Vineyard in Napa Valley

Ah, vineyards. I love the orderliness of their clean, straight lines that stretch on till you can't see them any more. I love how the vines change color with each of the seasons. I appreciate all the planning and hard work it takes to produce those grapes and the delicious things that come from them. When I was painting this I was also reminded that Jesus said He is the Vine and we are the Branches and if we abide in Him, we'll bear much fruit. So as I reflected on this truth I remembered that no matter what happens in my life (good or bad in my eyes) it's all going to help to produce good fruit when and since I abide in Him.
Here I've painted a large, 24x36 acrylic painting of a vineyard in Napa Valley in the fall. I got my inspiration from a photo of the Castello di Amorosa Vineyard taken by Rick Klau. The original painting is now hanging in Gallery Saratoga for the month of January. If you live in the area come on by to see it!

Van Wickle Gates in the Fall

Here is a watercolor I painted in December '09 of the Van Wickle Gates from Brown University in Rhode Island. This was a commissioned painting from someone who saw the first "Gates" painting I posted here on my blog on 2/22/09. To make this one unique, I drew out parts of the painting with ink, and changed the season and color palette. This time I painted the bricks in front with a kind of plaid coloring to remind one of chilly Fall air and the east coast woolens.

I love the challenge of painting commissions. Matching a person's idea of what they'd like to receive with my interpreting it into a painting for them is like puzzle work to me, only easier since I get to make it up. Hopefully the finished product is better than what we both expected. In this case I know we were both happy with the result.

From A to Z: Rancho San Antonio Park

This painting is one of my personal favorites since this is one of my favorite parks to walk in. We went on many field trips here to see their working farm called Deer Hollow Farm. Docent tours also offered talks to my school age children on the life of the American Indians that originally lived in the area.
A good healthy walk or bike ride through the oak woods and open hills to the top of the hill will rewards you with a panoramic view of the entire San Fransisco Bay Area. I suggest you make it a point to visit this park at least once in your life.

From A to Z: North Georgia Trail (My Dwelling Place)

This was a commission for someone who wished to have a painting of good memories of when she rode horses in woods just like these.

From A to Z: (In the) Forest

This painting was copied from an art book for a class study.

From A to Z: Fisherman's Fall Paradise

This painting is dedicated to Bill and Franco and to all those fishermen who love get up in the middle of the night to hike miles into the woods in search of the perfect catch.

From A to Z: Fallen Leaf Stream

One of my favorite places to be in the Fall. We've many rivers and streams just like this near our cabin in Nevada City, California.