Sunset at Pleasure Point

 

Sunset at Pleasure Point

8x10 original oil painting
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.