Waiting for Avatar

I've been struggling for 3 days on a painting dear to my heart, and it just isn't working. I've been away too long  though without posting anything, so here is a photo I took a couple of nights ago when we went out to the show thinking we would see "Avatar - 3D IMAX".
What were we thinking? Actually it might be a sign of age, not realizing that every human being in Orange County between the ages of 13 and 25 also had the same idea. And all of them were standing in line. So, quick readjustment and we saw "Sherlock Holmes" instead. Which certainly wasn't your or my Mom's Sherlock Holmes, but I thought it was pretty great anyway.

Toby - NFS

This is my sister-in-law's dog Toby. Every year when we visit her he is there to greet us and let us pet him. He has a soulful face, a peaceful heart, and is the perfect companion. He's getting on in years, but still loves to go out. I really love this dog. This painting is for my sister-in-law too, as a thank you for years of hospitality.

Win a Painting

The group I paint with, the Southern California Plein Air Painters Association has been 

given the golden opportunity of having our very own gallery, thanks to the generosity of 

the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. In order to raise the funds needed to renovate the 

space we've been given, we are holding a raffle in which the 3 paintings you see in the 

flyer (click at the top of the flyer on "full screen" to view the whole thing),will be 

available to win. Also a roundtrip ticket to Catalina, free dinners at local restaurants and 

gift baskets will be available. If you would like to buy a/some tickets just email me and I will give you all of the information. Your support for this would be HUGELY 

appreciated. Thanks

(for some reason embedding this pdf poster has thrown the typing off and the words are

split.???)

Tahoe from Camp Richardson - NFS

This is a commission I've done looking North across Lake Tahoe from Camp Richardson.
It's a summer painting, obviously, since right now the whole beach there is covered in Snow. In fact my husband and I spent New Year's Eve right here at a little restaurant at the camp called the Beacon. If you ever visit South Lake Tahoe, be sure to stop in there. Anyway, I promised this painting ages ago to my sister in law, and now it's finally finished.
It will be coming your way just in time for your Birthday, Syd. I hope you don't mind seeing it early.

High Desert Splendor

Here we are getting close to Bishop. The eastern Sierras are always awe-inspiring to see, and when topped with snow, towering over the grasslands below, I feel like I'm in Tolkien's Middle Earth. Every year we make this trip, I feel like I'm seeing it for the first time.

High Desert Snow

Here is a view of the high desert at it's most beautiful I think. This was taken somewhere on highway 89, heading out of Tahoe via the Luther Pass on our way to Gardnerville and Highway 395.  We chose this way out of Tahoe because it is so beautiful and we weren't disappointed.

Blue Moon Over Mono Lake

Happy very belated New Year!! At long last I am returning to posting a Daily Painting. I hope all of you had a blessed and joyful holiday and a jubilant New Year.

After Christmas my family took our annual trip to Lake Tahoe to visit my husband's sister who lives at the south shore. Everyone goes skiing, while I cook and photograph and rest. I absolutely love it. I also especially love the snow, and the cold, and all the sweaters and scarves and jackets I get to wear. I am convinced that my affinity for the cold comes from having been born in Syracuse New York, and from having lived there for the first 4 years of my life. So here is the first of a few paintings based on photos I took during our drive up and back on Highway 395. This one is of the "Blue Moon" of December 29, just at moonrise as the highway climbs up and away from Mono Lake.

Holiday Greetings

Make a Smilebox greeting

Hello everyone, if there still is anyone out there. Many many apologies for being absent these last few weeks. The obligations of the season have taken precedence this month, so the Daily Painting has been on hold. I wish you all the happiest of holidays and the best of New Year's celebrations. I look forward to being back next year with many new Daily Paintings;

until then, Thank you for your interest, your comments, and your subscriptions,

See you in January,

all the best, Judith

The Romantic Retreat & Beachcomber's Lodge

Yet another Crystal Cove painting to have on hand for the gallery if needed. This view is from the top of the cliff looking west down the street with Cottages # 38 & 33 on the right.
We were lucky enough to stay in # 38 in May of 2007 as part of a family reunion. Drinking our morning coffee on the deck overlooking the ocean at 6:30 in the morning was an experience I will always remember. It's worth the effort to try and reserve a space at any of the cottages. Look for the cancellations.

Tomorrow is Jury Duty about which I have mixed feelings. If only they would let me sign up for the days that I want instead of the days they want, but of course that is ridiculous. So, I will wait and see what happens.

Crystal Cove Icon

Finally we have some winter weather here in Southern California and the promise of "Rain".
For me the idea of rain has become utterly exotic. We've seen nothing but mists and low fogs this past year, or maybe at most a half hour of sustained moisture that the most optimistic among us may have called rain, but which was in reality just very heavy drop-lets, not drops, of wetness. As a farewell, briefly perhaps, to our standard sunny day, I painted this view of the iconic neon sea green shanty at Crystal Cove and the umbrellas at the outdoor restaurant across the path. This I will keep in reserve to show at the Crystal Cove Gallery & Gift shop where those of you who live in the area can see my work from January through March next year.