Today was a perfectly beautiful day in Camarillo, CA, my hometown. I joined about 15 other artists who shared their works of art in many downtown merchants who were hosting wine tastings. Lots of people came to join us drink wine and enjoy art. I also enjoyed getting started on a new painting “Beach Hat” on a freshly gessoed 12″ x 12″ birch panel. I still have a ways to go, as I was quite distracted today with the crowds asking questions along the way. {Note to self: get new iPod}

Although it was a challenge, I enjoyed the outdoors, painting with the northern light of the sky on my painting. It makes me think about keeping this in mind when I build my studio in the future… to make sure that there is a north facing wall that can have large windows to slurp in the natural light during our long Southern California sunny days.

Tomorrow morning I am off to a special paint-out for a week with the California Art Club. In a special arrangement with the Land Conservancy of SLO County, we have been given access to some private land that includes the Dana Adobe in Nipomo, Black Lake Ecological Area & Filipponi Wetland Preserve. It will be nice to finally paint along the Central Coast. I will post photos on my return next weekend.