sixties generation and artists of every make and colour. Going there wasn't a disappointment and it lived up to all my expectations. Mendocino is actually quite a small little village, probably not much larger than Manitou Beach. The architecture is quaint and funky and there are strict guidelines in place to ensure it remains that way. Crystal and Michael let me loose with my pastels for a little over an hour so I made good use of my time by heading down to the edge of the village, close to the ocean, and set myself up close to some other plein air painters who were up from Berkley, CA for the day. I felt right at home. This pastel is one of the two pieces I managed to complete in my time allotment. Nothing like a deadline to get me moving!
