O'Farrell and Jones, San Francisco

O'Farrell and Jones, San Francisco

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

I'm back to painting the City.  October is a beautiful time in San Francisco.  After a long foggy summer, the sun is shining in San Francisco.

When painting scenes of San Francisco it can be a little tricky to capture the sun on the streets.  It depends upon the height of the buildings and the time of the day.  Usually artists prefer to paint in early morning or late afternoon light because the long shadows create drama in compositions.  But in San Francisco, it can be better to paint and photograph at noon with the sun directly overhead. On some streets, midday is the only time the sunlight can break through the tall buildings.

The cable car in the painting above is a replica of the old car on the O'Farrell and Jones Street line. I like the red color that the cable car brings to the composition.  I also like the warmth in the street where the sun hits, I've added a little yellow to the cool gray to warm up the color on the street.

Endless Summer Show

Endless Summer Show

50-50 III, Sanchez Arts Center

The fifty 6"x6" paintings are finished and the show is installed at the Sanchez Arts Center.  I painted beach scenes, beach volleyball games, surfers, sailboats, cyclists, motorcycles and a few vintage cars.  My theme expanded to include things that I came across or happened upon while painting for fifty days.

Two days before I began to paint, I picked up 50 6"x6" small wood panels for my artwork.  I chose to paint on gessoed canvas rather than the wood.  Each painting started with a transparent red oxide tonal underpainting to help me with value.  I really have to think about value while I'm painting, it doesn't come naturally to me. (Value is defined as the relative lightness or darkness of a color.)   

After each painting dried, I glued the finished paintings to the wood panel.  At the end of July I was getting behind schedule when my brother and his family visited.  My niece Ann helped me glue many of the paintings to the panels.

To see more of my paintings in the show visit my website on the available paintings page.

Below is a photograph of the installation of the fifty paintings.  The show runs through October 2nd at the Sanchez Art Center.

On the Beach

On the Beach

6x6 original oil painting

50-50 Show, Sanchez Art Center
SOLD

As the sun angle gets lower in the sky, it signals the end of summer.  The light is brighter, the shadows longer and the days are starting to shorten.  But sometimes, this is the warmest time of the year to be at the beach in California.  I like the composition of this painting because it makes me feel like I'm sitting on the beach people watching and soaking up the sun.

Cadel Evans, Tour de France 2011

Cycling 3

6x6 original oil painting

50-50 Show, Sanchez Art Center

On Sunday, Cadel Evans became the first Australian to win the Tour de France. Two days prior, Andy Schleck launched a staggering 60km attack on two of the toughest mountain climbs in the Alps.  The aggressive ride put Andy in the lead by 57 seconds and he claimed the yellow jersey for the stage.  But on Saturday during the individual time trial Cadel Evans ended the day over a minute and a half ahead of Andy Schleck to win first place in the Tour de France.

I hoped that Andy Schleck would win this year.  As brothers, Andy and Frank Schleck execute some great tactical maneuvers that keep the race interesting.  I believe they are coming to the US for the Tour of California next year.

Above is another painting of cyclists.  I like the contrast of the dark background with the brightly lit foreground.  I used ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson for the asphalt under the cyclists.  I think it works well in the composition.

Cycling, Tour de France

 

Cycling

6x6 original oil painting

50-50 Show, Sanchez Art Center

The Tour de France is in it's third and final week.  On Sunday July 24^th, the cyclist wearing the yellow jersey (maillot jaune) will ride the final stage along the Champs-Élysées in Paris escorted by his teammates.  The tour typically has 21 days of racing and covers approximately 2,000 miles.

 

This year's race has been unpredictable and exciting to watch.  There have been many crashes. Spanish rider Juan Antonio Flecha was clipped by a car during a breakaway in Stage 9. Before tumbling over his handlebars, Juan slid into Johnny Hoogerland, who flew into a barbed wire fence along the small country road. The duo managed to finish the stage despite their injuries.  Hoogerland went to the hospital in Saint-Flour on Sunday night where doctors used 33 stitches to close the deep wounds in his leg. These guys are incredibly tough athletes.

Woodside is a very popular cycling spot. On the weekends along Canada Road, it often looks like the peloton from the Tour de France. I've been wanting to paint some cyclists, so here's my painting that was inspired by the Tour de France. 

Sailboats on the San Francisco Bay

Sailboats on the San Francisco Bay

6x6 original oil painting

SOLD

Sailboats are a common sight near the Golden Gate bridge.  In the summer, SF Bay sailing is interesting because we get winds up to 30 knots. The water around "The Gate" can get very choppy and very dangerous...not a place to hang out at if your sailing skills are not up to par. You also have to worry about huge shipping tankers coming in through the Gate since this is the main shipping channel. Along with the strong winds are the tidal currents of up to several knots.

I had an opportunity to sail in the bay when my brother-in-law, Jeff had a sailboat in the Bay area.  My husband went out with his brother, but I was afraid to sail with two farm boys from Iowa.  Now that I've been painting sailboats I see the beauty in the graceful lines of the sails and the boats skimming across the water.  I'm looking forward to the America's Cup in 2013 in San Francisco.

Sunset at Pleasure Point

 

Sunset at Pleasure Point

8x10 original oil painting
SOLD

Pleasure Point is a world renowned surf location on the northern Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County. During Prohibition the speakeasies gave the area the name Pleasure Point.  Through the development of the surf culture, this area has been a place of distinction along the California coast.

Pleasure Point has been the home and training grounds for many great American surfers, including Peter Mel, Jay Moriarty, Robert "Wingnut" Weaver and Flea Virostko to name a few. The early big wave rider Fred Van Dyke and the inventor of the wetsuit, Jack O'Neill, are historic figures associated with this area.

Almost every weekend I look at this beautiful view of Pleasure Point.  I've painted it several times. I've tried different compositions and color palettes.  It's been a challenge to paint.  I like the warm tones of this view at sunset.

Endless Summer

Endless Summer

6x6 original oil painting

SOLD

A couple of weeks ago I made a quick trip to Ventura to paint for two days with my friend Chris Beirne.  We were lucky, it was sunny in Ventura, so we spent the day from 9:00-5:00 painting at the beach at Surfer's Point.

Although the water temperature is around 62 degrees at this time of year, there were quite a few people on the beach and in the water.  "Obviously tourists" as Chris said.  Locals would only be in the water with a wetsuit this early in the summer.

This painting is for the 50-50 show in August at the Pacifica Art Center, my theme is "Endless Summer."

Pacific Heights 2

Pacific Heights 2

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

Pacific Heights offers panoramic views of the city, with all streets leading to the San Francisco Bay.  I want to paint large street scenes of San Francisco, so I'm practicing with small paintings to try out different compositions.  Not all small paintings make good large paintings, but it's the best way to start.

Last week I was chosen to participate in an exhibition at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.  The show is called "50-50 Show III."  Each artist will paint 50 small 6x6 inch paintings in 50 days and then exhibit the paintings in August.  My theme is "Endless Summer," so expect to see some beach scene paintings during the next couple of months as I prepare for the show.

Cable Car on Hyde Street 2

Cable Car on Hyde Street 2

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

My mom and sister were visiting recently and we made a trip to San Francisco to ride a cable car.  It's a very popular attraction for tourists and since it was a beautiful day, the lines were long.

When the cable car was first introduced in San Francisco in 1873, it was state-of-the-art public transportation. Through the early 20th century, the system expanded until buses were introduced and support for the cable car system waned. The cable cars were almost shut down in 1947.

This composition shows the Powell-Hyde line with its views from Hyde Street, with the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz in the background.  The line, one of three still in service, begins at the Powell-Market turntable and runs over Nob and Russian hills before ending at Aquatic Park near Ghiradelli Square.  It's still worth the price of admission just for the view, even if you really don't have anywhere to go.

New Website Design

I've redesigned my website and it's almost finished. I still have more paintings to add to the site. Take a preview look at my new site at www.katherinemcguire.com  Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions for the website.

This semester I've been taking "Web Design II" at Canada College from Professor Khazar.  It's an excellent class, I highly recommend it.

Nob Hill, San Francisco

Nob Hill, San Francisco

6x8 original oil painting

SOLD

Nob Hill is an affluent district of San Francisco centered at the intersection of California and Powell streets.  It is one of San Francisco's original "Seven Hills."  Because of the views and its central position, early on Nob Hill became an exclusive enclave of the rich and famous, including Leland Stanford, founder of Stanford University.

Driving in San Francisco may be challenging, but it's nothing compared to parking.  Carry plenty of quarters, give yourself extra time to find a parking space, and always curb your wheels when parallel parking on a hill (unless you like tickets).

Although this piece may appear to be about parking, actually I was attracted to the composition because of the sloping angle of the street against the tall building in the background.  The unusual way the cars are parked provides a focal point for the composition.

San Francisco Street 2

San Francisco Street 2

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

Steep rolling hills, a dense eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture and stunning views of the Pacific and Bay, make the roughly seven mile square that is San Francisco, one of the world's most visually interesting cities.

I have long been drawn to street scene compositions. I have always been intrigued by the juxtaposition of the natural and the man-made. I find that the contrast of the tall buildings, and the long shadows that they cast, with the softness and color of the natural elements, like trees and bushes, brings both tension and harmony to the composition.

Cattle in the Rolling Hills

Cattle in the Rolling Hills

8x10 original oil painting, $100

In the spring, the Stanford Hills are carpeted with wildflowers and dotted with grazing cattle. Right now the grass is starting to change from green to brown, a sign that summer is coming. The painting above shows the morning light on the Stanford Hills with cattle grazing in the foreground.

Cattle grazing in the area known as Jasper Ridge began soon after the Spanish established Mission Dolores in 1776 and Mission Santa Clara in 1777. Jasper Ridge is a low ridge in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains at the base of the San Francisco Peninsula. Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve covers 1,189 acres just 4 miles west of the main Stanford University campus and is owned by Stanford University.

Next week, it's back to the City to paint.

Beach Street, Santa Cruz

Beach Street, Santa Cruz

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

As you're walking along Beach Street in Santa Cruz, to the right is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Wharf and the Pacific Ocean.  On the left is the street scene above.  Beach Street is lined with surf shops, bikini shops, restaurants and all things related to surfing.

Maui Beach

Maui Beach

8x10 original oil painting, SOLD

This painting shows the beach along the Hono'apiilani Highway on the way to Lahaina.  I believe it's Puamana Park in West Maui, a long undeveloped sandy beach.  We recently spent a week in Maui and we surfed at another beach south of Lahaina every morning.  I took a photo of this view on the way home from our surf spot.

California Poppies

California Poppies

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

Each California poppy is a solitary flower on a long stem, with four petals and colors ranging from yellow to orange.  The foliage is blue-green in color, described botanically as glaucus, meaning "bluish-grey or green".  The petals close at night or in cold, windy weather and open again the following morning.  The poppies begin flowering in February.  The California poppy is the official state flower of California and native to the United States. 

There's nothing like painting a subject to make you observe it much more closely.  I hadn't studied California poppies close enough to notice that there are four petals on each flower and the color of the leaves are blue-green.  While I was working on this painting, I wanted a warm gray/black background color. I was having a hard time mixing the color, so I pulled out my color charts and found that Viridian and Cadmium Red Light make a beautiful warm gray. ( I've added my color charts to my blog below for any artists who are interested.)

Color Charts

Cadmium Red Light Color Chart

Viridian Color Chart

As I was working on my most recent painting, California Poppies, I was searching for a slightly warmer gray than my usual choice.  When I want a black color, I use a mixture of Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue and Transparent Red Oxide.  But I wanted something that was a little warmer, so I referred to my color charts.  I found that mixing Cadmium Red Light and Viridian makes a soft, warm gray/black.  Just what I was looking for, but I would not have found the combination without my color charts.

Alla Prima, by Richard Schmid is the inspiration for my color charts.  The book has examples of color charts, plus a ton of information about oil painting, alla prima (one session painting).  It is very helpful for artists who paint in the field or in their studios. Richard discusses many subjects, such as how to "Squint and Simplify, Comparison and Conservation of Values, What You See and What You Know" to name a few.  I have a link for the book on the right under "Book Recommendations."  Check it out.

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

11x14 original oil painting SOLD

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco was originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in order to exhibit works of art.  Bernard Maybeck designed the Palace of Fine Arts and was inspired by Greek and Roman architecture. The 1100 foot pergola and central rotunda were built around a lagoon which provides a mirrored surface to reflect the grand buildings.

The painting above was painted plein air at the Palace of Fine Arts.  I painted with my friend Camilla, on an unusually sunny day, with clear blue skies.  Capturing the perspective of the corinthian columns was a challenge, as well as the gold color of the rotunda dome.  This 11x14" painting is available framed.

Cattle Grazing in the Stanford Hills

Cattle Grazing in the Stanford Hills

8x10 original oil painting, SOLD

For many years I've admired the paintings of the "Society of Six." They were a group of plein air painters who worked in the Oakland area when it was still rural.  In 1917 the artists formed an association called the Society of Six.  I especially like the paintings by Selden Gile of cows in pastures.  Take a look at the paintings by the Society of Six, I've added a link under "websites and blogs."

For the painting above, I took photos of the cattle grazing as I was walking along the Alpine trail. The cattle seem to roam pretty freely in the Stanford Hills.  They are out in the winter when the grass is green, but then in the summer when the grass is golden, they seem to disappear, off to other pastures.

Morning Light on the Alpine Trail

Morning Light on the Alpine Trail

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

Hiking the Dish (an old radio telescope) in the Stanford Hills is a popular way to exercise. There are amazing views of the Stanford Hills and the Bay.  From the highest points you can see all the way across the San Mateo bridge or into the City.

My painting shows a view along the Alpine trail, as you walk up through a grove of trees, with the Santa Cruz mountains in the background.  You can see part of an old fence that might have been used for the cattle grazing on the land. As you turn the corner and come out of the trees you start the steep climb to the Dish.

Rocks, Pebble Beach

Rocks, Pebble Beach

8x10 original oil painting

On Saturday I drove to Pebble Beach with a friend, Alice Weil, for a workshop at Brian Blood's studio.  After a night of freezing temperatures, the day was cold and sunny with some beautiful cloud formations.

The painting above is a study of the rocks and the ocean near Lover's Point. I completed the painting during a plein air workshop with Brian last summer.  The coastline in Pebble Beach is lined with dramatic cliffs.  The color of the ocean is almost unnatural looking with viridian greens and ultramarine blue. When painting the rocks I wanted to capture the reflection of the rocks in the ocean and the swirling motion of the water around the rocks.  

55 Ford T-bird

55 Ford T-bird

8x10 original oil painting

How quintessential California, a '55 Thunderbird cruising the 85 freeway with the top down on a sunny day in February.  The car was a beautiful sporty two-seat red convertible, so I had to take a few photos as it passed us on the freeway. Not only is the T-bird part of California lore, but also Madison Avenue, as the Thunderbird was the first car marketed as a personal luxury vehicle.

I used to avoid painting cars, even if they were in the scene I was painting, I would leave them out of my composition.  However, there's something romantic about old cars.  I've been looking at classic cars, like the VW van and Beetle and incorporating them into my work.  Painting cars is a challenge, but it's fun to paint the shiny chrome, the reflections and the bright colors.

Surfer Girls

Surfer Girls

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

During a recent trip to Santa Cruz, I watched the local school kids compete in an Interscholastic Surfing Federation competition.  The boys were out in the water and the girls were on the beach, waiting for their heat. When the horn blared, signaling the end of the heat, the boys came in and the girls paddled out. It's great to see so many young girls surfing.

This painting makes me think of another surfer girl, my friend Alicia.  Alicia and I spent two years surfing together at Mondos in Ventura.  We went out a couple of times a week, encouraged each other and learned to surf.

During the winter when the waves got big and the ocean was a churning mess of white water, Alicia had a rule: three and out.  Paddle out, catch three waves and get out.  You'd be amazed at how much energy and strength it takes to paddle out through the white water and stay in position to catch a wave without getting swept down the coast with the current.  My admiration and respect goes out to all surfer girls.

Low Tide, Capitola

Low Tide, Capitola

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

On Saturday, while Craig was surfing, I walked down the stairs to the beach. As I walked around the cliffs, I could see Capitola and the pier in the distance.  It was a clear bright day, at low tide with the kelp beds exposed in the foreground.  I took a photo and worked from the photo in my studio to create this painting.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

8x10 original oil painting
SOLD

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is located on the ocean with views of Monterey Bay.

A couple of years ago I painted plein air at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with a friend, Kathy Ellis. It was a beautiful sunny fall day, and all of the rides were closed.  We were the only two people around, except for a few staff members.  It was a challenging place to paint with all of the bright colors and architectural structures.

I've wanted to paint the Boardwalk again.  My painting shows a busy day at the park with the entrance to the world famous Giant Dipper roller coaster in the background.

Sailing on the Bay

Sailing on the Bay

8x10 original oil painting

SOLD

Race organizers recently announced that the 34th America's Cup race will be held in San Francisco in 2013.  The race will feature multi-hulled, swift catamarans in a shorter race format.  Sailing events will begin in 2012 and the finals will be held in late 2013.

Pier 27 along a stretch of the bay waterfront will be the hub of the America's Cup activity.

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing team won the previous America's Cup in 2010 on behalf of San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club, and got to choose the location, timing and types of boats for the next race.

So in the spirit of sailing, I've painted a small sailboat against the sparkling blue background of the bay.