From January.
It`s interesting returning to my home state of California and seeing what it has become. Always the model for the rest of the country, technologies, ideas, and politics get tested here first.
The air was so bad when I left in 1972, it hurt to breathe. Mountains just a few miles away were invisible unless the wind howled. Very bleak. Then they tried bold strategies involving auto emission standards to barbecuing regulations. It got cleaner!
Even with millions more living there now, it`s a much better, nicer place.
This was a rare and perfect time to visit the central coast. It had rained. Once predictably annual in winter, it is now very special. Enough had fallen for the landscape to become green;
We saw some unusual landscapes;
My friends were well and generous with their time and attention. California suits them and they deserve its pleasures. My plein air adventure with Marcia Burtt was fun though we did more talking than painting. This is defensible, she is quite interesting and artists are alone so much of the time. This oak tree is almost, but not quite complete;
What really got me excited was the progress I made in understanding the painting app Art Rage for I-pad. I played with it on the plane and finally made some sense of it. Ever since seeing David Hockney`s efforts, I`ve been intrigued. If he can do it, so can I. There are probably newer and easier programs now but this is the one I have. Making the abstract 'painting' below had me transfixed from San Francisco to Portland. It`s just a doodle but I learned how to use some of the tools.
The portability and convenience make this so appealing! I could sit comfortably in my lawn chair while everyone struggles to unfold their French easels in the proper sequence.
In April, we`re going to spend a night here. I`ve always wanted to just stand in a houseboat. This is going to be fun!
Wouldn`t you love to hear what he made that thing do?
work for sale in my studio
next studio demonstration is Sat. March 14, 10 am
4 comments:
The oak tree is gorgeous; what more needs to be done?
You and I share another thing in common; a love of houseboats!
The photos are gorgeous-thank you. You captured some of the best ideas of California's landscape.
Glad that the trip went well and that the visiting was good. A houseboat trip too? That sounds sort of fantastical doesn't it? I looked at the photos and wondered how all of the dishes stayed in place but I guess the water is calm.
A great post as always-thanks.
Libby
PS-My husband remembers the air in Southern California in much the same way-smoggy and not much visibility. I understand things have improved over the years, as you mentioned.
I hope you read that 2-volume bio of Hockney. I mentioned Vol. 2 in a recent All Art Friday.
I'm really intrigued by the iPad painting you've done. It needs a poem to accompany it.
Liking the oil on yupo combo. Hope to see you demo it soon!
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