18. Rose Abundance

Roses and flowers in general are considered a symbol for abundance according to Fen Shui, the Chinese system for the flow of energy (Qi). It is believed that if you put flowers or images of flowers in the entrance to your home, you will receive abundance.  I have been growing roses for years but have never gotten around to painting them. So I decided to paint some of my roses to put in my entryway. I have now also included there a small bouquet of my roses, whenever possible. 

 

To me roses are one of the perfect flowers. They don't requires extensive work and they just keep giving back if you keep cutting them. Might want to put some of your own flowers or paintings of flowers in you entryway. Even if Feng Shui does not work, they are so lovely to have as the first thing people see when entering your home. Happy Abundance Everyone!

 

 

18. Rose Abundance

17. Capitola Beach in Two Colors

There is an overlook at Capitola Beach, California that provides a lovely view of the beach. I decided to paint there and only use two colors and white. You may be surprised to find out that you can create many shades of gray by combining two opposite hues on the color wheel. In this painting I used ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow deep, which has an orange color while technically in the yellow family. White is the neutral I added for value. I was able to get a range of colors that included blues, greens, and tans. This technique is a nice study for yourself if you want to diminish the colors you cart around. I am now satisfied and delighted with my paintings by just using nine hues plus white, and no black. Try it for yourself. 

17 CAPITOLA BEACH IN TWO COLORS

16. Davenport Cypress Grove & Tree Symbolism

There is a lovely Cypress Grove on a cliff in Davenport, California overlooking the ocean.  It's hard not to feel the enchanting power of trees as you walk along the cliff. Throughout the ages trees and forests have been prominent in myth and symbol. Trees reach up into the heavens where in many early civilizations it was thought that the Gods lived. Below the earth was thought to exist the underworld or dark beings and condemned souls. Because trees reach into the sky and then have roots deep into the earth, they have often been seen as a bridge between the spiritual worlds. Some myths talk of the Gods or messengers traveling from world to world by climbing up and down great trees. One of the most famous sacred trees is the Yggdrasill ash tree in Norse mythology. This tree is said to connect all living things even connecting the gods to humans. The next time you look at trees, imagine their branches reaching up to the gods and the roots reaching to the underworld. Your perception of trees, as you paint, will never be the same.

Davenport Cypress Grove and Tree Symbolism

15 Mural-In-A-Day Project

Recently, I was able to help out with a community mural for the Mural-In-A-Day project sponsored by Regional Artisans Association (RAA), the non-profit that houses Art in Public Places and the Scotts Valley Artisan store where 150 local artists sell their work. Dawn Teal is the president of RAA director of the Scotts Valley Artisans non-profit along with her mother Pam Nielsen. They are the forces behind the the happenings in the RAA and the store. Artists and non-artists alike painted for several hours at a time in order to help complete the large project on a wall of Nob Hill Foods in Scotts Valley.
The mural is a tribute to Emile and George Ow family who own the shopping center and who opened the first market there years ago.  Aidan McCarty, a local art major at UC Santa Cruz had the winning design and was the "Master Muralist" for the May 18 event. It was a very fun experience that I will repeat in August when another mural is planned. Scotts Valley is beginning to be an art destination with the murals and the  Scotts Valley Artisan store where I have some of my own work for sale. 

15 Mural-In-A-Day

14. Bargetto Vineyards & Dionysus

Painting at Bargetto Vineyards in Soquel California recently, I was reminded of the myth of Dionysus.  Dionysus was the Greek god of fertility and wine. He supposedly invented wine and spread the art of tending grapes. Zeus decided to protect the rearing of Dionysus to mountain nymphs. It is said that he wandered about the hills and began tending to growing grapes. 

 

Dionysus icame to be associated with Rebirth after Death. He was ripped apart by Titans when he was young and then brought back to life. He later faced and defeated the Greek God of Death, Thanatos, to save his mother.  The vines are a symbol of death, being dormant in winter, and a symbol of rebirth when they are severely pruned in early spring in order to produce fruit. 

 

The festival of Dionysus happened in the spring as the leaves were first reappearing on the vines. It was believed that the intoxication you might feel when drinking wine is caused by having Dionysus inside of you. And Dionysus also became the patron of the arts as his festival grew. Many of the Greek plays created by writers, actors, musicians and artist, were performed in this spring festival.  Painting at the Bargetto vineyard reminded me of the importance or spirit in creating wine as well as art. 
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14. Bargetto Vineyards & Dionysus