Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational- Day 7

Sorry folks- no images today. I forgot to get a pic of my quick draw from yesterday- oh well. Saturday began with grey skies and light rain - a real surprise after the perfect weather we had all week. I set up on the south end of Heisler Park and was soon joined by Ken Auster, with William Scott Jennings set up just a few steps behind us. I knew Ken would draw a crowd so I told him he could be my "blocker" for the event. Its a two hour event but we both managed to finish in an hour and a half, which was good because that's when the rain started up again. A quick trip to my car to frame and then I turned my piece in at the museum. There was a brief preview period then the auction started. Happily my piece sold quickly - off to a good start!

The Gala dinner and Preview sale started at 6 last night. Joe Paquet won both Artist and Collectors Choice! Michael Obermeyer and Glenna Hartmann both won awards sponsored by two art publications. Sales seemed slower than in past years and there was a fair amount of artist anxiety in the room. However, traffic and sales picked up considerably at the public sale today. I was very happy with my sales and only had two small pieces left at the end of the day.

The long drive home starts tomorrow morning at 5 AM so it may be a few days before I post again!

Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational - Day 5

Sunset from The Top of the World 18 x 18 Oil
Sold
The Top of the World is up above Laguna Beach- a public park overlooking the canyon and the town, and of course the Pacific. Its a great place to catch the sunset. This is another not so great pic unfortunately- just can't seem to get rid of that glare! Its a moody tonal piece-I think I got what I was going for here. Our three paintings from the week have to be turned in at the Museum tomorrow morning. After that, I'll head down to the area where the Quick Draw will be held Saturdaymorning. It is usually held in Heisler Park, but this year the Park is under renovation so the Quick Draw has been moved to the Main Beach area. I've never painted there so I'll spend some time scouting it out tomorrow. Then the Artists Party tomorrow night- a little time from R&R!

Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational- Day 4

Newport Back Bay 12 x 24 Oil
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Here is another piece- this one from the Back Bay area in Newport. I couldn't get a very good pic of this one either- too much glare. Two more days to go before work must be turned in at the Museum Friday morning Tonight is a backyard buffet for the artists at the home of Jay and Mary Linda Strotkamp, who are long time supporters of LPAPA, the Museum and this event.
Crunch time!

Afternoon Surf Laguna

Oil 12 x 16 Private Collection

Well, tomorrow I am off to California for the Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. I am driving- I like road trips- I'm like a kid in a candy store watching the landscape change as I drive west. The event starts Sunday the 7th with a paint out then ends the following weekend with the Quick Draw and auction and then the Exhibition & Sale Saturday and Sunday October 13-14 at the Laguna Art Museum. There is more about the event here. I hope to post through out the event so stay tuned!