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| Woolsey Canyon © Marian Fortunati 8" x 10" Oil on RayMar Panel |
I have been painting outside so much lately that I find that my blogging is getting very behind. I just love going out and discovering new areas to paint.
Last Friday I painted with an artist I didn't know very well named Joela Nitzberg. We had met before, but I never really got to know her. She decided she wanted to take up plein air painting after a long time of not painting outside, and has been trying to get me to join her. However we both have busy schedules and despite calls and emails, it just didn't happen for a long time. But Friday was the day.
I drove up to her house. It is in the north-west San Fernando Valley in a canyon I'd never visited before. The north-west valley is known for many wonderful rock formations and the scenery leading up to her house was quite beautiful. First, I got a tour of her "gallery". She has been painting for many years and even teaches students from her home so there was a lot to see.
Then we went out for a quick tour of the area and to a spot she had selected near her house. She set up and painted near the road and I hiked up the hill a bit and looked at the view down toward her. I was amazed!! She was like a magnet! People would pull their cars over to come look at her painting.. I mean lots of them! She passed out cards for her class, so maybe she picked up some new students! I'm going to have to rethink my location strategy!
The area is also known for the strong winds which blow through. I, however, ignored that information - much to my disadvantage. My easel blew over twice! Fortunately, although the painting landed face down both times, the turpenoid didn't completely spill so I could keep painting.... (after picking the weeds, pebbles and foxtails off the wet paint). The painting I produced wasn't my favorite painting of all time, when I brought it home, but I worked on it a bit at home and now I like it a lot better. It was a great day and a nice memory. Thanks, Joela!
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