Bistro Jeanty

I started a new painting this morning. Will finish later today I hope. If you have not eaten at this French Bistro in Yountville, you must. Authentic French food. Yum! It's the next best thing to being in Paris!

10 x 10" Oil on Linen

Three's A Crowd

Three's A Crowd

Oil on Linen Panel  8x16"

$300





I just finished this piece. It is one of those photos that I've had in my pile for years. Who knew I would ever want to paint chickens? I guess there is a reason I never threw it away. I love the format and not every subject will work on an 8 x 16 inch panel. It would be really fun to set on the kitchen counter inside an iron easel, or just as nice in a frame.

Path Around the Lily Pond, Monet's Garden

Path Around the Lily Pond, Monet's Garden

6 x 6" Oil on Linen Panel

$75.

Back to Monet's Garden

Back to Monet's Garden
Oil on Canvas  6 x  8"

Availabe $75

That Time Of Day

That Time of Day

Oil on Canvas  30x40

by Randy Blasaquez

 Available

I started this painting months ago. It is from a small study I painted a couple of years back. It is never as easy as I think to take an 8x10" piece and enlarge it to 30x40". I had to get away from it for a while, and then I lost interest until this week. I'm going to let it dry and do a tiny bit of glazing over the sky and land in the background. Do you have any suggestions? It has taken me some time to get the feel of the light coming through the canal at sunset. I am finally almost satisfied with my efforts.

More about the Napa Valley Art Festival

I mentioned in my last post about the generous words of wisdom shared by so many of the artists showing there. Well I've been thinking about one particular comment from  Brent Jensen. He first heard it from Kevin Macpherson. "Paint one small painting everyday for a year and see your abilities jump". He said to limit your time on these small pieces to maybe half an hour.

My plan is to challenge some of my students who might be ready to take this exercise and commit. I will share in a future blog about our specific plans. I want to start soon, but it may have to wait until January.

So, what do you think? Are you on board?

Napa Vallery Art Festival

Yesterday was the third annual Napa Valley Art Festival. It was a beautiful day, gorgeous actually. I went along with a couple of artist friends, Renee White and Barbie Smith.

There were over 300 original paintings by 31 of the West's premier representational artists.

The artwork was the best yet. The artists were so gracious and generous with sharing their suggestions and ideas about painting with us.

We left inspired and excited about painting.

Dinner Time for the Mr. & Mrs.

Dinnertime for the Mr. & Mrs.
Oil on Linen
24x24x1.5"

I'm reaady to sign this one. I added a bit more color and some light....

Mr. & Mrs. Final Touches....

I spent a little more time on the hen and rooster painting this morning. Not quite finished, all but the final touches.....

I'm still stuck in France. Oh well! I took some photographs of these hens in a pen at Monet's Gardens in Giverny last summer. I'm considering a series of the gardens as well. Maybe even some more of the water garden. I don't think I'm quite done with the water lilies yet. I can't help it!