The Poppies of Arlington Gardens by Marian Fortunati

The Poppies of Arlington Gardens © Marian Fortunati 16" x 8" Oil on RayMar Panel
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Occasionally I drive far to the east toward the San Gabriel Valley to paint with a group called "Thursdays En Plein Air".  Because of nasty L.A. morning traffic, the drive is tedious from my house to that area and I can't often join the group.  However, I sometimes do take advantage of the day by

	Brenda Swenson critiques the watermedia work.
	Chuck Kovacik steps in for Walter McNall to critique the oils.
	Yellow irises... Beautiful!!!

joining them.

There are many reasons  for going.  Among them are:

1. Each session is followed by critiques by respected water-color artist Brenda Swenson or oil painter   Walter McNall a wonderful artist who is quite a beloved character.  If either of them is not present there is usually someone who steps up to take their place...   This is a difficult task but adds so much to the day... We all learn from listening!
2. They go to places I've never visited -- often they are lovely.
3. The group is large and diverse and I enjoy meeting and getting to know the various artists during the time we all break for lunch after painting all morning.

Several years ago because of this group, I discovered Arlington Gardens.    The lovely Arlington Gardens lie in Pasadena, CA, part of the San Gabriel Valley.  The gardens are a magnificent example of what a community can do to enhance the neighborhood.   Whenever I have the opportunity to paint there with a group, I jump aboard.  Each visit is magical and each year different.

Last week's visit was warm and sunny -- actually almost hot!  After wandering around the gardens delighting in the wide variety of flowers, plants and beautiful corners, I settled on the field of poppies.   Red poppies I'm told are originally from Italy.   Scattered among the large red flowers were our orange California poppies.   Pure heaven!   I decided to change the look by having a long narrow vertical format.  -- Just to be different I guess.   But I liked the outcome.  Hope you do too.

Another group I paint with is going next Thursday, but the weatherman is predicting rain and thunderstorms.   Hmmmmmm.

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