Tag Archives: California

VSW: Anacapa Lighthouse, California

I grew up bewitched by the islands I watched the sun set into from home. I read and reread Island of the Blue Dolphins in grade school. I never remember seeing a lighthouse! I struggled with this image; I am … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Laura Perry

This pair of earrings brings back a host of memories from childhood fo a beloved babysitter who became a friend.   We laughed and enjoyed each other so much! Her home was a trailer at the loveliest trailer park in the … Continue reading

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VSW: Green Hotel, Pasadena, California

Sketch to ink to grisaille to underpainting (for brightness) to final watercolor!. I spent a lot of time in Pasadena and love the Green Hotel! Above, pencil sketches and a relaxed layout of the entry and one end of the … Continue reading

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CA Trip: Mitchell Lived Here and Here and Here

A complicated little house not far from the Moreton Bay Fig. Not easy, lotsa mistakes…. Logic (an architectural drawing) is easier. Not my style anymore… and little fun for me! I release those days! Relying on seeing leads to charming … Continue reading

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CA Trip: Mitchell’s Moreton Bay Fig

Mitchell took me to see his Moreton Bay Fig in Santa Paula.  I understand that. I have relationships with trees too, and this one is amazing. It was planted in 1879 — and yes, it is famous — and grows … Continue reading

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CA Trip, 1: Telegraph Road, Santa Paula

I’ve been processing a wild and woolly trip to So Cal. I’ll be posting items out of order, that is for sure. I’m adding color to many, and some are images from photos taken. Starting with Tooling around Mitchell’s home … Continue reading

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Bright Ideas: Inktober 9, Sawdust Festival Earrings

The Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach was once a truly great craft festival, no commercialism, and cost nothing, then pennies, to enter. I bought these wonderful organic burnished metal earrings with pounded gold which tinkled softly when worn the last … Continue reading

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Mariposa Lilies

My mom taught me about Mariposa Lilies; her mom taught her. We used to find them on walks with Cindy above South Coast Hospital. “Never pick them; they are endangered.” They thrive in fairly dry hills with just enough water, … Continue reading

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Vetch is Not Good for Horses!

I had to paint vetch after the lupines: equal time for Pa after Mimi! After my memory jog in California Lupines, I kept wondering why Pa warned me not to feed the horses vetch whenever I visited the ranch. There … Continue reading

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A Walk in the Haight

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VSW: Angra do Heroísmo, 4

Our Virtual Sketching group was led this month by Toni, who took us to the island of Angra do Heroísmo. I went back to push the boundaries of using inks and watercolors, wanting to sketch impressions of Angra do Heroísmo. … Continue reading

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VSW: Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco

The inspiration for this virtual walk came from a Preservation Leadership blog on Early San Francisco Parking Garages.  I love funky old buildings, and these are anonymously designed (in some cases) and I don’t want them torn down! To see … Continue reading

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VSW: #2 Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco

The inspiration for this virtual walk came from a Preservation Leadership blog on Early San Fransisco Parking Garages.  I love funky old buildings, and these are anonymously designed (in some cases) and I don’t want them torn down! As usual, … Continue reading

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VSW: Laguna Beach, California from Lifeguard Tower to Wyland’s

Note: To see the images I drew from, click here. This was all about things not going well and forging ahead. And the difference between what you want to do (personal goals) and what happens when you are not looking! … Continue reading

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Brenda Swenson’s Sketching Trip

Love this video — Brenda is an amazing water-colorist!

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VSW: #1 A Short Walk in Laguna Beach, California

My home town seemed a good place to start our walks.  This will be a very short walk up about three blocks on the Pacific Coast Highway, starting at the historic Main Beach Lifeguard Tower, shown in black on the … Continue reading

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