Road trip stop #2: Half Moon Bay, California

Our second stop was to visit our friends Tom and Rachel the co-authors of Alfonso the Christmas Pumpkin, a sweet children's book and wonderful gift for any little ones in your life. They were expecting a baby any minute when we were visiting...so if you see their picture and she looks pregnant - she is!!!

Tom and Rachel live in quaint little Half Moon Bay, California - right outside the San Francisco Bay area. This time of year was the Famous Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, so there was pumpkin paraphernalia and decorations everywhere. Here are a few photos from our explorations around town and along the coast...

Tom and Rachel minutes away from baby delivery...a nice pre-child dinner out.

Greg & Deb done up and out for dinner in Half Moon Bay.

Gorgeous architecture...




pumpkins everywhere..










Believe it or not I think someone lives in this reconstructed boat!

A retreat center we came across on the beach...very interesting

Ashland, Oregon

This October I drove from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, California to meet with a friend who is opening an art gallery downtown San Francisco next year.

My boyfriend and I decided to make a trip of it and made a few artistically inspirational stops along the way that I wanted to share with you here from our trip.

Here's our first stop in Ashland, Oregon -where the annual Shakespeare festival is held- and where we enjoyed some fabulous food at the Dragon Fly Restaurant, a walk through town and some time in nature at the park located in the center of town.

Recent Studio happenings - October 2010

Recent studio happenings from this summer 2010 and fall...

Lulu Fiedler, jewelry maker by trade, decided she wanted to learn abstract painting and signed up for a series of six private lessons with myself in the studio. Her jewerly work is fabulous and for view at www.starfishbylulu.com. Lulu is working on abstract landscape pieces and her goal is to paint a large piece for her home.

This painting in process is making me think of frogs and frog ponds!

I"m in love with a new liquitex product! Liquitex Pouring medium - its like using the gloss medium and varnish but with a lower viscosity. Very cool.
A glipse of my new custom made dry rack table. I can work on up to six large painting and have them dry flat underneath the table. Works really well for my painting style.

Getting organized with a tryptic commision painting on the right table there. In the background is a piece that needs a few more layers...I'm still getting up the courage to touch that one!
In the background on the wall, Song for a Winter's Night painting in process. Just a few more layers and she's there. Love the dark graphite underneath the thick snow-like glossy waxy layers. I used Nancy Reyner's Encaustic formula for this one as well as lots of other products such a s moulding paste, pouring medium and regular gel! It's been a labour of love!
Odd random studio shots....

Often times when I'm working I stop and stand on a chair to give myself perspective on the painting I'm working on. Here's what It looks like up on that chair!

Studio visitor - artist Lisa Penz

This summer fellow Vancouver artist Lisa Penz came to paint and play with Ruthie and I in my studio....a wonderful afternoon was had by all! Please scroll down past the photos for details about Lisa and her work and recent accomplishments.

Lisa Penz is proud to announce that she will be showcasing her stylish acrylic pop portraits at Aphrodite’s Organic Cafe (3598 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC/604-733-8308) starting June 22, 2010 from 10 am to 9:30 pm 7 days a week.

Penz, known for her alluring explorations into female imagery, has participated in only very exclusive public exhibitions since returning from Australia in 2008, citing a need to revisit her artistic expression. Recently, she begun showing her work to the mainstream market again starting with a custom painting of Coco Rocha commissioned by the international model for her annual ‘Strut For A Cure’ cancer fundraiser gala and live auction hosted at the magnificent Berkeley Church on May 27 in downtown Toronto.

“I am excited about the opportunity to showcase my art to Vancouver again.” says Penz. “Aphrodite’s is a unique and dynamic venue that really supports the contemporary art movement – a rare opportunity in the Lower Mainland.”

Penz’s style focuses on highlighting dramatic female features. Within each painting, Penz uses her talent for creating vibrant and invoking images to tell a story that captivates and inspires onlookers.

Fans of Penz’s work will also be treated to exquisite alternative themes that she has explored. This includes Penz’s venture into roses, which according to the artist, are “similar to painting women because they have many layers, that when unfolded, reveal beautiful perspectives. Most artists like to experiment with other themes, just to enhance their creative approach, and I’m not alone in that by any means. Unfortunately, most of us do not get to present these journeys when we exhibit – we only get to show one side of our talent. It’s nice to be able to tell my whole story as an artist at a single venue; at a single point in time.”

Penz’s work will be available for viewing from June 22 to July 15. Select prints will also be available for purchase on location. Visit www.lisapenz.com for more information about the artist.


Penz is available for interviews and private tours of the gallery. Please contact her at lisapenz@lisapenz.com or phone at 604-512-0555.

Breathing Space - Lighthouse Park West Vancouver BC

Beautiful hike last week in Lighthouse park west Vancouver...nothing like being in nature to re-vitalize the spirit and nourish the inner artist.