Simple Pleasures: Show at Napa Senior Center

I just put up a new show of still life work at the Napa Senior Center. This is the first time I've had a show of my drawings – these are both small pencil drawings (I'll post one or two of them later) and larger graphite drawings with acrylics, like the two I've shown here, Thistle Bouquet and A Simple Repast II.

These were inspired by my students, as so many things are. Our conversations in class about still life, about composition, about using acrylics in a watercolor-like way, about lights and darks, about simple palettes, and about drawing ellipses – all inspired me to revisit these lovely subjects.

You can see this show, Simple Pleasures, at the Napa Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson Street in Napa, California, through the holidays.

The last of autumn

Rain clouds were rolling in as I spent an afternoon photographing the last of autumn's colors this week. We'd been hit by frost for three nights in a row, and already leaves in many of the vineyards were crisp and brown, just hanging by a thread, waiting for the wind to blow them off.

This scene is on Palisades Road, a short and lovely road, with the most beautiful views, just northeast of Calistoga, California. My admirably patient dog, Zoe, waited in the car.

Reception at Arrowood Winery

I hope you can come to a reception for my show at Arrowood Vineyards and Winery, 14347 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, on Saturday, November 14th from 12 to 3 p.m.

The show, Land, Trees, Vines, includes some of the paintings you can see here on my blog, including Sunset Meadow. Arrowood Winery is combining it with their "Celebrate the Holidays at Arrowood Winery" event, at which they'll present their new release of Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Rosso Vineyard.

I'm looking forward to this - I'm planning on extending my birthday celebration all week long, and this is a big part of it!

The winery is open daily from 10 to 4:30, if you'd like to see the show at another time.

My apologies for the late notice - hope to see you there, if you're able to make it!