"Farming and Ranching 25

This is a tractor in the vineyard. It is an oil 6inches X 6 inches and is $150.00 and can be purchased at the Knowlton Gallery.

Well, I am off to a late start today. I will leave for the studio in a few minutes. I have a lot of homework to do and really need to focus on my 50/50 paintings of Barns, Tractors and what you see in the average day on the farm.

Farming and Ranching 24 Iron Stone

This is oil approximately 6" X 6 " of the view from Iron Stone Vineyards in Murphy's. It is $150.00 and can be purchased at the Knowlton Gallery.

Farming and Ranching 23 Even more of the Borden Ranch

"Farming and Ranching 22" Mackville at Sunset

I like this one better than yesterdays. I like the feeling in the sky and the mood it creates. It is a 6" X 6" oil on masonite board and is unframed for $150.00 and is available at the Knowlton Gallery.
I am working hard on my 50/50 paintings for this year. I am trying to get them mostly done early so that I can go back into them and fine tune them. In the past 2 years I did not have time to do that. Last year on Feb. 21st my Dad died so finishing the paintings was about all I could do. There was no time to fine tune anything. I was in survival mode. This year, I still have a job and my son was not hurt in the Australian fires so I am truely blessed. Good morning! : )

"Farming and Ranching 21"

This is a view across the lake out on the Mackville Ranch. It is a very beautiful place at sunset and sunrise. You can see grapes vines silhouetted against the sky. I was experimenting with an analogous color theme. This is a 6' X 6" oil painting and is avalable at the Knowlton Gallery for 4150.00 unframed.

"Farming and Ranching 20"

More of the Borden Ranch. This is a 6" X 6" oil painting on a masonite board. To purchase contact the Knowlton Gallery. The purchase price is $150.00 unframed.

I realized this morning why it is so important to have strong contrast photos when doing portraits. The structure of the head is so much easier to see. I need to go paint my 50/50's today and work on homework for my Academy of Art on-line class.

"Farming and Ranching 19 Vineyard at Borden Ranch"

This is another view of the Borden Ranch. You can see a similar view From the backyard at the Clements Ranch House. When I retire and have more time I am going to get very playful with this subject. Maybe I will use emotional color to get a whole different feel. This is a 6" X 6" oil on masonite board and is available at the Knowlton Gallery for $150.00.

"Farming and Ranching 18 Vineyard at Borden Ranch"

I really like the Borden Ranch it is interesting how the vineyards disappear and reappear. This piece is an oil, 6" X 6", on masonite board, is $150.00 and can be purchased unframed at the Knowlton Gallery.
Well, I did not lose my job. I could still be displaced but I feel better now.

"Farming and Ranching 16, Adjustments to the Load"

Farm laborers are not just men. Some of the most diligent and patient workers are women. These ladies are leveling out the load in the crates. They frequently wear scarves over their faces. It helps to protect from the sun and the whipping vines as they move through the vineyard quickly and avoid the vine hitting them in the face. This is a 6 inch X 6 inch oil on masonite and can be purchased for $150.00 at the Knowlton Gallery.

I will know more about lay offs today. Say some prayers please. Our teachers need them.

"Farming and Ranching 15, On John Deer"

Here is #15 it is an oil on masonite board that is approximately 6" X 6". It is again based on our little vineyard at harvest time. It is $150.00 Contact the Knowlton Gallery to purchase it.

"Farming and Ranching 14" Filling the Crates

This is again another picker on our small Peltier vineyard. It is an oil painting 6" X 6". It is rather impressionistic. It is available for $150.00 unframed or $350.00 framed. Yesterday I finished my interior homework for the Academy of art and did 5 of the 50/50 paintings. I am trying to work without liquin and I am using heavier paint so I am trying to work ahead so they will dry in time. I have 2 more paintings to start for the Academy today. It is rainy here and that is good we need it but the walk to the studio is a bit uninviting. Once I get there it is wonderful. Have a great day.

"Farming and Ranching 13, Reaching the Sky "

I really like this one also. It was out on our small 24 acre vineyard at picking. This worker was not afraid to reach into the vines to find the best bunches. This is a 6" X 6" oil on masonite board and can be purchased for $150.00 unframed from the Knowlton Gallery. I have to go have my morning coffee. "Good morning!!!"

"Farming and Ranching 12,Borden Ranch with Sky Holes"

The Borden Ranch is so interesting. I love how the rows of grape vines flow over the hills and the sky peeks through as they recede into the distance. I will be in the studio this morning working on homework for the Academy and my 50/50 paintings. This piece is a 6" X 6" approximately , is an oil and can be purchased at the Knowlton Gallery for $150.00 unframed.

"Farming and Ranching 11, "Grapes Overhead

I personally love this one. It is our own vineyard being picked and I love how this picker is balancing that huge crate of grapes on his head with such ease. It is an oil 6" X 6" approximately. It is $150.00 unframed or $350.00 framed in an attractive gold frame.
There is no news on the pink slips except that they now will send out 400 in Lodi Unified alone. The Board of Education and Ms. Washer will decide on Feb. 17th what will be cut and who will be layed off. We will not know till sometime in mid to late March. I have been keeping up with my homework at the Academy and my 50/50's and those things and my dear husbands gentle words are keeping me sane through all this. To purchase contact the Knowlton Gallery.

"Farming and Ranching 10"

This 6" X 6" oil is of the Borden Ranch out in Clements Ca. It is $150.00 and can be purchased at the Knowlton Gallery.

We are in total turmoil at Lodi Unified School district. In March they will be sending out 350 pink notices. That means it is possible you may be layed off. The arts and music are to be target areas at the high school. My husband Jerry was down sized out of a job 2 1/2 years ago and we put our savings into planting an olive ranch to make him self employed. Well, my job has been getting us through and I have no idea how much longer I will have a job. The olives may not produce till next year and the expenses still come in. The stock market hit our savings, so there isn't much cush left. I do have a lot of faith that in the end things will work out but it is a sad day for education in California. I have been teaching art for over 18 years and all I can tell my students is I will give you the best I can this year as I have no idea if art will exist in the schools next year! We live on a budget WHY IS IT THAT OUR GOVERNOR DOES NOT!!!!!!!!! Sorry, extreme frustration. Thank-you for listening.

"Farming and Ranching 8"

This is the 8th painting and was from the pickers in our vineyard. 6" X 6" oil on masonite board. To purchase for $150.00 contact the Knowlton Gallery. Well, I finished my 2 figure paintings and the drapery for the Academy class and just finished one of this years 50/50 pieces. It is also of a tractor but a totally different attitude.

"Farming and Ranching 7" Acampo, Palms

This is a scene off Lower Sacramento Road similar to #5 but a different color theme. I think this one is more inviting. This is a 6"X6"and sells for $150.00 unframed and is presently at the Knowlton Gallery. Well yesterday I got my 2nd homework done and got 3 50/50's painted and 3 more sketched. Have a great day.

"Farming and Ranching 6" SOLD

This is out on Peltier Road in Acampo, Ca. It is early morning light yet hazy. It is available at the Knowlton Gallery for $150.00. Well yesterday I did the 1st view for my Academy homework. I will have to go back in and make revisions. I did not get the face likeness as well as I would like. I drew the 2nd view in paint but did not get it painted. I also did 2 50/50's. I also need to finish the drapery today. Must go get my coffee! Good morning!

"Farming and Ranching 5"

This is off Lower Sacramento Road out in Acampo Ca. It was a bit overcast as I looked over across the vineyards. The distant palms are almost non-existant. Palms are very common here, lining roads and old ranch drives. This is again 6" X 6" oil painting. Available at the Knowlton Gallery. I have lots of homework to do today so I will be heading to the studio very early today.

"F and M 4" Sally's Rain Gauge, SOLD

This is the 4th oil painting in the farming and ranching series. This location is my friend Sally's ranch in Acampo. This rain gauge was built by her father many years ago and placed out in the family vineyard. It sold for 150.00 and is a 6" X 6 " approximately.

"Farming and Ranching #3

I particularly like this 6" X 6" oil painting. It is a winter view of the vineyard outside my studio. The way the late afternoon light hits the rusty stakes makes the glow red. I know it isn't for everyone but somehow it feels like pending hope to me. This painting is $150.00 unframed or $350.00 framed with a matt floater and under glass.

"Picking F and R #2"

This was day 2. The pickers were out at our vineyard on Peltier Road in Acampo. Last year they picked the grapes and put them into yellow tubs. There was a whole team working together and the big blue tractor putted the trailer that the yellow tubs were emptied into. This is a 6" X 6" oil on masonite and is $150.00. Contact the Knowlton Gallery to purchase at my representation link.
I am on track for this years 50/50 and feel good about that. I will go and put a bit more detail in some of them. The one I did last night looks much better than the day before...so the day before will need some highlights.

"Farming and Ranching #1"

I have made a decision. I am not going to post the 50/50's as I paint them. That is much to stressful. Instead, I am going to post the 50 paintings I did this time last year. That way I can still share with you and not be concerned if the work still needs a touch of paint here or there. Last years 50/50 paintings are actually a lead into this years. All of these paintings are $150.00 and are at the Knowlton Gallery right now. You can contact the gallery through the link to the right. I will be posting these in the order that they were painted.

"Better"

Well, I did not shot pictures to post of my 50/50 paintings but I did get 4 done...now...next week I may think they need some more work but for now they are done. I am trying to paint them without using liquin. The liquin speeds drying but I really think I may have a negative reaction to it. Also when I do not use it my paint is thicker and richer and I like that. I did do my figure study for my "Situation and the Environment" class. It is not done. It is 3 hours work and a block in of value and gesture. I also toned 15 canvases from 8"X 10" to 20" X 24" for the same class. It is funny, I give my students a month...about 20 hours for one painting of course it is most of their first time oil painting and I am very proud of their effort. They are pretty amazing. In the same amount of time I have about 8 pieces to do, but mine is after the work day. I am going to post my homework here. Please understand it is a 3 hour block in not a finished painting.

Mistake

Well, I am pretty sure I have done it again. When I should have said no...I didn't. Now here I sit awake a 2:30 A.M. overwhelmed and wishing I hadn't taken on the 50/50 art show while trying to do a painting class at the Academy. As I began reviewing the requirements for the class yesterday... I am seeing 6 to 10 hours of painting assignments plus written work and photos that are needed. Oh, yes there is also that full time teaching job. AM I NUTS! I did paint yesterday, and did 3 hours on a figurative study for the Academy. I need to take this one day at a time. I will not drop the class it costs over $2,000. per class. If I don't do or finish the 50/50 show...well in a hundred thousand years who will really care. I guess the same goes for the painting class but it costs so much that I can not stop now. When I can not sleep at night...I am pretty sure I have made a mistake.