Friday, January 17, 2014

Ward Ranch in January

My first try at a plein air gouache piece was in December 2012, blog post Ward Ranch, a very dreary and rainy day.  We're having summer-like weather in January so I was looking forward to another paint-out at the E. Waldo Ward Ranch in Sierra Madre.  This time I painted a transparent watercolor piece.  

The morning was gorgeous and this small 1891 ranch and orchard is so charming.  It's also a canning operation.  The gift shop sells wonderful jams, jellies, and other goodies.  There are the fruit trees, an old barn, lots of rusty old equipment, and a beautiful yellow house.  I settled on a view from under a tree of some of the fruit trees, a stone building, and a birdhouse which is a small version of the old barn.  It's great to have permission to paint at the ranch and see such a large turn-out of painters.    

8 x 10" watercolor




Brenda Swenson leading the crit after painting.


10 comments:

  1. The location sounds like a painters paradise Sherry. Your watercolour is fresh and lovely to view

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    1. Thank You Lorraine! It was lovely there for painting.

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  2. I would love to visit this ranch and buy some goodies. Your lovely painting makes it look very welcoming

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    1. Thanks Polly, you would find lots of goodies to buy.

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  3. Nice composition, Sherry - the very ordinary into a lovely piece!

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  4. What a beautiful place to plein air paint, and so well displayed in both your watercolor and your gouache from last year.

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    1. Thanks Terry, two entirely different experiences for me there.

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  5. I like all the red added to this. Lots of energy, here!

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