June 17 update … I’ve wrapped up my participation in this year’s event. The organizers at North Lake Tahoe Arts did a great job. It was a very good learning experience and lots of fun. Through the week posted some in-process plein air photos here. A few of the paintings are also featured Oil Gallery Page.
Tuesday (Day 1) … The painting at the top of the post was my first of the week. It’s a view of Lake Tahoe, the Tahoe City Public Pier and some geese that stopped by to keep us entertained. It was a good experience trying to paint these wiggly devils. The Gatekeeper’s Museum grounds in Tahoe City are a gem. I came back to paint another scene with lupine later in the week. I’ve posted “Tahoe City Geese” to my oil painting gallery.
Wednesday (Day 2) … Loved painting Blackwood Creek in the Blackwood Canyon area. A bonus was a nice “French Picnic” arranged by the event organizers and a really helpful plein air demo by Philippe Gandoil. The location by the river delivered both beauty and mosquitos. “Blackwood Creek Afternoon” has been posted to my oil painting gallery page.
Thursday (Day 3) … The 2 hour quick draw at the Tahoe City Farmers Market was a great experience. We started at 9am and needed to finish by 11am with all paintings framed and on display by 11:15. Whew! “Market Day Tahoe City” is also now on my oil painting gallery page.
Friday (Day 4) … The road workers had moved by the time I wrapped this up. Some models just don’t cooperate. “Dam Roadworks” seems like a good title for this piece since the cafe that is the focus of the painting is the Dam Cafe in Tahoe City.
I was also chasing the light at 5:30 am. I tried to capture the feel of a calm sunrise from the beach at Tahoe Commons over two very early mornings. The first morning was very still. The second (seen here) was more blustery with windswept clouds. As I finished up the painting, I worked to keep the still feel that I started with. Lots of geese both mornings. I don’t think I’d take a nap on that grass.
There are more paintings from the week that I will get to posting once I am home. I will also be leaving Tahoe with lots of studies for future paintings, more than a few mosquito bites, admiration for the participants and organizers of this exceptionally well run event.