Cools and Warms of Summer

Dear fallback

Plein Air Painting

Painting VW Vacation at Asilomar State Beach

The Santa Cruz Land Trust newsletter recently informed me that the California coast is having the coolest start to summer on record since 1965. Because the ocean is so enticing to this painter, no matter the temperature, I have found many places to paint during this cool time.

Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, has been one place I explored. Also, the scaffolding is finally off the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and the view from Wilbur’s Watch is stunning.

A Studio Project:

Painting a Landscape onto a Chair

Given the foggy weather, I have spent some hours in my studio working on some larger projects. I was invited to have a large painting in the Monterey Museum of Art’s Biennial Exhibition this summer, which I mentioned last newsletter. I was selected to take an oak library chair and paint it for inclusion in the Museum’s June fund-raising event. Below are some pictures of my chair in progress. I chose to paint scenes from Point Lobos: the cypress from the Cypress Trail, the seals at Whaler’s Cove and the cave at China Cove. The dinner event was well attended and the chairs were raffled to raise funds for the museum’s programs. (Read more in my blog here.)

Old Oak Library Chair

Ready to be sanded and primed.

After priming, I added a coat of General Finishes "milk paint" in Prussian Blue.

Painting Point Lobos scenes

On My Easel

I created small plein air painting north of Garrapata State Beach, on a winter morning. I was attracted to the light kissing the rocks and headlands, and the large Cypress trees. The small plein air piece inspired me to paint a larger “Coastal Light” (18x24), which is currently at the Santa Cruz Art League in their California Landscape Exhibition, which runs through August 23.

I returned to the same location in this past spring and noticed the intriguing shape of the clouds over the mountains. I chose to make a larger 24x36 painting in which I emphasize color, while keeping the lights cool and the darks warm. The largest of this series is in progress, and is the current painting on my easel. I’m considering the name “Clouds Over Big Sur”, but I'll not name it until it is completed.

Kings Mountain Art Fair

The Kings Mountain Art Fair is happening again on Labor Day Weekend, which comes early this year: August 30, 31, and Sept 1, 10am -5pm daily. Starting in the eighth month of the year may be a good sign since the symbol 8 in many cultures represents prosperity, balance and symmetry. In Woodside, the art fair crew serves breakfast and lunch and have a kiddie area for art making, while parents browse the festival in the redwoods.

I will be in a new location this year with a new booth number, on the wing near the road and entrance, booth #124. I hope to see you there. I have been participating for 18 years, and the support from the community has been terrific.

Tip for Artists: Cleaning our Tools

I'm not great at house cleaning, but I have learned over the years, that it is easier for me to begin my next painting session with clean tools and workspace.

I clean my palette and brushes both before I leave the studio after painting, and when I return from plein air adventures. All the paint can be scraped from my palette into a pile of gray that can be used to neutralize color in my next painting or the one in progress. Your brushes will also last longer and keep their bounce if you clean up after painting.

Here are a few of my brushes along with the cleaning products I generally use.

To keep my studio low in toxic odors, I use gamsol to remove most of the paint from brushes and then Citrasolv and Master’s Brush Cleaner for the final cleaning before rinsing in warm water. Then I set them on their side to dry. Never leave brushes in water or solvent.

It is a good idea to keep your gloves on during cleanup. Remember to leave 15 to 20 minutes at the end of your painting session for this task. It is so great to walk into my studio and have a clean palette and brushes, all ready to start painting!

Prints

Paintings

Come by and say "Hi" at my Fall Art events - Kings Mountain on Labor Day Weekend, and Open Studio in October.

Michele

Instagram (michele.hausman.art.) ... My YouTube Channel ... My website: HausmanStudio.com

Represented by Wisteria Art & Antiques in Soquel, CA, Luna Sea in Pescadero, ACCI Gallery in Berkeley, and 480 Lighthouse Gallery, Pacific Grove.

You can also explore and purchase my art through my website, at HausmanStudio.com.