Artist Painting San Clemente Part 1
I have been missing in action at the San Clemente Plein Air Competition all last week. My friend, Linda Williams, was nice enough to allow me to stay with her at her wonderful condo overlooking the San Clemente Pier. I invaded with easels, paints, frames, artwork and a car full of stuff.
After I settling in, I decided to paint the view from the balcony overlooking the pier. The June gloom had not entirely lifted, and a fog bank hovered along the horizon but the sun was out and it turned the ocean a lovely turquoise. Not a bad view for me to enjoy all week.
The next morning I had signed up to go over to Casa Romantica, which was right next door. I walked from the condo to the magnificent keyhole entryway. The inside did not disappoint with beautiful gardens and wonderful details like this wood carved portal.
Keyhole Doorway
After I settling in, I decided to paint the view from the balcony overlooking the pier. The June gloom had not entirely lifted, and a fog bank hovered along the horizon but the sun was out and it turned the ocean a lovely turquoise. Not a bad view for me to enjoy all week.
The next morning I had signed up to go over to Casa Romantica, which was right next door. I walked from the condo to the magnificent keyhole entryway. The inside did not disappoint with beautiful gardens and wonderful details like this wood carved portal.
Keyhole Doorway
Garden with Wood Carving
These photos were actually taken the first day. The morning I was to paint, the sky was again overcast so, I decided to look around for a different view. My wondering led me to the patio overlooking the ocean. Facing the Casa, I was caught by the stairs leading up into the building. With the overcast sky, the shadows through the arches were a series of subtle colors that appealed to me. Casa Steps is the result of that day and is on display through July 26th at the San Clemente Community Center Gallery at 100 North Calle Seville in San Clemente.
Come back for Part 2 to see the best view in San Clemente. For more of my artwork go to my website at SharonWeaver.com
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Painting in My Own Backyard
As a child, I remember walking to the community swimming pool during the heat of the summer vacation. The long summer months stretched out ahead of me and I was overwhelmed with joy for my new found freedom. I always passed through a field where a honeysuckle vine had taken hold. I loved the smell and listening to the buzz of the busy bees as they drank the sweet nectar from the flowers.
That is the reason I replaced the exhausted grapevine with a honeysuckle a few years ago at the corner of my guest house. I have watched as the hearty vine has thrived, even when it's weight brought down the supporting trellis.
I thought it appropriate to paint this familiar view before heading out to participate in the 2009 San Clemente Plein Air Competition. The June gloom has finally lifted, so the event holds the promise of many wonderful opportunities to capture the beauty around San Clemente. I am looking forward to talking with my fellow artists, meeting the festival attendees and painting, painting, painting.
I will be posting blogs as I paint from San Clemente and you can see all Sharon's plein air paintings at my website, Sharon Weaver.com Comment on or Share this Article →
Critique at San Fernando Valley Art Club June Meeting
Peter Kraus at the SFVAC June Meeting Months ago, I had an idea to have a SFVAC meeting where instead of a demo there would be a critique of members work. At the time, I had no idea how much time it would take to get the June meeting together with Peter Kraus. Rachel Weissberger told me after the meeting, that it was the best meeting ever, so I think it was worth the effort.
SFVAC members emailed images of their work for Peter to improve with changes in color, value and composition. Peter took the original images and made actual changes to the photos, showing how he would improve the image. He discussed the original paintings, its strengths and how he thought the painting could be improved. Then with the magic of Photoshop, showed the after picture right next to the before image(below is an example).
SFVAC members emailed images of their work for Peter to improve with changes in color, value and composition. Peter took the original images and made actual changes to the photos, showing how he would improve the image. He discussed the original paintings, its strengths and how he thought the painting could be improved. Then with the magic of Photoshop, showed the after picture right next to the before image(below is an example).
Before and After Peter Kraus Critique There were aha!! moments from the audience, who mostly agreed with the improvements. Of course, since art is subjective, not everyone agreed with every change. The important benefit of a critique is to start a discussion and see how each artists interprets the information. Whether an artist takes the changes and applies them to the original work or rejects the suggestions, the insight from an objective eye is informative and interesting.
Thank you Peter for your constructive opinions and all the work you did to make this another successful meeting for the San Fernando Valley Art Club. Since this is our last meeting until September, I hope everyone has a wonderful summer.Comment on or Share this Article →
Art Show by the Altadena Historical Society
Sharon's Set Up and Display The Altadena Historical Society invited a group of artists to show their work at their summer landmark tour of the Mountain View Mausoleum this last Saturday, June 6. I have been painting around Altadena with my Thursday plein air group, so I had a number of paintings which where recognizable to many of the visitors. Spring Sycamore, Curves Ahead, Once a Driveway, and Hidden Garden are all examples of paintings from the nearby area. It was great meeting everyone who came out for the day. You can see all my paintings at sharonweaver.com.
We were all grateful that it didn't rain and the sun peeked out through the clouds a few times to remind us just how hot it could have been without any clouds.
We were all grateful that it didn't rain and the sun peeked out through the clouds a few times to remind us just how hot it could have been without any clouds.
Artist Lynne Fearman talking to watercolor artist Kathleen Ballard
Vaulted Ceiling and Chandelier
Stained Glass WindowsThank you, to the members of the Altadena Historical Society who were friendly and did a wonderful job of organizing the event. Comment on or Share this Article →
Painting Along the Appian Way
Inspired by my recent trip to Italy, I have just completed a painting to add to my "luminous light" series.
"Along the Appian Way" is a driveway directly off the original part of the road dating back to Roman times. The large blocks of black stone are very uneven on this stretch of the Appian Way and the cars slow down to a crawl over the bumps. I almost missed this beautiful tree lined entry as I dodged several cars who drove up on the sidewalk, hoping to avoid the rough roadway.
But it was the light that stopped me. The hazy late afternoon light was further diffused by the ancient trees. The soft glow at the end of the lane called for weary travelers to come home. Can't you imagine an ancient Roman villa just around the corner.
All my paintings are for sale and I also do commission pieces. Take a closer look at my paintings at SharonWeaver.com
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"Along the Appian Way" is a driveway directly off the original part of the road dating back to Roman times. The large blocks of black stone are very uneven on this stretch of the Appian Way and the cars slow down to a crawl over the bumps. I almost missed this beautiful tree lined entry as I dodged several cars who drove up on the sidewalk, hoping to avoid the rough roadway.
But it was the light that stopped me. The hazy late afternoon light was further diffused by the ancient trees. The soft glow at the end of the lane called for weary travelers to come home. Can't you imagine an ancient Roman villa just around the corner.
All my paintings are for sale and I also do commission pieces. Take a closer look at my paintings at SharonWeaver.com
Paint Malibu Pier
June GloomIn Los Angeles yesterday's weather was unusual with thunder, lightning and rain, so I wasn't sure what the day had in store for the three of us. Marian Fortunati, Margie Murray and I were the intrepid plein air painters that trekked out in the questionable weather today.
When we arrived at the Malibu Pier, the sky was dark and cloudy. It looked promising to the north with some blue spots but south was still very overcast. After setting up to paint, the sun began to cast wonderful light on the water and peak through the clouds. I had fun painting the pier and kept the early morning mood reflected in the sky and water. You can see more paintings of the beach at Sharon's Ocean, Lakes and Streams.
As the day progressed the clouds became only a memory. The sun was warm, the surfers surfed and the waves sparkling. What a great day. I love it. Comment on or Share this Article →
Revised Beach Painting
There were a lot of things I liked about the beach scene I painted on Friday, but I knew there was something missing so I considered it karma when this little girl walked out to the waters edge just as I was leaving. When I saw the photo of her looking out at the waves, I knew she was the key to the scene. Her over-sized baseball cap and her defiant stand as she watched the waves were perfect. I adjusted the foreground water and softened the middle rocks. Now it needs a home where someone remembers looking out at the water like this. Just click on the name to see the details or you can see more of my beach paintings at my website at Sharon's Ocean, Lakes and Steams.
