Let’s Paint in Corfu... Join me for this fantastic opportunity !!!

“Since 1984, Greece has been an artistic and enriching country for me. 

The imagery, culture, history, colors and natural wonders never cease 

to bring out the best in my art.  Especially Corfu.   

And now, through Gerald Durrell's celebrated legacy,

 I can share an exceptional inspiration with you!!”

*** We are collecting an interest list until mid January, 2019, ***                                                                          when we will post the Final Dates and Participant Fee.  Sign up:  explorepaintinspire.corfu@gmail.com

The workshop includes:

•  Pre-trip, I will send a blank watercolor book, supply list and themed prompts so you will arrive ready to create your own 'Paintbook'.
•  How to travel as an artist with light weight gear.
•  Access to the best of Corfu's painting locations featuring Gerald Durrell's childhood experiences on the island.
• Through on-site demonstrations and personal instruction, students will attain innovative skills to return home with a cherished journal and brilliant tribute to Gerald Durrell’s vision.  

                                                     The Travel Plans & Itinerary include:

 (subject to variations as weather dependent)

Transfer from Airport to the Ariti Grand Hotel, Kanoni.          

Welcome dinner, introductions to the week and a brief overview of our Durrell plans.  

Day 1 - Perama to paint the view over to Mouse Island, Kanoni and Chessboard Fields.   A view well known to Gerald whilst he lived in the Strawberry Pink Villa and a suitable beginning for us as it was for him.                                                                                Evening – Talk by Durrell specialist in details about Gerald and The Durrell Foundation.      

Day 2 – Corfu Town                                                                                                    Evening – Traditional Corfiot meal   

Day 3 – Corfu Island tour.  Photo opportunity for future painting. To include, Cape Drastis, Lake of Lillies/St Spiridon, Mount Pantokrator and Paleokastritsa/Lakones                                            Evening – Traditional Corfiot meal   

Day 4 – Day off  with suggested activities by Cherry        

Day 5 – Danillia Village.  Used in the TV Series as the setting for Corfu Town.         Evening – Greek Dancing & Meal:  Taverna Tripa   

Day 6 –Paleokastrisa  (old castle) is a village in the coastal northwestern region. Corfu has been suggested to be the mythical island of the Phaeacians and the bay of Paleokastritsa to be the place where Odysseus disembarked.  Gerald explored the amazing lagoons and wildflife here.  Also, the 13thc monastery atop a promontory offers sweeping sea views & a museum with religious objects. 

  Evening – Traditional Corfiot meal                                                                               

Day 7 – Trip to White House, Kalami to paint the view from Lawrence Durrell’s home   Evening –Dinner & recap of the workshop thoughts, feedback, end of workshop meal. Momento bag of the trip.  

Day 8 - Transfer back to airport.

“Golden Flights”

                               

                                        The Series That Won Two Blue Ribbons

                            These artworks are dedicated to the hummingbirds of our garden,

                                                my son named "Hummingbird Haven".

                      When I decided to participate in this year's La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, 

                                   I began to brainstorm ideas from my international travels, 

                         local San Diego venues and the endless inspirations I have collected.  

                     This first image spoke to my soul on a summer night, in my own backyard, 

                    that grew into over 60 new artworks celebrating the cherished hummingbird.
                                                                  

                                              (Double click on the images to view larger.)

"Enchanted"  9x12" Oil on Belgium Linen - (Snowy Belly Hummingbird) -Artist's Collection

"On Sapphire Wings"   10x10" Oil over Gold Leaf on Pine  (Sapphire Winged)  $300

"In a Flash"  5x7"  Oils on Metallic Enhanced Canvas   (Anna's)  $250/SOLD

"Opera in Flight"  24x36"  Oils on Metallic Gold Enhanced Canvas  (Swallow-tailed)  $850.

"Golden Embraces":  12x24" Oils on Enhanced Metallic Gold    $500

 

"Whispering to Wisteria"  8x10"   Oils on Belgium Linen    (Anna's)  $350/ SOLD

"Daised"  12x12" Oil on Canvas -  (Rufous)     $350/SOLD

"Flutter" 6x8"  Oils on Metallic Enhanced Canvas   (SnowyBelly)   Black Frame: $300

'It's the Little Things in Life"   10x10" Oil over Gold Leaf on Canvas - (Snowy Belly)  $250
Inspired by the red poppy fields of Costa Brava.

"Snowy Lilies"   12x12"  Oil on Metallic Enhanced Canvas  (Snowy Belly)  $350

"Pink Ladies"  12x12" Oil on Metallic Enhanced Canvas   (Anna's Hummingbird)   $350

"Spree"   8x8"  Oil over Gold Leaf & Pine  (Anna's)  $200/SOLD

"Trio"  10x10" Oil on Canvas   (Snowy Belly) $300 /SOLD

"Sweet Poppies"  10x10" Oil on Canvas   (Snowy Belly)    $300

"Lavender Glee"  8x8" Oil on Canvas   (Ruby Throated)  
Donated for  The 2018 La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, Silent Auction.

"Windswept"  12x12" Oil on Canvas   (Anna's )       $300

"Ruby Waterfall"  10x10" Oil on Canvas   (Ruby Throated Hummingbird)   $400/SOLD

"Rubies & Poppies"  12x36" Oil on Canvas   (Costa's Hummingbird)   $650

"Sapphires in Flight"  8x24"  Oils on Gold Leaf & Pine  (Sapphire Wings)  $450

"Iris Blooming"  12x24"  Oils & Gold Leaf on Canvas  (Ruby Throated)   $400/SOLD

"Golden Embraces"  10x22"  Oils on Gold Leaf & Pine  (Swallow-tailed)  $450

"Tango Poppies"  12x36"  Oils on Metallic Gold Enhanced Canvas  (Snowy)  $650

"Ruby Baby Blues"  8x16"  Oils over Gold Leaf on Belgium Linen Canvas
(Ruby Throated)     $400/SOLD

"Expecting"  8x8"  Oils on Canvas      (Snowy Belly)  $200/SOLD

"Snowy Morning Glory"  8x8"  Oils over Gold Leaf on Pine     (Snowy)  $200/SOLD  

"Carmen Charmed"  8x8"  Oils over Gold Leaf on Pine  (Broad-billed)   $200/SOLD

"Fairytale Blooms"  10x10"   Oils over Gold Leaf Effects   (Snowy)  $300

"Poppies"   8x16"  Oils over Metallic Enhanced Belgium Linen   (Snowy)  $ 450

"Dancing to the Song"  12x12"   Oils on Enhanced Metallic Background   (Broad-Billed)   $400/SOLD

Wow!  La Jolla Art & Wine Festival 2018: Best of Show & Best of Painting.
So surprised!!!  I took a big chance with a single subject this year and
LOTS of gold leaf backgrounds.

More to come!!

Anna’s Hummingbird won by Corina at my 2nd Reception

Invitation to Reception #2 “Painted Embraces"

Greetings Art Friends, 

    Join us for an artistic and musical event! The 2nd of three receptions, you can view over 40 artworks featuring San Diego scenes, seascapes, International Travel and florals with hummingbirds.  
Its a wide range of subjects, representing oils and watercolors in both studio and Plein Air techniques.

   I'll be demonstrating my oil painting technique of hummingbirds (by special request in lieu of LJ seascape) and there will be drawing from the guest book to win that demo art. (plus an easel) 

  The entertaining and multitalented Guitarist James Clarkston will feature art-inspired tunes.  
Wednesday, August 15, 6-9pm  Woods Real Estate Services knows how to celebrate art in a grand way! 
930 W. Washington St. Ste 1  San Diego, CA  92013     

  

Cherry  (Then I’m off to Corfu, Greece again until the the last reception!)

       An example of the demo art

“Painted Embraces”

    37 Artworks ... 

“Painted Embraces”

My current solo exhibition is up!!!  37 paintings feature oils and watercolors, plein air and in-studio,
local and international themes and my artist's comments on every label.

Traveling as an artist: Spain 2018 Paintbook

      "Traveling. 

It leaves you speechless, 

then turns you into a storyteller."

   From April 30 to May 7th, 2018, I taught how to travel as an artist and create Paintbooks along the Spanish Costa Brava.   'Paintbooks' is a title I have given my style of journaling using watercolors, multimedia, paper scultpture and special effects.                                            Starting and ending in Barcelona, we were hosted by the tour company French Escapade. They took us to inspiring locations, breathtaking seasides, museums, a medieval village and a gorgeous botanical garden. We could focus on our art.                                            

  The pages of this book reflect imagery and experiences that cannot be shot from a camera. 
 It is created from collecting ideas, subjects, cultural sites and even the little-est of details.

I assigned the students to have a pre-workshop plan and designate each page before we arrived.

There are titles and prompts for each two-page spread that allow the artist to be flexible.

Compiled into these 54 pages, it represents unique visuals recorded while traveling.

Travel inspiration can be illusive. Time schedules, weather and overseas logistics can affect plans.
The Paintbook may not be entirely finished while abroad, but the treasured story is saved.
This is what makes it all so creative and a once-in-a-lifetime memoire.

First day demo, Callela de Palafrugell.

Maps: showing flights from San Diego to Spain, Barcelona favorites, and Costa Brava on the north east Spanish coast.

Flip up of Costa Brava map.

My intentions for this trip from the airplane over to Barcelona and Quotes for my students.

Itinerary in paint...

First demo on the cliffs of Calella de Palafrugell...showing layers and levels of paint application.

Dali---- Gaudi---- Picasso, wow!

Demo of backside view of cliffs for the first demo.  Looking through the Jardins de Cap Roig.
 Added layers of watercolor paper for depth and texture.

A warm-up painting in Barcelona.  Capturing a scene like this brings back every memory from that experience that my camera could never achieve.  Somehow, painting in these books brings back all of the senses.  I can feel the breeze, remember exactky where I sat at a cafe with a window to this scene, what I drank (cappuccino of course), the nice couple that I talked to, the birds and the soft glow that just got better by the minute.  It was all about that glow.

I've returned to Placa Reial many times. It has a special relaxed feeling amoung a square filled with tourists, cafes, fine dining and these stoic palm trees.  I selected the prompt for this page of different techniques with the same repeated image.

Perfect example of why I travel.  "Stop the van! We MUST paint this glorious field."

A lesson on architecture from the medieval city of Pals, inbetween raindrops.  :))

Just below our hotel is this stunning home that lured me to paint it a few times during our short visit.
I wish we could have met the infamous Velcro Man!

Flip out to display the sea glass I found.

We used real flowers, painted with watercolors and pressed onto rice paper and into our books.

Airplane painting!

One of my goals is to experience tall monuments during my travels.
The Columbus Monument at the end of Las Ramblas is shown here as it can be extended out of the book.

Pre-workshop assignment to sketch and paint our drawing tools from the materials list.

Another Pre-workshop assignment to sketch and paint our PAINTING tools from the materials list.