Esther J. Williams Art

New Exhibitions for January 2012

2011-12-26T14:06:00.000-08:00

Accepted into the California Art Club exhibition "Iconic California" is my artwork "Bay of Crystal Cove" 16x12, oil on linen, framed $500. The show runs from January 13 - May 15, 2012. Opening reception is Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 4-6pm. The exhibition and reception is being held at the Altadena Town & Country Club, 2290 Country Club Dr., Altadena, CA 91001.

Also, two of my artworks were accepted into the next Socalpapa (Southern California Plein Air Painter`s Association) exhibition. The show, "Best ofthe Best" starts January 4, 2012 and ends Feb. 26, 2012. Opening reception is January 7th from 4-6pm at the art gallery Socalpapa on 300 E. Bay Dr, Newport Peninsula, CA.

"Laguna Oasis" 14x11, oil on linen, framed - $475

"Sycamores Backlit" 16x12, oil on linen, framed - $475

I wish you a Happy New Year!

New Exhibition at Socalpapa Art Gallery

2011-09-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

I will be in attendance at this opening reception held at the Socalpapa Art Gallery this Saturday, September 17th. The art gallery is located on the Newport Peninsula at the Balboa Fun Zone adjacent to the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. Time is 4-6pm. The exhibit includes juried selections picked by signature artist Jeff Sewell from our Southern California Plein Air Painter`s Association (Socalpapa). I have two pieces hung in the show and two pieces not framed in the art bin.

Ventura Cypress, 8x10, $350 framed.

This image above shows the location that the plein air artwork was painted at in Ventura, CA.

"Serene Reflections" 8x10, oil, $350 framed.

The image above shows where it was painted en plein air on location. Hence the title of the exhibition.

Above artwork is "Beachcomber Diner" 6x8, plein air oil $200. Available in the art bin at the Socalpapa Art Gallery.

The above painting is "California Palm", another 6x8, plein air oil. Available in the art bin also, $200.

If you are in the vicinity of the gallery, stop by and view the exhibition. Here is a google map of the location.

Rags to Riches Stamp from Zazzle.com

2011-09-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

Rags to Riches Stamp from Zazzle.com
This was approved by the US Postal regulations! One of my artworks, now can be used as a stamp to mail your letter, cards and packages! Booklets available online at Zazzle under my account, visions2art! A sheet of 20 is $20.25. Click on the above link to take you there directly. You will see exactly how it appears as a stamp with the US and zigzag die cut border! So cute!

Beachcomber Martini Time, new plein air impressionism oil painting

2011-08-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

"Beachcomber Martini Time" is a wonderful new work from my recent vacation at Crystal Cove Cottages. It is 16"W x 12"H. Oil on linen panel. I painted this on location, it took three days of working in the same spot at the same time of day. That is because of all the detail, if it were an easier composition, it would be a one day painting. A customer of mine was asking why artists do not paint the Beachcomber restaurant there. I soon knew why, to paint it full on erases the beach atmosphere that it overlooks. Well, that is the reason why people love this place so much, it sits right on the beach. So, I thought, "How do I capture the Beachcomber, the Crystal Cove setting and a bit of the blue ocean it overlooks? I came up with two angles, one that is south of this spot and this one that looks back at it from the north side. Now, we got atmosphere and the Beachcomber restaurant, plus it is Martini time. The black flag is raised on the flag pole at martini hour which is about 5pm everyday. It is a ritual that everyone loves. I got to loving it as I observed the little saluting ceremony each day. Happiness and beach bliss. Cheers! This is on hold for sale approval already.

Spring Fair & Art Festival, Country Style Hoedown!

2011-04-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

Just letting you know of an art fair I will be in next weekend. I`m in booth space #29. I will have a full display of my original art for sale. This should be fun for anyone, there is so much happening there. See you!

Ironstone Vineyards "Spring Obession" Art Show & Sale

2011-02-12T14:30:00.000-08:00

The two above oil paintings of mine were accepted into the Spring Obsession Art Show at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys CA. The paintings are Veil of Oaks 6" x 6" and Santa Margarita Lake 14" x 11". The show begins March 5 and runs through May 8, 2011. It is more than an art show, they have live music, culinary events and tastings. People come all the way from San Francisco annually for this happy event.

Spring Symphony in Bommer Canyon, California Impressionsim Landscape Oil Painting

2011-02-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

"Spring Symphony in Bommer Canyon" 20"W x 16"H, oil on hand stretched, hand gessoed linen by Esther J. Williams. This was actually from last year when I visited the Bommer Canyon, one of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy lands in March 2010. The flowers were abundant then. I painted a burnt red oil sketch of the scene on location on this large linen canvas and drew it in my sketchbook, along with many detailed notes on the lighting, colors and atmosphere. My time was too limited there to be allowed to paint it on location. I took high resolution images and went home in hopes of finishing it, but it got pushed aside due to other pressing projects. When I did a new year cleaning of my art studio, I rediscovered this large piece and went to work on it within a week. Funny how things happen, I procrastinate and it took a week because I wanted to read some new techniques on art by a great artist Thomas Buechner who wrote "How I Paint, Secrets of a Sunday Painter". In his book he talks about many things in delivering the paint on your canvas, how to arrange the composition and lead the eyes to the center of interest and more. I was glad I read it, it acted as a guide to me to push me into a new direction. I also have been reading the Edgar Payne book on Composition of Outdoor Painting. I could not wait to start the painting, but then I saw a hike I wanted to go on with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, so I went on nearly 7 mile hike this past Sunday to Dripping Springs in Limestone Canyon. I nearly died of exhaustion, I was out of shape from the winter holiday season! The head field person wanted to call a ranger to truck me back the last 3-1/2 miles but I told her my pride wouldn`t allow it, I kept hobbling along. I am getting bad knees and hip joints in my mid-50`s. It was all worth it, I got to see the early spring flowers popping up all over the canyons, I smelled the unique flavor of the oaks in the air, the new wild oat grasses, the wild sage brush and so many other delights to my senses. I took all of that and banked it in my mind to place that freshness into this painting as if I had been there in Bommer Canyon again on that spring day. The green colors were all over the canyon hills that day. But for the sake of not over doing it with the greens in the painting, I painted complimentary colors, lke red and oranges in a imprimatura layering to provide a middle tone to place my upper layers of color over. I used larger brushes and some galkyd-lite to make almost a watercolor effect in this bucolic setting. I started with warmer colors, even though you could not see burnt oranges and reds in the grasses, I did it for the painting`s sake and the viewer`s emotions. I really like this effect of color transition and will use it again and again. I can`t wait to see more spring flowers on another hike I will go on this Sunday in Fremont Canyon which is a flower photographer`s hike! Only 3 miles and slow paced! I will definitely paint something from that visit or ask the Irvine Ranch partners I know to be taken out there so I can paint it en plein air. I feel lucky to be alive and to be an artist. The price of this is $950 framed. I will be entering it into a Spring Judge Art Show. More details later.

Best of the Best Art Exhibition, SOCALPAPA Art Gallery 1/8/2011 - 2/27/2011

2011-01-04T15:22:00.000-08:00

A new exhibition that two of my works are in. To see all the information, go to here, my website blog.

Become a Facebook Fan for Esther J. Williams - Fine Art

2010-12-29T21:09:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! May 2011 be like heaven!

6" Squared Gala Art Reception & Exhibition at Randy Higbee Gallery

2010-11-27T15:50:00.001-08:00

See over 250 amazing artwork gems that are all 6"x6" original pieces. Each is framed which makes them larger and have more impact. Reception and Gala event is Saturday December 4th, 4pm-8pm. I will be there approx. 5pm. I have three original oil paintings in this juried show for sale. Exhibition will be carried through the Holidays. See my blog for more particulars, http://estherjwilliams.com/blog/25409/6x6-exhibition-and-sale-at-the-randy-higbee-gallery-december-4-2010

See the full gallery on posterous

San Clemente Art Gallery Winter Judged Art Show, reception today

2010-11-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Come to the San Clemente Art Gallery reception today 3-5pm, or visit the Winter Judged Show art exhibition anytime between Nov. 6 2010 - January 6, 2011.

I will have two oil paintings in this show.

"Limestone Canyon Oaks - Irvine Ranch Wilderness" above image and below image:

"Santa Margarita Lake in Summer".

Limestone Canyon Oaks - Irvine Ranch Wilderness | Esther J. Williams - Blog

2010-10-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

Because I have been so busy lately, I am linking my blog from my website to here, just click on the link below to go there. It is a nice long story with lots of pics!

Limestone Canyon Oaks - Irvine Ranch Wilderness | Esther J. Williams - Blog

Plein Air in Limestone Canyon

2010-10-05T12:48:00.001-07:00

When the air is fresh and the sky is blue, the temperature is warm, there is nothing better to do than paint en plein air in the wilderness. This location is in the Irvine Ranch Wilderness called Limestone Canyon and is accessible on Open Access Day. The trails are wide enough for bikes, horses and hikers, even artists. I showed up and two more artists did on this fine Sunday morning. The fella you see painting is Anthony Salvo, he is a great artist, painted a beauty that day. The other artist with me was Veronica Kortz, she is not in the images. I shot video of her and will post it another time. I am the smiling one, this was taken by a Irvine Ranch docent, Mike Boeck.

It started out completely overcast, then cleared up at 11am, we painted until 2pm. I showed my friends this meadow which is a good hike about half a mile up the trail. There are some large oaks several hundered years old covering the trail at a bend, the Santa Ana mountains are in the distance. Made a great composition with the trail going through the wild golden oats leading into the middle ground, then off into blue mountains. It did get pretty warm later and we did sweat a lot hauling our supplies back, but capturing this scene was worth the effort. I am presently refining my work sketch in the studio as I speak. I am turing an otherwise rough looking piece into a more developed landscape. The completed landscape will be posted later. Back to painting in my studio now...

www.estherjwilliams.com

California Impressionist Artist

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Bold Brush Contest Entry

2010-09-30T20:21:00.001-07:00

Please support me
by voting
for my art!

September 2010

Painting Contest by
BoldBrush
Sponsor:
FASO
Artist Websites

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2 Paintings Hung at San Clemente Art Gallery

2010-09-21T20:38:00.001-07:00

Nestled Cottages, Crystal Cove and Fresh Cut Lemon is on exhibit at the San Clemente Art Gallery from Sept. 20 - Oct 28 for the Fall Judged Show. The reception is this Saturday, Sept 25 from 3-5pm.

To see more of a description of each painting go to my website at www.estherjwilliams.com Thanks!

Update, Fresh Cut Lemon has won an honorable mention!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Fabulous Crystal Cove Experience, New Plein Air Work

2010-09-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

"North Shoreline - Crystal Cove" 14"W x 11"H, oil on Fredrix linen panel. SOLD Just completed from the deck of a Crystal Cove cottage I stayed in for 5 days. Funny thing is that an art customer of mine saw it in the making and wanted it before it was done. I love it when things like that happen. He wanted a painting that reminded him of the experience that Crystal Cove gives him. Even though I knew it was taken, I still did my very best to create the greatest piece of art yet from my mind and art soul. This painting depicts the abandoned, yet to be restored north shore cottages on a summer day in August.
I am painting a slightly longer angle of this scene in my studio from another workstudy, it will be placed in my Bower`s Museum art show on September 11-12 in Santa Ana, CA. I will post an image of it here on the blog when complete. I am doing a series of Crystal Cove paintings, any that are for sale will be placed on my estherjwilliams.com website.
If you would like to read more about the above painting and my process of painting it, go to my EstherJWilliams website blog and read the article, complete with several step by step images and a storyline.

Upcoming Art Show at Bowers Museum, September 11-12, 2010

2010-08-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

I have been on summer vacation combined with a very hectic schedule lately. I wanted to post two items of importance. One is an article was written about me in my college alumni assoc quarterly newsletter, the TC3 Trio. TC3 stands for Tompkins-Cortland Community College. It is is Dryden, NY, near Ithaca. I was featured for the Fall 2010 issue. I am including the link to the PDF article. You need Adobe Reader to open it. Here is the link TC3 Alumni/Trio Fall Go to page 3 and you will see my picture and an image of my San Clemente Pier painting. It is a great article by a very creative editor at the college.

Next, I am going to be in another juried art show. This one is outdoors in the courtyard of the Bower`s Museum in Santa Ana, California. The show is September 11-12, 2010, from 10am-4pm each day. There is an artist reception at 11am on Saturday Sept 11. Here is the link to that event, Bowers Museum Events I will have approximately 18-21 works of my recent fabulous art on display racks for sale there. They will be beautifully framed.

Here is my latest portrait, I am extremely happy with this one. It is called "Toni in Sidelight" 12x16, oil on Fredrix Linen Panel. I am so happy to be an artist!

Hotel San Clemente Oil Painting, San Clemente Plein Air Competition

2010-06-19T23:25:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of the 9th Paint San Clemente Plein Air competition: After spending several hours visiting my artist friends on the community center lawn, I decided to load up my art wagon and head out to find the perfect painting spot downtown. Wherever that may be. I had an intuitive vision upon awakening this morning that I was going to find a historic building and paint it. That is my spirit, I get inner information, I follow it. So I set out to find which downtown building sparked my senses the most. San Clemente has many old structures built by Ole Hanson and I observed several in my walking around several blocks. I took pictures, did the hand framing gesture that movie producers do when trying to gather what a scene looks like in a frame. I zigzag a few back alleys and finally rested upon the vivid warm light hitting the east wall of a courtyard cafe inside the Hotel San Clemente. This building is 90 years old and in the Spanish style with bright cafe blue umbrellas, terra cotta pots and shingles. There was one palm tree casting it's shadow on the wall and I was driven to paint this scene. The one table that had the brightest umbrella was turning over a group of people every half hour. They were the focal point under that umbrella and palm tree shadow in a medium violet hue. I could not focus on one specific group, so in the end, I invented my people with dabs of colors in various values. I had to shorten the palm tree itself a tad bit so it fit into the 8X10 format and it also molded into the structure which was good for the design of the composition. This architectural composition was a challenge and I had to render the sketch first to get the proportions correct and distribution of the windows right in perspective. Thank goodness for my college year in architectural construction. Plus that book I bought over 40 years ago on perspective drawing, it came in handy. It was an enjoyable paint-out with ideal results. This will be available next Saturday, June 26 for $250 unframed or $300 framed. The regulations are that we can not sell any of our paintings until the event closes. I can take commissions from them or hold it for you.

Paint San Clemente Plein Air 2010

2010-06-19T00:16:00.000-07:00

I will be signing in tomorrow morning at the registration area by the San Clemente Art Gallery. I might paint by the pier tomorrow or Mimi's Cafe or the nursery called La Casa Verde de Granada at 130 Avenida Granada. The quick draw starts at 12:30pm - 3:30pm on the lawn near the gallery. I might watch some of it or attend the wine & cheese reception afterwards. I get excited to see my peers paint and also inspired, there are so many beautiful quick paintings. I am not registered for the quick draw, being under pressure to finish a painting in 3 hours is too much stress. I have done it several times, but for a competition, I think my nerves will get the best of me.
I have prepared 8-9 canvases for this event, I will paint everyday and have extra paintings to sell at my 2 day art fair on the 26th-27th. Go to the San Clemente Art Gallery link to find out directions and the timeline for the events around this competition. This is like the Olympics to me, I jogged 5 miles down at Salt Creek Beach this week to get in top physical shape, at least cardiovascular conditioning. I like to haul my 1950's Radio Flyer wagon to carry my art supplies and need strength all week.

Hope to see you around San Clemente!

On Her Toes, ballerina dancer in Degas style, oil painting

2010-06-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

"On Her Toes" is 5"W x 7"H, oil on linen over panel. I started this a few weeks ago and only sketched in the figure. In an afternoon, I painted the rest alla prima. The model is Toni Czechorosky who posed during an open figure studio at Randy Higbee's Gallery. She has become a good friend of mine and I will paint more of the ballet dancer poses. It is a subject I have wanted to paint for many years and finally started. This was sold in hours of posting it on Facebook to another artist friend I have met from Randy's Studio sessions. You can see here the red oil wash sketch I began with. I find that if I paint in my subject this way, in diluted oil color, I can manipulate the drawing to suit my needs for focal point and accuracy of proportions, values and placement. Once I am content or if I am not, I continue to wipe away and redo until I feel it is ready to add color. The color painting process can alter the drawing, but nothing is set in stone. I was very pleased with this in the final completion.
One more bit of information, I spent a month studying Edgar Degas and how he painted the ballet dancer. His paintings and statements inspired me. Although I knew of Edgar Degas for decades and admired all of his works, I was sparked to paint this by the latest modeling session of the above model as she dressed in Degas style ballet attire. This was an extra pose the model made while on a break and I shot the image.
I wanted to take up ballet as a young girl when I was spry. My family could not afford lessons, so I would just dance around the livingroom on my tippy toes. I think it stubbed my toe growth, I didn't wear the proper ballet shoes. Now, I can experience the magic of ballet by painting the dancers. More will be made!

New Juried Exhibition with Esther J. Williams art, coming up reception, June 12, 2010

2010-06-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

Two of my artworks have recently been accepted into the "Islands Show" at the SOCALPAPA gallery on the Newport Peninsula. This painting "Great White Egret - Back Bay" and also "Hurry Before It Closes" was juried in the exhibition. The show is being juried by noted artist, Frank Serrano with the awards announced at the reception. Reception is June 12, 2010 from 4-6pm. Gallery is located within the compound of the Newport Nautical Museum at the "Fun Zone" on Newport Peninsula. If you want to meet me, I will be at the reception. Art will be framed and for sale. Update: "Hurry Before It Closes" is SOLD.

Join Me at the Ninth Annual Paint San Clemente Judged Fine Art Competition

2010-06-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

Click on the above image to open it larger and be able to read the announcement. The Plein Air competition starts in 2 weeks! My two day art sale is in 3 weeks! It all takes place down in San Clemente, California. The painting shown is for sale, it is called Blue Umbrellas, 6X8, oil on linen panel.

Laguna Memory, 8X10, oil on linen, Laguna Beach seascape oil painting

2010-06-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

"Laguna Memory" 8X10, oil on stretched linen. Painted on location at Heisler Park, Laguna Beach, CA. I spent a special day here painting with other LPAPA artist members on Memorial Day weekend. The weather could not have been better, the colors were high key this day. I walked around trying to decide what to paint, everything was so gorgeous. I saw this cypress tree reaching out over the ocean bluff, as if it was pointing to the jutting rocks below and the clear coastal waters. I thought it might be nice to include part of the cypress to frame and add a design element to the painting. The bluff was made very warm in color and the rocks below have an added cooler blue over the warms to separate the two. I used Cerulean blue in the sea and faded it out towards the southern coastal waters. There was little tide and waves, so I painted in the swirling white water as it gently moved past the rocks. I purposely left out people and any buildings in the distant bluffs to give this a serenity. Price is $250. The second image is how it looked when I left with it on location. It fell on the seat of my Jeep and I spent 3 more hours studio time correcting the mishap. Luckily, the seat of the Jeep only smeared it and no dirt got into it. I think the accident was a good thing as I improved upon the plein air work by painting from the images I took later that afternoon in the studio. Life of an artist is not as easy as it looks.

Blue Umbrellas, 6X8 oil on linen, plein air impressionism painting from Esther J. Williams

2010-05-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

I went to the San Clemente Pier yesterday to paint in plein air. I have to prep myself for the upcoming "Paint San Clemente Plein Air Competition from June 19 - 26th. I will be a contestant for the eighth time this year. I started competing in 2003 and it has become an annual event for me. I love San Clemente, it has a beautiful pier, lots of clean beaches, historic clay tile roof homes, quaint shops, interesting people and pretty fine weather. Yesterday was one of those fine weather days, a slight marine layer in the morning that parted to blue skies and gorgeous aqua colors in the ocean around the pier. I decided to paint a portion of the pier since it is so long. I just kept looking at how intense blue the umbrellas were on the outdoor deck of the Fisherman's Restaurant. People were dotting the deck and strolling along the pier. Such life everywhere! The mid day sun was lighting up the cobalt blue color of the umbrellas and I just happened to have cobalt blue oil paint. I also had a vintage tube of cerulean blue oil paint, both had to be played with. They are brilliant colors and cheered up the whole painting. I toned down the rest of the composition using combinations of red-brown, ochre-brown and a seas green blend in the ocean and pier. I spent a leisure 3 hours painting this on scene while watching hoards of Memorial Day weekenders arrive to bask in the sun on the coast around me. It was a great day, I was productive and spent a little time sitting in my beach chair reading and eating my meal I brought. I love days like this when life goes smoothly. Today I did lots of housework which was drudgery, but I am not a rich artist who can afford a housekeeper. Besides, I do it better. Have a wonderful weekend, I am going to picnic with my family at some beach, not sure which one yet. I will be painting in Laguna Beach tomorrow, Sunday, Saim Caglayan from LPAPA is giving a demonstration at Heisler Park, one of my favorite places to paint. I will be posting a seascape again in a few days! If interested in purchasing this piece, "Blue Umbrellas" it is $100 plus a small shipping fee. email me by clicking on View My Profile, my email address is there.

Beach Cove Morning by Esther J. Williams, a Crystal Cove Cottage

2010-05-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

"Beach Cove Morning" Oil on stretched linen, 14"W x 11"H x 0.75" Depth. A cool Crystal Cove morning at the "Beaches Cottage" the one they filmed the movie "Beaches" at. It starred Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, made in 1995? It is my favorite cottage here. I removed the ugly red picket stretched fence that borders all the closed cottages from the painting composition.
This is available for $385 without a frame or $420 with.

I won another honorable mention from the San Clemente Art Gallery on May 8, 2010. It was for "Alaskan Fishing Vessel", 12"W x 9"H, oil on linen. The painting is for sale there at the price of $300.00 with a black wood frame, gold inner trim. It will be on exhibition until June 17 or 18th, 2010, unless it is sold first.

Balboa Village Art Fair, Friday April 23, 2010, Esther Williams has a booth in this event.

2010-04-21T20:21:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS! I will have a booth in this Friday`s Balboa Village Art Fair! I will be there one day only from 11am-7pm. It is held in the parking lot and back alley section of the old Balboa Market on Balboa Blvd, Palm Ave and Bay St. See you there! Click on this link to go to the Balboa Village website for more details!

Sprawling to the Sea, New Seascape Oil Painting

2010-04-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

"Sprawling to the Sea" 10"W x 8"H, oil on Linen Panel. I have more to say about this, I will add it later. $250 with frame. $200 without.

American Pie - Lobster Boat, Original Plein Air Painting by Esther J. Williams

2010-04-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

"American Pie - Lobster Boat" 6"W x 6"H, oil on linen over panel. I discovered this boat when it was on a dry dock, uplifted in the boat yard a few months ago. I saw that the former name was being whited out and a new name was about to go on. The next time I saw the boat, the new owner was looking at the new paint job. I asked him why the name change and he said he bought it in a bankruptcy sale and since the boat already had bad luck, he didn`t think a new name would jinx it. He said a song kept playing over in his head on the way back east, you guessed it, "Bye, bye, Miss American Pie" He shortened it and I love it. The third time I discovered the boat, it was in a slip in the Dana Point Harbor. I was excited to see it again, drove home and got my easel and paints to come back. Like the song, I could not get this boat out of my mind and was glad for the chance to be able to paint a small workstudy like this.
Which brings to mind a quote I created this day:
"It's not the song you sing, it`s the voice you deliver it in."
By saying this, I am referring to the image that the artist uses to produce a painting must carry the artist`s style or maker`s mark. It is their unique way of expression. I have developed my unique style over the years and it's only going to get better with each painting.
I won a blue ribbon on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the San Clemente Garden Festival, held in the San Clemente Community Center, downtown, SC, Calif. I painted the image you see below. I was asked to attend and paint some of the flower arrangements in the auditorium for the San Clemente Art Association. I looked around and didn`t pick a floral arrangement, I saw this gorgeous iron vase with a unique succulent plant pouring out of it like wine. It asked to be painted with it`s shape, so I did. It is titled, "Succulents in Iron Vase", 6"W x 8"H, oil on linen panel. Price is $100 without a frame. $140 with a gorgeous wide edge dark wood frame.

I am the assistant director this year of SOCALPAPA`S Back Bay Show & Sale at the Muth Interpretive Center in Newport`s Back Bay. The show dates are July 24-25, 2010. There will be both a juried art show with the opening reception on July 23rd and an outdoor art sale on the 24th-25th. More info will be coming soon. This is going to be a big, important show! Mark your calendars! I will be there!

One last request, would you like to sign up for the Esther J. Williams - Newsletter? It is a monthly email newsletter chock full of show and award news, art, hikes into the wilderness and stories about my personal artist life. Sign up on the link!

Cool Shady Oak Tree, Oil Painting by Esther J. Williams

2010-04-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

"Cool Shady Oak Tree" 18"W x 14"H, oil on stretched linen. I am welcoming spring with delight, the colors are blooming everywhere. My latest spring painting excursion results. I made another hiking trip into Bommer Canyon on March 21 to see my favorite oak tree in southern California. This tree is so big, you can fit three of me in the trunk. It survived a fire even. It completely shades the trail with filtering light lacing through the leaves and branches. It rests on the edge of a steep hill and down into a canyon. There is a broken branch on it that points to the mustard flower covered hill several hundred feet away. Since I was a little girl, I have loved oak trees, I used to climb them. Now I respect them greatly and wish to paint them again and again. This is a protected wilderness park in the old Irvine Ranch, Bommer Canyon is controlled by the City of Irvine. This painting is offered at $500.00 and will be framed. You can email me through here by clicking on my Profile and there is an email link there.

I invite you to come to an exhibition that I have a painting in. It is called "Small is Beautiful" at the new SOCALPAPA Gallery located in Newport Beach, CA. It is a show of over 70 small paintings done in the California Impressionist "Plein Air" style. Show begins April 3rd, Saturday, 2010 from 4-6pm with a cocktail reception. Come and meet the artists, I will be there. The show runs through June 13th, 2010. The new gallery is located within the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 600 East Bay Avenue, NB, CA 92661. My painting Balboa Bay Boats is a juried entry piece.

I do have another oil painting in an art exhibition at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphy, CA. This was a juried show, part of the event called Spring Obsession. It is an annual art, flower and culinary weekend. The weekend was March 6-7, 2010, I did not attend unfortunately. I should've listed it on my blog previously but I have been so busy painting in March. The painting in the exhibition is titled "Rays of Light", 8"W x 10"H on stretched linen. Price $300, framed. Ironstone Vineyards is located at 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys, CA 95247. The show runs through May 9, 2010. This is such a gorgeous winery, the owners are fabulous and so are the people who run it. The scenery is spectacular, it is in the foothills of the Sierras in gold country. True country, like the old wild west.

New artworks, Seascapes and a Still Life

2010-03-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

"Alaskan Fishing Vessel" Oil on Linen, 12X9. Painted at Dana Wharf en plein air. $300 framed.

"Asters on the Bluff" Oil on Gesso Board, 8X10, painted en plein air at Heisler Park, Laguna Beach, CA. $250 framed, $210 unframed.

"Dancing Rosehips" oil on linen panel, 6X6. $100.00, unframed. Painted from life.

Contact me through my email link if interested or go to my website link and contact me through there. Thank-you!

Miniature Work of Art, Seascape Oil Painting 6X8

2010-02-28T13:38:00.000-08:00

"Calafia Beach Shimmer" - 8"W X 6"H, oil on linen over board. Fresh off the easel is this miniature oil on linen started en plein air and completed in the studio. There was a subtle and unique lighting that morning, it was low light and overcast although the sun was determined to peek through the marine layers causing a glitter effect upon the green waters. In the distance was pink glow. Price is $100, unframed. $140.00, framed in dark wood wide edge plein air style frame. Shipping is additional. Go to www.estherjwilliams.com and click on Contact to email me if interested. If it is sold, I will create more but no two are alike! This one is SOLD.

Won Second Place Award for Boudoir Beauty Rest Painting

2010-02-24T10:49:00.000-08:00

This is a good feeling, I have been working very hard to get to the point where I receive higher awards. Finally on Saturday February 20 at the San Clemente Art Gallery, it happened. My painting Boudoir Beaut y Rest took second place in the Figural category. This gallery does not give out the upper awards so easily and this means a lot to me to receive it. For those of you who own one of my paintings, it means that you are benefiting by collecting the art of an artist who is getting higher awards and will continue to do so. Not only do I strive to create an emotional, beautiful, inspiring work of art each time, I give everything I have learned to create a great work of art that follows established rules. Although I am known to break the rules and still make it work. If you are interested in seeing this piece in person, it and another one of my landscapes is available at the San Clemente Art Gallery from now until April 2, 2010. To see a better image of this, go to my website, www.estherjwilliams.com
My landscape painting, Tres Robles - Three Oaks is also on view and for sale in a plein air frame at the SC Art Gallery.

Dame de Lavande, Figural Oil Painting of a Lady

2010-02-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

"Dame de Lavande" or Lavender Lady, 12" W X 16"H, oil on linen. A lovely lady in turn of the century fashion posed among flowers with light pouring through the paned windows.
$450.00 in a beautiful wide frame. You may see more information on my website.

California Ocean Wave, original oil painting by Esther J. Williams on eBay, $99.00 minimum bid, 6X8

2010-02-09T09:49:00.000-08:00

"Monarch Waves" 8X6, oil on linen panel, From plein air study to studio work. Presently on eBay from February 8 thru 18, 2010. Minimum bid $99.00. Go to auction listing here.

Latest works by Esther J. Williams, oil paintings

2010-02-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

I have been spending more time on my website and the blog there. My website is www.estherjwilliams.com I also have been spending more time painting. Here are some of my latest works so far this year. Click on each one to open it to a larger image.

Go to my website link to see titles, details and prices, plus my contact page to email me. Thank-you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Art auctions on eBay by Esther J. Williams

2010-01-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

I wish everyone a Happy New Year 2010! May your dreams come true and this year brings you health, wealth and happiness!

I have 3 works of my art on eBay right now, click here to go to my Seller`s List.

A Cissy Bride Doll Oil Painting, all original, one of a kind

2009-12-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

For you doll collectors, I painted this lovely oil painting of a 1950's Cissy doll in the impressionist style. It is lending toward realism, but I had to add some broken strokes of color to create a sense of light and atmosphere as the impressionists do. It is titled, "Cissy Bride", it is oil on board, size is 6"W X 6"H. Sorry, in my earlier post I referred it as being 5"W X 5"H. So it is a bit larger as I measured it this morning. It is unframed at this point. Since it is on a stiff art board, it can be mounted on a 6X8 board covered in a black felt material and framed within a 6X8 store bought frame. Or you can take it to your local framer and have one custom made. Or just buy a mini easel (sold at Aaron Brothers) and display it that way.
This is my first painting of the Cissy doll as I collected them for years and she was in my case until I sold her last year. I missed her and decided to paint her pretty little head. The dolls stand about 21" tall so this is a little larger than the actual life size head of the Cissy. I have painted the vintage Barbie for several years. They have all sold and are in private collections. I rarely paint the vintage dolls as I am so busy entering landscapes and seascapes into art exhibitions. My ability to paint portraits has to include dolls, they are the perfect relaxed subjects. Although I have painted plenty of real people figures.
This Cissy is a bride of course with red hair pulled up above her ears and some lovely red hair trails to her shoulders. She is wearing a millinery flower crown with tulle draping down from it. Her gown has tulle shoulders, there's just a hint of it. Cissy's face is round like a doll should be and she has the rosy cheeks and full red lips with just a dainty little nose. Her eyes sparkle as it appears as if she is glancing off into her future as a young bride. She is a classy doll with such elegance. I did her justice in that sense of eternal beauty she exudes. I simply signed it EJW in the lower right corner to blend into the shadows and not overtake the painting. This will be up for auction on eBay. Click here to bid!

1950s Bride Doll, Cissy - an original oil painting

2009-12-10T10:58:00.000-08:00

This is on my easel right now as I speak, it's a 5"W x 5"H oil on gesso board painting. Just to let you know this doll is still being manufactured but is different looking now. I collected them for years and this was a Cissy doll in my personal collection. I am not affiliated with the Madame Alexander Doll Company and will not be offering prints of this in any way. There are trademark and copyright laws protecting this doll. I am offering only the original and as an artists I have that right to paint a single use. I have done original oil paintings of the Barbie and they are in private collections. That's where this one will wind up. So, please do not try to reproduce this or you may face legal actions from the mother company, not I. It makes me very nervous to post an image of a famous doll, I do not want repercussions by the head company. But I can't resist my drive to paint in admiration for the beauty, the essence, the reminder of an era in these vintage dolls. My feelings certainly show in this painting. I am working on the application of the colors today, I wanted the underpainting to set dry. I used a hand blended mix of cadmium yellow, cadmium red and a tiny of blue, then grey to make the color you see. I washed in down with Linseed oil and Gamsol to apply thinly and sculpt the head and face using more diluted paint to show lighter values. I almost want to leave it like it is, it's very vintage looking like an old Rembrandt, DaVinci or Michelangelo sketch. But this is a preliminary drawing to pave the way for color and have it down in the right values. I will post the finished image tomorrow.

Fishing Boats at Dana Wharf, seascape oil painting

2009-12-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

"Fishing Boats at Dana Wharf", oil on Belgian Linen, 14"W x 11"H x .75"D. $300.00. You will need to purchase a frame. I have a great framer in Costa Mesa. Contact me if you are interested in this piece. Here are several more images of how the painting was begun on location at the Dan Wharf.

I worked en plein air on two separate days to capture the essence of this location and it's atmosphere. It was a challenge in being it was a complicated scene. That's what a good artist should do, try harder compositions to force ourself to evolve and accomplish higher aspirations. After two days of trying to paint with my sweet Chihuahua by my side, she was not allowing me long enough to work without wanting to get out of her doggie bin. I finished it at my studio on Thanksgiving Day in the morning.

Laguna Beach, Heisler Park Plein Air Oil Painting

2009-12-04T10:42:00.000-08:00

Laguna Heisler Waves - 16"WX12"H, oil on Belgian linen over board. Painted en plein air. This is on eBay right now for a starting bid of $99.00. Great Christmas gift it will make to anyone, including yourself! Bid here
The Crystal Cove Cottage oil painting below is also available on eBay, bid here.

Crystal Cove Cottage - "Faded Memories" - Impressionist Oil Painting

2009-11-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

This is a 10"W x 8"H, oil on linen over board painting just completed. It is on eBay for auction right now for 10 days, click here to bi d. I will add more pics later. I need to go cook a turkey today!

High Sierra Winter Creek Oil Painting by Esther J. Williams

2009-11-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

"High Sierra Winter Creek" 10"W x 8"H, oil on stretched linen. I have been traveling to the High Sierras for over 20 years with my husband and kids. We stay up there several times a year. We used to just camp in Bishop Creek, then we would stay at a local motel and go up to the peaks, finally we met a friend who owned a cabin in Aspendell and we stay there off & on. It allows me to walk right out the door and hike along the creek. I have painted up here for years. There are so many special places I know that I like to keep them secret. This is one of them, I can visit this place and find fresh deer or bear tracks on the the thick ice leading up to the creek water. This was in January, there is a pond that fisherman wade into and fish, the foreground of this oil painting is the ice of that pond, the creek stays thawed as the snow melts from the high peaks and makes a continuous flow down to Bishop. The focal point of this scene is the larger, more detailed bush on the other side of the creek with the light pouring through either side of it and casting it's reflection on the water. I must add that I had just read a book about the painting process on one of Manet's impressionist paintings before I painted this. Manet painted a Paris street scene in glaring light which looked like a winter scene although it wasn't, he used light hues of white mixed with either blue, yellow-orange or gray, he slowly built up the painting by mixing his oils with mineral spirits to make a oil wash, then he layered on top some thicker brush strokes, not all of the painting was thick paint, in fact, there was many translucent areas of thinned paint. I liked how his street scene captivated me with it's dreamy atmosphere and light hues. I knew that was what I had to try for this snow scene. In my painting there are many thin areas where you can see paint glossed over the canvas grain, then in the focal area, the paint is piled on thicker. Nice effect, my whites are not pure white for my snow, in fact I add at the very last some white tinted with a small bit of the sky blue color for the final highlights. I also used a palette knife that had a mixture of the sky blue mixed with white to add that reflected sky appearance in the end. Edgar Payne often painted up here and I like to study his works, he used color combinations of blues, grays and yellow-oranges for his snow covered mountain peaks, a color combination I borrowed from to paint this scene. There is not any black in this for I did not want to make too dark shadows. The blues, mauve and blue-violet shadows was all that was needed and keeps this vibrant in color. This oil painting is available for purchase. Comes framed.

Bommer Canyon Oaks and Sycamores, Landscape Oil Painting

2009-11-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

Just off the easel, "Bommer Canyon Oaks and Sycamores, 18"W X14"H, on stretched linen, 3/4"D. Another Irvine Ranch wilderness landscape oil painting that was just finished after starting this on location in the secluded Bommer Canyon. I was in attendance there on a limited open access day on Halloween, October 31st. What attracted me to this scene was the gigantic form of the oak tree as it sprawled out and over the slope. The fact that it was a part of a cascading line of oaks made it even more appealing, the smaller oaks lead to and told the size of the magnificence of the larger oak. This is fall and the sycamore trees are a vibrant array of gold greens, yellow orange and burnt reds. But they are supporting actors to the star of the show, the mother oak. The unique form of the giant oak sent chills through me as I could sense it's strength and natural energy. Here was a tree, a truly wild oak that was allowed to it's maximum growth, unhindered by man in developed communities. Here is nature in it's purest form, that excites me and I must capture this unique organic beauty in the autumn light, using my artistic abilities.
I used the color wheel for making different complimentary values, hues and chroma utilizing a tetrad that was organized beforehand on my palette after studying the special colors in this setting on location. I noticed a distinct tetrad of blue-violet, yellow-orange, green and red while analyzing the setting. The yellow orange light passing through the oak and lighting up the sycamores was balanced with the blue-violet shadows beneath the trees and shrubbery, also in the background in a hazing out into the distance. The deep shadow of the oak tree's form gave it vivid dimension. To paint this, I gradually built up the form of the tree using my creative processes and working from shadow families to light families to build a strong composition. I have learned much from a modern master, Kevin Macpherson by reading his books, "Landscape Painting, Inside & Out" and "Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color". I have practiced what he preaches for 2 years now and he is a great influence on my work.
The painting is signed in the lower right corner, it will be framed and is presently being submitted to the Points of View Landscape exhibition through Southern Calif. Artist's Association. Price is $500 and will be available soon wether or not it gets into the show. It is a modern landscape exhibition and I am just not sure if they will consider it contemporary enough.

Sailboat oil painting commission, Dana Point

2009-11-10T22:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a commissioned work of art I did last week for a gentleman's sailboat in the Dana Point Marina. The piece is titled "My Destiny" after the boat's name. It is oil on linen, 16"W x 12"H. The top spreaders and mast were purposely cut off to fill the width of the canvas with the boat's length and save from painting it on a larger canvas. Instead of painting it in it's natural surroundings, which it was tied up to the slip with many other boats, he requested I paint it to look like it was anchored in the bay with a tropical background. So, I had to use my imagination and some reference to trees and deep water from my other paintings. The whites and grays of the boat were also to remain free of artsy colors, in other words, neutral. This was a lesson to me in holding back on color reflections until I got to the water, then I went "Wee!" I just love creating water! I still had to use refrain to allow a unity between the boat and it's foreground and background. I also employed thin glazing techniques to add the lines and trim lines, rails and lettering. My customer loved the results, everyone was mutually happy.
If you would be interested in having your boat painted locally, feel free to add a comment below. Blogger will email it to me and I will email you back with further information. This size painting would be $500 with a deposit of $100 to start. Frame is not included, but I have several frames on display for you to decide upon and I can refer you to the retail outlets close by to purchase your frame reasonably, around $40-$50.00. If I paint it on a 16x20 linen canvas, the price increases to $800 with a $200 deposit. Frame increases to approx. $80-90.00. You can enjoy looking at your special boat in your home when are are away from it.

Esther J. Williams won 3rd Place Award for oil painting, "Oak Canopy by Trail"

2009-11-09T14:48:00.000-08:00

I had a surprise hit me on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the San Clemente Art Gallery during the awards reception. My name was announced for winning third place in the Landscapes/Oils category. It was based on my entry of "Oak Canopy by Trail" oil on linen, 16"W x 12"H. I had two entries in the show and I didn't know which painting got the ribbon until I flipped the ribbon over. Of course when I entered both pieces I thought they each were winners. The reception was very crowded as close to 100 people showed up. There were 146 entries by all artists. I was doing my volunteering hours that day and brought home made cupcakes to add to the food table. There was plenty of tasty treats to go around and wine was being poured. I never saw so many happy faces in there before, the camaraderie was up in scale this time. I received lots of congratulations as this was the first time I won a third place in 5 years, I had 10 Honorable Mentions, so it was a big deal to me and my friends were very happy for me. Winning in a judge show is extremely competitive in the Landscape Oil category in this association. There were 3 judges, 2 were watercolorists and 1 was an oil painter, so it was tough. I am grateful for the scores that tipped me into the winner of third. Here are the two oil paintings that I entered, the award winner is in the oak trees by the trail in the gold frame, the 2nd is called "Mission Contemplation" in the black frame with gold liner. It measures 16"W x 12"H and is oil on linen. Both paintings are up for sale at $350 a piece at the San Clemente Art Gallery in downtown San Clemente. The gallery is located the community center on the corner of Avenida del Mar and Calle Seville. (949) 492-7175. Hours are Monday-Friday: Noon - 4pm, Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 4pm. If you want to become a member, go to the website link above to find a link to print out a form. Also keep up to date with the winners, future shows, etc... It is a large organization and run like a tight ship. San Clemente is getting national attention as being a town dedicated to artists. The current exhibition runs from now until January 6, 2010. Stop by and see all the variety of art.

Agua Chinon Sinks Wilderness Hike

2009-10-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I decided to check this place out called "The Sinks" in the Agua Chinon canyon area of the Irvine Ranch Wilderness. I was glad I did, it was a visual feast of pure landscapes. It was a nearly seven mile hike round trip on foot. The morning was perfect, blue skies and cool, not cold. I could smell the moisture in the air on the shrubbery, wild grasses and trees, it was a wonderful scent. The trail was a dirt road, a fire trail and it had some steep climbs but the docents and other hikers kept great company. We saw a few snakes but not any mountain lions or bobcats on that hike. What I did see was a plethora of new landscapes that I never saw before that I could paint outstanding oil paintings from. I brought my new Canon T1i EOS 500D Rebel and I was snapping away with it. I think I rather annoyed the docents (trail guides) with my frequent stops, but I was going crazy inside my heart and spirit. This wilderness is an artist's haven, you do not see a housing community, roads or telephone wires anywhere. Just glorious nature! We stopped at the very top of the mountain and there it was, the Sinks, looking like a mini Grand Canyon. There was one high reaching granite edge of a glacier carved ridge and the rest took a plunge for several hundred feet deep into the crevice of the earth. Mountain Lion has been spotted in there before, also fox. I took several images of the mighty tall cliffs and ravines, it was overwhelming to stand there on the edge. A docent took this image of me also. I was so happy to be there, you can see it on my face. The docent showed us images that their posted webcams took of the raging fire that destroyed 1,000's of acres in the recent fires of October 2008. It was sad to see how fast that fire swept through and even more sad to know it was arson. But the land recovered quite well in just one year. The oak trees are extremely hardy and fire doesn't engulf them easily, so there are many oaks still standing. I love to see trees dotting the hillsides, who doesn't. I really want to come back there to paint, I will take more hikes and just stare at the wonder of nature all around me in awe for now, I can rely on memory if I have to and the digital images to make large paintings at my home studio. You can register for docent led hikes to here and many more choices within the Irvine Ranch by going to their website, Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Click on the Activities or Let's Go Outside to see the current month's listings and how to register either online or by phone. You need to be in good shape to go on some of these hikes, I was completely exhausted by the end of the seven miles. Later that evening I still attended the Irvine Art Museum opening reception of "Selections from the Irvine Museum" by early Calif. Impressionists. I think that coupling the two events together gave me a significant natural high. The current exhibition at The Irvine Museum runs through February 13, 2010.

New Oil Painting, "Trail Under Old Oak Trees" Impressionist Landscape

2009-10-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

Please note: I think the colors are way off on these images. I just received my laptop after it was being repaired for a month and looked at this recent blog after I posted this earlier today from my old computer. Everything on this page is way too light. It's horrible in fact! I had no idea how bad my art has been looking because I was working on my 10 year old desktop for the time being. So, the monitor on that machine must be off in color profiles. I will correct the images in Photoshop and add them later.

"Trail Under Old Oak Trees" 16" wide X 20" high, oil on stretched Belgian linen, ultra fine tooth. This is my latest oil painting of a landscape scene that I discovered along Bommer Canyon's trail. I went there on September 26 during Irvine Ranch Conservancy's Wilderness Access day. I was like a kid in a candy store dragging my Radio Flyer wagon up the trail all by myself with the wide open space of wilderness all around me. I hauled my art supplies one-quarter mile up the trail until I arrived at the 'shady spot' I discovered on a previous hike there a couple week's before. This place at Bommer canyon is not open access, you have to be a registered participant on a scheduled activity since it is a protected wildland reserve. I have been hiking quite a lot lately since I am a nature buff from way back. I was lucky to be able to paint en plein air this day and my spirits were high. I gasped when I came upon this almost fairy like scene with the very old and large oak tree towering over the trail while sunlight dappled through the branches. There was a coolness in color to the farthest reach of the trail while at my feet the wild grasses were warm from the sunlight. It was actually one of the hottest days of the year, I started to paint in the morning and definitely grabbed the shady spot so I wouldn't roast slowly under the baking sun.
Back to the substrate, I chose to paint a bit large this time, I usually paint on Belgian linen but smaller when en plein air to get it done onsight. Also, I have been using a medium texture linen for landscapes in the past. I have not been satisfied with the way my brush drags broken colors across a medium texture linen so I switched to an ultra smooth portrait grain this time. I was much happier with the way my brush glided over the linen as I drew in the tall oak branches. Since this tree was huge, over 250 years old, I wanted to paint it on a verticle good size canvas.

Here's how much I got done before I had to leave because a grumpy park docent told me I had to leave by noon. I was late getting to the exit and he almost locked me inside the padlocked gate. He then told me the police would have to deal with me next time. Nice guy! He doesn't understand artists and how much effort it takes to haul heavy art equipment a 1/4 mile down a bumpy dirt and rock trail. He rained on my idyllic mood.
I took about 100 images while trekking up this hill and quite a few of the exact scene too. Before I left the spot, I took down some very important notes of colors I observed and sketched a thumbnail with all those notes and arrows to have a sound idea of what I wanted to get into the painting once I worked on it from my studio. It turns out those notes where vital for me to create a believable image of what I saw in the natural setting, but also to add my artistic touch of colors too. Life got in the way for a week and I didn't get to working on it until the next weekend. I finished it in 2 days as I wanted to paint wet into wet. I wanted to convey the huge height of the foreground oak tree and how the sunlight reached the trail and dotted the wild grasses, then the trail carrying you out too the dreamy distance. I painted some yellow-orange tones in the tree and the ground to give warmth to what really was a lot of greens. I could probably paint it in another month when the leaves turn more golden, if they do. I would like to paint this scene again but in a larger canvas and on a horizontal to show more of the brush around the old oak tree. Also to make a wider view more like a true landscape painting.

Here is the spot again without my easel in the way. The trail went in a curvy fashion up and down, then up a gradual climb to 200 feet. This is the only spot that had gracious old oak trees along the edge of the trail. There are more oaks trees a further distance from here on another hill. It is also a very nice composition for a landscape, I will come back and do another workstudy in oil. This is a beautiful wilderness and I just love it for all the nature one can see, plants, trees, brushery, animals, insects and birds. There are rattelsnakes too and tarantulas even. The fresh but warm air with all the scents of the wildlife kept me in an exhilarated mood, except for the little flies that kept landing on me. Oh, and the grumpy docent who got up on the wrong side of the bed. If interested in this original painting, email me. You can find my email link by visiting my profile.

Mission Contemplation, Mission San Juan Capistrano oil painting

2009-09-24T17:10:00.000-07:00

"Mission Contemplation" Oil on Belgian Linen, 16"W x 12"H X .75"D. There is an air of antiquity all over the grounds of the Mission San Juan Capistrano. One of spirituality that is also heavy in the air. The gardens are abundant and gorgeous too. You can not help but want to sit on a bench and soak in the beauty of the scene. It is a peaceful place when there are not bus loads of elementary school children on a field trip there. The focal point of this painting is the lady on the bench looking as though she was just thinking about her life. I kept the focal area tight and purposely loosened up the flowers, trees and shrubs. The brickwork on the mission and the stucco was painted to look rustic and aged like it really is. I had to include the cross on top of the bell tower to add more spirit to the imagery. I truly enjoy coming to the Mission SJC, it is a place of contemplation. I treated this as a work of art and not as a realistic recording of a place. There are plenty of marks of my brushwork in rich dimension in this work. Price is $385 unframed or $425.00 framed in a dark wood, wide edge plein air frame.

Laguna Beach Oil Painting by Esther J. Williams and I got a new Canon Camera, Rebel T1i EOS 500D

2009-09-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

"Laguna Waves - Heisler Park" 16"W X 12"H, oil on linen over board, 1/4"D. I painted on location with my Socalpapa group of plein air artists on 08/28/09 in Heisler Park, Laguna Beach. Any artist can set up their easel along the rail on the bluff there and you are bound to find unlimited seascapes to paint. I love this place to paint. I actually started this one last year on a similar day and only captured the general mass shapes, so it acted as an under painting. I blended my oil colors on the palette before I applied them again. I wanted to first match the colors already laid down. The beauty of this painting is that the grain of the linen is not as visible as in my other plein air paintings using a medium grain linen. That's because I layered more oil on top of the dried oil. Also, the multitude of colors is high since I added color upon color, although they were the natural colors I could mix to match with the scenery. I used a technique taught by Kevin Macpherson to re-wet the areas of a previously dried painting with colors blended on the palette to match and then you innovate to add that spontaneous creativity that erupts. I have read both of his books. I spent more hours on this than a usual plein air painting on a clean surface though. I wanted to record new things I saw and change things from last year that I no longer felt were needed. I felt a shift in awareness and evolvement from being in this same spot last year. Growth is frustrating. In the end I felt better. I took an image of this on location when I thought I was done. My camera then broke down, it was my old Olympus E-20N SLR. I downloaded the image, so it was saved. Then I was faced with buying a new camera or fixing this Olympus. I decided it was time to upgrade to a better technology and higher mega pixels. I ordered a new SLR online. I had to go 4 days without taking any pictures, it was traumatic to me! I just got the Canon EOS, Digital Rebel T1i 500D this week. What a lot of camera in a lightweight housing, it is jam packed with features and has 15.1 mega pixels. The above image is the Canon's and to compare image & pixel quality, the Olympus 5 mega pixel E-20n is the image below that I took at the coast before the shutter froze. I used that camera for 6 years and it served me well. But it was more fuzzy with less mega pixels and the colors never matched my artwork's natural colors. I would spend hours in Photoshop adjusting levels, colors, profiles and exposure. Now, I feel exhilarated in owning a Canon SLR! I will be able to show my artworks off much more clear, colorful and brighter. With the Canon, you can see the intricate brush strokes and crisp edges. I can even use these large megabyte images to make giclees from selected works or enter sharp images into juried exhibitions. I am psyched! I am in love with this camera, it's odd how an artist can get depressed when her camera breaks down. It is like my life blood to have a great camera and now I feel whole again!

E.J. Williams Paintings at Auction on eBay

2009-08-15T22:23:00.001-07:00

The above thumbnails are several of my original oil paintings now on eBay, click here to go to my Seller's List. Thank-you!

Doheny Palms, plein air oil painting 11X14

2009-08-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Painted completely en plein air, this is Doheny Beach, Dana Point, CA. It was our picnic day with SOCALPAPA, Southern California Plein Air Painters Association. We also had a little paint-out so I chose the palm grove above the picnic area. They are extremely tall and elegant. The whole atmosphere was one of a tropical essence, the day was warm, the breeze was blowing onshore, people were setting up canopies to shade themselves and the beach was filling up with people behind me. I liked the palm tree backdrop and tried to create a wispy, summery day feeling. It is 14"W X 11"H, oil on belgian linen, stretched onto stretcher bars, no frame. This is considered a work sketch, price is $125.00. It received lots of compliments also. This is now on eBay up for auction for a short time longer at the asking price of $125.00. There are several more original oils up there also if you are in the market for lovely art.

Sweet Innocence, little girl on beach, oil painting by Esther J. Williams

2009-08-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

I have painted a figural oil, it's been a long time overdue. Last Sunday, I went to a picnic at Doheny Beach and saw the ultimate little child with the most adorable face. She was like an angel with that platinum hair curled by the sea air and wind. I had to paint her. She reminded me of my own daughter when she was young and I dressed her up in cute dresses. The shot I took was miraculous, as if it was meant to be. I spent an evening sketching her first, then the whole next day I tackled the painting. I departed from my larger brush strokes applied in plein air and impressionism and went semi-realism with a touch of being painterly. I wanted to do honor to this beautiful child for the first time I would paint her. I took several images so I will probably paint her again. I have slightly changed the dress, it had a pattern, but I wanted to make it simple and kept it all red. The ocean really was a gorgeous blue with aqua colors beyond the waves, it was the perfect beach day. I want to go back and find that little girl again, the aura about her was so pure. She was very well mannered and the pose she made was real, almost a curtsy. That's why I called this Sweet Innocence. It is 8"W X 10"H belgian linen stretched canvas. Price is $250.00 including a dark wide frame.

A Dangerous Catch Type Boat, oil painting

2009-07-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

I got so excited when I saw this old fishing boat in the Dana Point Harbor. I went to paint with the SOCALPAPA artist's last Friday, July 17th and I think I swooned and babbled so much about how I would paint it that it got a few more artists painting it too! Anyway, I had wished I had a larger canvas. This is oil on linen over board 14"W x 11"H. I have purposely cut off the last quarter of the boat to give the front end the focal point. I watched it for awhile and mentally pictured how my scene would look in the end. There was a little dingy that would come by once in awhile with fish on it and the guys would stir up the pelicans and egrets. I felt it created drama and artistically placed them aroud the focal area under the boat's name, "Cachalot". I really loved painting this one and I think it shows. I have since gone back to where it was docked and it is still there. I want to paint it again, but there is so much going on right now with my art life. I am working on entering two more exhibitions. This was entered into the SOCALPAPA's summer online juried show. I will find out the results of the show next Sunday at our annual summer party. We will be at Doheny Beach having a potluck picnic!
I have also painted a small work study from my upper deck at my new house. I have a view of a canyon corridor that when the sunset dips behind it, it creates a new atmosphere every night. I am completely enthralled with this setting and want to paint it many times. Living within the two mile coastal climate makes our place have it's own weather patterns. I am eager to prepare many small linen panels to paint these little jewels in the future. I will also create a larger painting from several of them someday.
I am still unpacking and organizing our home. The Koi pond is done and we have had a Great Blue Heron problem, no fish lost, but I had to install the electric fence again. I am still working on planting lilies, irises and daffodils around the rest of the pond. I realized that Monet has influenced me more than an artistic way, I love to build a sanctuary pond and garden like he did. Mine is a smaller scale at this house. If I ever buy a larger plot of land, I will most definitely go larger. I have spent many an evening just sitting in a chair watching the fish swim and the sun set, it's very calming and rejuvenating too. Until next time I get a chance to write, enjoy your life, plant seeds, plants and spread love from your heart into the earth.

Moved into New Residence, setting up art studio

2009-07-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

I am afraid I will still be offline with the blog for a little while longer. I have taken a long needed break from the internet to organize my new place of living. I hope to be back soon. All is well despite receiving two hard hits to my head while moving. One resulted in a concussion and it took days to recover. I am enjoying the ocean breezes at our new residence and the coastal atmosphere. The canyon corridor we live on is spectacular and will offer many views for plein air paintings right from my backyard and deck.
I entered into the San Clemente Plein Air competition from June 20-27. I painted a 9x12 oil on canvas and it sold already. I didn't get a chance to photograph it, maybe I can contact the new owners and get one. Until we meet again.

Happy 4th of July to all!

Artist out of sync

2009-06-13T21:36:00.001-07:00

I wanted to let everyone know that I have been packing to move my overloaded abode in the past 7 weeks. I have been out of touch with my artistic self for the most part until I move. Actually, I have been reading and observing as an artist still with some stolen hours of painting to save my soul as a true artist. One can not deny thyself. My belongings of art including, antiques, vintage collectibles and art supplies could belong in the Guiness records. I am archiving many unbelievable tokens of valuable bits of history from my many years of purchasing collectibles and drawings, paintings and creative objects de art since I was 13. That's it, now you know the story of why I haven't posted a blog update for awhile. I have become a machine with interjections of the artist spirit saying, "What about me?" Until I settle into my new space in this crowded southern California location of the coast, I will be absent.
I did paint today after a break of seven weeks, it felt so strange but so emotional, then a high after it was done like I haven't experienced in a long time. I truly feel the kinship of being an artist today. Thanks to my crazed desire to ignore the schedule of being ready to move. Goodbye nature, I am moving, it's pure HELL!

Artist's New Website - www.estherjwilliams.com

2009-05-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

I finally took the plunge and signed up with Clint Watson's Fine Arts Studion Online. I have spent the past two days building an official website with much of my available art on it. You can see it at www.estherjwilliams.com It is looking good but I have to add about 40 more paintings on there, it is time consuming. I am pleased with the presentation of the initial page of the site, the links, the categories and organization. I just wish the images could be larger and I could offer a multiple number of detailed close-ups for each painting. I am doing the 60 day free trial now, if I am content with the outcome of the complete site, I will stay on. Right now you can't look me up in his directory since I am not a paying member. Check out the website, it is nifty!
Recently sold is Easy Rider Dinghy - Balboa. I hand delivered this to a new client as she wanted to surprise her husband that evening. He proposed to her in front of this little boat, it carries a most pleasant memory for them, so now they have a beautiful painting of it to last them a lifetime. I am honored and touched by this, see the sold painting below. Easy Rider Dinghy - Balboa, oil on canvas 18"W x 14"H, framed.

Waterlilies and Koi Pondscape Oil Painting

2009-05-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

The first digital image I placed here weeks ago has been deleted due to flaws in the color profile of my old desktop computer in which the colors had shifted too much. I had to bring my laptop in for repairs and was forced to use my old dinosaur computer. This latest image was composed on my upgraded laptop which has been calibrated. If it appears too dark or too light to you, then I suggest calibrating your monitor with the Spyder2 calibrator or any quality calibrator.
"Pondscape of Waterlilies and Koi" Here it is, I spent 8 days painting this beauty. It measures 48" wide x 24" high. It is oil on 3/4" depth canvas. It is not framed. Price is $1,250 including shipping. Click here to buy it now on eBay. It is a gorgeous work of art, it looks ten times better in person. See the added image of the painting placed above the fireplace in my livingroom. It truly gives a sense of depth to a wall, it takes you into the water with the fish. If interested in purchasing, contact me by going to my profile page and clicking on email or going to the eBay listing to contact me. I have many more close-up images on the eBay listing. Click on the image above to make it larger in another screen.

Cala Lily Rain, Oil Painting

2009-04-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

"Cala Lily Rain" 12'W x 16"H - oil on stretched linen. I am totally better, I have really taken some time off to collect my health and spirit back. This latest piece is from my paint-out day at the San Clemente Garden & Flower Show. Several of us San Clemente Art Association members came to paint at the community center on April 18th. It was a beautiful day and the floral arrangements were colorful. I liked the way these tall Cala Lilies stood out against blue velvet drapery in a tall glass vase. I stayed later than all the other artists and when all the gardeners left, I had silence and solitude to delve into my banks of creativity. That's when I got the urge to turn the blue drapes into rain instead. I was laughing as I mixed up several values of blue and made long strokes down the canvas in strategic places. I also took some of my mineral spirits into a paper towel and trickled it over the paint to cause it to run down the canvas. I laughed some more! It was thrilling to see the colors melt and bleed. I stopped before I went too far and packed it up to go home. I started and finished this painting in one afternoon, it is a beauty in person. Price will set later, email me if you are interested. This may go on eBay for a Buy It Now Price. I will add the link if I do later. I am taking off from this piece into a 4ft wide x 2ft high work of art using similar but different colors. The subject, a waterlily pond!

Artist Recovering, Convalescing

2009-04-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

I am still recovering after a mild heat stroke and illness I suffered last weekend. Yes, they were about to call the paramedics and I said no. No I am not kicking the bucket yet, so my collectors of my art will have to wait awhile for the works you own to accrue. Heh-heh, I am trying to insert some humor here! The weekend art show at the Mission SJC was a lesson in the outcome of a bad economy also. It' is not just me, it is world-wide how the art market is suffering. If you doubt it, read this unbelievably intelligent article from MutualArt.com. I subscribe to their newsletter, as an artist wanting to know what is going on in the world of art, I highly recommend this website for global art information. In a nutshell, the author speaks of how the declining art market needs to develop new strategies to stay afloat.
Meanwhile, as I am convalescing, I am redeveloping my own approach to my art. I am beginning a large piece, 4ft wide x 2ft high. Large artworks take planning. It's been a long time since I painted large, it is not anything new to me, I have focused too long on small works for plein air. Being ill has it's perks, I am staying home and placed a large easel outside on my clay tile patio. I get to breathe fresh air, not over exert my body by lugging heavy art equipment and the Chihuahua puppy can play in the backyard. I'll give you a hint what my subject matter or motif is, 'waterlilies'. Oh, I can't wait to build the palette. I have done sketches so far yesterday with lots of brainy notes based on composition, color choices, values, design and focus. Next, I will do an oil sketch to map out the layout in 4-5 values. I will take images and place up here later. Enjoy Easter!

Art Day at the Mission San Juan Capistrano

2009-04-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Today was such a fun day at the Mission, pessimism was not allowed here. The weather was perfect, the art was upper crust, the spring breeze was cool and the live music was the icing on the cake. It started out very slow, I was very late, (what's new?) but once I set up, the conversations with passerbys started. Sales were next to bare minimum, but the artists understood because of the economy. The art collectors seemed to have an unanimous opinion to avoid spending, only 7 total sales were conducted among 60 artists spaces. I didn't mind, I had some that came very close to buying, but in these times I wasn't giving it my sales person pitch as in the past. I want someone to fall in love and want a piece that they will be happy with the rest of their lives for their investment. I got a couple of strong nibbles on my best works, I knew those pieces would get lots of interest beforehand, but the upper price is something people now think very hard about before plunging. So, I had a stand back attitude and let's just enjoy this incredible day with music from a solo musician within twenty feet of me. He serenaded people all day, his voice carried away on the wind like butterflies in the breeze, it was tickling the senses. After awhile, the spiritual essence of the Mission grounds called me and I took my camera and went on a photo safari. For your enjoyment as it was mine, here are some images from today. My art space with my art works for one. Half the show of artists for another. Myself standing next to my space thanks to my artist neighbor. Then I wandered off to the waterlily, koi, fountain pond, my favorite spot in the whole mission, besides Father Serra's Chapel. I melt into putty when I walk into the chapel, it is incredibly spiritual and will bring any Catholic, Christian or believer in God to their knees. The alter was brought over on a ship from Spain, it is over 400 years old and an intricate golden sculpture in wood. There are candles everywhere. You can light some. Once you pay your respects to the divine, you feel free to enjoy the gorgeous nature of the mission grounds. I feel the whole property is divine and holds many spirits of the past, it's what makes this place so special. I will be there tomorrow, if you don't mind paying $9.00 per adult, it is well worth it. Better than a movie by far! Here's the link to the Mission SJC. If it is slow again tomorrow, I will do a painting en plein air, I need to capture some of the unique color and antiquity of the buildings. See you!

Outdoor Fine Art Show at Mission San Juan Capistrano April 4-5, 2009

2009-04-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

This is where I will be this weekend, "Painting the California Landscape" Annual Members Juried Art Show & Outdoor Art Show. Held within the grounds of the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Admission to the Mission is $9.00 per adult, $8.00 per adult over 60 yrs old and $5.00 for 12 & under. The outdoor art show is within the central courtyard of the Mission around the larger fountain. I am booth 43, I will have a sign that says Esther J. Williams at the top of my display rack. Come by and visit, see many gorgeous works of art, view the Mission's fabulous spring array of flowers and relax watching the koi swim among the waterlilies. The weather is expected to be gorgeous, nothing like fresh air to breath! Here's the link to the Mission SJC. Here's one of my paintings that will be on display and for sale.

Red Roses in a Cranberry Fenton Vase oil painting

2009-03-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

On exhibition at the San Clemente Art Gallery, downtown San Clemente, California on Aveida Del Mar in the Community Center Building across from the library. It is in the Spring Flower & Garden Show from April 5-May 30, 2009.
Title "You Got My Heart on a String", Medium-Oil on Linen over board, Size-8"W x 11"H. Price is $300 in a gorgeous black frame with antique gold trim. Statement: It's a funny story about this painting. I received a dozen long stem roses for my birthday on March 18th, the largest vase we have is a big Fenton art glass in a cranberry color. The way the light goes through this vase is incredible with the coin dot pattern it has. I placed the vase on our kitchen table and it took up the whole table practically. The night before my birthday, my 15 yr old daughter, Alina, decorated the whole downstairs in paper hearts and swirling spirals, it was magical looking. Still have them hanging, I love it and her too. The roses started to beckon me with their rich red color, so I decided to paint the whole vase with roses. I reached to grab the vase and carried it out to the diningroom where I had more sunlight. The tall roses caught up one of the paper hearts and it just hung on the string off the rose. I knew right away it was a sign, some magic had happened again, it was meant to be in the painting. So, I made sure it was facing the right way and I painted it in there. This is a different style or an evolution of a style to me as I really painted in strong colors and boldly. I also wanted the heart and the rose closest to it to drip in color or bleed downwards. I saw it once in a Picasso painting and was drawn to it. So, I tried that technique for the first time, I loved it! This painting has been done also with a painting gel similar to what Cezanne used to enhance the gloss of the oils and keep the impasto strokes. It really works well. The other funny thing was that I have a Cezanne print in my bathroom of some tulips in a stone vase and the background always intrigued me, so this painting has a background similar to it with some of my own innovations. I am going to make prints of this, if you are interested in a high quality giclee, please send me an email. ew@visions2art.com I will ask $75 for the 8x11 size on stretched canvas. I really am excited about how this turned out. Here you can see a close-up of the bleeding heart and rose, even some of the leaves bleed.

Also, here is the actual bouquet of roses next to the painting. The light blasting through the windows was too much and whitened out the background. I think I want to make this into cards also, it really has a romantic feeling to it. Enjoy!

Three more Oil Paintings on eBay

2009-03-27T23:48:00.000-07:00

Go here to see my latest original oil paintings up for auction on eBay.

Vintage1959 Barbie in Plantation Belle Oil Painting on eBay, Buy It Now

2009-03-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

"1959 Vintage Barbie in Plantation Belle." 12"W x 16"H oil on stretched linen. Click HERE to go to the eBay auction listing, Buy It Now for $250.00. SOLD That is a deal of a price for such an incredible painting. I have sold four already on eBay for a similar price, don't miss out on this. I do not do many of these, I have to 'feel' the inspiration.

Juried Art Exhibition next weekend, you are invited!

2009-03-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

SOLD

There will be an exhibition next weekend in which one of my art pieces will be hung. It is called Small Wonders 2009, at the SoCal Artists Studios on Laguna Canyon Rd. A portion of all sales will benefit School Power. Opening reception is Saturday, March 21, 6-9 pm. Go to their website for more info. Or email me. Here is the entry piece, "Creekside Birch - Caspers Park."

Barbie celebrates 50 years today on her birthday, oil painting tribute

2009-03-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

Painting title, not yet decided upon, size, 12x16. Medium, Oil on Linen. Price, $250.00. SOLD. Here is my latest Barbie oil painting just in time for her 50th birthday. Barbie was given a birthday of March 9, 1959. She was released for sale at the New York Toy Fair that time, so you can consider it a birth of an icon. I am no stranger to this doll, I own fifty of the early 60's Barbies. This painting is of my blonde No. 1 wearing Plantation Belle, she is one of the few left of the first Barbies. I have a brunette also which I have painted from before. This is about my 6th or 7th oil painting of the No. 1 Barbie and they get better and better each time I do one. I wanted to paint the Plantation Belle outfit because of it's celebratory appearance, it's southern belle femininity, it's airiness, it's springtime appeal. I felt spring coming on, I felt Barbie would want to dress like she is going to a garden party with her fluffy white pooch running along her side. The sun is coming through her from behind and it leaves a shadow of the skirt with lace on the ground that I gave some attention to in my artistic way. I added spring colors behind her to keep with the season and to add a compliment to the pinks and pale violets. Her face is part in shadow with a sultry glance and so is her front bodice and skirt in shadow, it makes the sunlit areas stand out more. Her hat is just the perfect addition with it's wide brim and streaming ribbons. I made sure Barbie's facial features hold true to the 1959 doll with the inverted v brows and you gotta love her full brick red lips. Those eyes have it all with that side glance, she is the cat's meow of all the Barbies. Happy Birthday Barbie, you made it through half a century! I will place this up for sale on eBay, look for a link in a day or two.

On eBay.com, Three Esther J. Williams Oil Paintings

2009-03-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

I have placed these three oil paintings on eBay, click on each of the thumbnails to go to the eBay auction link.
Crystal Cove Cottage #12, an original oil painting, 8X10.

Barack Obama Taking the Oath, original oil 8X10,

$120.00 for the Laguna Beach, CA original oil painting, 9x12. SOLD
Enjoy these one of a kind originals!

Esther Williams in Featured Artist Spotlight on OCArtsandCulture.com

2009-03-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

Today I am featured as the spotlight artist on ocartsandculture.com this will take you to the front page of the website. Go here to link directly to the article featuring myself, http://ocartsandculture.com/2009/03/artist-spotlight-esther-williams/

It is a Q&A style article where I answer questions pertaining to my profession as an artist with some images of my art and myself. You will gain insight about me by reading it.
Thanks,
Esther J. Williams

The O'Neill Corral at Caspers Wilderness Park

2009-03-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

Here is "O'Neill Corral - Caspers Park, an 8X10 oil painting on linen, I began this painting about a week ago at Caspers Wilderness Park. It was a return trip from my last excursion there a week before. This time I wanted to paint the old O'Neill Corral, water tank and windmill. They are painted a dusty red and it reminded me of the cowboy days that have disappeared from Orange County. As I drove into the area and opened up my back Jeep gate, a horse trailer pulled in also and let three gorgeous horses out and into the corral. I told the ladies they made my day, I really didn't want to paint an empty corral. The ladies were having a picnic and wanted to allow their horses to graze and that is exactly what any normal horse will do. The green grass was the perfect compliment to the red subjects. I had to peer between the rails to see what I wanted to paint, the space was wide enough.

In the back gate of my Jeep was my puppy Chihuahua as you will see in a picture here. She is the reason I have slowed down in painting lately. I am trying to train her, it's been a challenge, so far if she wants attention, she is getting it. Of course she wants a lot of attention and I have to sketch in my painting on the canvas fast. Because I do not like to rush a good painting, I have resorted to laying in the composition, mixing some colors I see on the easel palette and taking lots of digital images with my great SLR camera. Then I can go home as the sunlight changes too much and finish the painting in my studio. The puppy has really dictated my life a lot in the past three weeks, so this painting took a week to finish. I would start in one area one day and then move gradually up the canvas in sections and make sure I tied in all the areas by wetting down previous ones, no harsh edges. Someday the pup will want to hang out and relax instead of going pee, poo or nap on my lap all the time, so I can finish a painting in one day.
I also have been very busy entering three juried exhibitions in the past two weeks. This painting has been entered into one. It was a lot of work to get all the images ready and send out checks and applications. I plan on being in an outdoor art show at the Mission San Juan Capistrano on April 4-5. It is with the Socalpapa art association. I am looking forward to that, I will have new art works there. I will hopefully have this little painting accepted into the special juried section at the Barracks Gallery there. Price has not been set yet. If you want me to send you a postcard, email me at ew@visions2art.com. I would love to see art lovers visit me.

Print or Giclee Release of Crystal Cove Painting

2009-03-01T18:07:00.001-08:00

I have received an extremely high resolution copy of my painting above titled Low Tide Afternoon - Crystal Cove. The original is a 20"W X 10"H oil painting. I am using a company called Pro Photo Connection to produce a limited edition of prints, they are experts in photographic prints and giclees. I am taking orders for either a giclee on canvas or an acid free matte paper giclee. The canvas will be stretched onto stretcher bars, all you need to do is place it into a ready made 20X10 frame. The second choice giclee will be on museum quality and acid free paper, thick stock. The edition will be 50 or less and they will be hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Price is $125.00 plus S&H. It is a stunning painting of Crystal Cove, one you can cherish and remind you of the nostalgic place.
The original painting image has just been entered into two juried exhibitions. I will post any news up here if it was accepted.

Creekside Birch Plein Air Oil Painting

2009-02-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

Creekside Birch, 8X10 Oil on stretched Linen. SOLD I went to Caspers Wilderness Park out the Ortega Hwy on Friday the 13th, it was a lucky day for me. The rain held off in the distance while I sketched this lovely scene in tonal red-browns on my canvas. I spent the rest of the time mixing the colors I saw on my palette to match the values I placed down in the preliminary oil sketch.

I love creeks but this was a mountain lion country and I was alone out there after a group of artists who were a distance from me left. So being all alone was not a wise thing to be doing there. I was given a bright yellow warning sheet about it being mountain lion country and I didn't read it until afterwards. I heard one trail horse whinny it's heart out while it's owner's left it at the corral. I walked over to her, gave her a pet and left, happy to have been spared any wild animal confrontations. Back to the beginning, below you see the scenery where I first started the painting, blue sky was poking through the puffy clouds. It was brisk and windy. The trees in the background were shadowed as the sun was behind them and to the west. My umbrella took flight and crashed several times into the creek, it's time for a new one. I loved the sound of the babbling brook as it had many rocks. I found lots of animal tracks so I knew to make it quick here, I have been in many situations of seeing mountain lions and bears.

The second image shows the tonal oil sketch, it looks very antique like the old masters drawings. But this was an important first step to grab the values on the scene so I could then develop the composition and the real look. I began mixing colors after some breakfast and thoroughly enjoying my solitude, my Jeep was 200 feet away, so I felt okay for awhile. When I got many puddles of distinctive oil colors down on my glass palette, I packed it up, said my blessings to God and Almighty Nature for my splendid time and drove away. I had to stop and take several pictures of the windmill and old corral that was placed there in 1940 by O'Neill, a cattle rancher. I will paint that old red windmill sometime. When I got home and rested a bit, I began the color application of the painting and it went rapidly, I was done in less than 3 hours because I knew where to place my colors I mixed and had a bunch of fine digital images from my SLR camera. I also had a lot of the paint puddles left, so two days later while they were still wet, I painted this small 6X6 on gesso board with the same colors and I was tickled pink that the painting went super fast, like 45 minutes to finish a 6X6! Maybe it's the gessoboard, the brush slid that oil paint on like butter. I kind of like this little one better, it has spontaneity and freshness to it. I also departed from the first painting as I reached a comfort zone and dipped into my artistic soul for adding triumphant brushstrokes and color. Which one do you like? I really want to keep one because I would like to paint this scenery again, only larger and I need the actual colors I blended to do that. One last trick I placed scratch lines with a dental tool on each painting to make the white birch branches, it looks very natural and adds some spice.

Creekside Birch #2, 6X6, oil on gessoboard. $50.00, maybe it will go on eBay. I will add a link later.

Crystal Cove Beachgoers, Plein Air Oil Painting

2009-02-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

2/3/2009, Image was updated. Crystal Cove Beachgoers, 20"Wide x 16" High. Plein Air style by Esther Williams, Oil on linen, hand stretched over stretchers bars. Wired at the back, ready for framing in a plein air style frame. Done completely on location en plein air. Price $650.00 plus S&H. This is the first time in five years that a painting this large has been done on site. I felt a surge this time to go large and I did with confidence. This is painted from the Burger Shack at Crystal Cove State Beach, in front of the Beachcomber Restaurant. So many people saw me paint this and they loved it. I was taken by the compliments during the two days of painting such a wonderful setting. I will sell the original and probably do limited edition giclees on canvas from order. I wanted to combine the ambiance of the beach attendees and the beauty of the tropical paradise. It is drying as we speak. This might go on exhibition. Stay tuned for more info. Send me an email via my Profile for any details. I handed out so many biography's this past weekend over this painting experience, it was exhilarating.

Barack Obama Taking the Oath, Oil Painting

2009-01-27T12:00:00.001-08:00

Barack Obama Taking the Oath, Oil on Linen, 8"wide x 10" high. Impressionistic style. It took me three days to do this, I watched so many videos and looked at many images first to develop my composition. As I said before, on the day of the inauguration, I was immersed in the emotional wave that swept the world when he was made President of the United States. I had to paint him, it was a huge creative energy that I released in this first painting. My heart was heavy with appreciation for him and this painting is a tribute to Obama. I will do one more, but will not be jumping onto any band wagon to make money from his fame. As an artist, it was a driven thing to paint him. I do not like to copy others. I am an impressionist and have a bent towards modern art. This is not a realistic painting. But if you stand back far enough, the strokes blend to make it look realistic. When you look at this up close, there are many separate brush strokes.
I will offer this for $200.00 plus S&H. email or leave a comment below if interested. To get to my email, you have to click on "View My Complete Profile" under my pictures on the right column. My email link is on my profile page.

President Barack Obama Sketch

2009-01-23T09:44:00.000-08:00

Since the morning of the inauguration of Barack Obama, I have been immersed in this change of the past few days. The shift in my consciousness of the political impact in my life and the world's is awe inspiring. I have been wanting to see this man, Obama and his new journey every day since the 20th of January. What a time in our lives, it has placed me into a new era of optimism as he has also moved the world. There is a world-wide collective consciousness that our present state of despair is going to be put behind us. We will have a better economy, a kinder people and eventually achieve world peace. I have hope and believe in this man, how can you not have faith in this spiritual man? He will move mountains, his positive energy is powerful.
On the morning of the inauguration, I was making my cafe latte and couldn't help but sculpt a bust of Obama in my milk foam, it was enjoyable to do. I was so emotional that day, I couldn't help myself. The air was rich with excitement, I felt it strongly as I viewed the sea of humanity in Washington, D.C. that morning on television. It did not turn out looking just like him, but I was struck like that actor, Richard Dreyfus in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" Some force inside me had to express itself. I hit my sketchbook later that evening and drew a bust image of Obama in a coffee cup. I wrote a silly comment about have you had your cup of Obama Java today? Next I got serious and sketched him again, only from an image taken during the oath of office. I cropped out his raised hand just to focus on his bust. As you see, it is a rough thumbnail, only 2"x2". I will paint it in oils on linen next.

The Sense of Crystal Cove State Beach

2009-01-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

I went to Crystal Cove this past Saturday in order to paint, at least I brought my supplies to do so. I went past my schedule by going to a lecture at the Laguna Art Museum on William Wendt. I also stopped by a local Laguna gallery and chatted with an artist friend Jean Glass for a long time. By the time I arrived at Crystal Cove, the sun was descending rapidly. Instead of painting, I opened up all of my senses and my camera lens to absorb this wonderful moment of watching the sunset. I wrote this on the beach right after it set in my sketchbook:

"Watched the sun go gradually down. When it set, a form of clouds erupted to the south in tails of pink pointing towards the "Beaches" cottage. Bands of crimson streaks spread out like fireworks above Catalina Island cast in deep violet. Reflections of the clouds were all over the sea and wet sand like oil spots. Looking up north, the cottage windows reflected the warm lights in the skies. Bands of pink cast across the sky to the cliffs which the cottages were tucked into. The lights along the cottage entries began to come on with a soft roundness. The air was warm and had a tropical breeze flowing around your skin ever so softly. Scents of grilled food permeated the air from the Beachcomber. Darkness was setting in. People's voices were everywhere as kid's playing and grown-ups chatting. Waves repeated their muffled roar and simmering sounds. Seaweed washed ashore, left to dry, released it's salty essence of the sea into each breath you took. It was the end of another perfect day at Crystal Cove."

Look for some inspirational studio paintings to come forth from this visit. I felt every sense within me absorbed by this day. Those clouds were awe inspiring. The smell in the air, the touch of the warm breeze, the sounds of the waves and happy beach goers. There was one more sense, the sixth sense. I was enlightened by my own spirit driving me to go here this day by a vision I had in the early morning. I saw myself in the tunnel that goes under the coast highway. When I saw the tunnel, I knew where it was and felt I must go there for some reason, I hadn't planned to earlier at all. But when my spirit sends me a visual, I follow it's suggestion. It proved a point, I was going to miss out on a most fulfilling sunset and day of tonality with the sea if I didn't go. I am blessed to have that inner sight and this spiritual place to visit.

Of Interest to Artists, Painters -Life Attracts

2009-01-14T10:31:00.000-08:00

People will pay attention to the beauty of a well painted landscape by a good artist. But the instant that a sign of life is placed in the point of view, it attracts more interest from the viewer. Why do you think this is the case? Because human beings are more drawn to focusing their attention to the movement (action) of life forms. Trees, grassy meadows, bushes, hills do not move unless there is some wind. Animals, natures creatures and the human figure provide the action that automatically draws the human eye to observe. Great artists, our forefathers have known this and skillfully placed life forms into their works more than paintings of just landscapes, seascapes, etc... that do not show a sign of a creature of any type.
I am not saying to always express a human figure involvement into your landscapes and such. Sometimes the peaceful containment of an inanimate landscape or seascape is inspiring to us all. Although, it is important to recognize that this psychological aspect of the eyes being attracted to people, creatures and their forms of movement will also attract more people being interested in looking at your art if it contains them.
So, put a little more time into studying the human figure or creatures by sketching them often. When you are comfortable, place them into your paintings, not going overboard with detail. It will change the direction of focus in your painting but it also gives it life. Or try to paint more figural works instead of landscape, seascapes, still lifes, etc... Life is happening all around you, see it and record it on canvas or whatever medium you choose. I am going to do this more often too.

The above painting is titled "Surfside of Pier - San Clemente" 16"W x 12"H, oil on linen, Plein Air style. I consider this a workstudy to enable me to be more experienced in painting surfer scenes. They are difficult to paint en plein air as the surfer does not stay still. I kept watching this guy and quickly painted the exterior lines of his pose as I saw it, then filled it in with various shades, but kept him slender. You do not want to paint blobs, humans have limbs and heads that bend. I painted this location twice during the Paint San Clemente Plein Air Competition last June, the first without a surfer, this one with a surfer. I will try to dig up the first one to show how lifeless it is, I felt it was only a preliminary study in comparison to the above painting showing life and action as it is seen by this pier. Until then, just put your finger over the surfer and watch the life disappear from the scene, see what I mean? I intend to further my studies and paintings of surfers, it is a subject I love. Who doesn't like watching surfers ride the waves? This will be up for auction on eBay, click here to go my eBay auctions.

Monet's beliefs on Outdoor Painting, Plein Air

2009-01-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

Today I came across a statement I read from "Monet A Retrospective" book: 'Monet was drawn to realize that the three principal elements in daylight as against light in a studio or within a room are - intensity, diffusion and mobility. Monet learned his expansive style from Courbet, the vigorous strokes of spacious brushwork. It solved the problem of movement as Monet saw it could be painted with speed.'

I have read the above 381 page book 2-3 times over. I love Monet. Those words above are a small part of the book that are ingrained in my brain, I feel it is of utmost importance to capture the light effects outdoors when painting. Paint as much as you can outdoors, do work studies, sketches and compliment them with digital images with the highest quality SLR camera to capture true colors and lighting. Take notes on where the light is coming from, what colors you see, time of day, your feelings in prose... Otherwise your studio paintings will look like they are painted from a photo without feeling. The problem with even the best cameras are incorrect intensity of color, diffusion of light and dark shadows, plus the mobility of nature. You will see a red-orange cliff outside in the sunset, but the camera takes a yellow orche hue of that cliff. You will see soft shadows across the sands and the camera makes them highly contrasted. The wind blows a gentle breeze through the trees and you capture a static pose. I even take a small video recorder with me to capture a cinema look including mobility to compare at home with what I saw on sight.
So, when you want to start a series of larger paintings based on a certain area, or just one painting in your studio, think how much better you will feel when you have all that outdoor knowledge of the area with your little workstudies, sketches, notes and digital images by your side. I still prefer to get as much as possible done on location. It is a pursuit of TRUTH to me. Then, when I go to make that large painting on a canvas that I can not take outdoors, I feel like I am staying truthful to the location's essence and will succeed in capturing it LARGE.

Esther J. Williams - Gallery Paintings

2009-01-13T09:15:00.000-08:00

Note: I have removed these paintings from the gallery due to a group show setting up that I chose not to enter. They are now available directly from myself. Cafe Mimosa is 20"W x 16"H, oil on canvas in a wide gold plein air frame. Path to Paradise is 18"W x 14"H, oil on canvas in a wide black with gold trim plein air frame. It has received an Honorable Mention award.

The third painting is Aliso Creek Canyon. 12"W x 16"H, oil on linen. I could not find a zoomed in image, this was taken right after I was done painting it en plein air. I think I added more sky effects at home but did not touch the rest of the painting, it was a winner. It is of the creekside entering into the Aliso Creek Lodge in South Laguna, CA. Very modern looking plein air, gorgeous!

2009-01-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

"Montage Viewpoint" 12x12, Oil on canvas, 1-1/2" gallery sides painted. $150.00 plus S&H.

SOLD At the San Clemente Art Gallery, is "Lido Theatre Night" 10"W x 8"H, oil on linen. $145.00 in a wide gold plein air frame. This painting was complimented on by the prestigious Jean Stern, an orange county museum director. How about that? He liked the excitement I placed into this nocturnal painting. He wants me to paint a much larger canvas of it. I will next year when it is warm again! Click to go to San Clemente Art Gallery for directions or info.

Crystal Cove Expressions Oil Painting

2009-01-09T22:29:00.000-08:00

"Crystal Cove Expressions" Oil on Linen, Stretched on stretcher bars, not on board. 16"W x 12"H. I did say this was an expressive painting and it is! SOLD

Laguna Beach, Main Beach Oil Painting

2009-01-07T10:27:00.000-08:00

Here is a little gem, titled "Laguna Beach Shore", 12"W x9"H oil on stretched linen. It is a plein air impressionistic oil painting done on location. $125.00 plus S&H. SOLD

Low Tide Afternoon, Crystal Cove Painting

2009-01-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

This was a feat! I wanted to paint a very special impressionistic piece of Crystal Cove from the tide pools, so here it is. It is 20"W x 10"H, oil on linen, stretched. The title is Low Tide Afternoon - Crystal Cove. I got lucky when the tide went out and stayed out over the reef and rocks. It left a beautiful blue reflection in the water that lingered around the rocks, accented against the warm colored, wet sand in the foreground. By standing out here I got a great panoramic view of the cottages along the shoreline. It turned out very well, I am extremely pleased with the variations of colors in values and mixing of yellow orange, orange, greens, yellow greens, violets, mauves, pinks and blues.
I am going to enter this into some exhibition, I am not sure which one yet. I was going to place it into the San Clemente Art Gallery, but I decided not to because it is just so gorgeous, I wanted to look at it a bit more. I will also do limited edition giclees because it is a becoming viewpoint of the popular Crystal Cove beach getaway. The original will be placed in a wide black frame with gold trim. Price will be $450.00.

This is another smaller Crystal Cove painting I just placed at the San Clemente Art Gallery in a wide gold plein air frame for $145.00, tax included.

Democracy of Art quote

2009-01-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

Something I found today in a 104 year old book by Williams Morris,

"What I want to do is to put definitely before you a cause for which to strive. That cause is the Democracy of Art, the ennobling of daily and common work, which will one day put hope and pleasure in the place of fear and pain, as forces which move men to labor and keep the world a-going." William Morris

He was an English author. 1834-1896. This was a preface quote in the Text Books of Art Education by The Prang Educational Company. It is a series of eight books put out for children in the early years to learn about the subject of art. It is so well written that I, a grown up adult practicing art for decades, find much useful knowledge that can be for the present day artist. The authors of these books take one back to the basics of art, first objectively then subjectively. Art is normally taught from an objective viewpoint, studying things rather than principles. To understand art as a subjective 'Design' principle will give the creator the power to truly make beautiful works of art.

I feel here is a time in my life that I want to go back and be a kid again, theoretically to re-visit the fundamentals of art and see how I fly afterwards. I am already placing some of these elementary principles into a work of art right as I speak.
Bye for now, I must paint...

PS, funny thing, when I was a young 12-15 year old, (back in the 60's) I had a black metal Prang watercolor box with a snapping lid. I loved that double row set and all the colors I used to make from the tiny squares. I still have the empty box today in my old art storage somewhere. Of course it was empty, I used every last color in those trays! I will find it someday and take a picture of it, then post it here.

Meanwhile here is a picture of myself with a mean looking pirate at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco. I wanted to kiss him but my daughter's wouldn't let me, so I was laughing here.

En Plein Air at Crystal Cove Beach

2009-01-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

I could not ask for better weather when my husband & I stayed at a Crystal Cove cottage on Monday night this week. It was 70 degrees during the day, but dropped down into the 40's at night. The skies were crystal clear and so was the water, I got a true sense of the reason they named this place Crystal Cove. When I looked down from our deck to the water, I could see through it's seafoam green to the seaweed on the shallow ocean floor. The afternoon we got there, the winter storms two weeks ago had carved out a shelf that went so far inland, it washed down the rusty red picket fences near the abandoned cottages. I saw the concrete slabs and old asphalt that had been hiding under tons of sand for ages. It was very interesting to see the history of the former areas where old tents and summer shelters once stood long ago. I even saw an old plastic toy soldier from the 60's who washed up and someone placed him on the old boardwalk. Little things like that are so special to see here. I could not paint that afternoon because of the immense curiosity in me to explore all along the north shore and observe the carved out sand bank right in front of the cottages. I took many digital images to record this rare event. The sunlight was a brilliant burnt orange and it color cast each cottage in a technicolor gold, the sandstone bluffs turned a red-orange that was like it was on fire. I got high on those colors, my gigabyte camera chip became filled with precious images of rustic cottages bathed in warm light. It was a dreamy evening and I could not sleep well as I was looking forward to rising with the sun and paint the early morning hours.
I got off to an early start and hiked with my Radio Flyer wagon to the shoreline by the "Beaches" cottage. I wanted to paint it again but chose a 16x12 to include more water. I scrambled fast to get this size of a canvas done in 3 hours, it was a challenge. When I was done I thought it looked okay, but I didn't like the large mass of sand in the front and the all blue sky. I brought that painting home and proceeded to change it's look by making it more contemporary/abstract looking.

I show it here from painting in plein air. I will add another image tomorrow or Saturday to show the abstracted look. I turned it upside down in my studio and worked on it so it would look okay if you saw it upside down, that is a trick that famous artists like Richard Schmid use to balance out a composition or design. I like to be different once in awhile, it turned out much better to me.
After that, I had some breakfast with my husband, we checked out of the cottage and prepared our picnic lunch for later. I went back down the hill and got an idea to act like a kid. I placed my knee on the back of the Radio Flyer and headed south down the driveway. It was fun but I immediately started to go out of control and tried to skid to a stop with my sandal. It didn't slow it down and I rolled over, first hitting my knee and then skinning the top of my foot and stubbing my toe. I was laughing the whole time, I think some other people did too. How silly it must've looked for a grown woman to be rolling over. When I was a 5 yr old kid in 1960, we used to have a red Radio Flyer wagon in Oneonta, NY. I would take it down a steep hill and turn the corner right at the last minute to avoid going into Main Street. I do not know how I did it, must've been the small size of me and the blind foolishness. Ten years ago, I found a vintage Radio Flyer just like that one and now use it to carry my art supplies. How I love this wagon. I proved I can still be foolish today, I got the bandaids all over my leg and it smarts.
I decided to drag my wagon down to the tidepools since the tide was way out and look back along the shoreline and paint a panorama. You can see here the beginning oil sketch in burnt sienna on the 20x10 linen I used. It is in the works at this point, I got about one-third done and felt drained and full of aches and pains. I could not do two paintings that were larger canvases in one day. It is very promising looking and I will post the finished piece later.
My husband, Tom took this image of me painting en plein air. There's that wagon, it makes a great table too. I hated to leave this wonderful place again, but I know I will be able to come back and paint again here. In the winter, the temperature gets pretty cold as soon as the sun starts to go down. I long for the summer already to be able to paint in comfort. Long Johns are great for winter, I wore them in the early morning hours! I changed to lighter clothes for the afternoon.
We partied on New Years Eve, it was my husband's and my 16th anniversary, we went to the Renaissance in Dana Point with another couple, it was a ball dancing all night. My feet are sore today, but I am glad it is 2009 and we are in for big changes this year as a country and people. I am growing as an artist, a mother and wife too. This is going to be interesting this year to say the least! Happy New Year to all!

Another Fine Crystal Cove Oil Painting

2008-12-27T18:16:00.000-08:00

This is "Crystal Cove - Cottage 12", oil on stretched 10X8 linen. It is from a trip I took there on November 6, 2008. I started it on location, got sidetracked by stunning weather that day and just picked it up in my home studio over a month later, then finished it right before Christmas. I took several digital images on site that day with my big DSLR Olympus camera, so I had perfect colors to paint from besides my memory of the place, which is very vivid. There was a single seagull sitting right on top of the cottage #12, so he is included in this painting. The colors in this are very, very vintage, earth toned and nostalgic. It is painted with a tribute to Rex Brandt and his ideas of using design motifs in landscape composition and staying true to values. I have been reading a 1959 book he wrote over and over again recently, it has taught me new ideas. I think it shows here.

Price is $145.00 in a wide gold plein air frame. It is presently hung at the San Clemente Art Gallery through February 13th.

By the way, you can now follow me on Twitter.com where I randomly make statements on what I am doing presently. It's a great internet social network that is fun!

Tropical Crystal Cove

2008-12-19T11:48:00.001-08:00

Here is the latest painting from my Crystal Cove trip last weekend. I think I am starting a series from this scene. I will call the series "Tropical Crystal Cove" This particular painting is titled, "Tropical Oasis - Crystal Cove" oil on linen, 16X12. SOLD. This day was a cool morning with a serious storm brewing far out at sea. The sun was still shining during the first half of the day through the low clouds. I got to thinking that Crystal Cove does look like a tropical oasis with the palm trees and lush plant and tree growth along the shore amongst the quaint, rustic cottages of yesteryear. For this painting, I decided to add a tropical slant to the palm trees, it directs the eye into the painting. Since the edges of the canvas act as straight lines, I did not want to make the interior landscape appear stiff or static with straight palm trees. The main character palm with the splashing white water became the center focal point. The cottages rested back into the cove with filtered sunlight hitting them gently. Just at the front of the painting along the bottom edge is the Beachcomber restaurant shadowed by a tall shrub on the hill I was standing on. You could not see the Burger Shack, the shrub hid it well. I added splashes of blue-green paint daubs between the branches and leaves to give a hint it was there. I was actually at the top of the stairs that lead up to the bluff cottages. I made sure I added the telephone/electric poles and the lines draping across, they also are tilted. There were many more lines than this, but I could not wreck the painting by adding them all. I wanted to draw the viewer from the bottom left corner or right corner so I made the sand light up along the paths and leading it along the path in front of the cottages to the ocean and big palm and out to sea. The clouds were truly banded across the sky with gray bottoms and fluffy white pillow tops, then a large shape of bright blue sky peeping through. There was so much detail to record in this scene that I had to edit out many frivolous things. You still get the picture and can fill in your own details, there are an incredible amount of colorful paint strokes in this painting. I think this scene should be painted much larger to capture more detail, like little fences, window trims, doors and people on the beach taking walks. This was quite a feat to capture the correct values and tints of color to make the scene readable and still look good even if it was transformed to black and white. Rex Brandt said if a painting doesn't look good in black and white, it is not going to look it's best in color. I was keep myself in balance in my color blends and all the while keeping cognisant of the true colors of the scenery. Crystal Cove's colors are unique and best recorded on location. This was started on sight and finished in my home studio. I have been painting here for five years now, so I use my memory, sketches, notes and digital images to paint from. I have kept some of my Crystal Cove paintings to hold dear in my heart the memories of a fabulous day or weekend trip. They also help me to be accurately mixing the unique colors of everything when I am painting at home. So, this painting is a true rendition of that beautiful place by the shore. This will be for sale. I will place it up for auction on eBay. Click on this link to go to the auction, starting bid is $175.00, It is now SOLD to a customer who wanted a Crystal Cove painting as a Christmas gift to his wife. Sweet! Enjoy this wonderful time of the year! Happy Holidays! Esther

Crystal Cove paintings

2008-12-17T14:27:00.001-08:00

I was painting here on Friday, December 12th and it was turning out to be a nice painting. I had to bring it home unfinished but I came back with it on Sunday December 14th to finish it on location. Well, someone stole it from the unloading spot where I left it while I took my wagon down to the Beachcomber. Whomever took it got an unfinished, wet oil painting that I hope stuck to their clothes and ruined them. I put several hours into that piece, it cost me money for a linen canvas and I had to start it all over again because I really loved this scene. So, Sunday afternoon, I began it again. It is not done yet, I got sidetracked. I show an image of it on location here. Actually, I like this one better, it taught me one thing, not to turn your back on your painting, but the next best thing it taught me, never throw in the towel, try again and you will do even better. I had everything in my head how to set up the composition and I even changed it for the betterment of the painting design. I am about to finish it today in my studio. I will add an image later. Well, my husband & I stayed overnight on Sunday in the cottage and partied a little too much. I was wiped out the next day and it was a day that went in my favor as it poured down rain. No painting allowed in that drenched situation. A couple we met took a picture of us on the deck and you can see in my red nose, I had already been hitting the champagne. Just look at that sunset, it was truly divine! Then during the night, the storm hit and I was not sleeping well with rain hitting on ocean front windows sideways. I felt seasick the next morning! I could not even look at the turbulent waves coming in, it made me very woozy and I love looking at the waves. The champagne and wine we drank was making it's own waves, I was so sorry I had that much. I took a picture right through the large kitchen window before we left and it shows the downpour conditions. I like that picture a lot though. I would love to paint that scene someday. So, I did not paint a lot like I had planned, but we met wonderful people and gained new friends.

Crystal Cove Stormy Weather Below

Work 'til you can't stand no more

2008-11-26T15:12:00.000-08:00

That's when I have to drop everything and stop painting for awhile. I ran myself ragged last week completing three new plein air paintings. I've been resting a bit lately. I got into one of those frenzied creative states, pursuing the perfect painting. Friday, November 14th I painted at the San Clemente Pier. Steve Kell was demonstrating down there. I took one look and decided to find myself a spot to paint instead before the perfect morning light passed me by. I was mesmerized by the tide coming in by the pier under the heavy posts. Many designs and colors just cried out to be captured. I love water and even love painting it more. So here is "San Clemente Pier-Incoming Tide" 8X10, oil on linen. It is on eBay right now, I will add a link later.

I kept pretty busy at home doing housework during that week also. It hadn't been done in a moon or two. I do my housework in big stunts, like taking apart the whole place and re-arranging everything once it is cleaned. I think that caused the ultimate collapse, the old gray mare just ain't what she used to be. I still didn't fall down yet. I discovered a book by Rex Brandt that I had hiding under some magazines. It is hand signed by him, it is called "The Composition of Landscape Painting." 1959 and it is a fantastic instruction book by this genius of a man. I have been reading it off and on. I am inspired to try out new theories as stated by Rex Brandt on how to arrange the shapes and colors to direct attention in the painting. On November 16th, I went hiking down the canyon to the old orange groves I love so much. Seems the pomegranates were ripening. My husband & I picked bag fulls. I discovered many new fall landscapes to paint on that hike. I made a mental note to come back with sketch book. But I got sidetracked...life happens.

On Thursday, November 20th, I met with Jeff Horn and other's from LPAPA at Balboa Island to paint. I saw this pair of boats and the little one, actually called a dinghy had this algae growing on it's top. It glowed in the foggy mist. Then the sun tried to come out and glistened all over the water. The shadow behind this dinghy and the zig-zag reflection of the sail boat mast really cinched the composition. I had to capture that effect. Here is "Take Me On the Water-Balboa", 8X10, oil on linen.

On Friday November 21st, it was another plein air day at Crystal Cove State Park, Pelican Point. I got there fairly early and found a bluff that had a standing area perched right on the edge of a wonderful southern view of the cottages tucked into the bay and the bluffs cascading down the shore. PCH was a line with light dots for cars. The sun was coming over the far hillside and there was smoke along the horizon making the sky a buttery yellow. There was a haze cast over everything, it just looked so soft and dreamy. This was a hard one to paint. I took out a 14X14 gallery thick canvas for lack of another ready canvas. I had a lot to decide upon in placing the composition on the canvas. I think it worked out well. Here is "Crystal Cove Cliffs-Morning Haze" Oil on canvas. Man, do I like this painting, it doesn't show up as well as it looks in real life.
The next day, I went to the Randy Higbee Gallery Auction to see how my fellow artists works were selling. It was a nice crowd but sales were down, still they bid for the works. I almost got into this auction but was too late to drop off my best pieces. The wine was good though and my artist friends were all too funny. We went to Jeff Horn's annual studio sale next. Jeff is so talented, I really like his style. I had more wine and some delicious cake!
So, it was finally time for my body to throw in the white towel. On Sunday, November 23rd, I was a limp noodle. I could not lift my head for very long, my body felt drained of all it's powers. The timing seemed alright to me, I feel that my painting techniques took on a new height, I climbed the mountains and deserved to collapse. There are times when an artist feels they hit upon something big, it is unexplainable. The subconscious knows and the artist feels this newness through the hands onto the canvas. Maybe that's why I was running all over the place, I felt I was going to find something, like a treasure map with the gold at the end. Now I am going to apply the concepts of composition and color and values, lines and texture in a whole new way. Or maybe just a little different than before. Watch my work over the next months, you'll see. Happy Thanksgiving!

Crystal Cove vacation

2008-11-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

We (just my husband & I) stayed at Crystal Cove for three days from November 7-10 in a small room in one of the lodges. I didn't mind the small room for I wasn't going to spend much time in it. I did sleep, but not very well, the sound of the waves crashing hard the first night was very loud. I was excited to greet the dawn of light early the next morning. To be at Crystal Cove around the clock for three days was causing my spirit to fly pretty high and be restless. On Saturday I watched Kevin Short do a Demo for the Crystal Cove Alliance. He works so fast, I met some of his collectors and we all had great conversation. I later met with a good friend/artist, Veronica Kortz, whom I invited to come down to paint with me. I think it was too great of a beautiful day as several hundred beach goers came to enjoy the day also. I tried to paint, but the noise and people were too distracting. I thought it was better to enjoy the day on the coast and throw in the towel. So, on Sunday, learning from that lesson, I stayed on my deck of the lodge and set up a canvas. I was high up from the waters edge and the view was fantastic up the coast with the row of un-restored cottages scattered up ahead. The winds were blowing 20 knots and the canvas had to be bungie corded to the rail. I almost needed to be tied down also. But I stayed committed to the scene off the north side of the Cove and pulled off a great painting. The title is "Crystal Cove Relics", 16X12, oil on linen.
Just as I finished a crowd of people checked in one of the other rooms. It was supposed to be two people checking in, but they asked a dozen more to come and party with them. My painting was hung in the large kitchen up high so I wouldn't have to breath the oil paint during the night. I was also worried about people touching it. Sure enough, the party of folks made a big to-do about the painting at the start of their dinner in the kitchen. Everyone wanted to adopt it or show it in their home or walk away with it. Several people said they would be my gallery host. Anyway, they became very excited and vocalized it over that painting, I guess it impressed them! I was honored by the compliments and opened my wine bottle to enjoy the rest of the evening with my husband seeing that they had their fair share of wine already. We had a night walk along the cottages and it really was nice and mysterious, I could feel and hear the spirits of old Crystal Cove in some of those cottages.
On Monday, I tried to paint on the tide pool reefs as the tide was out. I got along pretty well into the painting and my husband showed up with a sandwich. Well, so did a hundred seagulls and one snowy white egret. I took time to photograph them and visit, it broke my concentration along with the tide coming in. I decided one painting in three days was good enough reluctantly. At least I took 500 digitals with my Olympus SLR, it is a fine camera. We enjoyed the sunset and packed up to go home. It was sad leaving there, I could only imagine how the former permanent residents felt when they had to move from there. The good thing is I can do day trips there anytime since we live 20 minutes away. I have fallen in love with this place and will continue to explore it, paint it and photograph it.
Funny thing is, a few days later, I sold a Crystal Cove painting I produced earlier this year on eBay to a former summer resident. She stayed there from the time she was born to her college years, from the early 1950's on. She shared stories with me and I was so delighted to hear them. She also was the niece of Roger Kuntz, a well-known early CA impressionist. The likelyhood of this was uncanny, I feel highly honored that she owns her uncle's art and now one of mine. To your right is Crystal Cove Vintage Cottages, now sold.

Close to Home Landscape

2008-11-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

It was a dimly lit afternoon and a storm front was coming in from the west behind me. I had a deadline to paint a 14X11 work for the Socalpapa online exhibition that same day. I drove 2 blocks with my Jeep loaded up with my painting easel and supplies to the edge of the canyon. I live close by a beautiful trail that steeply descends to open space by San Juan Capistrano. On top of the hill it is Laguna Niguel, once you go past the eucalyptus tree on the trail you enter SJC with incredible vistas of hills and valleys. I have admired the majesty of this eucalyptus tree for several years, I knew one day I would paint it. So here it is finally on a 14X11, linen over board, titled "Eucalyptus, Last Glimmer of Light". It was 4pm, the left over splashes of sun between the clouds was actually behind me, it was casting spotty light on the tree's trunks and branches. The scrub weeds in front of the tree had dried flowers also catching some light. Although it was beyond the tree's overhanging branches that I captured the last glimmer of light on the SJC hills way over on the other side of the corridor. That look just sang to me, the arrangement of the natural plant growth appeared to point to the tree, the trail was positioned in a gentle curve and had been trodden upon endlessly by hikers, bikers and horses. The trunk and branches of the tree gave strong lines towards the narrow bit of light on the distant horizon. It was mine to enjoy and render for a short time. I worked furiously while bikers whizzed by, they were surprised to see a painter. I was surprised to see so many mountain bikes, it seems this place is getting more popular through word of mouth. Still, it is open space and just a couple of minutes from my door. I was standing off the trail in a bunch of prickers, it was not smart to wear sandals. I am sure they heard a couple of Ow-ow's from me. Next time I will wear boots. I have been down at the bottom of the canyon to paint the old orange groves before, they are on private land. I always had to wear boots down there because of the many rattle snakes and wood ticks that inhabit this area. So, I was leery to go down the trail on this dark day because I suspected the snakes would startle me. I said to myself, why travel so far when I have an abundance of nature so close to me, waiting to be captured on canvas? I played it safe and was better off for it. I will do this giant tree more honor another time. This is just the first time to try to understand it's design, it's essence, it's glory. I will wait to see the results of this online judging by November 15th before I decide where to offer this for sale.

Orchids Blooming

2008-11-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

During a one week period, I acquired an orchid centerpiece from a charity function my husband and I attended. I decided to paint one of the orchids before they wilted on a 6X6 gesso covered board. It was so enjoyable to do. Just as I finished that work, an orchid of my very own decided to open it's annual bloom. I was more than happy to paint it's gorgeous flower. It prompted me to go out and buy orchid fertilizer to get my other ones blooming. I have half a dozen or more. I am anxiously waiting because I love this new series. I might just have to buy a few more orchids. These 6X6 size little works of art are quick daily paintings that offer me satisfaction of doing an alla prima (painted in one session) painting. I placed the subject in a morning light on my dining room table just to capture the natural light of the sun on the flowers. I tilted the little beauties so there was a cast shadow and the focal point was just off-center. I used thick applications of paint for an impasto (raised paint) look. I like how they look so real but are truly an artistic abstraction of each flower. I will probably place these for auction on eBay. I will add a link later. Orchids are actually called epiphytes, a plant that grows on anther plant. I did a report on them back in high school or college and got an A. I have always been attracted to them.

Montage Resort Viewpoint

2008-10-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

On Friday, October 17th, I painted on a bluff at the Montage Resort Hotel property. There were several other Southern California Plein Air Painters (SOCALPAPA) on a paint-out there. I am a member of that association. I got there early and stayed by myself to concentrate. I found the third bluff to be a great viewpoint looking southeast. I could see a strong composition in the close bougainvilleas, jade plants and other plants that lead into the ocean cliffs and waves, then the distant shoreline and South Laguna hillside. The amount of diffusion in color and value from the foreground to background was complicated and I felt a need to simplify it poetically. I placed warm and strong colors on the garden plants and carried the warmth into the next bluff that was lit by the sunlight. Onward to the second bluff, it was in shadow and cool, such a beautiful contrast that was a joy to represent by grays, muted greens and blues. The Montage buildings were nestled on the cliff which I noted very basically to not draw attention but give a sense of place. Off to the right on the bluff was the bright sunlight dancing on the waves and shoreline. A cool morning marine layer lingered up the Coast Royale neighborhood up in the hills. The palms are a nice added detail that also represent the actual landscaping. It was a very clear day and warm, I spent most of my time preparing the colors I saw on my palette after I painted in a very warm-red-orange under layer. I sculpted out the composition into this base sketch so I could capture the morning shadows and lights in their specific design. Once I made all my piles of colors and various hues and values, I packed up and left. That wasn't how I wanted to do it, but with kids in school, I had to go. So, later in the evening at my home studio, all I had to do is download my digital images on my laptop and pour a glass of chardonnay, turn on the classical music and paint for three straight hours. The painting process flowed so well because I had focused so well on the scene earlier, made up the color puddles that I saw while on location and had a tight preliminary drawing of shadows and lights ready to guide me. The digital image on my laptop served as a reference, but my artist spirit and wisdom did the rest. I am very happy how this painting turned out as it really takes you into to the canvas and carries you along the cliffs to the shore and off to the sky. There is a melody to the seascape, maybe it was the music, I love Classical music. It places my emotions at ease and enables me to relax my body. I stroke the brush to the rhythms of the music sometimes like a conductor, it is so liberating. Just as music is full of many notes and changes in tempo, a painting's brushstrokes are also just as diverse. Both are art and one enriches the other. I will always play music to help me be more expressive in my art. I show two images, the first is the seascape on location with my fire red looking sketch. That color really helped the painting as it shows through in little tidbits of the finished piece to truly warm it up. This is a 12" X 12" gallery canvas, 1-1/2" thick sides, I painted them a blue-green. It does not need a frame. The title is "A Montage Viewpoint" and it is available. email me if interested. Price is $250.00 and is hung at the San Clemente Art Gallery until either sold or by January 9th 2009. Just an added note: This painting received an honorable mention in this Winter Judged show at the San Clemente Art Gallery!

Crystal Cove, Ca paint-out

2008-10-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, October 16th, the Laguna Plein Air Painters had a paint out with a demo by Armand Cabrera who is an artist in the Laguna Art Museum's 10th Annual Plein Air Invitational. I arrived a little late and wasted no time to run down the beach to set up my easel facing south. Instead of watching the demo, I wanted to paint the subdued morning light. I saw a beautiful arrangement of low light on the last cottage with a point of perspective on the bluff beyond that faded out to a second misty bluff. Over the edge of the bluff was the kiss of light upon it and I was swooned. When I opened up my easle, I realized that I forgot my paints. I ran back towards the demonstration spot and asked Nancy Egan if I could borrow her oils, she was so kind to hand me her tub of Classic Oil Paints. I hadn't tried them yet so I ran back to my place and squeezed out my palette and then ran back to return the paints. I really didn't want to loose that special morning light. I moved very fast to set up the worksketch on the linen canvas. As soon as I was done with my preliminary sketch, the sun came over the bluff and shined on that last brown shake cottage with blue trim. All of that low light was gone. Incidentally, that is the cottage that was used for the set of "Beaches" with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. So, I had already put down the shadows in my sketch and lifted out the light areas and I was ready to lay in my colors from memory. I spent three hours on my little 8X10, 1 hour was used to eat my breakfast on the sand and contemplate how I would finish the painting to make it special. I felt a fire in me this day to churn out a beauty. I wanted it to be done alla prima, an 8X10 would be no problem for me. It turned out better than I thought it would in fact. I wondered if it had anything to do with the Classic Oil Paints? They went onto the linen with the ease of a gliding iron, the ending sheen was brilliant. I was excited as I neared the end of the painting. I had to leave to pick up a daughter from high school, so I thought I better not have anything more to do on it when I leave. All went as planned and I even had nice compliments from a Crystal Cove worker plus some visitors. It was a fine day that left me feeling so good to be alive and thankful to be an artist. The title of this little jewel is "Edge of Morning". email me if you would like to purchase one like this for $150.00. I have given this one to my husband, Tom, who fell in love with it. I can paint another but not exactly alike this one. I can place it into a beautiful dark wood plein air frame for another $80.00.

Pondscape explorations

2008-10-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

A new painting! This one took me a week, it started last Friday October 3rd at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. I had personal family problems off and on the whole week. One absurdity after another, no wonder I am a crazy artist. So, I worked on this in segments in the studio. It turned out to be a good thing as I discovered ways to layer the wet oil paint over dry oil paint that added multiple auras of color. This is one rich painting in the sense of 3 dimensions because I carefully chose each color layer with alternating values. Say, the gold Koi, he is not just one value of orange and not just orange either, he is layers of deep rusty orange, gray, mauve, ice cream orange and so on with a compliment of blue streaked across him to convey he is under water. He is swimming through dark murky waters and the light gradually reveals his shape. I staggered the lily pads around in a design from warms to cools, they lead up to the violet lily on the left with the unopened pods behind it. Then your eyes go back upwards to the second lily which is lighter in value and hue. That lily touches the reflections of water Iris reeds that are actually out of the scope of the painting, but their reflection tells you they are just on the edge of the pond. At the front of the painting there are also reflections of the trees overhead. The lily pad in the bottom right is dying and half sunk into the dark waters. All of this is to give you a real feeling of the pond's depth, the koi's motion, the lily flowers and pads resting on water and the light reflecting off the water's surface. It's all a wholesome, cohesive pondscape. Hence the title, "Pondscape #1." Oh, there will be more of these paintings, I am becoming immersed in this type of landscape, which really is not a landscape since there isn't any land. My big mistake was entering the previous 30" wide painting into a landscape exhibition. It was rejected and I cried for a bit, but I am over it now. Next time, I will drive out to the country and paint a bunch of trees over the dirt. I'll make it pretty, don't worry. I could've slapped myself for being so ignorant about 'landscapes', but my artist spirit was too wrapped up in the lily pond at the mission. I was thinking of Monet too, his waterlily masterpieces are huge and not showing the land at all. It is all on dirt though. I could paint a much larger painting next time to show the whole fountain, the trees, the mission arches, the Koi, lilies and the works. It would have to be huge, a least 4 feet wide. I think I just convinced myself, I happen to have several gallery canvases that big. Since the weather is turning cold, I can do studio paintings until next spring. Ah, but the call of the wild gets to me and I have to pack my plein air easle and head for the coast. I will be painting at Crystal Cove next Thursday in fact with LPAPA in fact. The moon is getting near full and I live on top of a canyon overlooking San Juan Capistrano Hills. I could do a moonlit landscape, oh the possibilities! Right now though, my head is light, no food for six hours. Bye for now. I think I am going to list this "Pondscape #1" on eBay. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE AUCTION.

Refreshing Waterlily Pond

2008-10-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

I have entered this piece into the Southern California Artist's Association exhibit called Points of View. I also just became a member of that group. I am excited about this membership as it encompasses several styles of art, not just plein air. So, I can freely enter studio pieces into several exhibits each year. This latest waterlily piece measures 30" W X 12" H and is oil on hand stretched Belgian linen. After reading up on several of my art books on Monet this week, I was ready to delve into my own rendition of waterlilies. Mind you, I didn't just study Monet for a few days, he has been the focal point of my old master, great artist studies for years. I've been to see countless paintings of his in several museums, I am in awe of his work. I read his Retrospective book of 400 pages twice. So, when I read that sometimes he used a pink undercoating on his canvas, that is what I experimented with on this piece. Little peeks of it show through the layers of paint to lend a cool atmosphere and compliment the yellow-green lily pads and flower stalks. Very warm colors are in the foreground. Compliments and split compliments are dragged to create a scintillating effect in this piece. There is a dancing light effect across the pond and the delicate waterfall cascading down the fountain. I felt that was the refreshing part of the whole reason I painted this scene. The way the water hit the pond and caused the ripples, the coolness of the air surrounding the pond kept me wanting to stay there forever. Although I only took this canvas there for two hours, captured the bones of the painting and finished it at my home studio. I worked from my former lily painting, digital images, Monet's influence and my own artist soul. I was amazed at how I departed from the first worksketch that is on this blog into a wider more light filled abstraction. I discovered how an artist can truly evolve by doing a succession of paintings based on the same subject. I will like to go further the next time, painting an even larger piece, it sparked a pleasant monster out of me.

In the Swing of Things

2008-09-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

I have been given permission to use a quote made by Jean Stern, author/museum director in Orange County about my SOLD painting Lido Theatre Night:
"It's very good, I like it. I think you captured the intensity of the theater lights and the excitement of going to the movies at night. It also presents the magic of the experience."
I am delighted to finally be noted by an esteemed individual in the art world. He also said he will be looking for my future works with interest.
I am pleased to reveal my latest work that I started at the Mission San Juan Capistrano and completed in my studio. I had to add more color intensity in the studio to the waterlilies and lily pads. This was sort of a workstudy in progress, so I placed it on eBay, it is now SOLD. Waterlilies Dream I am including the image of it in this post also. I will place more workstudies on eBay so you can bookmark my eBay Seller's List, or check back here for specific listings.
Tomorrow evening I will be exhibiting in the San Clemente Art Walk, the last one of the year. It is on Avenida Del Mar, there will be lots of us, the last hoorah of the season. I will have some good prices on paintings that are really nice. Come support us artists!

Newport Peninsula Art Exhibition

2008-09-20T11:08:00.001-07:00

I survived another week of a plein air competition at Newport Peninsula, barely. This was a tough one to do on my muscles and bones. We had a Fine Art Outdoor Show last weekend in addition to the juried exhibition. Friday evening, the 12th about 60 artists had a great time and awards were given. I had a work juried into the show, it felt good to be recognized by Cynthia Britain the esteemed judge of this show. It is the Lido Theatre Night and I show it here. SOLD I also show an image of it on location. It was a unique experience to me to paint at night, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Presently, it is hanging at the new Rainey Fine Art Gallery on Balboa Blvd and will be moved to the Newport Nautical Harbor Museum as works sell there. There were so many entries that there wasn't room in the museum for all 80 entries. On the weekend, the whole lot of us artists had such a good time relating to each other while sales were very slow. One of my neighbor artists took a picture of me in front of my booth. We seemed to become a family that weekend, the SOCALPAPA association is a loving group of artists. The Balboa Fun Zone as you see the ferris wheel in the background did not bring out the art collectors in droves, it brought out lookie loos I called them. Still the carnival type atmosphere with carousel music made us feel festive and the food all around was great! A large slice of pizza cost $2.50, there were funnel cakes, ice cream, so we all ate too much! Now I must lose 10 lbs, it's the start of an exercise program for me. After almost a week of trying to get some rest (this show drained me) I saw a Jean Stern lecture on early California Impressionists that lifted my spirits immensely. I went painting yesterday at the Mission San Juan Capistrano with unbridled joy. I will place a post with pictures on my latest 'waterlilies dream' painting later.... bye for now, Esther

In the competition!

2008-09-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

On Sunday September 7, I entered my weary self into the SOCALPAPA Paints the Peninsula competition. The night before I was up until 2am designing my new website, www.visions2art.com. It is launched prematurely and still under construction, but at least the home page, contact page, blog page and gallery collection is visible. I spent a few years studying Macromedia Dreamweaver, a ridiculously difficult web design program with tons of bells and whistles to it. I have a lot more to learn with that program, but I wanted a website that reflected my need to show my creativity and hands into everything I make. I hand sculpted a gold logo of my signature, hand extracted paint tubes for navigation bars and even an antique gold frame to showcase my latest works. There is supposed to be a belgian canvas background, I have to figure how to float it behind my main frames still. Adobe Dreamweaver's website has the greatest knowledge base to ask questions.
Well, I got off to a great start at the Balboa Island Pavillion on Sunday. I started a 16X12 painting around 3pm, it took me awhile to find the right subject with lots of interesting colors and lighting. I show here three images of the spot I found. Keep in mind that the painting is not done. I am going back today to finish it this afternoon. I was kept company by lots of interesting people, fisherman, tourists and even a 75 year old lady who cleans soda cans off the fishing boats when they dock in the evening. Oh, the Pelicans were my favorite creature, I must paint one, maybe today. I love them! All day long they wandered around the dock I was at. I took lots of pictures and so did a fellow artist I was with Veronica Kortz, we loved the whole area. It's fun to know I can go here to Balboa Island and bask in the sun painting, then wander around looking at the sights each day this week. The completion is Friday when we turn in two paintings. There is a reception that night at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum 6PM-9PM, Sept 12th. Then Saturday and Sunday Sept 13th & 14th, I will have a booth in front of the museum during our outdoor art sale from 10Am - 6PM. Come see us all, there is going to be the most gorgeous art! Remember, this is PLEIN AIR art, done on location. Bye for now, I have to run, I feel like I am in the Olympics running, no, swimming! Esther :>)

Working Harder Than Ever!

2008-09-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

I am publishing the new website in it's infant stage just to knock off the old one. So, if you see some missing links and images, I will correct them. I am working very late tonight on it as tomorrow I have to register for a week long paint out in Newport Beach. I will be painting en plein air Sunday through Thursday at the Balboa Island area. Then on Friday I turn in two paintings at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum near the Balboa Fun Zone. Also both Saturday and Sunday I am doing an outdoor art exhibit and sale with Socalpapa. It should be fun. More later! Go to visions2art to see my website.

Hi there! My first blog posting!

2008-09-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

I am just about ready to launch my newly designed website. It may be done in the next couple of days. I've had a dinosaur website for 8 years now. I am adding this blog to it, there will be a link to this page from my website, www.visions2art.com. If you go there and see a sepia toned antique victorian lady floating across the top banner, it still is the old website. My new one will have paint tubes for navigation bars that I designed in Adobe Photoshop CS2. I also will have an antique gold gilded frame to house my thumbnails of my latest works on the front entry page. It is going to be a beauty of a website, I am excited about it. Above is a small thumbnail image of one of my recent plein air paintings from my 5 day trip to the High Sierras. All of my older works will be gone, it's time for the new works to shine. So, be ready to get an eyeful soon! Esther