Thursday, May 17, 2007

The first Carpinteria Artists Open Studio Tour was a success! Many people came out to visit with artists in their work space and overall, I think it was a positive experience for everyone involved. We hope to keep it going now that we've had our first, next year will be better! 28 artists participated this time around, we may have to go to a Saturday and Sunday tour next time.

Panaderia

Panaderia
I had been going on occasion inside this Mexican Bakery to either order a cake or to check out the scene for a painting. I knew that eventually I would find myself there at the right time. Over the course of about a year, I would poke my head in and take a look around, I know there's a painting in here waiting to be found I'd think. One day, while picking up my daughter, there it was, the perfect lighting on everything. Lucky for me, I had my camera with me that day.

Apple & Lime

Apple & Lime
This one jumps out at me because of the dark/light contrast as well as the complementary colors. Its simple yet bold.

Gumball Machines

Gumball Machines
Walking past this ice cream shop frequently, I just knew there was a painting in there somewhere. All the contrasts have always caught my attention. Finally I walked past at just the right moment, and lucky for me, I had my camera with me.

By the Sea

By the Sea
I was taking a walk in Summerland early on a Sunday morning with my dog when I came across this house. I had seen this house from below many times but didn't know which street it was on. So I was very happy to finally have seen it from the front, and it was everything I hoped for.

Departure

Departure
I set up my camera in front of the bus station way before the evening began, as soon as the sun had set, I began shooting. This man walked into the scene, and I don't normally look for people to inhabit a painting, but I liked his presence in this one. After I had the painting started, I went back several tlimes to register in my mind exactly how I wanted the painting to progress in terms of its coloring and shadows.

Making Repairs

Making Repairs
This is another scene I came upon while heading to Brooklyn in NY. I glanced over and quickly shot what I knew instantly would make a painting. I love to see people at work. And the fact that the man was working on a building that already had so many interesting angles and shadows made it all the more appealing to paint from.

Lin's Chinese Food

Lin's Chinese Food
Old signage always captures my imagination. Text, peeling off paint, neon, it all works for me to get the paint flowing. I go back to a certain time and wonder lots of things about places like Lin's that have been around at least forty years. Slowly and sadly these places with so much history are disappearing.

Railroad Crossing

Railroad Crossing
Driving home from the beach one evening, I came across this scene and turned back. This is an old lemon packing house. My grandmother worked in a packing house when she first arrived to California. While this particular place is now another type of business, you can look at it and still see what it looked like then when there were lots of people in there putting lemons into boxes.

Lindsay Morning

Lindsay Morning
On the morning after a rain, about 9 am with camera in hand, I came across this scene that I've actually painted before only in a different California town. I like the feel of it and associate it with small towns.

Grove Theatre

Grove Theatre
We never did go see a movie here. This was just the place we asked to go to but instead went someplace else. Teenagers.

Jin Bin Chinese

Jin Bin Chinese
This building is no longer there. I passed by recently only to find it had burned down to the ground. I was glad that I still had pictures of it to paint from. It seems that the things that interest me because of their age, style, architecture, etc are quickly disappearing.

Last Stop

Last Stop
This is the Carpinteria train stop. No building to greet visitors, just lights and a phone so you can call to get picked up there. This is a small town.

Coffee in the morning

Coffee in the morning
I was with my daughter in Syracuse, NY when I took this shot. The morning ritual so many of us have and don't want to be without.

Two apples

Two apples
This one reminds me of an older couple standing together and posing for a picture.

7th Street Cottages

7th Street Cottages
I was riding my bike along this street and noticed the leaning mailboxes. I thought it was funny so I took a photo and just happened to like the cottages enough to paint them as well.