A little peek at Milifiori...

Much of my painting time is spent soaking in the beauty of Milifiori, an old farmhouse and gardens in Douglas Flat, just outside of Murphys. My painting friends Janette and Kathleen and I will use any reason to paint outside, especially here. So we are doing a show, A Year at Milifiori, in October. I love painting outside this time of the year. The colors are soft and deep, and texture dominates. I won't go so far as to say I love dead plants, but there is something very sculptural about them. These two plein-air sketches are tiny reminders to me of the feeling of being there on a mild January day, an experience that sticks with me as I work on larger versions in the studio. More to come...