Patio Plants

Last week one of the paint-out groups visited the Debs Park Audubon Center.  The Center is on a hillside in Los Angeles with a nice view across the Pasadena Freeway of the hillside Southwest Museum.  It was over two years ago when I painted a gouache piece in the Center's courtyard area, Cattails!  There is a another pond which also has cattails but I guess January isn't the season for them.  I had painting some plants in mind so the assorted potted succulents caught my eye.  It was a beautiful day for a paint-out.

7" x 5" Watercolor

Pomegranates and Succulents

I have a few sketches to post, so here are two featuring gardens and plants.  I've been driving by Mission Gardens but had not stopped to check it out.  They specialize in decorative arrangements.  I especially liked the succulents growing in frames so I set up my sketching spot next to the curb to try out some pens.

The pomegranate trees surrounding the patio at the Old Mill finally had beautiful red, ripe pomegranates.  We were waiting for them ripen, and planned to visit to draw or paint them.  Fortunately it was a bright morning, making the pomegranates look so pretty and red in the sun.

7" x 5" Pen Sketch (Stabilo)

5" x 7" Pen and Watercolor

Farnsworth Park 2020

I'm finally posting my first 2020 plein air piece.  We had a chilly paint-out at Farnsworth Park in Altadena about a week ago.  My previous paint-out there was two years ago, Farnsworth View.  I needed to touch up my watercolor at home but other projects got in the away.  It was a clear, pretty day so the park was busy.  I was happy that there were still some autumn leaves to add some color!

5" x 7" Watercolor

Library Shade

I thought I would have a new painting for 2020 by now but...not yet.  I have several from 2019 I haven't posted so here is a small piece from a few weeks ago.  There is a nice bench by the huge Morton Bay Fig tree at our local library.  It was a chilly morning so the bench in the dappled sun was a good place to sit for a painting.  What could I see to paint from the bench?  The view across the street of the busy coffee shop on the corner was a great subject, and one I've painted several times before.  My previous painting was in 2017, Corner Coffee.  I always enjoy South Pasadena views for my watercolor.

7" x 5" Watercolor