Surf and Sand

While we enjoy heading to the beach year-round, many make it a special event with summer fun and 4th of July celebrations. A favorite spot to catch views of two fireworks displays is sitting seaside on Studio Beach just on the south end of Cayucos, California. From that beach you can watch the colors fly above the Cayucos Pier to the north and over Morro Rock to the south. Get there early, claim your domain and don't forget all the necessities.

 
Beach Life-iPhone Photo from #MailArt Series

The Ocean is Calling-Watercolor on Paper, 7 x 9.5 inches (17.78 x 24.13 cm)
Original painting is sold-prints available at ALTAMIRA  or on imagekind and ACEO on Etsy

Blood Oranges

A favorite flavor of mine....blood orange. It has a subtle influence of red raspberry combined with the tastiest citrus tang. While the actual fruit is available for a limited season there are many ways to tickle your taste buds with this special offering from the grove.

Blood Oranges-Original Watercolor Painting 14x14 inches (35.56x35.56 cm)

1. Blood Orange Lip Balm by My Little Sunshine 2. Blood Orange Fine Art Photograph by Jennifer Dickerson Photography 3. Blood Orange Jam by Lemon Bird Handmade Jams 4. Blood Orange Loose Tea by The Ivy Keep

Blood Orange Margarita

What you'll need-
One blood orange-cut into wedges
Margarita Salt
A handful of fresh Red Raspberries-both for muddling and garnish
Tequila-amount and brand to your taste
Your Favorite Margarita Mix or Sweet & Sour Mix for a more tart flavor

Salt the rim of your favorite cocktail glass by running the cut wedge of Blood Orange around the lip and dipping in the bowl of Margarita Salt. Drop the orange wedge and about 4 raspberries into the glass, add the tequila. With a muddler, gently press down on the fruit squeezing out the oils from the rind and mixing with the tequila. Top the glass off with crushed ice and fill to the rim with mix. Garnish with a decorative pick of raspberries for snacking.
***Drink responsibly and always designate a sober driver.

Life's Better Surfing

On a cool fall day I was hanging out on the beach with the teenage daughter of one of our surf buddies. In between texting her friends and listening to her iPod she started telling me about that morning  on the way to the beach. They were in the drive-thru line at Starbucks when her father was starting to wonder if they should make the 30 mile drive to the beach and waste a day surfing when he had to start his week of graveyard shifts that night. She looked over at a lamppost and saw that some other slacker had already been there and left his words of wisdom with a sticker that read "Life's Better Surfing". She of course pointed it out and any reservations he may have had floated away in the wind, because as he has known since he was a teenager-even in the worst of waves you never regret a day in the surf.

 

 

Life's Better Surfing-MailArt, iPhone photo.

Call it a Day
Watercolor on Canvas, 7.5 x 8.5 inches (19.05 x 21.59 cm).

 

Featured Artist

It's time for a new Business Exhibit coordinated by the
San Luis Obispo Art Center. I have taken over the wall space at
Faye S. Russo Tax and Accounting at 669 Pacific Street, San Luis Obispo. Stop by and take a look at a sampling of my original paintings and photographs.

Stripes II-Digital Photograph

ALTAMIRA Gallery

A selection of my original watercolor paintings and prints from my
Surfer Series are now available at ALTAMIRA Gallery in New York.

Surf Lesson-Watercolor on Paper, 9.5 x 11.75 inches

 

My Etsy Shop Featured

Happy 4th of July!

I am so excited to have my note cards featured by Jackie on Etsy Item of the Day. She maintains a super stylish list of her favorite finds from Etsy sellers. Go take a peek at my feature and browse around at some of the other gorgeous shops she has introduced to everyone.

A Day at The Beach

I have had the urge to continue on with my A Day at The Beach series. With the added push to create a commissioned new piece I began work on two new scenes. Both paintings below are watercolor paint on canvas that has been treated for wet media. The canvas surface has a unique absorption that can be a bit tricky. I have come to enjoy the challenge and love creating the leisurely days at the beach.
Top: Surf Buddies; Bottom: The Break at Pico-Sold, prints available.

Change Your Latitude

I feel as if I have been neglecting this lonely blog of mine lately. I apologize for the lack of fascinating posts. It is not that I haven't wanted to fill my few followers in to my work in progress-it's just that I have been too busy actually working on new art to document it in this way-but soon. I have on my calendar new commissioned work as well as additional pieces to continue "My Girls" series and "Day at the Beach" series. I am, as I write this, waiting for larger canvas and rag boards to arrive for the actual work to begin. In the meantime let me leave you with one of my leisurely images from my "Day at the Beach" series. It makes me want for that casual day when my commitments can wait and there are no worries...











Change Your Latitude is a watercolor painting on canvas,
5 x 10". Sold, prints available.

Summer Business Exhibit

Last week it was time to hang a new selection of work in the Business Exhibit organized by the San Luis Obispo Art Center. My new location is Judy Klearman Investments in San Luis Obispo. She has been a participating business for about 8 years. Although her office is modest in size, she eagerly offers her main hall to a rotation of art every four months.

Along one side I have a group of photos from my Construction Series.

Across from reception are a selection of my abstract paintings that Judy had been interested in.

This show will remain at this location through the summer, until the beginning of September. If you wish to view the show please call ahead to arrange a time;

(805) 784-0106.