Fall Riverbank

Jane - Evening

Jane - Afternnon

Lindsay - 2nd Saturday

Vase & Pears

Jane - Afternnon

Jane - Evening

Teapot & Lemons - SOLD

Teapot & Lemon

Apple Glass Trio

Apple Glass Solo

Red Vase & Pears - SOLD

Red Vase & Pomegranates - SOLD

Patchwork Steve - SOLD

Blue Robe

Sacramento Fine Arts Center

2009 Members Show
"Best of Show"

Mauna Lani Point

Eva Parker Woods Cottage - SOLD

http://www.maunalani.com/luxury-hawaii-resort-factsheet.htm

Little Yellow Cottage - SOLD

Autumn Afternoon

It was my first outing with the Sacramento Plein Air Painters, a new MeetUp group. http://art.meetup.com/500/
We met at William Pond Park.
This vibrant yellow tree was so delicate and the geometry of the pedestrian bridge was so strong. It seemed to be a great contrast of nature and the built environment.
The forecast said rain. I lucked out. I used my umbrella to screen the canvas panel, palette, and me from the sun. A few minutes later, I used the umbrella as protection from a brief, light drizzle. Then, like magic, it was sunshine again! It was great to get a chance to paint this scene before the leaves start falling!

Husick's Country Store - Art Exhibit

Artwork by Debbie Gualco was recently installed at Husick's Country Store, Clarksburg, Ca. On November 1, 2008, over 150 attendees visited the gallery space sponsoring the " Delta Heavenly Harvest", a fundraiser for the Clarksburg School District. The Exhibit will be on display until January 1, 2009.

Scarecrow Steve

Pomegrantes on Turq - I

Pomegranates on Turq - II - SOLD

White Pumpkin Solo

White Pumpkin Trio

Herzog Lake

Upon enthusiastic advice and sketchy directions from a friendly staff member of Husick's Country Store, Clarksburg, Ca. http://husicks.com/, I ventured off to "paint the lake". After crossing the green bridge, turning right over the yellow bridge, turning left on Russell Road, 2 sharp curves and dead end at Herzog Road - Lake Herzog? I believe it is actually an extension of the river and a connector to Snodgrass Slough. Please correct me if I am wrong.
There was a wonderful quality of light and variety of views/subject matter to paint. However, I did spot a county sheriff's car slowly cruising by rubbernecking! I must have looked guilty "licking" my painting!

Pommegranates on Parade

The challenge to deliver fresh spontaneous brushwork while describing form is such fun! These studies become exercises in concise seeing and execution. Counting brushtstrokes is allowed and somewhat encouraged. This type of artistic endeavor can be compared to performing/completing the circuit at the gym. Typically, one can't wait for the torture to end and the hot tub/shower to begin.

Sunday Market Persimmons

A visit to the neighborhood farmer's market inspires an artist with the season's colors and textures. Fall brings forth the rich warm colors of pumpkins, persimmons, and pomegranates. Exotic gourds and Indian corn offer the extreme seasonal, textural challenge for an artist.

Channel Reflections - SOLD

Along with a good friend and fellow artist, Patris, I set up my easel on the bank of the abandoned ship channel that connects to the Sacramento River. http://www.artist-patris.com/ Exploding fall colors were mirrored in the still water. Light was diagonally traveling up the embankment. Occasionally, fishermen interrupted the calmness of the water with the casting of their line. Curious young fishermen pondered the idea of artists painting instead of fishing.

Apple Duo

Red delicious apples for sale.

Apple Trio

Apple Hill inspires an entire series of apple studies. Such variety!

Texas Oak & Mesquite - SOLD

Texas Trip - PAINTING DAY 7
Only at Pa Ben's camp could we have enjoyed such a wonderful finale feast of fried catfish, BBQ dove, and the most fabulous hush puppies made from a "secret recipe".
While everyone listened to the Dallas Cowboys beat the Cincinnati Bengals, I focused on capturing the wonderful gesture of the leaning oak and the sweeping mesquite.
It was sad to have a wonderful week with family and friends end. But, there is always next year!

Texas Homestead Hill - SOLD

Texas Trip - PAINTING DAY 6
While everyone hunted for dove on this beautiful ranch, I snuck away (far enough away to avoid getting peppered by the shotgun blasts) to a nearby pasture. The broad vista was amazing. There is no wonder why the founding ranchers claimed the top of this hill to build their 1930's homestead out of native stone. I have it's roof just tucked within the trees. Hopefully, it will be the subject of a future painting.
It was important for the ranch owners to oversee their pasture and livestock. A few deer blinds and deer feeders are scattered amongst the mesquite and brush.

Coleman Lake Park View - SOLD

Texas Trip - PAINTING DAY 5
After a whole 48 hours without painting, I was suffering from turpenoid withdrawals. Armed with a fresh canvas panel, I was determined to make a painting. After cruising the streets of Coleman. I headed west to the lake in search of an irresistible vista. Right before you cross the bridge, there are campsite facilites and restrooms! http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/coleman/

I was kidnapped near dusk to head off to dinner at the Beehive Restaurant in Albany, Texas.
http://www.fortgriffinandbeehive.com/ We had a fabulous dinner and a lot of laughs!

Pumpjack Territory - SOLD

Texas Trip - PAINTING DAY 4
Upon arriving at my niece's family home located in a wonderfully secluded area far removed from any sign of urban life, I broke out canvas, paint, and easel. She just happens to have a pumpjack in her front yard. Considering the heightened awareness and frantic discussion of renewable energy needs and global warning issues, it seemed an appropriate subject matter and task to observe and attempt to capture an energy making machine. Ironically, it was somewhat like drawing/painting a live model. It would pose still for approximately 20 minutes and then move about for 8 or so minutes.

Lake Lot View towards Dam - SOLD

Texas Trip - PAINTING DAY 3 - Noon
Hamburgers Anyone? I painted. They talked. Yes, the anti-social artist consumed the vista while the masses chit chatted. Actually, I gave an art painting demonstration (absolutely free of charge) that I believe most of the viewers enjoyed. OK, let's call it Art- 101. Seriously, it is always difficult to paint and talk. Both sides of the brain don't want to work at the same time, at least mine doesn't!

South Tank - SOLD

Texas Trip - PAINTING DAY 2 - Dusk
As I was approaching the tank, a small group (when do you call it a herd?) of cattle alarmed at my sudden appearance scampered off to the pasture. I felt guilty for keeping them from their favorite watering hole. And besides, a few cattle would have been a fun challenge to paint!

Bowen Bridge at Memory Lake - SOLD

Texas Trip - PAINTING DAY 2 - Noon
It was remarkable to discover this old iron bridge that was recently removed from Highway 153, aka the Glen Cove Highway, and relocated to Memory Lake in 2005. Read all about it. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jrterry/colemancounty/general-history/bowen-bridge.html Due to the 100+ temperature, we set up a portable, pop-up painting tent to shade me, my canvas and palette. Surprisingly at this fairly remote area, there were a lot of drive-by gawkers bewildered by what I was doing! It is a wonder that the local authorities didn't come check me out. Nevertheless, I wasn't there too long, I had a very important soccer game to attend.

Windmill at Coleman City Park - SOLD

Texas Trip - PAINTING DAY 1
In search of windmills to paint, I stumbled across this one set in a historical park-like setting surrounded with rusty antiquated farm equipment. If these blades could talk, what stories would they tell?

I entered this painting in the 2008 Fiesta de la Paloma - Art Show and received an Honorable Mention.

Seasonal Pond - SOLD

After a guided tour from very enthusiastic Yolo Basin Foundation staff members and volunteers, I elected to set up in an area that has limited yearly access. http://www.yolobasin.org/index.cfm
It was enlightening to learn more about the wildlife and the natural habitat that they so much depend upon. Efforts by this organization and their many dedicated volunteers insure that these resources will be preserved for future generations.
It was a challenge to capture the meandering stream coming in my direction. The distant trees, perched upon the levy, gave a visual boundary to the otherwise infinite landscape.
This painting was donated to the foundation to use in their Silent Auction at their annual fundraising event, Bucks for Ducks, scheduled for November 7, 2008. http://www.yolobasin.org/documents/B4D_Invite2_2008.pdf

High Noon at Rocking Chair Ranch

Recently, I completed this painting that was started during a September 2007 BBQ at Pa Ben's famous campsite. I was just learning to be the anti-social, plein air painter that I have become: "Excuse me while I paint......You don't mind if I paint, do you?" But, if you stop for a moment and consider that if it was not for the dedication of the the historical plein air painters - Bierstadt, Church, and Hill, etc., we would be without exquisite canvases that captured very specific places in very specific times. Who is recording us now? The digital camera?
Ok, ok, ok...enough said.
This lone oak offered welcomed shade to numerous cattle in this immense pasture with the distant Santa Anna Mountain conveniently serving as a scenic backdrop.
This painting received an Honorable Mention in the 2008 Fiesta de la Paloma - Art Show. It is now installed in a private collection.

Meeks Bay Point

Meeks Bay Beach - SOLD

Gail

Back to you

Aga, this pose seemed perfect for a square format. The dark, moody background allowed her sculptural qualities to be the focus.

Echo Lake

Leaning Jane

Her lean and twist created this wonderful tension in her side plains wonderfully capturing light and half-lights as it turned into shadow. The square format seemed appropriate to frame this compacted pose.

Jane - Evening

Ren's Bench - SOLD