I'm been painting away to get this commission completed for a Christmas present to their mom/grandmom.  This is a 24" x 30", so the heads are only about 2".  Thank heaven for sharpened nupastels.  Three plaid shirts didn't speed things up at all.  I've been having fun with this piece and I hope they are happy with it, but it's also the reason I haven't been posting small paintings on Daily Paint Works lately. 

On Site Painting from Tomales Bay, CA

I joined the California Art Club at a retreat in Tomales Bay, California on the week-end of the 25th of October.  It was a great time with a wonderful demonstration by Ken Auster on Friday evening, painting from models Saturday evening in the conference room, and this is the painting that I almost completed on site Saturday.  The weather was lovely, and now I want to finish this painting and frame it for a show this week-end.  I'm planning on joining some artist friends at Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill, CA, from 10 - 5......yea.......

I was in Morgan Hill on a Saturday morning recently, and had my art supplies with me, and was able to join some of my artist friends who had planned to paint at a local cemetery.  After the greetings, I found a spot a bit far from the others and set up under a tree to paint the "Guardian Angel" in the painting above.  I hadn't been painting very long, when I saw a pick-up truck pull up a little ways from me, and a man just sat in the truck for a little bit, then after a while, he went over to a tombstone and stood for a while.  As he was heading back to his truck, another car pulled up in front of him.  After the first man pulled away, the other man got out of the car and went to the same tombstone.  I didn't see them acknowledge each other, and I was curious who they both could have been visiting on a Saturday morning at the same time, and not act like they knew each other.  Of course, I was thinking, a husband and a lover, so after they were gone, I walked over to see who this person could be.  The photo above is the tombstone, and that's MY name.....spelled the same!  Of course, different first name, but when I saw that big old MYERS, I think my eyes must have almost popped out!
Things like this make me wonder if someone is saying "helloooooooo", ......or what......

This painting, that I did "plein aire" near my home on the delta in Northern California, was a daily pick on facebook by Daily Paint Works today.  http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/cj-myers/california-delta-lupine-and-poppies/141285  It's a good thing!

SHIPPING PASTEL PAINTINGS

I recently asked another Daily Paint Works artist, Rita Kirkman, how she ships her unframed pastel paintings. She very kindly got back to me and posted the process on her blog, with photos. Please check her blog (ritakirkman.blogspot.com) to see how I am also shipping my unframed pastel paintings. Free shipping for paintings sent safely matted. For a painting to be received framed with tru vu glass, please contact me for framing and shipping fees. You can also inquire about available frames. c.j.

Blue Ribbon.....yippee!

This painting that I did of my daughter "Cynthia" received a Blue Ribbon yesterday at the Los Gatos Art Association's Member Juried Show, at the Triton Museum in Santa Clara, CA.  I think it meant a lot to both of us, that I won on a painting I did of her.

Nude Study II, Oakley

Another quick study from the same model, done in Oakley, CA last Monday evening.  She was a very good model, and when I asked her how she stayed awake, she said "meditation".  This was done in 40 minutes +/-, and I'm putting it up on auction on Daily Paint Works.  I hope you'll check out this site and see my other posted paintings and paintings on auctions.

Quick Study

Although I haven't posted on this blog for quite some time, I have been busily painting as much as possible.  I've joined some life drawing/painting groups in the San Francisco Bay Area and have been thoroughly enjoying painting from life and meeting new artists.  This pastel study was painted last night from a model in Oakley, CA. This was done in two 20 minute sessions of the same pose. 
It is up for auction on www.dailypaintworks.com.