Rain in California -- Happy Painting Time!

Morning at Garrod's, 12x16 p lein air, private collection, Artists' Choice Award Los Gatos, CA

I just returned from the Los Gatos Plein Air Festival where the rain and cold were totally unexpected for this time of year.  Being no stranger to rain, I loved it.  Although I felt for the organizers who had to work so much harder to provide tents and lights during the outdoor sale on Saturday.

Every morning it was beautiful!  Being on central time in my brain, I was up WAY before dawn on the West Coast, and that worked to my advantage. In "Morning at Garrod's" I worked very quickly to capture the light pattern as sun came streaming from the east at about 6:00 a.m.  By 6:45, it was getting overcast and threatening rain.  My feet were freezing and my teeth chattering.  I had not prepared for this weather and had only a couple of layers and a sweater on.  I really needed gloves and a coat! But this painting was so much fun that nothing would stop me from completing it.

Here is a close-up of the detail. See how much fun I had!!!!

(detail)

Afternoon at Buxton's, 9x12, plein air

Another quick "grab of sunshine," was this late afternoon piece looking out off the front deck of my host's home. Afternoon light moves fairly quickly anyway (with or without fickle weather). Just more proof that having a plan and sticking to it is the key to success.

Slight Chance of Sunshine, 9x12, plein air

So here is what it looked like the rest of the time we were there. Still... loads of fun to paint! Water dripping all over my palette, my hat soaked through, fingers frozen. Aahhh. This is the life.

One interior scene in the Los Gatos Brewing Company is shown with close-up detail here.

Between Lunch and Dinner (detail), 9x12

To see more pieces in their entirety, visit www.loriputnam.comwww.loriputnam.com