Lacy Summer

A recent paint-out was at Lacy Park in San Marino.  It's been three years since I painted there, Roses!   At that time the extensive rose arbor was closed for renovation.  Being late summer, three years later, I thought the roses would be perfect to try painting.  But the group gathered for painting near the entrance on the other side of the park so I joined them.  More fun than painting alone of course.

5" x 7" Watercolor

2 Parks 2 Sketches

I'm enjoying doing some plein air sketches and trying out some new pens.  Of course they are smaller and less demanding than a larger watercolor.  They are a little quicker too which is sometimes a good thing on a Saturday.  So, here are recent sketches from paint-outs at two parks, Garfield in South Pasadena and Memorial in Sierra Madre.  The sketches were a fun thing to try from these locations where I've previously done watercolor and gouache paintings.

5" x 7" Garfield Park, South Pasadena, pen and watercolor

7" x 5" Memorial Park, Sierra Madre, pen and watercolor

A New Park!

Along the arroyo, there is a new park in Pasadena, Desiderio Neighborhood Park.  It's only been open for a few months and I've already painted there twice.  It's located directly under the 1912 Colorado Street Bridge.  On my first paint-out there I painted the bridge, Some Architecture.  Last week, there was a lot of construction being done, building the restrooms finally.  The activity and fencing that the crew put up kind of restricted some painting spots.  I found a shady bench with a nice view of the 1920 Vista Del Arroyo Hotel, now a U.S. Court of Appeals, which overlooks the arroyo.  The new park is a wonderful addition.

5" x 7" Watercolor

1937 photo

Seven Years Later

I 'm surprised to see that it was almost exactly seven years ago when I painted for the first time at the 1816 Old Mill in San Marino, The Old Mill.  It's such a charming and relaxing, and historic of course, place to paint.  Last Saturday was such a pretty, perfect day to paint there...seven years later.  I'm also including a piece I painted a year ago and had not posted yet.  Looking forward to next time as always.

5" x 7" Watercolor

7" x 5" Watercolor

Some Architecture

Two recent paint-outs have been to locations featuring their architecture.  A few weeks ago we painted at Eliot Middle School in Altadena.  The architects, Marston and Maybury are well known for their many structures in the Pasadena area.  I tried a gouache piece of the school, built in 1931.  It's now called the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and features a colorful mural on one wall.

There was an auction to benefit the school so we plein air painters donated our pieces.  The organizer sent a photo of the pieces set up for the auction., so I'll include that here.

A few weeks earlier we were at a new park which is directly under the famous 1912 Colorado Street Bridge.  I must admit painting the bridge is intimidating at 150 feet high with its curves and arches.  But, there I was right under the bridge so I painted a small watercolor.  A spectacular location!

5" x 7" Gouache

7" x 5" Watercolor

Saturday Sketches

I've been enjoying doing some sketches at some of our Saturday paint-outs.  I use a variety of pens to draw the scene.  Then I like to add some watercolor.  I've never been good at keeping a sketchbook so I'm happy to work some sketching into my artwork.

5" x 7" Sketch at Grant Park

5" x 7" Sketch at Singer Park

Potting and Bird Seed table at Darryl's

Lotuses and Roses

I'm late with an August blog post.  We've had a few recent paint-outs featuring some beautiful locations starring their seasonal flowers.  Visiting Echo Park in early summer for the blooming lotuses is such a treat.  I've painted many other views there but hadn't tried painting the lotus flowers until this visit.  And springtime rose blooms at the Wrigley Rose Garden are always a reason to visit.  A beautiful and relaxing place to paint.

Gouache 7" x 5"

Watercolor 10" x 8"