Penny Otwell Paintings

On the Move

2012-01-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

High Flying Forest, Tioga Pass, (metamorphic rock) watercolor

Rocks on the move in Yosemite. Falling down, house-size boulders once again stop humans from daily routine. Common geologic process. A huge rock slide on The Big Oak Flat Road has blocked autos for an undetermined time. This is the main route from San Francisco to Yosemite, so a few will be inconvenienced. The good part: it is January and not many folks are driving from SF; the slide did not let go enough rock & debris go to also block Hwy. 140 (El Portal Road) below. Biggest, no one was injured. Remembering the "Cookie" slide in the '80's when the road between El Portal and Yosemite Valley was closed for six weeks. Huge. Meant a 5-hour drive to work for employees living in El Portal. And then the Ferguson slide west of El Portal.... closed off El Portal from the other side. Is this why I moved to Mariposa? Living in mountains means rocks move. Down. It is still a privilege to live in mountains.

I am delighted to have had the winter experience of driving to Tioga Pass, Lee Vining, and Glacier Point during our snowless Christmas. What an experience! What a year. I have done a series of ten-twelve solid rock drawings which are starting to appear as paintings in the studio. Tenaya Canyon and the Giant Stairway from Glacier Point. Still works in progress, but I'll share them soon. Coming up: The Clark Range! And Cloud's Rest. I like them. Rhythmic flowing granite in the High Sierra. Painting with color and with grays. Lots of rocks that already fell. Process.

Good living,

Penny

It's About Time

2012-01-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

Along the Rim Diptych, 14 x 28", acrylic on canvas -- Foresta (above the Merced River Canyon)

The new year has brought me some time for looking at art on my computer . . . and I've discovered a great art blog called "It's About Time" and today this blogger was focussed one of my favorite artists, Milton Avery. His work is simplified into large spaces of carefully selected color blocks. He worked primarily in the '20's and '30's but he painted throughout his life. check out this blog: http://bjws.blogspot.com/

I SHOULD BE in the studio but I seem to be resting after the holidays. Some back trouble has been challenging so I am resting and reading and looking at art on the computer. I am pleased to have this time as most of the year I plow ahead with all my own ideas and painting so it is really a great time when art history is available on the Internet. Never studied art formally, and feel fortunate to have the time now to look and think. I always study nature, which is much the same thing. Light, nuance, feeling, inspiration.

The endless sunshine is delightful, but California is so dry. No rain in sight. So far here in Yosemite, it's a "high country winter."

Be well, Penny

Silly and Happy

2011-12-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas. I've just started thinking about Christmas as I have had one art-showing event after another with outstanding results! Thank you all who purchased Christmas Paintings this year. I am overwhelmed with your desire "to own an Otwell," and happily knowing that many of you like my work, want my work, and most importantly SEE MY WORK. Like a writer, an artist needs to be heard. This small voice in the wilderness is being heard, and I am thoroughly thrilled. Thank you.

I'm decorating a Christmas tree for my six-year-old granddaughter and thinking about walking around town with her, looking at a great "Mammal" book (she loves animals), painting with her, sending her parents out for a date so we can chum it up here at home, read her stories, tell her stories (that I make up), play with "critters" and laugh a lot. I sit on the floor with her and we play endlessly. I am so fortunate to have this bright little star in my life. She makes me feel like I'm six.

So, with my little star, I wish you many bright stars, snowflakes, abundant color in your life, sweet stories to read, and the very best wishes for a happy and silly holiday season with people you like and love.
Silly is my key to the season!

Merry Christmas, Penny

Yosemite Christmas Bazaar

2011-12-04T11:15:00.001-08:00

A woman at my booth in Yosemite last Friday

Dreaming of golden aspens . . . .

Last Friday was the Yosemite Valley Christmas Crafts Bazaar which I had decided not to do it this year as it's been a busy fall/winter with Open Studio and the Up-coming Art on The River event at Briceburg and El Portal. But they asked me at the last minute to please attend, so I did. And I was not sorry. They did a phenomenal outreach to people and it was a steady stream of people looking for gifts. This is a benefit event for the Yosemite Childcare and I think they did very well, as did the artists and crafters. And people who purchased were happy to find such unusual things!

I enjoy these events because I see old friends and meet new people. And I get to see people find something they like and that makes me happy. This art making thing is fun but it has to get out into the world and has to be shared and seen for it to convey the joy and reason behind making it. Of course I am grateful for the income, but that is less important than the former. It is having a voice, a validation of what I do every day.

Next Saturday and Sunday, Dec 10-11 is ART ON THE RIVER where over 25 artists gather to share and sell. We are all along the Merced, our connection. I'll be at Briceburg Visitor Center along Highway 140 where it meets the Merced on the way to Yosemite. There are six of us here. I'll have a couple of large pieces but mostly small ones along with those great reproduction prints and note card gifts. We had such a fun time last year and had a huge crowd! Farther on in El Portal there are open houses/studios with the rest of the artists. There is photography, ceramics, painting, jewelry, hand-made note cards and so much more. If you are going to Yosemite, it's easy to stop by!
Enjoy the season as winter descends. Best, Penny

Intuitive Paintings

2011-12-01T11:10:00.001-08:00

Pink Winged Bird

How Do I get Rid of This Bird?

Winter Ptarmigan

Good Morning Good People! I've been on a creative roll in the studio and painting birds, cats, and small landscapes from memory. Sometimes I like to just free myself up from looking so much! I'm tapping into my "inner scenery" right now and having fun! I don't plan the paintings - they just kind of evolve as I work. Intuitive stuff. Fun.

First, I put tissue paper down on these 8x8" canvases and then I end up with a bed of lovely texture and I kind of "see" something in the texture which determines the painting. I hope to carry this kind of painting further this winter as I studio paint. I feel a change coming to my work, my muse is hitting me on the head and says, "get going girl!" OK, OK, I'm starting to play . . .

Tomorrow is the annual benefit for Yosemite Childcare -- THE CHRISTMAS CRAFTS BAZAAR at Curry Village. I started doing this event so many years ago and actually did not plan on doing it this year, but I got a special request. So, I went into high gear this last Monday and have been gathering paintings, framing, making gift card boxes, making prints, and more. It will be fun to see a lot of people in Yosemite. The following weekend is ART ON THE RIVER, the annual local artists open houses at Briceburg Visitor Center (where Hwy 140 comes to the Merced River) -- Dec. 10-11. This is a very fun event and very festive.

Note: In my playful mood these days, I've painted fun gift boxes for folks (which are free) who purchase an 8x8" + around all four 1-1/2" sides with acrylic or oil on canvas painting. The painting will be nestled in the box with white tissue paper. Great gifts for special folks. These paintings retail for $165 just for the holidays. Yes, I can ship them.

Have a great week -- I hope I see you at Curry Village tomorrow! Best,Penny

Happy Thanksgiving All

2011-11-24T10:19:00.001-08:00

Sunrise, Mariposa Foothills, 24 x 48", oil on canvas. I just completed this painting from a start I did at my Open Studio (demo) several weeks ago. I am finally happy with it but went through many changes from the beginning. The beginning was very abstract (as in all my paintings) and I left some of that showing through (foreground trees) in some areas of the painting. It was a magenta sunrise, cold with those red clouds in the sky predicting storms.

Off to celebrate the holiday with lovely friends and quite a few 4-leg'eds. We will walk, talk, and play. And of course, eat turkey. I send blessings to all on the day that reminds us to be thankful, grateful. Happy Thanksgiving to you, and yours. Love, Penny

Painting at The Ahwahnee Hotel

2011-11-17T20:01:00.001-08:00

I met my friend Bill (he's from Santa Rosa) who is a great painter and we worked outside on the grounds of the Ahwahnee Hotel trying to capture interesting subjects. I had not painted the Hotel in a long time so just went for it. The oaks were brilliant in the sunlight and the color of the awnings so unreal . . . but I'm happy with my efforts. The top photograph is a small study (5 x 7") of the edge of the hotel and I like it a lot. The second one (16 x 20") got busy so I may try it again, but I like the way the granite columns peek out from under the tree.

This was a couple of weeks ago and it was very cold and we had to go in for coffee and then a glass of wine! My kind of painting buddy!

My Open Studio was a huge success -- about 75 people came. I did a large demo for the group at 1pm and people seem to enjoy that. I have many requests to teach oil painting. Thank you for all who came and thanks to those who purchased paintings. Keeps me going and creating! Have a great week! Penny

Mariposa Open Studio

2011-10-30T15:56:00.000-07:00

I just completed this 12 x 16" oil field painting of the fall color in Yosemite Valley. I call this a "juicy little number" and really enjoyed painting outdoors with some friends while yellow oak leaves drifted down into the paint. I am working with the palette knife recently. I finished painting all the sides -- it's "gallery wrapped" and now I am preparing for OPEN STUDIO next Saturday, November 5th from 10am to 4pm.

This new studio has great light, a huge wonderful new easel to work on, and a view outdoors that reminds me I live in the mountains with a wonderful view of rolling hills and oaks. After a year of working here I am finally at "home" in this room. It took a while, for some reason, and I did not feel very creative for a while in here, so I've grown to love my calm workspace. Now I can hardly wait to get down there in the morning, into good lighting, fresh air, and the view. And my paint . . .

If you would like to come to the OPEN STUDIO, drop me an email -- penelope@inreach.com -- and I'll give you the directions. I will do a demo at 1pm on how I start a painting. We'll have some refreshments and lots of friends and acquaintances to celebrate with. I'm celebrating my first year in the studio in Mariposa by offering a 20% off sale. I have all sizes -- oils, acrylics and watercolors.

CASTO OAKS FINE WINE AND ART is also offering the 20% off my work in the gallery on Friday, Nov 4 for MARIPOSA ART HOP and all day Saturday during OPEN STUDIO.

Hope to see some of you!
Have a great week -- Penny

Warm Days, Cool Nights

2011-10-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

It was fun meeting up with some painters from Modesto last week and at the end of the day INSEAD of going to The Ahwahnee for a drink with the group, I stayed back to paint the light on the face of Half Dome. I did this from Sentinel Beach along the river. I did a river study also that I'll show you next time. Painting with a group is not only fun but we encourage each other to greatness. I miss painting with others but hoping my friend Linda returns soon so we can "en plein air" together.

Preparing for OPEN STUDIO here in Mariposa on November 5th -- I have lots of new work to show and folks have been asking for a long time when they could see the studio. 10a.m. to 4p.m. Let me know if you want directions. I'll do a demo at 1p.m. and a little discussion about starting a painting. Lots of new works are offered at a special 20% off. Have a great day, all.

East Side Color

2011-10-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Red Trees at the Lake is a small study for a larger painting I'm doing in the studio. From a drawing at Lundy Lake done this summer (the trees were green at the time). But I like the values of this painting and will transfer it to a larger canvas some time in the next few weeks. However, I am planning a plein air trip to the east side very soon. Gotta see the color! Just back from a great family visit at the coast and now excited to get back in the studio. Tomorrow meet with friends to paint Yosemite Valley. Fall just takes my breath away . . . . until next week. Penny

Pretending They Are Red

2011-10-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

Aspens, green and aspens red. I just could not wait, so I looked at last year's fall color photos I took, and did a few small paintings to get the color rolling. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to do this, but I'm like a kid in a candy store -- 'I want red trees now!"

I'm working with values in this painting -- the lake is reflecting the sky and looks lighter than the sky. In the painting below, taken from a drawing I made near Gardisky Lake above Mono Lake, the view is long and the trees are still green.

They are all changing, but it is a slow year for color. But it should be beautiful soon!

Have a great week -- I intend to enjoy these warm fall days, and cool fall nights!

Red Trees at Mono Lake, 8 x 8", oil/c

Long View, 8 x 10", oil/c

Fall Foothill Magic

2011-10-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

My paintings are more about what I feel often than exactly what I see. However this is fairly accurate -- with a stretch! Fall is warm and dry and the skies at sunset are red which bounces off the land. And I'm feeling very pleased about the cooler weather, the golden grasses here in the foothills, and the rolling hills around my house. Wild turkeys are strutting about in the garden, the mountain blue birds have returned and I am hopeful they will nest in the little house made just for them near the studio door. And I am painting every day.

See more of Penny Otwell's work at

Back to The Easel

2011-10-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

This Half Dome painting in oil (16 x 12') on linen was sitting on the floor in the corner of the studio and was neglected, rejected, but today it called out -- HELP ME. I squeezed out some paint and got the palette knife out to rework what was not working. People always ask me how long a painting takes . . . and sometimes it is YEARS. But this one is now ready for a gallery.

The Ansel Adams Gallery chose to do my opening on Oct. 5th and it was well attended and two new visitors to the gallery bought paintings that night. One couple was from Scotland! A bright red Yosemite Fall painting they fell in love with and the other was one of my favorites in the show of Sentinel Fall in blues and oranges. This past week was also a birthday celebration and I had a lot of fun with some friends and today I painted all day long. Tomorrow back to my walking and painting.

I am working on a Mariposa foothill painting right now and will post it soon for you to see. I love to see those golden grasses come on in the fall. Our nights are cool and the days are delicious! Oh fall, it is finally fall. Have a great happy week good people. Penny

Small Half Dome Paintings

2011-09-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

I do these color studies for fun. They are oil paintings, 5 x 7" on gessoed watercolor paper, and I love doing these small jewels. I mat them in thick 8-pt. archival mats, and they sell for $150. There are more not shown here and I even did a couple of birds that I like. Working small gives me ideas for working larger. The fun is moving back and forth from small to large. These are available for sale by contacting me at www.pennyotwell.com or email: penelope@inreach.com

Tomorrow I drive the back way to Turlock with a good friend to give a presentation at the new CARNEGIE ARTS CENTER, then I am part of a panel discussing Yosemite. I am represented by a wonderful gallery, The First Street Gallery, in Turlock and at 4pm they are having a little reception for me before the Carnegie presentation. Come if you can! Talking about art and life in Yosemite. Should be fun! see www.carnegieartsturlock.org

Until next week, Penny

Panel Discussion - Turlock

2011-09-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of the new Carnegie Art Center in Turlock where Jeanne Adams curated a new show of Ansel's California work. They have had nearly 2000 people come and see the exhibit and participate in concurrent events at this exciting new arts center. I have a feeling there will be lots going on here!

This coming Thursday, September 29, I will participate in a panel discussion and presentation about my Yosemite experience and my painting along with Mike Tollefson, Yosemite Conservancy; Brad Barker, The Sierra Club; and Kevin Crivelli, Environmental Living Program. The program starts at 7pm and hope some of you can make it. I have three paintings exhibited along with the ANSEL ADAMS CALIFORNIA show -- one of Death Valley, one of the Mariposa foothills, and a new Yosemite piece. see their website for more info -- www.turlockcityarts.org

The little Half Dome painting is from a new series (oil on gessoed paper) I'm doing on The Great Dome. I never tire of painting this rock . . . they are 5 x 7" and are matted with an archival 8pt. (thick) mat and will be available at my open studio in late October here in Mariposa. More info to follow on this event.

Have a great week, all -- enjoy the cool air each morning! Penny

Opening at the Carnegie Arts Center, Turlock, CA

2011-09-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

Long-time friends, Roger and Anne Hendrickson attended the opening gala at the new CARNEGIE ARTS CENTER in Turlock and just sent these photos on Facebook of two of the three peices juried into the show that focusses on California in conjunction with The Ansel Adams California show now featured at the center. Roger was an MD at the Yosemite Medical Clinic for many years.

The red painting under glass is of Death Valley of the Badwater Flats area -- these colorful rocks are some of the oldest on the surface of the earth -- the Turtleback is on the right. This is an acrylic painting on special paper. The paint was drying on the brush in the 100 degree weather in Death Valley.

The painting on the right is of Yosemite Fall this spring in full rush of water with the lost arrow spire and is an oil on canvas done with a palette knife. It's fun to see the paintings in the new CARNEGIE that was just rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original building some years ago. I am delighted to be juried into this show.

I will be on a small panel of folks talking about being an artist in Yosemite National Park on Thursday, September 29 at the CARNEGIE if you are around. I can hardly wait to see the Ansel Adams photographs of California curated by Jeanne Adams. I hear it's beautiful.

2011-09-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

I spent quite a bit of time at Mono Lake and Lundy Canyon this summer camping and painting and teaching and this week I worked on a few of the pieces I did as demos for the watercolor class.

The first one on the left is of Lundy Canyon with large snowfields still hanging around in July. There were also lots of flowers this year and I am hopeful the aspens will be showing good color in October, but who knows!

My watercolors are fairly abstract and what I like best about this medium is layering on lots of color. Some areas have up to ten "passes" of different colors built up, and they are rich and translucent at the same time. It was challenging for my students to do watercolors in Lundy Canyon as it was hot and breezy, and one student from last year told me how hard it was to change from fun exercises in camp at the picnic table to taking her materials outside and making a picture. I worked hard for a better transition this year.

Plein air painting is challenging and watercolor dries fast in the open air. If any of my students are reading this blog, think of plein air painting as a "start," and finish at home in the shade!

The second and third paintings are of Mono Lake and I can see I want to make some adjustments to the first of these. More detail in the hot pink/orange area in the middle. And I need to decide if I want to soften the edges of those wild lenticular clouds . . . I'll get right on it! But the second one is quite pleasing.

They all look so much better in person and these photographs don't do them justice. Love watercolor! Cleaned the studio from top to bottom this week and feel energized to attack several commissions here in Mariposa.
Have a great week - Penny

The Eastern Sierra

2011-08-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

Sierra Eastside, Morning Sunrise

My Old Friend, Bella with "Ear Sails" on Pontoon Boat

Just returned from a vacation in the eastern Sierra with long-time friends in a place of extraordinary beauty. We rent this place each year. We read, walked, cooked, played games, talked, laughed, and drank some good wine. The bed I slept in faced this mountain as the sun flowed over these craggy peaks every morning. Outstanding. I asked for coffee to be delivered to my bedside, and decadence ruled. This was NOT camping, so this was a real treat. But I'm back, last-minute framing and getting ready for another show in Turlock.

LOCAL COLOR, The Paintings of Penny Otwell is up at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village. August 30 - October 20, 2011. I took the last framed panel paintings up yesterday and Evan Russel, the curator there, was getting the show up a few days early. So, go see it! There are oils, acrylics, and I'm still framing some of the watercolors. I'll have some small matted 5 x 7" pieces going up to the gallery soon.

Next: The grand opening show at the brand new Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock. ANSEL ADAMS CALIFORNIA -- Opening Gala is September 9 from 7-10 pm. Tickets benefit this non-profit organization. Check their website: www.carnegieartsturlock.org

I have three pieces accepted into a concurrent show of paintings of California. I am also part of a panel discussion about art in Yosemite on September 29, 2011 among other interesting events celebrating the Ansel's life and work. This small Central Valley town rebuilt this art center after their old building burned down, so it is a much anticipated celebration. I'm delighted to be participating.

It is good to be back in my painting life and I will be painting in the High Sierra in September and October. My favorite time of year! Have a great week -- Penny

Transparent Watercolor !

2011-08-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

Detail Morning, Tenaya Lake, watercolor

Morning, Tenaya Lake watercolor 14 x 21"

Reflecting on teaching a watercolor workshop this past weekend has brought me several new insights. I love it. I love seeing the expression on people's faces when they really "get it" and see some results they like. And what I love about teaching is sharing information with others which kicks my butt as I have to use WORDS not pictures to explain what I mean. I recommend teaching to other artists as it really makes you put into words what you know.

I went early to the class site sponsored by Balanced Rock Foundation in El Portal so we could secure the campsites from the Forest Service, but also to paint and make instruction notes and lesson plans. It was well worth the time as I felt prepared. Arin Trook was along to prepare fantastic meals, sing at the campfire, and his wife Liese gave us wonderful yoga each morning in a little meadow by the sites. It is really a fun class and this is my third year teaching with this non-profit organization. Check out their website: www.balancedrock.org

I did Morning, Tenaya Lake on the way over to the east side and was happy with this first effort after working in oil and acrylic most of the year. The hardest (and best) thing with this medium is that you must leave white areas on the paper to show through to give the painting life and light. Students struggled with this, but I think they understood this principle at the end. Watercolor is a series of "passes" starting from pale washes to final dark detail. Anything can happen and I love that about it. There are lots of accidents but some are extremely beautiful.

Framing this week and so far all is going well with this project. Once this is done, I am really done with the show. LOCAL COLOR, Paintings of Penny Otwell, Sept. 1 - October 20, 2011. The Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite Village, is doing a reception for me on October 5 from 2-4pm. It's late, so go early to see the show. Last year they sold 25 paintings .. . this year, who knows? But I feel good about this body of work! Until next week, Penny

The Last Ones

2011-08-10T08:51:00.001-07:00

Morning at Yosemite Creek 20x24" acryl/c

Vogelsang III, Acryl/c 16 x 20"

Fall Shadows, 30 x 15"

Acrylic/c

These are the very last pieces for my show . . . well, maybe just one more small one lingering in the studio. I have more than I need, but at the end I want a solid selection for the show, and I like to be able to choose from a group. Acrylic is the dominant medium, and I like a cohesive feeling of medium when the paintings go up at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley starting Sept. 1 - October 23, 2011. I'll show the watercolors and the oils at my other galleries who have been so patient this summer while I painted for this solo show. My biggest concern is for sales as the economy is shaking at it's roots. My prices have remained the same now for several years, so hopefully there will be sales.

The frames arrived yesterday by Fed Ex and there is a mountain of paper packing that needs to head for the recycling station at the dump. Thank goodness for my truck. A peaceful feeling has come to me recently, having finished the show. At times, it felt stressful, difficult, scary . . . would I get the good pieces I longed for? Yes. I did. Now that it is all together. Reminds me to be patient with myself, and not to worry so much as I've done a good body of work.

A little watercolor painting this weekend, then back to framing, and actually take the show to the gallery. The show reception is five weeks after the show goes up -- Oct. 5 from 2-4pm, in Yosemite Valley. Then, I'm primed for friends, fun, and painting a dog or two. Have a great week, all, Penny

Down to the Wire

2011-08-01T07:28:00.001-07:00

Flooded Meadow o/c 30" x 30"

View from the Studio with clouds

Thunderstorms in Mariposa yesterday morning. And in the High Sierra as I was camping again in Lundy Canyon over the weekend. Good rains over there brought cool air and incredible sunset over Mono Lake as I dined with friends at the newly-opened Mono Inn. Saw so many green-tailed tohwees in Lundy! I was painting with watercolors, they ran over my feet and were so trusting. The aspens shimmer and make a beautiful sound here.

Getting down to the wire with 30+ pieces for the show, and still have "one more idea" on this painting or that painting .. . . I've got to just stop and do the framing, lists, photos, and get it all ready to hang. This final painting, Flooded Meadow, was done early in spring when I thought the meadow flooding was at its peak; wrong!!! It just kept coming and coming as you may know. Yosemite Valley's meadows looked like lakes. But a plein air painting is a moment in time, and this was an early spring moment!

I'm excited about my solo show -- the paintings are an indicator of where I am with my work right now. I've loosened up with the acrylics and am finding new ways of making them do what I want. Trying for soft edges! It is all a process. I will forever be learning.

I'm teaching watercolor in a course (the course is full!) in a couple of weeks so I'm spending some time with paper and water with color. Have a great week -- summer is flying by. Penny

A few Late Bloomers

2011-07-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

The Lost Arrow Spire 30 x 30" acryl/c

Azalea Buds, Yosemite Valley 20 x 20" acryl/c

Final version 24 x 48" acryl/c

I'm wrapping up the last few paintings, adjusting here and there and painting the sides of some. Ordered my frames yesterday . . . I sure hope I sell some work to pay for frames, canvas and paint!! Every artist I know and the galleries are all saying, "Sales are Down." Flat. People are buying food and gasoline and not art. But I truly believe that art feeds the soul!!!

Last year my show at The Ansel Adams Gallery did very well in sales, but I am hoping there's a little bit of a repeat this year. Our country's political situation is so wacky right now with the doom and gloom of a default possible, the continuing wars and world unrest, so maybe it's not a time for buying art. But maybe it is. Yes, I have some buyers who really NEED art right now and they tell me so. And my up-coming course in August is full with a waiting list. I know that people love art, want to make art, and I embrace this idea fully.

I'll be preparing for the class, framing, and selecting titles for some of the these last paintings. Then, I'll be back in the eastern Sierra canyons, walking and painting again. Until next time,

Penny

New Work - Mono Lake and the High Sierra

2011-07-18T12:03:00.001-07:00

Mono Lake, Negit Island -- o/c, 11x14" field study done at Mono Lake last week. The colors of the Mono Basin are so soft and lovely and I never want to stop painting here. In fact, for "vacation" I go over and paint for fun. I've been coming here since 1964 and I call it my heart place because of a feeling I have here. I think this comes from living in canyons most of my life, and when I see wide open High Desert spaces, I find it very nourishing. I am selling prints of my work from the eastern Sierra and postcards at the Mono Lake Committee on Hwy 395 if you get over there.

Yes, I paint every day, in order to complete enough good works for my up-coming show in Yosemite at The Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite Village, Sept. 1 - October 20. This piece was done from a detailed drawing I made at Vogelsang High Sierra Camp a couple of years ago when I hiked in -- part of Fletcher Peak and Vogelsang Peak. I make notes and some times can paint successfully from these drawings. I love to draw and am able to remember the feeling I had when I was there. I love the rhythm and shape of mountains so it is a way of appreciating these beautiful lines. So much better than a photograph! This oil painting is on a canvas board that is 12 x 24", which is an interesting shape!

I will continue to post new images as they come upstairs. Have a great week, all. Penny

When is a Painting Finished?

2011-07-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

The North Wall 24 x 48" acrylic/c work in progress

White Water Spring 24 x 18" acryl/c

The Lost Arrow Spire II 30 x 30" acryl/c

Pretty in Pink 18 x 24" acryl/c

Bright Shiny New Day 18 x 18" oil/c

So these have all been works in progress for the last month and except for the first one, The North Wall, they are heading upstairs and out of the studio for varnish and framing. I have a funny thing that happens to me: when I'm working on a painting, suddenly I say S T O P. I don't know where it comes from, but I've learned to trust it and do stop. That does not mean I don't go back and adjust a value or color, but I take a "time out." A fresh look in the morning means a true look and I trust this process in my work.

The work in progress (#1) needs value changes. It is a fine line of balance of tone and value. The second darkest areas needs to be lightened; the sky may have a hue change. And the sunlight places need adjusting. I've tried to keep this very simple, because at the end of the day in Yosemite Valley, everything becomes tonally close. It is peaceful and that's what I'm going for with this one.

Painting and camping the next few days in the Eastern Sierra. I'm the one in the Toyota truck parked by the side of the road either painting near the truck or on the tailgate. It's not a truck, it's a huge outdoor easel!!! Stop and say hello if you see me. There are more works in progress for next week which I will post -- have a great one, all! Penny

Cow Parsnips in the Meadow

2011-07-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Cow Parsnips, Cook's Meadow 20 x 24"

This is a plein air painting done last week done under new oak leaves and braken ferns. I was very careful not to hurt the ferns and it was truly a lovely moment in time. The red winged black birds were singing and there were no mosquitoes YET. Pure heaven! Some days are special!

I painted on July 3, the biggest weekend of the year in Yosemite Valley, and it did not go so well. So many folks in cars, including me. I arrived at 6:45a.m. to get a parking place near where I wanted to paint, took a walk, and returned to a huge traffic jam. My truck was surrounded by motorcycles, so I headed out to find some shade. Did, got my gear set up, and wala, swarms of mosquitoes landed on my jeans and heavy canvas shirt. They bit through!!! I gave up, packed up, and asked the guys to move a couple of bikes so I could give my spot to a visitor. Then it took me 1.5 hours to leave the Valley. I felt so bad for the visitors who could not find a parking place and all they could do was drive around and around. Yosemite is hard to visit with so many people.

The rest of the weekend was all business. I have ordered new note cards and stickers. Ordered mat and backing boards for prints, photographed paintings, and had some fun with friends at the River Rock Cafe. Today a visit to my eye Dr. in Merced, and home again. I did clean the studio this morning in preparation for a day in there tomorrow. It was 101 here today but the studio stays cool all day. Blessed. In many ways.

More Painting, More Work

2011-06-30T12:51:00.001-07:00

Hot Dome 20 x 24" Acrylic collage on canvas

Big Spring 36 x 12" acrylic/canvas

Another productive week in the Valley and in the studio. I don't really know where these big red and hot pink paintings come from, and I know they are different than some of my plein air work, but here they are. They are 1/2 plein air and 1/2 studio work. Clad in gold, collage, a hot pink called "opera" and all. They are so fun to make and I never know exactly how they will turn out, but they are like rich jewels. They have gold and bronze glazes which make them quite luminous up close. Unfortunately small photos here do not do them justice. One of these in this series is at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley (Brilliant Waterfall). These two are for my show in September.

My work is going well, and I like getting out of bed, coffeeing, checking my emails, and buzzing right down to the studio for early work. I'm fresh and clean and ready for creativity early in the day. Not so late in the day. Dishes sit and wait until later, as does housework. But that's what the end of the day is for, right??

One more trip to Yosemite Valley this week (yes, is 4th of July weekend) for some painting. I just can't get enough. The Valley shines in beauty. Come in early, park, and don't move your car! Have a great week, Penny

New Paintings

2011-06-25T11:43:00.001-07:00

Night Falling on Domes 12 x 24" acryl/board

Black Point, Mono Lake 20 x 24" acryl/c

I drove over last Saturday, the day the Tioga Road opened, and painted and photographed the snow banks, and delighted in being home in the High Country. Honestly, I love this area so much. Saw many friends there and visited a bit but mostly meandered from one view to the next, had a lunch-dinner at the Mobil (still yummy), and camped in Lundy Canyon along Mill Creek. The snow made the scenery so bright and since I don't wear sunglasses when I paint, I had some eye strain. What a perfect couple of days after such a long long winter.

Painting every day in Yosemite Valley for a couple of weeks and will post more work later on. I am back to acrylics -- even though they are challenging outdoors, (they dry too fast), I am having good results with them. Gathering pieces for my September show at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley. Have a great week -- Penny

Excitement in Yosemite

2011-06-16T07:55:00.001-07:00

Everyone is excited. The noise of Yosemite Fall thundering above, cars (lots) honking and parking in the roadway, pedestrians trying to cross the street, traffic controllers directing cars, water water everywhere. Water flooding back into the meadows getting close to the roads. Talk of flooding over the roads, but who knows? Could happen. Temperatures are rising. Lady bug swarms flying, mosquitos starting. It's a big show.

So, I got out my red acrylics and paint my excitement. Red, gold, purple, green, orange, it's all there. I do this every spring when my senses are exploding. I drive every day to the Valley to paint, wait in line for road repair (all summer long folks), and am part of the masses enjoying it all. There is something so wonderful being here now if you are not in a hurry. Humanity in awe of Mother Nature. I love to see people with open mouths gaping up at Yosemite Fall. We are so small and insignificant in comparison to this awesome beauty. This is what the zen masters teach, and I feel so happy to be a part of it.

Water, Water, Everywhere . . . Still

2011-06-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to paint Yosemite again today. It's the river. Yes, the waterfalls are tremendous, and I have been painting them, too, but the river. It is very high with green/white waves, spray, noise, and incredible power. I am bringing these two pieces into The Ansel Adams Gallery today and they are done in acrylic and fresh out of the landscape. I have to work quickly with acrylic as it dries so fast. I will have to start working with oil soon with the rise in temperature.

Flood stage is close in Yosemite this morning. Fellow blogger, Pete Devine, says maybe tonight it will peak, but it is an anything goes situation. It's possible the roads could be under water

which would mean evacuation of the seven square mile paradise called Yosemite Valley. I hope not. Folks drive from so far away to see this incredible Valley. Fingers crossed.

I am leaving the house soon for another painting trip. I've been painting every day in Yosemite. This is what I was waiting for all winter long!

Plein Air Dilemma

2011-06-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

My new easel and the studio scene

Work in progress -- studio painting

As exciting as our cool spring weather has been, it's been challenging for me to get out and paint Yosemite. On clear & sunny days in Mariposa I drive up to to the Valley and am greeted by clouds and rain. I always enjoy the trip into the Valley, and take a nice long walk, but I'm working for a September show at The Ansel Adams Gallery and I have a deadline. These oil paintings take time to dry, so it is important that I get the bulk of the show done soon.

I've been sitting in my truck and drawing on large pieces of paper (from my figure drawing group), and then doing studio paintings on my easel. Along with some notes and photographs, I complete the painting in the studio. This is a change as I've always started paintings in the field (en plein air). When I'm outdoors I really get to the feeling of a painting. However, I am finding the studio work is tapping into my experience and knowledge of composition, color, and value. I also have a very strong visual memory. It's kind of like the former is all heart and the latter is more brain. But I have to say I'm enjoying the studio work. I feel like I'm learning a lot and growing as a painter.

The dilemma is change. I'm always resistant of change. I thought I knew what I was doing as a plein air painter. Right now, the last few months, I've been primarily a studio painter. Today I am embracing the idea of studio painting, but of course, when the sun shines again, I'll be up in Yosemite painting up my own storm. So, Mother Nature, bring it on. Snow falling in the High Sierra and lots of rain in Yosemite Valley.

Until next week,

Penny

More White Flakes . . .

2011-05-30T08:16:00.000-07:00

Wet Paint . . . Lost Arrow Spire

The Completed Sentinel Fall

It was a six-day painting week and I will keep two pieces of four for my upcoming solo show at The Ansel Adams Gallery in September. Some paintings just never get off the ground but I find these are learning experiences every time. You'll never see the stack of rejects in the corner of my studio. They go face to the wall, then a month later, I'll turn them around and see EXACTLY what I did wrong. At times it's hard to know why one does not work because I've totally fallen in love with one part of a painting and can't see the forest for the trees.

It snowed in Yosemite this Memorial Day Weekend -- just above 4,000 ft. elevation -- so winter drones on. Glacier Pt. road opened on Friday, closed Saturday from snow, and is now open again I think. Call ahead if you're wanting to drive to Glacier Pt. A friend told me it took 4 hours to reach Yosemite Village from Mariposa one way . . . . yes, I've been working in the studio all weekend. The Lost Arrow Spire painting was done in the studio from a good strong drawing I made about fifteen years ago when I was doing pastels. I am going to work on the spire a little to not have the falls and the spire competing for attention in the painting. The Sentinel Fall piece (a plein air painting) is finished with an addition of a little more green (tree forms) to offset yellows and blues.

Planning on painting 2-3 times in Yosemite Valley this week even if the temps are cool. If the weather gets really warm, I think it is possible that Yosemite Valley could flood over the roads. If it goes slowly (cool weather) it will just last and last! Have a great week, all! Penny

Painting in Yosemite Valley

2011-05-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is a work in progress and was pretty much finished en plein air, but I added a few things in the studio. I would say it's a 95% done outdoors. I painted on the back of my truck which I love and it is the perfect height for my stuff with the tailgate acting like a table. This is 36" x 12" and hard to put on the easel, but I rigged it up with bungie chords and it all worked. This is such a graceful waterfall and I love painting those granite "bowls" that the snowmelt falls into, one after the other! It is an oil on canvas, and I'll give it a once over again this evening.

Great week -- the nights are still cool/cold and the days are perfect. Swimming laps, walking, yoga, and getting strong again. Yes! And the studio is working out very well. I need some tract lighting and will work on that shortly, but the natural light is nice.

Have a delightful weekend -- and holiday, all. Thanks for reading my blog!!! Best, Penny

Gone to the Dogs

2011-05-22T18:07:00.001-07:00

I have had this commission on my mind, desk, etc. for a year . . . and put it off, was not sure how I would pull this off, (not sure I did), and really puny about painting favorite pets -- Jack and Diane. Somehow I got the canvas up and running, a 30x30", sketched and sketched those pups, took photos, and made a fun and wacky painting for their owner, Brenda. She came today to pick it up and "I think" she liked it. I hope so. Commissions are agony for me . . . it is hard to communicate expectations from buyer to artist. I have a couple more commissions to do between my Yosemite landscapes for my solo show in September at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley.

My strength is returning. I started walking, swimming, and back to my gym and I do feel better from a recent illness. The pollen here in Mariposa has passed, but I'll be getting another dose of the sneezy stuff this week in Yosemite Valley where I'll do some studies for studio paintings for the show. Feeling good! Hope you are all enjoying spring!!

Spring Conditions

2011-05-11T06:02:00.001-07:00

Frost around Yosemite Fall

Bridalveil Mists

Can't stay away from Yosemite Valley and I am sure you can see why. We had a snowstorm the night before I took these photos, with temps going down to 32" on the Valley floor as I drove in this morning. So these waterfalls actually went down in volume from last Saturday. The river was down about a foot also. I saw a pair of Western Tanangers who delighted me with their antics and even a close up perch. Delightful.

Progress on Glacier Pt. road -- the rotary blowers are to Washburn Pt. but there is still 8' of snow! On Tioga Pass Rd., the rotary blowers are to Siesta Lake where they are chewing through 10' of snow. We will be driving in white tunnels this year . . .

Painting in the studio today.

Three Weeks Gone

2011-05-08T18:27:00.001-07:00

These two pieces are fall color paintings of aspens on the eastside recently done for a commission and I am pleased that they came forth so readily in the full force of spring! I had to work from old paintings and my photographs, but I was able to work them out in the studio as the temperatures rose to about 82 degrees! The client comes this next week and I'm so curious to see which one he likes!

Well, I was "gone" for three weeks. Sick as a dog -- bow wow wow. A small infection turned into a kidney infection and I had a high fever, chills, sweats and I won't go into any of the details. Then the antibiotics prescribed gave me hives from head to toe. It's been an "interesting" diversion and one that I hope to not repeat any time soon. I feel frail and my body is not strong. I can hardly wait to get back to walking, yoga and the gym!

Worked in the studio today and feel like I'm home after a long feverish three weeks! Upward and onward!

Plein Air Day

2011-04-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Striped Rock, Mariposa o/c 6x12"

Water Buttercups at the Ranch 9x12" o/c

A whole day out painting en plein air gets me jazzed about painting! I have been invited to paint at a beautiful large ranch below Mariposa and I am so thrilled with this landscape. Right now these water buttercups meander in the low places of this meadow in a zig zag that makes a great "lead-in" for a painting. I had to do it. Rather than draw every flower, I made the suggestion of flowers marching up the draw. Horses, longhorns, sweet dogs, and plenty of cattle roam this beautiful land. I love this landscape and will be painting here through fall. This has been a dream of mine for some time to study and paint the foothills.

The first piece is of Striped Rock, a huge granite dome with fine shadows most of the day. What I was trying to achieve in this painting was an accurate value study of the distant mountains and I think I got it. It took me longer than usual, balancing one band with another to show the atmospheric conditions occurring yesterday. What a landscape! Chinese-made rock walls adorn this ranch also.

The pollen from the oaks on the ranch gave my allergies come on strong, but it was all worth it to paint here yesterday. Aaachooo. Smiling and sneezing . . . . Penny

New Look at Casto's

2011-04-15T19:15:00.001-07:00

Eastern Sierra 20 x 24" and John Cox glass

Two Otwell paintings and Casto Wine selections

On the corner of Highway 140 at Fifth Street in downtown Mariposa is the Casto Fine Wine and Art Gallery. Park down at the Mariposa Creek and walk past the Pizza Parlor, and taste some local wine and see some local art. Currently I am featured in the gallery and they have done an excellent job of moving the display panels around to make an inviting, comfortable gallery and wine tasting and sales. Harold and Kris are super friendly. One of their wines, a gutsy red table wine, has one of my painting images on their label. We've been partnering for some time. Kris won't tell you this, but she is a great painter herself!

They carry jewelry by Becky Caraco, glass by John Cox, ceramics by Jetty and Rick Uebner, pastels by Charlotte Hoffman, photography by David Hoffman, paintings and drawings of John Bruce's, glass panels by Brian Kincade, and much more! Their hours are mostly Wed-Sun from noon - 5 or 6. Downtown Mariposa is changing -- people are enjoying this small town's historic main street, great restaurants, a great book store, and many small boutique shops. Art Hop is the first Friday of the month -- come on out Friday evening, May 6th, stroll downtown, have dinner, and see your friends! It is a happening!

Figure Group

2011-04-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Quick 2-min. sketches

It's been wonderful to draw so much this winter/spring. I am in love with the smell of wood pencils and kneaded erasers . . . go figure? Bad pun. But I love going down to Merced and immersing myself in drawing the human form. It matters not, male or female. It matters about MOVEMENT in the drawing. ENERGY. This is the same in my landscape work where I often push movement -- I heard someone say, "It must have been windy" as my trees are leaning one way, but it's really about finding the edge in a work, where there is some tension some energy. Plants are alive and they express themselves in different ways. Sometimes they are still and calm.

Big Day at the Studio. The concrete outdoor patio adjacent to the actual studio got poured yesterday. It extends the studio outdoors. It does mean that I can't get into the studio for a few days but I really look forward to using this outdoor space as an outdoor painting area in the warm weather. It is Perfect. This morning I had the fantasy of putting my hammock out there -- of course, in order to contemplate great creative ideas rather than laziness . . . Who am I kidding? Best is I won't be dragging in so much dirt into the studio.

My truck is packed with paints, easel, supports, and I'm off to paint outdoors for a few days while the green cement dries. I'll post the results for you. Happy spring, all. From the sneezy (allergies) artist.

Awesome Spring

2011-04-10T07:05:00.000-07:00

Band Tailed Pidgeon o/c 5x5"

Allopreening Raven Couple (cleaning up!)

One of the best things about early spring in Yosemite Valley is that the migrating birds return and those that reside over the winter (ravens) come out and sit and clean eachother in the sun. It is a visual feast and also music to my ears. Swallows are returning. Bluebirds. The sounds on a morning walk to Mirror Lake are awesome coupled with the boom of waterfalls and the Merced River and Tenaya Creek rushing by.

I've lived here since 1964, and don't recall an early spring just like this. The amount of precip we've experiences this year has dumped record amounts of snow in the high mountains. Mammoth Lakes (close by but not accessible to us now due to a closed Highway 120) is getting close to 600 inches total for the season. Big record. My record is that I was not able to paint much in October over on the Eastside due to unusual rain storms. And this spring has been challenging!

This is just a "teaser." Real spring in is going to be "sumpthin." If you are thinking of coming to Yosemite in April or May, this is the year! And, watch the forest for the bountiful crop of feathered friends.

Just a little more winter (I hope)

2011-04-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

The trees around my house want to leaf out, but they keep holding back. Those warm days earlier in the week -- 70's! -- are gone, replaced by another snowstorm and freezing ice on the deck this morning. But I have faith for more sun, more flowers, and warm days. My sister and brother in law have been visiting from Washington state and we drove to Yosemite to see the bountiful waterfalls booming. It's unusual to see the river so high, the falls so full, and the meadows still white with snow. There are a few "lakes" among the meadows as the snow is melting fast. The redbud in the Merced River Canyon is hitting it's peak. Come on up!!

The Government shutdown is all everyone is talking about up here. It is confuses visitors, hurts employees, and boggles my mind. Our political differences ride supreme. I ponder what the rest of the world thinks about the U.S., who "cannot" (won't) come up with a budget. Do we not look a little foolish?

Working on a commission early in the week and will get back down to the studio today for more on this piece. And another. I can hardly wait to smell the oil paint again.

Sun AND Redbud Blooms

2011-03-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

I did this painting LAST year but took it to the studio for some studio work today. I have observed redbud in bloom right here in Mariposa, and it's starting in the River Canyon, too. The poppies will arrive en masse any day with the warm temperatures we are now experiencing. Poppies are so bright when there are lots of them, and it's rather unbelievable in a painting . . . kind of like a sunset painting. But I cannot resist.

Previously this piece was a little flat, very simple, and I liked it but could not resist some changes. Now I think it might even be overworked. Where is the happy medium? Or, do I just change my mind from year to year? A painting is NEVER finished . . . . Tomorrow, off to my Life Drawing group and more learning -- enjoy the sun, all. Thanks for reading my blog!! Penny

Painting in the Rain

2011-03-28T14:40:00.001-07:00

Cascade Cliffs II o/c 12 x 12"

"Painting in the Rain" 20 x 24" o/c

No, I really wasn't painting in the rain, but in the studio as deluges poured over my immediate landscape. And the wind howled outside, and I read two books, and watched "The Magic of Picasso" from Netflix and a couple of other art videos. I felt soggy and wet. But at least I had power, could walk into town, and was able to host a few folks from El Portal (without power.)

The rain affected the way I was feeling and I made up this waterfall painting just for fun. It's part Yosemite Fall and Bridalveil Fall, but really neither . . . It has green grays and warm voilets. Working from the inside out, rather than getting inspired from being outdoors.

The top photo is a small painting that I redid, along with a group of others. This version has a wider range of values and is worked with a palette knife.

Living and breathing, praying for Japan, & doing yoga. Sat in the sunshine today for a few minutes, saw some friends, and feel pretty lucky in the big scheme of things.

Spring Will Arrive!

2011-03-25T14:46:00.001-07:00

Leidig Meadow, Yosemite Valley

This is today's "Daily Paintings" and was originally done in acrylic, but I took the palette knife and oil paint to it in the studio yesterday in that wild storm. Simplifying everything, it's rather abstract and reminds me that spring will actually arrive in a few weeks and these meadows in the Valley will have lots of water from The Great Melt Off that will come. Meadows will look like lakes.

Today I went to meet some dog friends (and a couple of humans . . .) and did some drawings and photographs of Jack and Diane, two 10-year old sister and brother. They are very close and even imitate each other like when one puts her head this way, he puts his the same way. They mirror each other. Interesting imprinting. Their human wants a painting, so will start it this weekend.

My heart goes out to my friends in El Portal. They say it's like a war zone with tree limbs scattered, cars and a few roofs crushed, and no power or hot water for still more time. PGE works hard to remedy this week-long condition. Another slide today on Hwy. 140 closed it again. The earth is very wet, the trees heavy with snow, and it all makes for a big mess in the strong winds we've had. Hugs all.

Daily Paintings

2011-03-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is a new 8x8" oil painting on canvas that starts my new "Daily Paintings." If I do one small piece every day (or two small ones every other day?) it kicks me in the right direction -- go to the studio or go outside painting! This little piece is a first from my "new" backyard here in Mariposa. These storms have brought some beautiful greens and bright light when the sun does come out for five minutes. It's in a new section of my website under SMALL WORKS. Check is out at www.pennyotwell.com

More storms, wind, and power outages for many friends from El Portal. Have had lots of visitors this week from those who need a little light in their lives (and showers and friendship).I do miss living 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley, but I don't miss downed trees, no power, and unrelenting storms in the deep canyon of the Merced. I do miss friends there and a few fine dogs. I am getting to know dog and people locals right here in Mariposa and find that I love driving in the canyon to see all the changes. When the rocks stop tumbling down! Be safe out in the big wet world.

Yosemite - No Power, Roads Closed

2011-03-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

I knew it was a huge storm. The real problem is wet, heavy snow, and the fact that we had about 3-4" of rain/snow, then it got cold and then snowed 3 feet in Yosemite Valley. The oaks are the trees that can't handle the weight of this much white stuff. Black oaks, live oaks, and more snap and break. I heard one house in El Portal was damaged from falling limbs, but everyone is OK. My old house in El Portal is OK, but two huge trees in that yard fell over into the road, blocking it for a couple of days. Still no power in Yosemite, El Portal, and parts of Midpines, but most folks have wood stoves and are pretty hearty. Oak for everyone to burn next winter . . . .

El Portal had no power for over a week when the Foresta fire burned above El Portal, and that was really hard. Mountain living requires a certain stamina. Even here in Mariposa, the incense cedar let go of lots of wood. Today I picked it all up, and drug it into a burn pile.

The roads into the park are closed because of downed trees and rock slide slippages. That darn Ferguson Slide is a problem again. Slump, slide, fall -- it's constant but just in different amounts throughout the year. No one seems to really know what it will do in the future.

No plein air painting in Yosemite Valley this week. Back to the studio. Work is going well. Also going to my drawing class. I am fortunate -- I have power and can walk everywhere. El Portal folks are staying over here again tonight but I hear now that convoys will run regularly so folks can go home. Hang in there good people!!!

Painting Trip Nipped in the Bud

2011-03-21T08:57:00.001-07:00

First Day of Spring, Sierra Nevada Style

I had planned a week-long painting trip to Lone Pine (in the Eastern Sierra) with another artist, Jane Culp, but the First Day of Spring had other ideas. My truck was packed with paints, brushes, canvases, and all my stuff the day before departure. I thought of everything. Then the wind started to blow. I've been here all winter, but not experienced anything like this wind and pelting rain. We've had 3-4" of rain and snow, and 40 mile per hour winds. There is an incense cedar tree close to this back deck that waved her arms for a full 24 hours. She got my attention! I could not sleep. Large branches flew around on their own.

National Weather Service reported 60 mph winds in central & southern Calif. and along the route south through the Tehachapis. I already tried this kind of driving one other time with my high, off the ground truck. I delayed my departure a day, but now the weather report says heavy winds on Wednesday and Friday. So I'm scrapping the trip for now. Did you ever try and paint in strong wind? Reading, tea and if I can warm up the studio, paint. Try in April. I am trying to be flexible. So how many inches of rain have we had since last summer???Ahhh, spring!!

What is art? Here are some experts!!!

2011-03-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Ran across this video . . . the animation was done with real voices of people on the street, but the clay animators let loose with some fun scenes. Enjoy!!

Painting with a friend this week -- so lot of new work to share. We talk a lot about art, but all this talk . . . what does it mean, anyway. If you like it, you like it. If you don't, you don't. I think it's that simple. Have a great week!!! Best, Penny

First Street Gallery

2011-03-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

Harry, Gallery Dog

My corner of the gallery

Churches and a waterfall

This eclectic gallery on First Street in downtown Turlock is a jewel of a gallery. The owners, the Skoogland's and the gallery curator, John Karl Claes (also an incredible artist), are the nicest people one could ever want to do business with. When I come down to see them, they take me to lunch, make me feel special, and since they love Yosemite soooo much, we talk about what is happening up here. I always look forward to a visit to the First Street Gallery and you should check it out, too! They have the best collection of art of any gallery in the Great Central Valley and even in the Bay Area. My good friend Linda Abbott is now showing there, too! I saw their ad in SUNSET Magazine many year's ago and decided that was a place I wanted to show my work! Harry is new, and we had a little love fest, so here's a picture.

The two church pieces were done a couple of year's ago for a Day of the Dead show. The small piece called "Procession" is 10x10" and done from a memory experience from a New Mexico trip at Christmas time when I walked in this procession. This was a such a strong visual experience for me -- sparkling snow, 10 degrees, and people quietly walking with candles = a magicical moment! The other piece was painted at St. Catherine's Church in Hornitos, CA (near Mariposa) at the November 2 Day of the Dead procession. I am drawn to the Hispanic culture's honor of the dead with marigolds, bright colors, and silent remembering. It is all about caring for those we loved who have passed. I also did two very colorful pieces -- one of me as a young woman and another of my dead parents dancing in the full moonlight. Of course, these are "keepers."

Gearing up for a painting spree -- I finished my taxes yesterday!!! Now, fun!

Artist License

2011-03-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

If you check some posts back I published this photo of a painting called Winter Sun that I did with a friend at the Ahwahnee Hotel. I liked part of the painting, but it was not working for me and set it aside for a while and decided to make some changes in the last couple of days -- this is the latest version . . . .and I am happier -- today. Who knows how long this will last! I am never totally satisfied. The minute something is finished, I want to change it. Something I love one year is something I dislike the next. It's all just a process which I guess is the fun part!

Rainy days, windy days, I'm in the studio working with a new medium (Liquin Impasto) and moving paint around on various canvases. The juices are flowing and I'm getting excited about oil paint. I love the way it sits down and looks so pretty. I know I'm flawed, but this stuff is my passion!

Oil paint on a rainy day

2011-03-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

Another wonderful rainy day -- gratefullness enters my mind thinking about next August -- but no plein air painting, darn. Did this 20 x 24" painting last fall in Yosemite Valley, but it never worked for me, so yesterday took the palette knife to it and I'm much happier. So, it's a 50-50. Half en plein air and half studio work. Mixed Media since I started in acrylic and finished in oil.

I'm working 8am - 5pm in the studio now. Two full days have gotten me organized and happy to be mixing color again. I feel lots of energy to paint, to see, to create so the winter rest was a good thing. I wondered if my great desire to paint would ever return, but I got the paint tubes out, the oily brushes, and the will power is returning. "Artist at Work" hangs on the front door.

Still going to class for figure drawing and hope to do some figure paintings in time. Currently working on commissions and working on my September solo show at The Ansel Adams Gallery. Have a great week, all. Penny

Go Figure

2011-03-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

So I got this idea . . . this winter I want to paint figures. So, I needed bodies to draw. So I go back to school. Taking a class at Merced College once a week -- almost six hours of figure drawing in class and another block of time with homework. I am struggling. Homework: draw 12 heads this week, 12 hands last week, and this week, 12 feet. The teacher is great and demanding and he wants us to learn his method his way. So, free-wheeling Penny Otwell does what he says. And, I am learning. We are all struggling, but sometimes there is a glimmer of a gift on paper with charcoal.

The human form is so classic but I see it all as just another mountain (form). It's about the gesture of the person, the emotion. It is not about standardized beauty in a fashion magazine. Even though I feel an emotional response when painting landscape, it's right on the surface with us humans and beasts. I belonged to a figure-drawing group 25 years ago and I'm thoroughly enjoying it again. I will always be a student of art making with a thirst for more knowledge.

It is only through exploration I can satisfy my own curiosity.

I am working on commissions the studio but will be out with bells on en plein air in Yosemite Valley when the weather invites me back. What a winter we've had . . .

Beautiful Mind

2011-02-25T10:23:00.000-08:00

Watch a genius at work. And I thought I had a good visual memory!!! I can remember color and light for a few days after being in a place, but this is clearly something different. I am encouraged to keep up my drawing! The figure group is going well. Enjoy.

Stepped Out To The Theatre

2011-02-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

She Sings, She Dances 40 x 30" acrylic/paper

From the life drawing class -- 2 min. sketches

Last November I was asked to be the narrator for a wonderful, wacky Mariposa show called UNDER OUR SKIN -- focussing on women's issues. I thought it over and said "yes" as I seem to want to do new things since moving to Mariposa. Well in the last two weeks our rehearsals came closer and closer and more and more and harder and funner (he he). I did not think I would ever "get it." But I got better. Everyone did. There was even dancing and singing!

We finished the performances this weekend -- two dress rehearsals and two packed performances with great success including loud standing ovations. What a thrill! Serious issues (breast cancer, anorexia nervosa, lead in cosmetics) were dealt with with humor and sadness by us new thespians. My fellow actors were fantastic. Playing to a crowd made all the difference -- especially as most were our friends and acquaintances. I got to deliver some funny lines, watched the script for when someone needed a line, and set the pace of the show. I wore very sparkly earrings, a black velvet jacket, and real stage make-up! Wowsers.

The stage manager asked if I had any paintings to "decorate" the Mariposa Amphitheater and I wondered how landscapes would relate to women's issues...... so I gathered a lot of energy and painted non-stop for four days and nights resulting in seven new paintings 40 x 30" to hang in the theatre. They are painted on mat board and paper in acrylic and I also gathered some life drawings (from my Wednesday night class) and painted on these pencil drawings on newsprint paper. The producer and stage manager liked them a lot so I said what if I donated them to Mountain Crisis Services in Mariposa (this was a benefit performance for them) and they could auction them off. So we did. Almost all paintings got several bids, and MCS will put them on their website for further bidding -- I'm hopeful they will make some needed funding for MCS!

What a rich experience for an artist to work with words instead of alizarin and cobalt. I learned a lot about myself and had so much fun working with great women on this project.

We did good! I'm back to my easel . . .

Live Creative

2011-01-31T09:06:00.001-08:00

Chris, Terri & Penny in the new house

Chris Nishimura did this delightful little ditty after a visit to my house with his wonderful wife, Terri. Actually, they were sulking around the outside of the house for a while . . . you know, driving by "to see where Penny lives" but too busy to stop and come in. Well I insisted they come in and sit down and visit. I wanted to give them a glass of wine but they were on their way to Merced, so I did not. Chris is a mechanic in Yosemite Valley for the last million years (kidding) and Terri keeps one of the offices humming with great humor. But look at his art!!! Chris is a quiet, giving person. Terri is an artist, too. What a couple! When you go to a party with Chris, he draws on the paper plates and everyone gets to take them home. Now that is some great community of giving art!!! I'm encouraging them to move to Mariposa for more spontaneous visiting and laughing. Great stuff.

Participating in a small theatre production next month. Another kind of art. Words, speaking, ideas, passion, and hoping I can pull this off. Since the move, I've tried to not only paint every day, but include different creativity in all parts of my life. Like Chris Nishimura. What a nice guy mechanic artist loving husband. Live creative!! Have a great week!

Warm Days, Oil Paint

2011-01-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

From the Ahwahnee looking West

Looking East -- Winter Dome

A painting friend called and we met in Yosemite Valley for a full day of painting. Snow and ice abound, but air temperatures were mild (until late afternoon) so we went for an all-day paint. Like really being home again -- not only in Yosemite Valley, but in my life of outdoor painting.

It felt really grounding. Using oil paint for plein air painting because it is juicy, rich, and does not dry too fast. I brought these two home to the new studio and balanced them out a bit. Not much. Just a little. Still want to work on the right side of the Yosemite Fall piece.

I had some trouble with the blog -- could not upload photos, so skipped a week but today got back to the old style of posting. Sorry I missed posting, but I'll try for once a week.

Days are very warm and sunny after a fall and winter full of precipitation and great storms. It's so good to get back outside! 'til next week, Penny

Getting Back to Work

2011-01-10T17:40:00.001-08:00

North Dome, Aqua Sky 12 x 6" $450

Fall River 20 x 24" Acrylic/c $1,250

El Capitan 16x12" $725

I did the Fall River painting in October, 2010 on a grand day at Cathedral Beach in Yosemite Valley and have been "adjusting" it each week. The water was too light, too dark, now it's just right! It's been slow and I've been picky, but finally I'm ready to show the painting.

It has been a struggle getting out to paint. Mariposa, which is supposed to be "above the fog, below the snow" has has very cold fog, even freezing rain, and day temps of 35 - 39 degrees going down to 25 - 28 at night. I moved from the river canyon thinking "mild temps" in Mariposa, but ha. Friends and I were to meet on Sunday for plein air painting, but it was really too dark to paint outdoors not to mention frozen fingers and noses. This too shall pass.

So I've worked in the studio, done a lot of paperwork, have learned Twitter -- find me at Twitter under otwellpainter. So far it's pretty fun and I hope not a time waster. I also feel stretched between the studio and getting to my work and the computer and valuable marketing. I think I'm just a little tired from the past year, so today I walked in town, puttered around a little, saying hi to friends, and now hot chicken soup on a cold winter night. Hopefully tomorrow, the studio -- with brush in hand and paint on face . . . Until next week, Penny

Reunited

2011-01-05T08:46:00.001-08:00

Good Balance o/c

Luscious luscious paint

Good Balance bear is home again after a long viewing at Williams Gallery West. It is good to see the bright 'fella again up so close. It's a 30 x 24" oil on canvas done with the palette knife rather than a brush. He is hanging out here for a while since the gallery is closed for a bit. Sadly, a broken (frozen) pipe filled the gallery with water and all the artwork is out for at least a month. Very little was damaged thankfully! Also the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley will have new carpet, paint on their walls, and hopefully, more lighting so my home and studio is starting to be filled with lots of my artwork. No sales in January! My galleries are my lifeblood, relationships of trust and mutual benefit, and I wish them the best in the coming year. They pay the lights, the heat, the personnel and represent artists. Like I said, lifeblood.

I've been working on Twitter! Trying to understand it, post tweets, and learn about this fascinating medium. I'm still learning, so be patient please, and I need to find out how to link stuff to my account under otwellpainter. I also have a facebook account: Penny Otwell Fans and try and post new work asap to this account. Trying to be a good communicator and a painter is a very full time job.

The sun arrived a couple of days ago, so I'm off today to paint with a friend in the foothills. Nights are freezing, but days in the sun so warming! Happy New Year, all. Until next week, Penny

Joyful Holidays All

2010-12-24T08:29:00.000-08:00

Gratefulness for my new studio in the photo -- it is the room under the house deck. It's long, not ideal, but it is totally dedicated to making paintings. I mostly paint outdoors anyway! But I do have to fix them afterwards -- analyze each one in a quiet atmosphere. I have not actually felt comfortable in the new space YET. I need to "throw some paint around" and my goal for January is to paint like it is an office job: 8-5. I did this once before and it was very productive with good results. I have a show at The Ansel Adams Gallery next September, 2011.

I woke up this morning with a grateful heart, for the privilege of living in a bigger space and one that is new and works so well. Grateful for my family who are coming for Christmas today, and that we can spend a little time together. My granddaughter and I love to draw and paint together!! Grateful for sunshine which is here today after a full week of heavy California rain. Grateful for the little cat next door who comes for a visit -- his name is Rupert and he loves it when I pet him.

And this little bird and I wish you a happy holiday full of sunshine and the warmth of friends and family. I'm off to make Xmas Eve dinner! Until next week, Penny

Birds with Different Feathers

2010-12-14T15:34:00.001-08:00

Nuthatch 6x6" $110

Little Yellow Bird 5x5" $95

Passionate Art Lover "Patchwork Landscape" $975

Open Studios 2010 were a great success and the other artists and I had a very social and fun time at Briceburg Visitor Center along the Merced River for the 2-day event. We had hundreds of folks come by -- we talked, we sold, we laughed a lot, and wished each other well for the upcoming solstice. The little stone building was charming and our hostess, Tracy, did a beautiful job of decorating with wreaths and greens. Folks loved it!

I was selling some small paintings of birds, beautifully framed matted prints, note cards, and paintings. I still have a few small ones left -- one here, Little Yellow Bird, is on sale for Christmas if you like him. Or, Nuthatch. There are others on the website.

As the year comes to a close, I have so much to be grateful for and the solstice shows me the way to a new door opening and an old door closing. There is both some sadness and very much joy. Ah, life! I wish you all a happy holiday and that the coming year will be full of artful grace.

In the words of one of my favorite authors,

"Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery 1900 – 1944 French writer and aviator. He wrote The Little Prince, a novella. Wind, Sand and Stars and Night Flight

Until next week, Penny

Birds

2010-11-29T23:23:00.001-08:00

Studio birds painted on cold, windy, snowy days after a fantastic trip to the Merced Wildlife Refuge on Thanksgiving Day. We saw huge flocks of Ross' Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes along with a large variety of shore birds. The light was lovely and we spent most of the afternoon to dusk watching the flocks of big birds rise into the sky, then come back down. Leaving and coming back. Fascinating! The sounds and sights were delightful, and I am a new fan of this area. We've already discussed a return visit with paint and canvas.

I've been thinking about birds, so the trip down the hill inspired several small quick studies which will be available along with small tree studies on the next two weekends Friday, December 3 at the Yosemite Valley Christmas Bazaar at Curry Village Pavilion from 11am to 6pm; and Artists' Open Studios on December 11 and 12 at Briceburg Visitor Center along the lovely Merced River. Notecards, prints, paintings, photographs, scarves, jewelry, and ceramics. Come see us!!

The studio is "broken in" and I am really HOME now that I'm actually painting in my new space. Until next week -- Penny

Holidays

2010-11-22T17:48:00.000-08:00

Here in Mariposa, the streets are bustling with visitors, there are few parking places available, and folks are dashing about town. Two paintings have sold in my newest gallery -- The Riversong Gallery in Mariposa! The cool air which brought snow last Saturday night, makes the holiday perfect, even though it's very unusual for these very low temperatures before Christmas!

I am drinking tea and making cards and prints in preparation for several Christmas events -- and the momentum is slowly building. The prints make great gifts at $40 -- it's a good quality photograph of a painting that is matted to 11" x 14" and comes in a crisp bag, ready to frame in this standard size. And then there are the new blank notecards -- hundreds of them!!! I have about 40 different scenes -- some winter, some spring, summer and fall -- they sell singly for $4.95 (and come with 2 small stickers of two different paintings!).

Yosemite Child Care does a great Christmas Bazaar at the Curry Village Pavilion on December 3, a Friday, from 11a.m. to 6p.m. I'll have a table with cards, prints, and small paintings. I love this day and get to see lots of friends from Yosemite and Mariposa. And on December 11 & 12 (Saturday & Sunday) is the Annual Open Studios -- an event I started at my house in El Portal about eight years ago. This year I'm with a group of artists at Briceburg -- the lovely stone building on Highway 140 along the Merced River, right where the highway climbs out of the river canyon. It should be great fun -- ceramics, photographs, jewelry, hand-made cards, and some of my work. We are serving hot apple cider from 10a.m. - 6:00p.m. on Saturday and 10a.m. - 3p.m. on Sunday -- so stop by if you can.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving is this season of plenty. I am grateful for family and friends and the abundance of nature surrounding me.

Painting Fall Color

2010-11-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

Late afternoon at Cook's Meadow.

Yes, I stopped in the Bear Jam. (Traffic jam.) Could not resist observing this beautiful creature.

"Home again" painting at Cathedral Beach.

What a day! The Valley was exquisite. Plein air painting again. I don't recall a recent year that the oaks are move lovely and colorful. They have reds, yellows, and in-between greens instead of the usual brown. The cottonwoods are passed their peak, but I remember them from painting Cathedral Beach before. A friend came and took this photo of me. It does not show how frustrated I was in working with acrylics outdoors. They were drying way too fast even with the various extenders and moisture-keeping mediums. I remember now. I like acrylics best in the studio where there is less drying in the wind outdoors. Oil paint outdoors . . . .Did I forget so much stuff?

It was a fine fall day. I took time out of the home projects to get REAL again -- and painting outdoors brought me back to where I really love to be. I do enjoy planting native plants, and designing the area adjacent to the studio, and moving furniture around, but painting outdoors in the fall is my very favorite thing to do. Home today framing for the upcoming miniature show at The First Street Gallery in Turlock -- I'll drive them over and say hello to those good folks there. Also photographing my Yosemite Renaissance entries from Lundy Canyon done this summer. Another show -- Water --opens at the Stellar Gallery in Oakhurst next Saturday -- 4-8p.m. reception if you can make it. I'll be there as the drive is so much shorter now. Have a great week -- Penny

Día de los Muertos

2010-10-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

Looking Back (me and the Merced River)

Dancing to the Light of the Full Moon (my parents)

St. Catherine's Church, Hornitos, CA

November 2, 2010 will be the annual celebration in Hornitos, CA of the Day of the Dead. People gather and light candles, bring flowers and photos of loved ones who have died to remember them. I did these paintings last year for an art show in Hornitos with a group of other artists and we had a magical experience walking and remembering our loved ones who have gone. I'm showing you these paintings again, as my muse continues to elude me. I feel her presence, and I am aware that she is near, but . . .

I have been moving rocks and trying to keep soil from eroding away in the 5-6" of rain we've had. Fall in the Sierra is often dry, but this year has been very wet. Since the house was built on a new lot, the mud is tremendous. I was up to my ankles for a few days, but today the sun was warm and now I am just a little muddy. Mariposa red clay -- amazing stuff. On Saturday I attended a native plant sale and have a start for a garden. I have to mix sand and some amendment and then they can go into the ground. I bought redbud, spice bush, mock orange, cedar (for a fence), bay laurel, and deer grass which are some of my favorites. I have some toyon from El Portal that will also go in. And poppy and wildflower seeds. So the studio muse has to travel outdoors to find me, shake my cage, and say, GET TO WORK!! I thought today would be the day, but warm sun called me out. I did get a lot done. I might have to go down to the studio and throw some paint around to feel comfortable. It's so clean and neat !!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, ALL. And remember those who you've loved who have passed.

Until next week,

Penny

Indoors and Outdoors

2010-10-24T10:03:00.001-07:00

The Sugar Maple, Yosemite Valley

New Painting Studio -- took this at night, but there are two large

windows on the right!

First, a look at the Sugar Maple in Yosemite Valley -- a non-native species to Yosemite but planted in the old Village about 100 years ago. Every fall it puts on a major color show in reds and oranges and is a car-stopper on the way into the Valley near the chapel straight-away. It's funny, as I have photos of my daughter hanging from the lowest branch of this tree when she was around 9 years, and she just left from a visit to my new home AND STUDIO this week. My prolific artistic granddaughter and I painted non-stop so I am primed for painting in my new space.

Today's winter storm is dropping rain here in Mariposa and snow in the High Country and has closed Tioga Pass once again (3rd time). I moved in Friday afternoon to the studio, just in time to avoid the Red Mud Problem right outside the house and studio. The studio is long (it was a dark storage space under the house) but with the new windows, sheetrock & insulation, it is perfect. Lots of storage for supplies and finished paintings. It is so fun to look at those shelves and see all the acrylics in one place WITH THEIR BRUSHES and the oil paints in another space WITH THEIR BRUSHES. My old studio was very cramped. There is lots of blank canvas waiting for me to start. I am so ready. I have put a couple of chairs down there and go down every hour to sit and look at my stuff. It's a start.

And I'm calling for my muse -- that part of me with the desire to share visual ideas, and my painting energy to return. It's been a long haul selling, moving, and getting ready to paint. This week I'll be painting in Yosemite Valley on Tuesday for a Balanced Rock Foundation video and a day trip to Mono Lake to paint a little fall color! Life is good, folks.

I absolutely love my new life here in Mariposa!

Unpacking & Studio Update

2010-10-13T14:08:00.001-07:00

New Mexico pastel 1993

India Ink 1989

India Ink & wc wash 1989

These life drawing of figures showed up this week in a pile of artwork found from a long long time ago. I've been making art all my life and it has gotten tucked away here and there. These are large ink and wash pieces done in a studio setting with models. I went once a week to these sessions and learned to love figure painting. Would love to find a group here and discipline my efforts to do more.

The new studio progress is great, but slow. I wanted to be done so I can open all the boxes and find my stuff, but I am waiting for trim, paint, and electric. Then, oh then, I'll be gone for months. I mean here, but gone painting. The east side colors are slow to ripen, so my timing for a painting trip to the east side should be perfect to capture the color. I love to camp, to paint, to drink all that desert air in with the garnish of sage. There is just something I so love about the east side of this mountain range.

Walking, socializing, going to the movies on the weekend to our Mariposa Film Club. Life is good and I wake up smiling. Until next week -- Penny

New Studio

2010-10-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

When I saw my new house for the first time I knew that a "storage room" below would become the new studio if this place ever worked out for me. It did. Now there are two 5' windows looking out on a great view of Mariposa foothills that are golden with the local oak woodland. I can see the first painting from the studio with many to follow. Insulation has been added, sheetrock hung, and tomorrow the taping starts in the 25' x 13' room. I keep running down and asking if it's done yet as a joke, but I am not really joking.......I'm like a kid in a candy store and trying to wait patiently.

The kitchen and bathrooms are settled in, but boxes and too much stuff continues to plague me. Last week I got the boxes all organized to where they are to go -- the studio, the bedroom (not finished yet), and then there will be garage stuff. I don't know that cars will actually ever go in there, but I'm hopeful.

I participated in Art Hop here in Mariposa last Friday night and was one of the featured artists at the new Riversong Gallery on Highway 140 & 5th Street. There was fantastic classical guitar music, a wine bar, and the gallery was bustling from 5 - 8:30pm. It was great fun and it's a relief to see the little town coming to life at night when it used to close up at 6pm without fail.

I am framing some new work for The First Street Gallery's (Turlock) Miniature Show coming up in November, and trying to get out to paint in between rain and snow (YES, I said snow) in the High Country. Tioga Pass is closed tonight! Now how am I going to travel over to the East Side to celebrate my birthday??? I love the fall color, but if winter weather is being served, I may be painting fall color in the Valley and River Canyon. Stop whining Penny. I am feeling very grateful for my recent life changes. I do really love aspen trees though.

Until Next week -- Penny

Painting Again

2010-09-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

West Valley I

Sentinel Fall

River Sunset

West Valley II

Cottonwood Turning

Every Fall I paint with a group of great painters in the Valley and they showed up this week, prompting me to take the time out from the boxes to be unpacked for a trip up to the Valley to paint. I actually knew where my paint and brushes were, but not my bag. So I "initiated" yet another LLBean canvas bag to oil painting. Kind of like my wardrobe . . .but what fun I had.

Being outdoors painting again brought tears to my eyes and with the camaraderie of other like-minded people, I was in my element. Just seeing everyone at their easels, some struggling with the challenges of painting Yosemite, some bounding ahead no matter what, and others doing really fantastic work -- what a great couple of days it was.

I was so focussed on seeing again, forgetting the challenges of the spring and summer. These small paintings (I did nine one day and three the next) were really color studies, some done on watercolor paper with oil paint. I have not futz'd over them at all -- they are fresh from the field.

I feel grounded again, really home again, proving that home is where the heart is, no matter where that is! Like doing yoga and becoming centered, balanced, and whole. I'm off to paint again this weekend. The Fall color is not "on" yet, but there are some lovely passages to paint right now. Keep watching . . . I'm hooked again.

Moved

2010-09-16T08:38:00.001-07:00

Dear Blog Followers -- Sorry it's been so long since I've posted here, as I like to post a note at least once a week. The move was huge for me (see tired in photo) but it went very well. Friends came out and helped me so much -- they packed my stuff, they hauled boxes around, they came to say good bye in El Portal on the deck, and they showed up on Moving Day and worked hard.

I am truly blessed. I'm HOME in Mariposa and living in a "box canyon" and am as happy as a clam. Walk each morning in the cool air and unpacking boxes with friends who stop by.

I'm sleeping well and found my pots and pans, so am cooking and eating well again. I am so itching to get the studio set up, the paint unboxed, the brushes found, and get out to paint. I am so ready to be an artist again. Last night I dreamed of painting !! The process of putting paint to canvas. I can hardly wait. This is the longest time I've been away from painting ever!

Watch this film: "Herb & Dorothy" from Netflix, the story of the Vogels who collected art for many years in New York. Herb was passionate about collecting -- but they were not wealthy. He worked at the post office, and Dorothy was a librarian. They started collecting in the '50's and collected conceptual, pop, and abstract art for many years that no one else really wanted -- Now the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. has their collection, including Pat Stier, Richard Tuttle, and Andy Warhol, all a gift from the Vogels. Worth millions. The message is to buy art that really speaks to you -- it's all about the passion that the artist paints and the collector sees and connects with. It takes both! Until next week -- I promise!!! Penny

Moving

2010-09-05T12:29:00.001-07:00

Eastern Sierra Sunrise August 2010

At the Fresno Sierra Foothill Conservancy Show

In between packing and this next week actually MOVING, I spent three wonderful days on the Eastern Sierra with good friends for total R&R. We had a wonderful view from our luxury "cabin" and a great kitchen, steam showers, and plenty of room for friends to come and go all week long. Games, outdoors, wine, and laughter -- the best of times. This is our 7th year of gathering and we're on for it next year, too!

Then a quick trip down to Fresno for the "En Plein Sight" show where a huge crowd attended the Fresno opening gala. Two pieces of mine sold for a total of 30 that night so SFC gained some funds and much more importantly, recognition for their work of acquiring lands for open space in the Sierra foothills. I think another event like this will happen again. Hope so, as I sure love painting the foothills.

The Ansel Adams Gallery has asked me to do another one-woman show next September 1st - October 26, 2011, so I have a year in advance to prepare a new show. I'm thrilled. And I am participating in the First Street Gallery's FALL INVITATIONAL with a reception on Friday, September 10th. Unfortunately I can't go down for this as the next day is MOVING DAY.

It is a busy time but fun to get into the new house and meet new friends. This October & November I plan to paint a lot to make up for not painting so much during the house sale and move. I'm really excited to get out in the field again. This is the longest amount of time without painting I've had in ten years!!! I'll unpack in December . . . .

Have a great week -- Penny On The Move

Wild Times

2010-08-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Here is my work at the Madden Library in Fresno at Cal State, Fresno for the interim show for SIERRA FOOTHILL CONSERVANCY. The show is coming up -- August 29 (Sunday) at the California Arts Academy in the Tower District. Tickets are $59/2 for $95, all to benefit SFC's land preserves and easements. They focus on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Fresno, Madera, Mariposa and Eastern Merced Counties. Good work. Good people. I had a great time painting at the different locations.

My house sale is finally complete. What a relief! And my new house in Mariposa is getting the finishing touches and should close next week. I am blessed and feel so happy. I will sorely miss the El Portal community of great people, but find my new neighbors in Mariposa are nice and welcoming. I will have my studio in the "living room" of this house for a while until I can develop the studio downstairs under the house. There is a great storage space that I would like to transform. In time. I am going to paint even if all the moving boxes are in and sitting and waiting for unpacking. I can always do this in winter . . . .

Two friends have died from two separate terrible car crashes on these Yosemite roads recently. The memorial services are this weekend. The whole community is feeling very sad but I take the reminder that every day counts and I intend to make each worthwhile. Be safe. Love, Penny

A Little R and R

2010-08-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

A friend called early and said, "Let go for a hike!" So I said lets walk into the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias which we did early this morning. It was cool and dark and lush with ferns and creeks and oh those trees. Good old friends standing stately by. It was quiet. There were those lovely fast-moving Chickarees (black with white bellies) running through the forest collecting seeds and nuts. And black eyed Susan's were blooming in a small meadow near the grove. And a wild rose bush, just past it's bloom. A wonderful morning and walk. I want more!

Another friend asked, "Are you painting today?" And I had to explain how hard it is for me to paint right now. My life is in limbo with the house sale (hopefully sometime this week). I get up most mornings and pack in the cool hours. Swim at noon, and do business in the afternoon. I've developed a routine of sorts which is good. Packing art now which is hard, and I really need to wait to make sure I'm packing to move or am I just practicing . . . . . I want to paint but I'm too unsettled and the studio is full of boxes.

Art News: I have been invited to show my work at the new Riversong Gallery in Mariposa. It's a new gallery with fine art that I really like, so I'm thrilled to be coming here. Barbara, the owner/director of the gallery is energetic and outgoing and has been responsible for ART HOP (first Fridays), a monthly gathering of artists downtown. Stop by when you come into Mariposa -- it's on the right side of the street on the corner in the second block of downtown.

Eastside Retreat

2010-08-02T09:20:00.001-07:00

I am fully refreshed from camping in this dramatic canyon in the Eastern Sierra for a watercolor class. Getting away from the house business, breathing fresh air, fun and games with an aggressive little bear, and spending three days with a group of wonderful people, has centered me and helped me get back to who I really am. For me, nature is a healer, a constant, and when I'm making art and talking art, I'm truly happy. The class went well and we did some great walking, and some yoga.

These two paintings were done in the class, one being a demo, the other when I saw this view as I stopped hiking up to the waterfall. Knocked my socks off. Red rocks, green trees, and water.

I had a group of mostly beginners and I was so impressed with their efforts. Several who had not ever really painted with watercolor did amazing little jewels! Some students with more experience in painting had goals and achieved them beautifully. We all had a great time together as we explored watercolorl. We are talking about getting together again to paint, laugh, and oh, yes, drink a little wine! The class was put on by Balanced Rock Foundation here in El Portal -- meals, tents, yoga teaching, and much more! see www.balancedrockfoundation.org

Watercolors in July

2010-07-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

This is the weekend of my class in a lovely and wild Eastern Sierra canyon I love and we will be working in watercolor. People ask me, "Why do I work in so many mediums?" Well, it's because each has its gifts and watercolor is TRANSPARENT and beautiful and I love that it can be loose and watery all over the paper and you never know what's going to happen. The "mistakes" in watercolor lead the way through a painting if you keep in loose. It can always be tightened up at the end if you want that. You can cut them up, eliminating part of the painting that does not work, put acrylic over them, or ink, pencil, or charcoal. It's endless. I've done some collage with watercolor to great effect. It's all just fun.

We will be camping for a couple of nights which I love. The cold night air, the creek nearby, and I love waking up in a forest of aspen. The smell and the sight of those quaking leaves thrills me just thinking about it. After such a long time of no painting, I'm not sure how the demos will go, but I'll go for it when inspired with those metamorphic rocks in the canyon and views of the lake.

The house sale drones on -- from being in tears to now thinking it really may happen is like riding a roller coaster. One day up, one day down. Just one more inspection: pests and rot and such. Then I can finally come out and play! And pack for sure. Right in the middle of August . . . . toasty! Be well, friends, Penny

Looking Back

2010-07-19T16:16:00.001-07:00

I started packing some things today. I still don't know for sure about the house sale, but it's taking so long, I just can't sit and think about it any more. Worst-case-scenario is that I unpack. So I came across some old art and thought I'd share some of the old pastels with you. I did these in 1991 - 1995. I worked only in pastel but I used the dry sticks like a drawing medium and was heavy into line. It's fun to see these -- one is a figure study from a life drawing class I took at Merced College. I actually drove 1.5 hours to get there and drive home, and then work the next day. I was hungry to make art so it never bothered me until the night I hit a poor little deer on the road. I was sleepy. He/she ran off, but that was hard.

The second piece was done at Ghost Ranch -- a place I visited for about four years in a row. I love the country there and my use of color was not so out of the norm! Fun to see this piece.

The third piece I showed on this blog a few blogs ago. I ran a pale blue glaze over the lower part of the painting and I like it better. It's so hot here (and I sold my studio swamp cooler) so don't spend much time in the studio painting. But this morning I grabbed a brush and went at it.

Have a great week, blog followers. Penny

New Patagonia Shirt is Here

2010-07-14T18:38:00.001-07:00

The nice folks at Patagonia, Inc. contacted me last year about using several of my images on their cotton T-shirts and the first was a painting of the Cero Torre and the second is this one, Half Dome. Fun to see your art on cloth, and I just got my shirts in the mail and can wear them. At least in Tuolumne! It's pretty hot here in El Portal and as they are long sleeve, I will sure enjoy wearing these in the High Country and in the fall and winter. They come in blue (seen here) and grey. I love them!!! They are in the new catalog that just came out or on line at www.patagonia.com

Even though I'm working hard on my house sale and purchase, and it seems it's all I doing, I have had some new art opportunities. My gallery in Turlock -- First Street Gallery -- has sent out invitations to artists to participate in an Invitational Show in September and also their Annual Miniature show in November. Another venue, Windows on the World, Books and Art, in Mariposa has asked me to show work in their eclectic downtown store. If I get to really ever move to Mariposa, it will be wonderful to support an independent book store. It is tough out there with the big box stores.

Life never ceases to amaze me -- as I'm driving a lot up and down the Canyon these days doing house business, I am astounded to see how full the river still is. There is plenty of white water when normally at this time of year, it is less and less water. It's a wonderful year at Yosemite -- the endless spring and now a river-ey summer. Life is good.

Studio Tweaking

2010-07-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

I worked in the studio this holiday weekend avoiding the 4th of July Yosemite traffic since the Valley is extremely crowded this spring. Understandably, as the waterfalls are still flowing well. A few blogs back I told you about Matt, the young teacher who came out to paint the western parks and these were a couple of pieces I did while we painted Yosemite Valley en plein air. I love painting outdoors and have established a style of outdoor painting that I love to do, but I always need quiet time in the studio with each piece to assess it as a painting and not just my excited immediate response. The painting and I have a level-headed conversation as opposed to those passionate feelings at the very beginning. Both are vital to good painting.

The El Cap Towers is an oil on canvas, 24 x 24" and is rather abstract but I like it. I am fascinated with the nose of El Capitan and the quartz crystal dykes that run parallel to the edge of the nose knock my socks off. You may notice I paint this view regularly, but each painting is always different. I offer you a close-up view here also.

Staircase Waterfall that Matt and I worked on over by Curry Village turned out to be a fun painting for me. I had never done it! The light just got better and better and I have some ideas about another future piece done here. I like the soft edges at the top and the detail done with a palette knife near the falls. This piece is 16 x 12", oil on linen.

The house sale is progressing I am told, but still no formal offer at this date. I continue to practice my patience. I loved the studio painting work this weekend as I know there will be little ahead if I am really to make this big move down canyon. Until then, I'm focussed on my painting! Until next week -- Penny

Blitz Paintings

2010-07-02T10:29:00.001-07:00

About six months ago an enthusiastic young man called me to ask if I would do a private teaching lesson for him in Yosemite. I said sure! He is an art teacher for an elementary school in Indiana and he wrote himself a grant supported by a large pharmaceutical company who offer "creative grants" to teachers to keep them interested and engaged in art. That was impressive in itself. Then I met Matt, who is full of life and so interested in painting and much more and we painted together for two full days in Yosemite Valley. The Park was crowded with visitors, and there were no campgrounds, so Matt and his traveling companion, Mac, backpacked up the 4-mile trail each night to sleep outdoors. What energy! Painting by sun, backpacking by evening, and sleeping under the full moon. I do recall this kind of drive and energy . . .ahh, youth!!!

Matt's paintings were done with a thick impasto oil paint and he loves color and form. I loved what he was doing and with his focus, he'll be plein air painting for a long time. I will post photos when I get them from Matt. They are visiting other national parks and Matt will paint his way through them.

So I have work to do on all of these paintings I'm posting today -- but it shows how much of each painting is done in the field, and about only 10% in the studio. The El Capitan piece is rather abstract of the nose and the El Cap Towers, Yosemite Falls was done at Swinging Bridge. Neither is completely finished. The mosquitos were horrendous, and the heat intense (99 degrees in YValley), but it was so fun to put out a series of work after all this house sale business. Still no news for sure, but I just have a feeling it will all work out.

Getting back into painting with Matt has grounded me once again to what is important in my life. I hate fussing about the mundane nuances of selling and buying a house. I have had a good reality check and a lot of fun with two delightful young people. What a gift!

Yosemite Fall

2010-06-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

This is actually the first painting I did last weekend when I painted the two similar pieces en plein air. It was earlier and the sun was only really hitting part of the fall and the upper left section of the wall behind it. I often do two versions of the same scene as I learn each time I do it. This piece is more angular and shows the fall coming straight down whereas the 2nd one posted last time has a softer look as the wind picked up. VOTE FOR THE ONE YOU LIKE BEST. Or if you don't like them. They are both the same size, 36" x 12".

Finally really warm days have arrived with humidity in the form of rain drizzle and also the heat calling up all that rain and snow from the saturated spring earth. The plants are smiling and so am I! Took the time to prepare canvas yesterday in anticipation of more painting.

Working on both studio pieces and plein air work . . . . I can't stay away from Yosemite Valley and her abundant spring joy. Yesterday was delighted with a pair of Western Tanagers dancing on a slight breeze. Such delight. Til next week, Penny

Returning to My Easel

2010-06-20T16:49:00.001-07:00

It's been 2-1/2 months since I painted outdoors en plein air and I have suffered greatly. I dream about painting, but don't paint. The Big Move has taken all my time and energy, and the YardArt Sale last weekend also contributed. I promised myself I would paint and then procrastinated for several days (????). But I'm back. In the full flush of spring in Yosemite Valley I painted two pieces yesterday and finished them (almost) today. I still have a few squeaks to work out. But I feel whole and centered and calm and I am grateful for my art which keeps me sane in crazy times. Those juicy acrylic colors have taken me over. No pale dabbing here.

The Half Dome piece is called The Big Dive (for the Diving Board) lavishly painted at the edge of the dome. I offer up a detail of this part of the painting here. And then I did two versions of Yosemite Fall which is impossible not to paint in spring. Someone asked me how I saw all those colors in the painting . . . I said those are my feelings for this waterfall. Blank stares and no more comments .. . . ...I know, I know. These folks wanted it to look like it looks and were not happy with my interpretation. Then I got comments from passing cars, "terriffic!" I just do my thing.

I'm still in limbo with the house sale and purchase. Hopefully this next week sometime, I will actually know . . . but it may be longer. I've had some clear thinking, and just need to trust and relax that it will work out. Did I mention I'm thinking of the South of France? Just kidding, but what would that be like? I spent a month in Paris, France when I was 24 and wrote in a small diary every day about what I was seeing. The museums, the art, the old buildings in the city, The Metro, the food, I loved it all.

Next week . . . or sooner if I finish the other painting. I feel like I've been let out of school . . .

Penny

Thanks and Gratitude

2010-06-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

I'm so grateful for all the people who came to the YardArt Sale! They not only bought some of my household goods, books, etc., but most bought paintings! In my "getting rid of" mode, many paintings are now hanging in the homes of employees of Yosemite National Park and Mariposa. Many folks came from down the road, and not only bought one, or two, but three paintings. Just what I needed to clean out, and simplify my personal and art life. Thank you all.

Still showing you "old art" for the fun of it. While going through boxes of paintings on paper, I brought these two out. The first is a little acrylic that I did "ala Grandma Moses" of El Portal right by the river in spring. It's primitive and not carefully done, but has a certain charm which this little town certainly has. The second watercolor is a detailed painting of a pigeon I found who was unfortunately very dead, but so beautiful in her death, I had to paint her. I was visiting a friend in Santa Cruz and found her at an overlook at the ocean. She seems to be rising from the ocean heading for heaven. Her feathers glistened in the sun.

I am back to selling my house. I am working on my patience these days as I know it will happen, but just when? Being calm. I want and need to get back to painting and will start back this week with a day in the Valley. This astounding spring full of water and spray is unparalleled. Again, my gratitude is huge. There is so much abundance. Until next week,

Penny

Finding Old Art

2010-06-09T20:39:00.001-07:00

It has been a rocky journey this week -- one of angst but also great pleasure. I'm a prolific artist and I always have ideas going on about what and how I want to paint. I've found so many paintings that got tucked away in "storage." Because I'm selling my home (and studio) and buying a home in the little town of Mariposa, I have virtually stopped painting this past month, and have been dealing with a lifetime of drawings, paintings, and "idea boxes" where I put pieces of paper that have a color on them I love. I'm going through all this in order to not have to move too much.

I am doing the "Yard & Art Sale" June 12 & 13. Once it gets out of the studio building, it's not going back in. Friends are helping me and the town will turn out I think. I am offering lots of work for little $$. A give-back farewell to this sleepy little town of El Portal. I have lived next to Yosemite Valley for 46 years, and I have not even dealt with the emotions of leaving here. I guess that comes later, when all this excitement subsides.

Some angst came into the business of selling my house here -- my buyers backed out last Saturday night-- which means my contract/escrow in Mariposa is now at risk. After stomach aches for a couple of days and some useless fussing, I am now calmer, have sent out emails that it is back on the market, and a few calls have come in. I just have to trust that it will all work out for my dream of living in town in a house that is well-built and custom-made for a studio/live-work area. I've even purchased fans and lighting fixtures. My builder is a kind man, but he tore out walls for me which does not make it as sellable as when it was a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home. I just hope he can wait until I sell. Trusting is a weakness in my characteristic but when talking with him today, he sounded positive. I'm lucky.

Until next week, Penny

Oil Spill

2010-06-03T19:47:00.001-07:00

Today I wanted some spicy pesto sauce that I bought a while back and I set it on the counter earlier in the day. When I came in from cleaning up the studio I found the plastic jar and lid were coming apart and oil was oozing down the sides and onto my beautiful wood countertop. Aaarrgg. Then I actually opened the "fresh" jar and when I did, oil splashed out all over the place on the counter, on me, and what a mess. Even though my spill smelled like yummy garlic and basil, I really started relating to the massive destructive oil spill in the gulf and all the birds and beasts and plants that potentially will be exposed. Oil is a real mess. I brought my jar to the sink and tried to clean it up, but towel after towel was used to little avail. It took about a half hour to clean up one little mess of olive oil and I saw how it "globbed" together when I used water, even hot water. What have we done to the earth? It is an awesome disaster and from the newspapers, not one soon to be rectified. Sad. Sad. Those lovely shore birds.

Going through old artwork and seeing things I did so many years ago that have been buried in my "someday I'll deal with that stuff" pile. It is interesting to see where one has come from. This little oil painting of the Inyo Mountains in the Eastern Sierra is one I particularly like. I painted it on a piece of wood about 1997 and have never framed it, but think I will. And I want to keep it.

The Tioga Pass Road is rumored to open this Saturday at 8:00a.m. Oh, tempt me!!! I should stay home and get organized, but . . . . hope you are enjoying spring! Penny

Wild Spring

2010-05-29T10:42:00.001-07:00

The Days are still cool, the nights cold, and the winds strong this week. I've been going to the Ansel Adams Gallery several days in a row as my show comes to its end. I am so pleased with the sales! Twenty paintings have sold (including the biggest and best!) in this show from April 15 - May 28. Thank you everyone!! The Gallery staff is thrilled with the success and I am energized by the fact that people want to purchase my work and live with it. It makes me want to paint and paint and paint. As an artist, having my "voice" heard over the crowd of so many great artists, is affirming. This show's success says to me, "What you are doing has value." So, at a time when I am painting less -- because of my house move -- I am longing to paint!

I took the photo of Yosemite Fall the other day as the wind whipped it up and sideways. I'm showing two waterfall paintings done several years ago that still are in the studio -- Red Waterfall (Bridalveil Fall) and Ribbon Fall. These falls, like Yosemite Fall, are spectacular right now. Our huge and constant storms have brought so much snow to the High Country, and it's just barely starting to melt. On the first warm days that arrive, you will find this painter up in the Valley painting waterfalls once again. People ask if I get tired of painting waterfalls. I never do. Like with writing poetry, there's much to say.

Am preparing for a huge yard/art sale in June, so back to the boxes and looking through my accumulations of the past eleven years here in El Portal. A total of 46 years at Yosemite. But I'm not going far, just down the hill to the little town of Mariposa. I will still paint Yosemite! Have a great week. Penny

Wine Label

2010-05-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

The folks who run Mt. Bullion Vineyard out on Highway 49 in Mariposa make some wonderful wine and they are the kind of people who love both wine and people. They do a lot for the Mariposa community and do regular benefits for people at their picturesque winery, a short distance from Mariposa. A few months ago they asked me about this image I did several years ago -- about using it on a label for their red table wine -- and of course, I said yes. I like the reproduction of the painting (which they also bought) and it's fun to have a new "venue for my work!" Lucky me. And, of course, I get some wine . . . .

This past weekend was a great shot in the arm as Yosemite people return to see the outrageous waterfalls in the Valley. We are all feeling the joy of nature at its best. The dogwoods are in prolific bloom, the skies clear, the sun bright, and the temperature unusually cool. I may say this every spring, but it's absolutely incredible this year. Regular rain storms have hit once a week for the past seven weeks. Today it's cold and windy, uncharacteristic of Yosemite in late May, but a sparkling, sunny, rich cool day. More rain predicted for next week as this pattern continues.

Attended a beautiful wedding of a close friend's daughter on Friday afternoon at the Ahwahnee Hotel. My daughter and family came which was very fun, and I saw many many old friends. We laughed and cried and remembered old stories, gasped at each other saying we "looked the same as we did 30 years ago," and had a great time. Many of my friends and I worked at the Ahwahnee in the '60's, '70's, and just a few of us are still here now. I'm a real hold out. But not for long. Moving down the mountain, but close enough to Yosemite to come any time.

I am working on my move to be a "townie" in Mariposa, a sleepy little Gold Rush town on the way to Yosemite. I have a plan to have Open Studio often, encourage other artists to show once a month, like a "First Thursday," a regular art event. My new digs will be perfect for sharing art with people. Art has to be seen by other people, and I don't mean sales. There is a giver and a receiver. It causes real inspiration and passion. When someone falls in love with one of my paintings, it's a real live and human connection.

I am working on some foothill paintings for the up-coming August show for Sierra Foothill Conservancy. It feels so good to pick up a brush again after all this house business. I have to learn to balance packing and yard sale and painting in this astounding springtime. I am so grateful for it all.

Huge Decision

2010-05-15T15:42:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, painting is my life. I live to paint? Oh, there's other good stuff like family and friends, but painting grounds me in a way that is hard to explain. Currently I am not painting. I've made a hard decision. I've sold my home of 12 years and am moving down-river to Mariposa, a little gold-rush town 32 miles away from here. The decision has come in spurts and bursts, and "oh, no, I couldn't!!!." I love it here -- the four seasons. The house looks south across the canyon and in the current spring rush downhill, the Merced River makes a huge roar day and night. We're sleeping with the windows open now and it lulls me to sleep each night. So why move?

I'm getting older and heating with wood is wonderfully warm, but a huge amount of preparation, planning, getting, chopping, and hauling it in. I really like this work as it keeps me fit but I long for a thermostat. Also my studio has no heat and those small electric heaters are not efficient and are expensive. I know, I know, I could have had a good heater put in . . . . the thrill of standing on a cement floor with no heat in this damp canyon has passed me by. And summer's are so hot in the canyon, so the studio is too hot. Whine, whine . . . so I looked around and found a house that has Real Heat. It's right in the little town and I can walk to get the newspaper, a cup of coffee, to the library, or to Savoury's to meet friends and have a glass of wine before dinner.

So the last few weeks have been filled with the realization that it's time to move. So, I'm preparing to do so. My art stuff alone could fill a truck but I plan a huge yART sale -- art and stuff early in June. This small community is unique and very special and I will deeply miss the families and individuals who live here. I am both sad and very happy! Life is just that way sometimes. My intuition tells me, "Time to Go, Penny." So I am.

I promise to keep up my blog each week and perhaps I'll show paintings before I used to blog as I am not painting right now. When the big chunks of going through my accumulations pass, I will get up to the Valley and paint. I do appreciate seeing the numbers of followers that stop by my blog. Thanks for all the comments, all. Until next week -- Penny

Spontaneous Combustion

2010-05-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

Up early, drive to Yosemite Valley, stop at swinging bridge to see reflections in the swollen river, off to meet a fun group of people from the east coast to share what I know about Yosemite. Spring. Clear, loud, strong contrasts. Snow melting into wide river, blowing falls, white clouds arching to contrast. New green against yet-to-bud branches. Glorious one man said. It's glorious! Yes it is. Good to be alive and to be a part of this great nature of earth. Bear walks by our group, deer beds down, grosbeak calls. The season is upon the Great Jewel of the Sierra.

Rejoice!

Sometimes it is just too beautiful to paint. I just had spontaneous combustion of feeling today for this great place. I could not pick up my tools for this beauty astounded me. All I could do was look and see. It is right to just stop and take it all in and it filled me to the brim.

Painting on the Ranch 2010

2010-05-03T17:20:00.001-07:00

These photos are of three of the five pieces I did at The Dinnel's Ranch in Cathey's Valley at the 2010 Agri-Nature Tour Trail a couple of weeks ago. What a great place and what a beautiful spring on the ranch. These black angus are in eating heaven and trusted me so much that they came right up to my easel/truck and checked me out. I just kept painting and painting. I painted cows about five years ago, but it's been a while. Like I have mentioned before, I like to paint everything and not make anything "special." Just look at the light and how it hits the form. But then the personalities of these 800# beasts comes through. The single cow I call "Electric Blue Betty." She chomped loudly right near the easel with the lake in the distance. I like the composition of "Five's a Crowd." And "Up the Draw" with backlighting was fun to do. I tried to emphasize the character of these eating machines rather than exact replicas. My favorite is the cross composition of "Five's a Crowd." But then there is "Betty."

Back to painting at the easel for the up-coming Sierra Foothill Conservancy's Plein Air Event this coming August. Painting from smaller studies done at the McKenzie Preserve and also at the Trabucco Ranch in November, I have plenty to paint some larger pieces from these studies.

The world is so full of beauty. We just have to look. Have a great week! Penny

Lembert Dome Revisited

2010-04-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

I have been reworking some paintings I did en plein air last summer in acrylic paint. Because of them drying too fast, I was not happy with them, so this spring, I'm re-working them in oil. And I'm much happier! I did this painting with my good friend Linda Eade -- she reading a book while I painted. A group of us go to Tuolumne every year to hike and play, and I of course, took a day off to paint. I'm still working with warm shadows and still like the affect.

Spring has really arrived . . .except "they" are calling for more snow and rain tomorrow. But today I am outdoors in the sun planting some garden beds and thanking my lucky stars!

Art in the Neighborhood

2010-04-19T20:20:00.001-07:00

It's been about a month since I promised my small and lovely neighbor, Scarlet, that we could paint outside one day. Well today was it. Her sister came and another friend and I got out the tempera paint, the buckets and brushes and we had a go at it. Things started out neat and tidy, but after about an hour we were mixing all the colors together and flicking paint onto the paper with little spots, then mushing it all into brown. Then we incised into the paint and it was like drawing. We laughed so hard at the end that two girls had stomach aches. We painted from 2:30 until 4:45 and had to wash off in the hose. It was not THAT warm, so we had towels, drying off, and eating snacks.

Wow, it sure is fun to make art! I wrote down lots of things the girls said . . . here's some of it:

"I'm making soup." "Wonderful yellow!" "I did a rainbow." "Red and white make pink." "There's a cloud in the house." "I'm flinging colors." "I like my picture the best." There was also lots of silly and make up words said in rhythm which went along with painting wildly. We adults can learn a lot from 4 to 6 year olds.

Waterworks

2010-04-16T15:44:00.001-07:00

The show is up and the reception was a great success with lots of well-wishers who came, had a sip of wine and ate some snacks. Lots of art talk, with some folks buyingt art! Old friends, community friends and the new Superintendent of Yosemite, Don Neubacher, introduced himself to me. Also present was Dan Jensen, CEO of Delaware North and his wife, NPS rangers, and several groups of folks who have followed my work for many many years. Thank you all for coming!!!

It was really crowded and fun, and the evening continued at a local restaurant with good friends. It is incredible to see six months of work, done, and up artfully on the walls in the gallery. Curator, Glenn Crosby did a beautiful job hanging the paintings. I am grateful to The Ansel Adams Gallery and the entire Staff for the opportunity to share my vision of Yosemite with the public. The show will be up until May 25 so if you come to Yosemite, check it out!

Today more walking, a long nap with Sadie the Cat, and reading. Very quiet after so much excitement last night. Tomorrow, maybe paint? I have a slow strong flame in my belly to keep the brush moving. The Merced River Canyon is so beautiful these days, and I'm just itching to get back to art making. Thanks to all to came to the reception!! 'til nex time, Penny

Showtime

2010-04-13T10:09:00.001-07:00

My first one-person show opens tomorrow at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley and even though I've had shows before, and SHOULD BE calm, I'm pretty excited and scared. Yes, scared. Will folks like the new work? Will they miss something that is not in the new works? Will they want more (crazier) color? I keep telling myself, to calm down. You did a great body of work with oils and it's cohesive and a real collection. You tried new techniques, explored the properties of water, discovered how transparent paint looks so cool next to opaque paint, explored using warm shadows and much much more. Winter gave me a block of quiet time to enjoy the process of making the paintings, and even though I went through some angst (vertigo), it has all come together.

The truth is that I am so excited to get painting again -- new subjects, foothill paintings, and continue the combination of acrylic and oil paint. I want to work on paper for a while. These two High Country pieces are 2009 plein air acrylic paintings that I wanted to change, so they got adjustments in oil paint. The first is called Angle of Repose that I did along the Tioga Pass Road last summer. Not an icon, just regal beauty on the side of the road. The Tenaya lake piece is called "Lake of the Shining Rocks III" and originally had a lot of bright red, but I cooled it down with blue. I worked on these in the studio while El Portal received another 2" of rain. Spring is just aching to get out!!!

Reception for WATER WORKS is at The Ansel Adams Gallery, Thursday, April 15, 4-6pm. The show runs until May 25 so I hope you can see it if you come to Yosemite. Check website at

www.pennyotwell.com

What I Did this Winter . . . .

2010-04-06T13:55:00.001-07:00

I look a little glazed over surrounded by all these "cooking" oil paintings. By cooking, I mean drying. We've had such a wet winter that some paintings need more time to dry, so I "cook" them every day, paying PG&E endless $$. But all is well, and they are drying slowly. I've been putting the backs on all of them, framing some, and moving some work out of one gallery and into another. I cannot even move in this drying room, but when a friend, Beth, stopped by she took this photo. I feel like I'm in Kindergarden again, overwhelmed with large and small canvases, and it's SHOW AND TELL. So here's a reality check -- Show at Ansel Adams Gallery April 14 - May 25, 2010. Reception Thursday, April 15 from 4-6p.m. Come, and say hello.

Big Storm

2010-03-30T13:50:00.001-07:00

I find living in the mountains and in a small community that folks get excited about the weather. So, yesterday the town was abuzz with "snow's coming, big storm, lots of wind." Heard it at the post office and the store, so I loaded the truck up and went out painting in Yosemite. I was dressed for any kind of weather, but had to peel off layers as it was hot!!

I walked to this favorite spot of mine to paint Half Dome and found several groups of folks out enjoying a fine spring day. A bit windy, but very fine. A young couple was having a picnic on a log near where I wanted to paint and I asked would they mind if I set up down along the river? They nodded "fine." After I had finished the painting they came over and it turns out they are from Chile! On their honeymoon and a 2-hour commercial tour of Yosemite Valley from San Francisco. She wants to learn to paint and I dug out a oil-paint-splattered business card from my easel and then we discussed Chilean wine. They wondered what California wine I would recommend and I told them a couple of favorites. Imagine only having two hours to see Yosemite! I was so impressed that they did not try and run all over to see famous icons, but chose instead to stop, picnic, and nap near the river in beauty and calm. This spot I love to paint in is not so easy to find, but they found it. Bravo Chileans.

Today is windy, raining in El Portal, and snowing up the mountain.

Quick Impressions

2010-03-28T11:03:00.001-07:00

Redbud is peaking and that combination of pink violet and green just knocks my socks off! So yesterday I gessoed some watercolor paper and did six quick impressions outside. The exercise is really about simplifying and using a large brush and very few strokes. The final results are only 4-1/2 x 6-1/2" so it really pushes you to work direct without fussing. No smaller than a #8 bristle brush. This is good for me right now as I feel like I've been noodling too much.

The canyon is gorgeous. However, the poppies are not out in the masses like they were last spring. Are they still coming? We've had nice warm days but cool nights. Sometimes I remember this about poppies -- almost like it's every other year? There are some, but nothing like last year. The gold fields are predominant at Briceburg and where the burn happened. The river is swift but looks pretty calm due to the volume until it hits rocks. Then, white foam.

I may try another subject for these small pieces. I mat them in an 8-ply mat and they look very nice with white around them. And I learned something. Keep it simple!!!

Underwater Fantasy

2010-03-26T11:55:00.001-07:00

The first painting is one I did at the McKenzie Preserve that I promised to share with you. It was done at the end of the day when the sun was low which made the flowers and cliffs so brilliant with oranges and greens. But I had not addressed the left foreground as I was tired, and ready to get out of the sun and make the drive home, so it was rather unresloved. But I finally figured out what the painting needed, and anchored the left foreground down so it was not floating away. I was quite inthralled with this scene. The white are fields of popcorn flowers and some orange fiddlenecks. It's much better.

The second painting is like stuff I love to do. Silly and Fun. Whenever I take myself too seriously, I'm in trouble and I love painting fish and just made them up, as who can paint them when they move so fast!!! Again, using transparent paint along with opaque paint, it gives the water the translucent quality I like and the fish themselves, volume. I like each fish's personality and think they are having a great swim.

A few days away from the easel doing taxes and business has me yearning to get back to painting outdoors! I think tomorrow I can go. Then more business next week when the rains t return. 'til then, Penny

The Twenty Pounder

2010-03-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

This is the large painting I promised to share a couple of weeks ago. I've been glazing it with transparent paint for all this time, adding some gold and silver paint, and finally have the affect I've been waiting for. Painting takes patience. And a willingness to live with imperfection while keeping at it.

It's rather an abstract idea. There are three trout forms in a grey blue but what I was observing at the river were beautiful patterns of "round squares" that caught the sunlight on top of the water. I was going for depth. I hated the painting for a while, but did not give up and kept on with about 15 layers of transparent paint in dark green and light green. Today I'm willing to share the idea. Not sure if its done or not. It is so HEAVY with paint. I love a transformation!

Still working on a couple of plein air pieces I did last week and will post soon. Hope you are enjoying spring as much as I am!

Back in the Saddle Again

2010-03-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Back to plein air painting in Yosemite with a really fantastic spring day with sun and warmth. I have thought that winter would never end. The nights are still cold, but I refuse to build a fire in the morning, thinking it will be warm later. I'm still shivering!! I guess I can still build a morning fire and just freeze at night. I am sick of chopping kindling, hauling wood in, finding enough newspapers. Sorry about the whining. I'll stop. I should be grateful.

Cascade waterfall is such a jewel in Yosemite's collection of waterfalls. Mostly folks drive right by it, but some stop and enjoy this waterfall tucked into the North Wall of the Valley. I stayed out all day and really enjoyed myself in the sun. The other two pieces need adjustments and changes, but I felt like I finished this one pretty much outdoors.

Will visit with good friends tonight. 'Til next week.

Penny

Plein Air Paint Out on the McKenzie Preserve

2010-03-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

The McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve is near Prather and the Sierra Foothill Conservancy's two day event was a great success with many guests getting out and walking through the wildflower strewn hills. 14 artists painting en plein air were available to talk with people and the sun won over the rain clouds. There were wonderful clouds and everyone enjoyed saying hello to spring after a wet winter.

The volcanic tables are very dramatic and it was fun to paint on these two days outdoors. These studies are both oil on canvas board. I did lots of walking the first day hauling my gear around and got pretty tired, so the second day I sat down and painted. I don't really like to sit and paint as I have more energy standing but I relaxed on the top of this popcorn-flower filled hill. It was fun to be out painting with a group of artists and I enjoyed the first really warm day painting in the sun! And the painting season has just begun!

Changing Lanes

2010-03-12T19:33:00.001-08:00

Trabucco Ranch Oct. 2009

Tomorrow I'm off painting with a group of California plein air painters at the McKenzie Preserve near Table Mountain east of Fresno. About 14 invited painters who work all over California are participating with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy. Some do pastel, oils, and acrylics.

The Trabucco Ranch painting is the piece I did last fall with the same group. It's a palette knife painting and captured the dried grasses and colors of fall. Tomorrow we paint GREEN, a challenge I love. I make greens and do not use them out of a tube. Black and yellow make the loveliest olive green. Add a little red, and it's deep and rich green. The foothills are alive with flower buds (with a few brave bloomers) so with the rains lessening, and sunshine promised, the bloom should be perfect. The area is known for its vernal pools where flowers bloom in circular and angular shapes where water stays the longest. The earth is just amazing. Nature is persistent.

I'll announce the SFC shows coming up this August in later blogs but if you want more information now go to www.sierrafoothill.org

Happy spring!

Until next week -- Penny

Down at the River in the Sun

2010-03-08T10:36:00.001-08:00

The sun hit my room yesterday morning and I was out of bed in a flash headed for the studio and took my paints down to the river at a little special spot I love, and just really LOOKED at the water in the river. There are so many colors in the water when the sun shines! Rocks, fish, branches, skimmers and glints off the water. This was great fun, and a good reason to delay doing my taxes. I was not looking for a realistic look with these, a plein air look, but total emersion in the subject. Abstract ideas. Time for seeing well and feeling the colors of the water.

These are oils, with transparent paint next to opaque paint (my new favorite look) and the look of fish. Fish under water with light on top of them. Daniel Smith makes some iridescent paints, and I used some on the fish which does not show up in the photograph. I may still do a glaze of gold over these for even a more shimmery look I want. The water was alive with light, dark, oranges, deep browns, and more. Then I used an incise tool to cut away some lights and swirls, even bubbles. Fun. I immediately tried a larger version but it has failed so far. I'm not going to give up, though, and will glaze it until I get what I want. I love trying something new!!!

Working on taxes today. Aaaarrrggg.. And it's raining again, but I'm thankful for it all.