Martha Esch Paintings, etc.

This was their warm-up jump.

2012-01-20T07:10:00.001-08:00

My crazy son and daughter and the Walnut Grove bridge

2012-01-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

My daughter, Mary, 17 and someone else's cool VW Bus - from 1969 i'm guessing. I had one that looked just like this one back in my college days.

2011-12-28T21:56:00.001-08:00

a few pics from our Wilbur Painting, Hiking & Soaking retreat...

2011-11-11T10:14:00.001-08:00

..............

I'm hosting a fun trip to Wilbur...read details below...

2011-10-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

Painting, Hiking & Hot Soaking Retreat at Wilbur Hot Springs ~ November 4, 5, 6 Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 4, 5 & 6, 2011

Wilbur Hot Springs, located about an hour north of Sacramento off the I-5 Williams, Ca exit. Wilbur’s hilly 1800 acre nature preserve provides stunningly beautiful hikes and scenes for pencil artists and painters. Add a massage, hot soaks, cool swims, good friends, good food and late night star gazing while you soak some more…and you have Heaven on earth!
Martha Esch, a lifelong artist, art teacher and Locke, Ca studio/gallery owner hosts exciting, fun paint-outs with guided drawing and painting exercises for artists of all skill levels. Participate in some or all of our group activities, including: hiking, soaking, sketching, painting, critiquing, star gazing, cooking, dining, acoustic music jam.
Retreat Schedule:
Friday 3 pm Arrive and check in anytime after 3 pm on Friday.
5:30 p.m. Welcome briefing from Martha on front porch, followed by group meal prep in Wilbur's big kitchen, then potluck dinner.
8 pm - Late night hot soaking and quiet star gazing in the hot spring flumes. (In the hot springs and pool area it’s clothing optional. Clothing required elsewhere.)
Saturday 7:30– 9 a.m. Soaking, swimming, painting, and breakfast.
10 am Group Hike. Along the way, a quick postcard watercolor demo, then all sketch or paint.
12:30 p.m. Group Lunch prep and dine together.
2 p.m. Sketching and watercolor painting demo by Martha at the bridge over the creek, near the pool. Then everyone paints their own chosen scenes. Individual guidance available. Take a break from painting and do another hot soak or two. Try out the different flumes to find your favorite temperature.
5-6:30 p.m. Potluck Dinner and constructive, friendly (optional) group critiques on our individual paintings.
7 pm Music jam, anyone? Borrow one of Wilbur’s acoustic instruments or bring your own. Meet at the piano.
Sunday 7:00-10 a.m. Breakfast, soaking, sketching, hiking and painting. Or, sleep in, and join us later - your choice. Noon – Group lunch prep, sharing and constructive casual art critiques while we eat. Our retreat ends after lunch on Sunday, but you are welcome to stay on Wilbur’s grounds until 5pm.
What to Bring? Wilbur is remote, so bring all you need for your weekend excursion: Groceries ~ Your own 2 day supply. Bring or cook up your potluck offering in Wilbur’s big kitchen -refrigerators provided.
Towel,
Slippers (Wilbur is shoes-off indoor, so slippers are nice),
Bathrobe,
Art supplies. Bring your paint kit. Or borrow some supplies from Martha, including student watercolors and brushes, etc., Comfortable walking or hiking shoes,
Flashlight,
Sunglasses,
Calling card for phone calls (no cell phone reception),
Water bottle,
Sleeping bag and pillow if you’ll be sleeping in the Bunk Room.
Costs:
Retreat Activities fee $30 payable at front desk when you check in.
Room Reservations: Reserve your private room or “bunk room” accommodations in the historic hotel directly through Wilbur staff at (530)473-2306.

Wilbur's room rates are at:

http://www.wilburhotsprings.com/hot-springs-rooms-rates.htm (You may also opt to stay just for the day and use the hot springs, and hiking and kitchen and dining facilities for the $50 day use fee, plus prorated activities fee, $15/day.)

Watch a beautiful slide show and see other Wilbur Hot Springs info at:

http://www.wilburhotsprings.com/
Please also RSVP Host, Martha at (916) 776-1000 on November 3rd, or send her an email to: aeroplane88[at]hotmail[dot]com (Fellow Hikers and Painters, I'm posting this on two other meetup sites and inviting anyone else who might be interested to join us. Please feel free to invite your friends or counterparts along. The more, the merrier.)

2011-10-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Mary, 17.

My kids, Charlie and Mary, painting in the Locke alleyway next to Dick & Ann's.

Lloyd's big yellow bike.

2011-09-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

Painting at the Crocker

2011-09-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

Charlie and Mary ~ my awesome kids playing Charlie's original song, "Free"

2011-09-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=273080142721692&id=100000421389059#!/photo.php?v=2365821311777

My son, Charlie with his band called "Sunburn" at The Boardwalk in Orangevale, Ca.

2011-09-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Mary, 17 and her painting at Sacramento Chalk Art Festival.

2011-09-04T11:44:00.000-07:00

2011-08-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Great news - we won round one!
Here's the Superior Court Judge's tentative ruling made yesterday, August 17, 2011 at 2 pm. It was not contested by the LMA's lawyer, so the hearing on the injunctive matter that was scheduled for today has been cancelled. YAY for our side! ~ martha
- - - - - - - - -

Item 17 2011-00103789-CU-OR

Locke Management Association vs. Martha Esch

Nature of Proceeding:

Filed By:

Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Beede, Stephen J.

Plaintiff Locke Management Association’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction is denied.

Plaintiff is a non-profit corporation whose stated purpose, according to its bylaws, is “to

improve the economic well-being, preserve the cultural and historical integrity, and

manage the Town of Locke.” (Plf. Exh. 1.) The Town of Locke has been included on

the registry of national historic places “because of its unique status as the only town in

the United States built exclusively by the Chinese for the Chinese.” (Opening Memo.

1:3-4.) Plaintiff fulfills its stated purpose in part by enforcing Locke’s covenants,

conditions and restrictions (“CC&Rs”). The CC&Rs include a provision requiring any

owner wishing to sell property in Locke to first give notice to Plaintiff in order to allow

Plaintiff to exercise its right of first refusal to purchase any such property. (CCRs Art.

II, §2.8.) Plaintiff must give notice of any proposed sale to persons identified on the

“Locke Prior Residents, Descendants and Ascendants List” and the “List of Any

Individual that Would Like Notice of Available Properties,” and may assign its first

refusal right to any interested person responding to the Notice to the Lists.

Plaintiff alleges that on March 15, 2011, Defendant Martha Esch purchased property in

Locke despite Plaintiff’s having exercised its right of first refusal to purchase the

property itself. The subject property is designated for residential use only. Plaintiff

also alleges that, upon taking possession of the property, Defendant began making

alterations without Plaintiff’s permission and in violation of the CC&Rs, and using the

property for commercial purposes in violation of the CC&Rs. Plaintiff seeks a

preliminary injunction enjoining Defendant from altering the subject property or using

the subject property for any commercial purposes.

In deciding whether to enter a preliminary injunction, the court must evaluate two

interrelated factors: (1) the likelihood that the applicant will prevail on the merits at trial,

and (2) the interim harm that the applicant will likely suffer if preliminary relief is not

granted, as compared to the likely harm that the opposing party will suffer if the

preliminary injunction issues. (See, e.g., Langford v. Superior Court

(Gates) (1987) 43 Cal.3d 21, 28.) One of these two factors may be accorded greater

weight than the other depending on the applicant's showing. (See Commons Cause v.

Bd. of Supervisors (1989) 49 Cal.3d 432, 447.)

“[T]he party seeking the injunction must present sufficient evidentiary facts to establish

a likelihood that it will prevail.” (Tahoe Keys Property Owners’ Assn. v. State Water

Resources Control Board (1994) 23 Cal.App.4th 1459, 1478.) Here, Plaintiff argues

that Defendant “took possession and commenced to make alterations to the Subject

Property” and that Defendant “is in breach of the Use Restrictions…in that she is

purportedly changing the Subject Property from Residential to Commercial use without

any authority to do so.” (Opening Memo. 7:11-17.) However, Plaintiff presents no

evidence of Defendant’s alleged activities. The only items of evidence Plaintiff

presents in support of its motion are (1) copies of the bylaws of the Locke

Management Association; (2) the Town of Locke CCRs, and (3) a Sacramento County

ordinance describing the Locke Special Planning Area. (Plf. Exhs 1-3.) None of this

evidence pertains to the alleged alterations Plaintiff made to the property.

In opposition, Defendant presents evidence disputing that she has made any improper

alterations to the property. She presents evidence that she repainted a pink wall a

natural brown color that is permitted by the CC&Rs (Esch Decl. ¶3), cut a damaged

post flush with the roadway so it would not be a hazard (Esch Decl. ¶2), cut back

overgrown vegetation and removed rat excrement (Esch Decl. ¶5), and replaced a

hazardous propane tank at the request of the Sheldon Gas Company. (Esch Decl. ¶4;

Benge Decl.) Defendant states that she has made no other changes to the property.

(Esch Decl. ¶6.) Further, Defendant presents evidence that Plaintiff has never issued

any complaint or notice to Defendant that her activities were in violation of the CC&Rs,

as required by Section 8.10 of the CCRs. (Esch Decl. ¶9.)

Based on the evidence presented (and lack thereof), Plaintiff has failed to meet its

burden to show that it is likely to prevail on the merits and that Defendant’s activities

on the property are likely to cause interim harm to Plaintiff. The motion for preliminary

injunction is denied.

The minute order is effective immediately. No formal order pursuant to CRC Rule

3.1312 or further notice is required.

Biker out of the past at The Tourist Trap in Locke ~ Summer 2008

2011-07-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

Jerry and his pet peacock Tilley ~ summer 2009

2011-05-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

Charlie Sand early musical talents, summers 2009. Funny!

2011-05-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

"Paint the Town" (first Saturdays 9 am to noon in Locke, CA)

2011-05-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

May 7. 2011 "Paint the Town" participants pictured L-R: pat, martha, dottie, laurie, karin.

Sign Unveiling and First Jam at our new place in Locke, California

2011-04-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

"Paint the Town" with us in Locke - 1st Saturday mornings 9 to noonish

2011-02-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

Optimistically - Charlie Sand

2011-01-12T23:33:00.000-08:00

Come clay with us at the library!

2011-01-05T23:19:00.000-08:00

2010-12-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

2010-08-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

Our next Tin Shed Jam is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2010. Call 916 776-1000 to RSVP.

2010-08-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Weekly Thursday Music & Art Jams 6 to 9 pm Walnut Grove, CA while the weather is nice.

2010-08-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

By popular request, we're going to keep having more mixed bag jams in the little park at Market & C Streets in Walnut Grove, California - as long as the weather stays nice. Come on down and bring your guitar, saxaphone, bongos, whatever you have.
If you have time to bring a plate of food or some beverages, it won't be turned down. Thanks, Martha

2010-08-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

Tin Shed Jam in Walnut Grove, California on June 5, 2010

2010-06-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

We had another good jam last night at "The Tin Shed." Most of our musicians from the first two jams returned to play again and we had several musicians who recently heard about our monthly jams came to join us, as well - thanks to all of the musicians for participating! Thanks also to our venue hosts for running their bar and hot dogs stand for us and for the opportunity to play in their way cool Tin Shed!

more pics to come...

Tin Shed Jam

2010-05-03T02:11:00.000-07:00

Self-Portraits Show & Contest 2010 ~ Our 4th Annual

2010-04-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

Today's party in my garden was the most fun and well-attended one in the four years I've been hosting these annual self-portrait contests. The $100 cash prize proved to be a good stimulus that doubled the participation and added a lot more fun and competition to the show. Everyone got the chance to vote on five ribbon categories and the "Best of Show." When Ernie Wester and Mary, my daughter, finished tallying the votes, I got to announce the winners and hand out the ribbons. Congratulations to Poel Duenas, who was our big winner of "Best of Show" and the cash! Special category ribbon awards: Original - Jo Harding; Symbolic - Janice Horne; Realistic -
Poel Duenas ; Meaningful - Lynn . Many thanks to the 16 artists who participated and to their friends who joined us at the reception.

my upcoming jams...hope you can make some of them

2010-04-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

Video link: Locke, California "Paint the Town" and Egg Hunt ...April 3, 2010

2010-04-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

My poor old "Bessie," above flood stage, but needing a good scrub down after a long winter...

2010-04-02T08:38:00.000-07:00

havin' a big jam ~ hope you can make it! for details, click here.

2010-03-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

A great springtime day for bikers in Locke!

2010-03-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

Painting of my daughter painting

2010-03-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

stage 1

stage 2

stage 3

stage 4

stage 5

model's break

all done

best birthday i ever had!

Click here: Slideshow of my art students' field trip to the Art Foundry

2010-03-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

my controversial garden plot

2010-03-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

a letter was attached to my front door today, march 16, 2010, from the town manager, telling me i have to remove my wood chairs (2) and wood easels and wood bookshelf where i store my garden tools and art supplies; and that the purpose for my garden plot is ONLY for gardening. i guess that means: no sitting on a chair is allowed and no painting at an easel is allowed. sound a little ridiculous to you, too?

more to come on this from me after i get some legal advice.

Finally, I had a good hair day!

2010-03-12T23:59:00.000-08:00

2010-03-06T19:53:00.001-08:00

Locke Map ~ zoom out to find your starting point

2010-03-05T21:52:00.000-08:00

Driving Directions from Dai Loy Museum in 13952 Main St Walnut Grove, California to Al the Wop's in 13943 Main St Walnut Grove, California

Normal Day in Locke

2010-01-31T19:30:00.000-08:00

2010-01-24T19:24:00.000-08:00

Peter Picked a Perspective Paintout!

2010-01-24T14:17:00.000-08:00

Painting Peter's house in Locke was a great study for painting what I saw, not what I understood.

2010-01-15T06:50:00.000-08:00

2010-01-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

January 1, 2009 9 a.m., Mary, 15, and Charlie, 18, painting along the American River. Photo by David Peterson.

2009-12-27T23:05:00.000-08:00

Painting in shirtsleeves at the end of December in Locke, California. Can't do that in Minesota.

I left out the cemented-in garbage can...

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T21:32:00.000-08:00

2009-12-21T23:29:00.000-08:00

"Tugzilla"

2009-11-29T17:50:00.000-08:00

My Art Patron Saints, Vince & Pam Meyer made it a really wonderful day for me. Now, I shall go out and buy some much-needed hair color with some of the proceeds.

Please consider hiring me to paint a picture from your favorite photo, too.

Call for Artists ~ Self Portrait Painting CONTEST!

2009-11-29T02:58:00.000-08:00

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES AND SCHEDULING OF ART SHOW AND CONTEST TO APRIL 2010. NEW DATES BELOW:

Call for Artists
What: 4th Annual Self-Portraits Paintings Show & Awards Reception
Where: “Artworks in Progress Studio & Gallery” located at 1258 Levee Street, Locke, CA 95615 (916)776-1000 (near the “Locke Garden” Chinese restaurant, and downstairs of “The Tourist Trap”).
When: Month of April 2010 / Saturday, April 3 Drop-off paintings / Awards Reception: Saturday, April 24
Guidelines: One self-portrait painting entry per Artist. All entries must have been produced within the last year. Acceptable mediums include (dried) oils, acrylics, watercolors, guache, tempera, pastels, colored pencils, or crayons. Leave finished painting unframed and unmatted. No glass allowed. Painting perimeter must be between 24 and 120 inches. Artist’s name, telephone number and address must be written on, or affixed to back of painting. Front of artwork should be signed. Painting must be the original solo-creation of the artist.
Drop-Off: Paintings should be brought to Artworks in Progress Gallery between 12 noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 3; or by appointment before April 3.
Artist Entry Fees: Adult $9; College or High School Student $5; Student in K-8th $3. Entry Fees are payable by cash or check at time of painting drop-off. Each Artist will receive 3 Guest tickets to Awards Reception. Additional Guest tickets may be purchased for $5 each.
Awards Reception: Saturday, April 24, 2010 from Noon to 3 p.m. Snacks and beverages served. Voting by public from April 10 to April 24 until 1 p.m. Votes tabulated and announced around 1:30 pm April 24.
Prizes:
$100 People’s Choice Adult;
$25 People’s Choice Youth (under18).
Ribbon Awards for Adult and Youth entries in the following categories: Meaningful, Symbolic, Humorous, Original, Realistic and Participant.
Silent Auction: Artists may opt to offer their painting for sale and list a minimum bid. Silent auction closes at 1 p.m. on Saturday April 24, 2010. Gallery commission 25%. Purchases are through gallery by cash or local check with ID. Proceeds will be mailed to artists in two weeks.
Pick up: Artists and buyers take paintings home after Awards Reception. If unable to attend, paintings may be picked up within following week by appointment. Any paintings left past 30 days will be considered abandoned and will become property of gallery or will be donated to charity.
Questions? Call Martha Esch at (916) 776-1000
website: http://www.marthaesch.blogspot.com

Which leaf is real? My Thanksgiving Day painting.

2009-11-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

2 minute slide show of a few Plein Air Painters in Locke in 2009

2009-11-25T23:43:00.000-08:00

My wonderful old friends, Larry and LaLonnie Larson from Montana, and their granddaughter, Emily, surprised me yesterday.

2009-11-25T17:12:00.001-08:00

He's a pipeline pilot and flies his Piper Super Cruiser every couple of weeks on a three to four day run, watching out for possible troubles along a pipeline route. In 1988 on my Barnstorming USA aerial hitchhike through all of the 48 contiguous states, Larry took me from Billings, Montana to Pasco, Washington at an average altitude of 50 feet. Man, was that some fun flying!!! And I stayed with their family and got to stay in their wonderful guest cabin, next to their home in Molt, Montana. It reminded me of Walden Pond, only without the pond.

Here are two pictures I took at their home and airfield in Molt, Montana in 1988...

And here's their cute granddaughter, Emily, yesterday, trying out my new porch Tourist Trap posing place.

Larsons, please come back again, soon! You guys are so much fun!

charlie's own composition, age 17, in utah on usa road trip, july 2009

2009-11-16T18:53:00.000-08:00

my field trip slide show ~3 mins

2009-11-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

No, not decals. No stencils. Yes, I followed my patterns on the other side.

2009-11-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

come paint with us on Thanksgiving Day in the Delta Meadows State Park!

2009-10-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

Another Locke Meetup from Martha Esch: Delta Meadows Hike 'n Sketch on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to Noon.
The hike: We'll do "The Gunkholer Hike," a very easy, level hike, about a mile round trip. We hike together as a group and make three stops along Railroad Slough at scenic views to do quick ten-minute quick color sketches. Bring lightweight, field paint kits and an old towel or lightweight fold-up camping chair to sit on - think "less is more." You're welcome to bring any mediums and canvas or paper sizes. Postcard size papers or canvas boards and watercolors or small acrylic kits are the most portable and easiest for hiking, in my opinion. I have several extra basic field watercolor kits to share if anyone would like to try one. After our group hike, you're welcome to go back to any of the painting spots on your own or with a buddy and give them more time and effort.

Then, after the hike, we'll eat, if you're up for joining me for Thanksgiving dinner at Tony's Bar & Restaurant a mile down the river in Walnut Grove. They put an awesome and fun turkey feast last year, open to all. I think they're doing it again. If not, I know a great truck stop restaurant in Lodi that never closes.

IMPORTANT: the Meetup map may not be accurate: just find Locke's Main Street and follow to the end. 1258 Levee Street at intersection of Main Street in Locke, CA, 20' away from the Chinese restaurant. Google maps has Levee Street shown to be 1/8th of a mile further south.

Rain, heavy fog or high winds will cancel. Hope you can make it. Call me if you have any questions. Thanks! Martha (916) 776-1000

Mary and I ran away from home today

2009-10-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Here are our hobo paint kits and 10-minute paintings of views we stopped at along Railroad Slough while waiting for a train to go by with an empty boxcar. None ever showed up, so we came back home.

The World's Greatest Orthodontist ~ Dr. Daniel Haberman

2009-10-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

Mary, two years ago at age 13, during phase 1 "The Expander Treatment." This gap was done on purpose, to make room for the braces to push the other teeth around...

Mary at age 14, during phase 2 ~ first day wearing braces...

Mary at age 15 on "Braces-Off Day"...

1 hour later ~ What a Beautiful Smile!...

Dr. Haberman,the World's Greatest (and nicest, too) Orthodontist, taking Mary's braces off...

Her first look at her new smile...

"Abracadabra, voila!"...

If you live in the south Sacramento, CA region, we highly recommend you get your braces done by Dr. Haberman, too! His office is in the Greenhaven-Pocket area, just off I-5 and his e-mail address is greehhavenbraces@gmail dot com.

2009-10-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

Meadows Hike 'n Sketch

2009-10-18T16:55:00.001-07:00

Guided Painting Tours into the Meadows State Park, behind Locke. Come join me! Today, Sonya, Alex and I had a blast! I'll be hosting another one soon.

Funny Youtube video of Charlie, my multi-talented son

2009-10-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

one of my Delta Meadows watercolor 30-minute sketches

2009-10-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

and a second one i did of my son floating in his upside-down cargo carrier boat:
I'm hosting a Hike 'n Sketch this Sunday from 10 'til noon into the Delta Meadows behind Locke. Come join me!

The (almost) finished products...

2009-10-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

Crisp October Weekend at Wilbur Hot Springs

2009-10-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

1988 and now

2009-10-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

2009-09-15T04:29:00.000-07:00

This was in the Black Hills of South Dakota in August 2000. It's one of my favorite old photos I took of my daughter at age 6 during one of our three USA coast-to-coast car trips my son, daughter and i have taken so far.

Amphibious car in front of our shop:

2009-09-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

2009-09-04T23:32:00.001-07:00

Video: Locke Boathouse Jam L-R: Charlie, Raphael, George, Noah

2009-08-30T05:34:00.000-07:00

just off my easel

2009-08-29T14:22:00.000-07:00

our music jam last night in my studio was FUN!

2009-08-28T01:07:00.000-07:00

and here's a quick video of it:

and a little longer video:

Open Music & Art Jams on most Thursday nights in Locke 7 - 9 p.m. Call ahead to make sure it's on. (916)776-1000.

3 years ago since maynard's passing ... still so sad he's gone...

2009-08-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Locke makes a great backdrop for wedding photos ...

2009-08-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

My Wilbur Hot Springs August 2009 art workshop participants

2009-08-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

L-R:Cynthia, Dan, Elizabeth, Ana (model), Nancy; below: Angela, Martha (me)

charlie, my talented son, at age 17

2009-08-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

Cute kids on my front porch

2009-08-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

2009-08-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

a boat without a name is bad luck, so... i named it...

for my own little mary...

now it's a landmark on google earth!
http://maps.google.com/maps?t=p&utm_campaign=en&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sk-gm&utm_term=delta%20map

Two biker dudes with the watercolor sketches I painted of their respective bikes:

2009-08-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

Jim Reeves' article about the Delta, Locke, (and my shop, "The Tourist Trap" )

2009-07-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

How NOT to park parallell in Locke, California

2009-07-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

My car is the red victim.

Hey, look, we're famous! Mary and I made it in the Sacramento Bee Pear Fair video...

2009-07-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

i'm doing the watercolor of the cowboy and mary is the closest cheerleader to the camera (about halfway through). steve and autumn, thanks for sending me the link.

my kids are braver than me.

2009-07-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

charlie, 17, (has arms up), and mary, 15, sitting on railing, just before she jumped off the walnut grove bridge last week.

me, in my swimsuit with my kids - two weeks ago

2009-07-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

How I spent Memorial Day

2009-05-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

2009-05-25T20:33:00.001-07:00

pics from my May 2009 Wilbur Art Workshop

2009-05-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

Turn your head sideways to view this...

2009-05-14T03:11:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled upon one of my son, Charlie's drawings he created two years ago at age 15. He calls it, "Vertical Village." Here it is:

2009-05-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

In my painting studio

2009-05-02T22:17:00.000-07:00

>My painting of our model, Yumi.

This is How Dogs Parrallel Park in Locke

2009-04-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

I shot this photo yesterday in front of Strange Cargo, here in Locke, Ca.

My first artist workshop at Wilbur Hot Springs

2009-04-20T01:46:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning, we began with a still life watercolor painting lesson and my two participants, Rebecca and Sai did quite skilled jobs on their preliminary thumbnail sketches, then their watercolor paintings. Both saw the antique vase quite accurately and successfully left some of the white of the page for the reflections on it. They also mixed a close matching green and layered it to achieve the three or four shades we determined was on the object in addition to the reflective whites.

Here's Rebecca behind her painting. My painting is on the right. (BTW, Rebecca might return to model for us! Isn't she beautiful?!):

Here's Sai's painting. Sai has an Avionics Engineering degree - surprisingly not an Art degree:

On Sunday morning, I led a lesson in small, "plein air" (open air and light)watercolor sketching done "alla prima" style (all at once), and included a few impressionistic figures by the pool. We began each small color sketch with a sand hourglass egg timer for a 2-3 min light and loose pencil sketch, then 6 - 9 min water coloring with two to three turns of the egg timer. Our 90 lb. watercolor paper measures 9 x 12" and the individual color sketches on them are 3 x 5" and 4 x 5". Here's mine:

Todd is an Engineer by trade, and these are his first-ever watercolor paintings. He did a great job! I liked his bright colors and especially his Van Gogh-styled texturing on the last two. He also did well with another first for him - sketching and painting a human figure. His model was one of the sun bathers who was sitting about thirty feet away.

My next of eight Artist Workshops I'll be hosting at Wilbur Hot Springs is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, May 22 - 24, 2009. I'll be giving a watercolor lesson on Saturday morning. On Sunday, I'll demonstrate a small landscape in oils, using a palette knife. If we get at least five participants who wish to have a friendly competition with the paintings they produce, we'll have a cash pot split for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. $5 entry fee per painting, no size or medium restrictions, no limit to the number of painting entries per artist, although one prize limit per artist. Judging will be done by one vote per every Wilbur guest we can find to cast a vote for their favorite three paintings. Please come join us for the fun if you're able.

2009-04-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

Cris Anderson took this pic of my latest painting in progress of the old 1930's Foon Hops Grocery sign with my "Tourist Trap" store and home in the background, up the hill on the right.

My 14 year old daughter in front of her paintings at the 50-50 show in Sacramento

2009-04-14T11:08:00.001-07:00

My son in front of my paintings of Locke at the 50-50 show

2009-04-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

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How should I have felt? Please take my survey.

2009-04-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

click here

Locke is Going to the Dogs

2009-04-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

When I finish painting this copy of the famous painting, "A Friend in Need" I'm going to cut flaps in two of the dog's faces, just like I did with my Mona Lisa painting, so the men tourists can stick their heads in them for a photo.

And if you haven't seen it, here's my Mona painting...

...and my son, Charlie with TV reporter, Kelly Chapman as Mona (taken in 2007)...

The view from my front window last Saturday

2009-03-31T13:32:00.000-07:00

Some of the paintings of Locke scenes I did for the "50 - 50 Show"

2009-03-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Artists, Please come join me at Wilbur Hot Springs for some fun art workshops & painting competitions...

2009-03-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

scroll halfway down this linked page for all the info: