(Not) Painting With Artist Julie Higgins

After painting with the California Arts Club mid-June,  I dropped artist Anne Schreivogl off at the San Jose airport and headed towards the wine country of Napa and Sonoma Valley.  It had been over ten years since I painted in this area, so, I was eager to revisit.

I guess I had so many pre-conceived notions of what I wanted to paint that nothing pleased my sensibilities....and it was hot! 104F!  I camped in the Napa region, for four days, started several paintings, and netted one, an old Airstream trailer.

"Hanging By the 'Stream", oil, 9" x 12", $950

Enough of that heat, I moved on to Mendocino, California to meet my old friend, artist Julie Higgins.

Since Julie is more of a 'sensual expressionist' her interest in plein air painting was nil.
Good conversations and cooler temperatures made this a good stop to do a little painting as well.

I found myself dazzled by the colors of the water and rock formations below the high cliffs.

"Pierced Cliff", oil, 12" x 12", $1200

I also discovered a little white shed down an alley.

"Upkeep", oil, 10" x 12", $1050

I continued north, only to be met on the Oregon coast with rain and a forecast of 4 more days of the same.  After seven weeks on the road, I decided to cut the trip 'short', and made my way back to Anacortes.  When I arrived home, summer had too.  I experienced so much beauty on this trip, yet summer on Fidalgo Island is hard to beat.

"End of Ninth", oil, 9" x 12", $950

If any of these paintings interest you, feel free to contact me.
alfredcurrier (at) yahoo.com