Christmas time fun stuff...for cat owners on your list?

I have a cat in my painting studio to

keep me company.  I discovered this 

 great gift for cat people who may love the cat 

but don't want their furniture or rugs clawed up.  One burst of SssCat and 

the cat learns not to go near whatever again!  Instant training for my cat so when he wonders out of my studio I know he won't be chewing up the new sofa in the living room.  Check it out then buy it online at www.petsafe.net or call the nice lady at 1 800 732 2677

This is what you need - the complete unit includes the can
of compressed air [no chemicals], and the photo cell attachment
that triggers the can to let loose with a blast of air when the cat gets close or passes by.\ 

The SSSCat in place and turned on with the easy
switch in the back of the photo cell unit that you
mount to the can after you add the 4 batteries [not included]

A "No Win" I guess...

I can't seem to please my favorite critic on this one.   I created it for the upcoming Glendale Art Association Christmas Salon based loosely on a 1903 illustration from a children's book. The original had no cat, no Santa, and the child was in "period" PJ's and a diaper.  So, side by side they look nothing alike except the situation.  Unless I can do something wit it - and I have no clue what - I guess it won't make the show.  What do you think?

Exhibition & SALE at the Will Rogers Estate...

The most beautiful southern California Sunday at the most beautiful example of CA living at The Will Rogers Estate in Los Angeles, just off Sunset Blvd. & so close to the beach.  A 30's period band, birthday cupcakes and an art show all in celebration of Will's birthday. Great that many of my paintings found new homes to go to.  I have posted remaining paintings and new ones on my fine art sale site at www.BobRaserArt.com  Also search for Bob Raser on ETSY.

Plein air Bob in front of one of his displays at The Will Rogers Exhibition.

Mrs. Plein air Bob - Caroline, helps the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mts & Seashore as well as handle the sales for the artist.  

Set up for a sunny morning paint out...

The King Gillette Ranch is a neat CA State Park and a favorite to local painters.  Thi swas my "bright sun" unbrella set up as i banged out a 90 minute 6x8 this past weekend.  The unbrella is just you basic light weight beach type.  I made a PVC base that comes apart and holds together really well.  To keep it from blowing over I use 2 10 lbs sand bags i picked up at a Hollywood lighting shop.  Works great as you can see.   

So what do you do with all those paintings...?

If you're CA plein-air super-painter TIM HORN you don't have a problem.  Storing paintings is a pain for most artists for sure, but in a former life TH was a fine art wood furniture designer and maker.  He knows how to build stuff and this is Tim's custom cabinet he designed for his studio storage area.  I wish it were a kit so I could finally find a way to store all my work as easily and as organized as Tim.  Thanks for lunch Tim - and the tour.  Great art all over as Tim is packing up selections for his upcoming one man ahow at The Knowlton Gallery in Lodi, CA in early October.  Get the details at www.Knowltongallery.com  

The "Best Brella" really is!

Lots of painter pals and new to my Blog or Face Book [Bob Raser Art] followers are always hunting for the perfect umbrella.  If you do plein air like I do, and you are in a sunny part of the world like I am most of the time, you have to have a sturdy, easy to tote, solid umbrella. The Best Brella seen here at the famous Monhegan Light House location was the most popular umbrella at the recent Tim Horn Monhegan Island workshop I enjoyed, and it proved to be the best brella investment I have made - and I have invested in lots of them. You can order yours now from inventor/painter Pat Kellner at Patricia@BestBrella.com - or call her at 310 944 5873   Nope, I paid for mine, it wasn't a freebee - and it was worth every penny.  Thanks PK!!

The Windsor House Inn, Duxberry, MA

Trying to pick a post card image for my trip....

I am soon off to Monhegan Island for a Tim Horn painting workshop and to hang with the great workshop gang filled with super painters!   I want to make a postcard to give to my pals and island visitors and I am trying to decide which painting to feature this year.  I usually just pile my free post card the lobby of The Monhegan House Inn and guests and tourists can help themselves! Let me know which one you would pick up if you saw them around the island during your stay...

Monhegan Light Bell - Saturday morning.

I think I'll make this in to a postcard.  Let me know if you want me to mail you one.  The Monhegan Island, Maine lighthouse keepers home, and that great bell on the hilltop front lawn. Some lights are at on the seashore, others are on the highest point.  Monhegan light is on the highest point overlooking this painters island 14 miles off the Maine coast.  The green patina on the bell shines in the morning light, the mainland & Port Clyde in the background.  The light sweeps the dark [not much electricity and no cars to light the dirt roads] over the island every night.  No lighthouse keeper anymore.  It is controlled by radio transmission from the Coast Guard Station in Portland.

Places to stay on Monhegan Island, Maine...The "painters island"...

The Island Inn is great for couples & painters who want to "up scale" a bit..

The Monhegan Inn is where I live every painting season on this "painters island".  Painters are everywhere here and it's been a painters billet since it was built and is one of the oldest structures on the island.  Comfortable, clean and the beds are good.  Breakfast is great, and the talk everywhere from the easy rocking chair front poarch to the shower rooms is all painting.  That's why I' here! 

Gail's Studio....

Had a great time painting this bungalo painters studio deep in a southern California lemon orchard.  What a place to make fine art every day.  No wonder her paintings are great!! 

6"x8"  "Studio in the Grove"

Off to the Santa Paula Hot Air Balloon Festival this Saturday!

The Hot Air Balloon Event has what they call a "glow" event Friday evening with great food, and a chance to drift up in a teathered balloon.  Bring your camera!  The sketch painting is the Inn I would have liked to stay at, The Santa Paula Inn right in the heart of town and so close to those great breakfasts at Rabalais Cafe - but - as usual - sold out!  Check it out, as well as the Glenn Tavern Inn on line.  Great prices and neat places.

Cape Cod home base...The Candleberry Inn

Painting Cape Cod has been a journey painters have made forever.  Most summertimes I head for the Cape for a week or so, then on to Maine and Monhegan Island.  This is my "home base" when I am on Cape Cod.  Quiet.  Comfortable.  Classic & historic.  I discovered it when the prettiest girl in the 7th grade in my Jr. High school bought it with her husband many summers ago.  She sold it to a fantastic innkeeper couple who have picked up the remodel where Ginny left off.    Great rooms, sleep-forever beds and breakfasts that are wonderful.  Located in the center of the Cape in Brewster - you can get to anyplace from here.  Check it out at www.CandleberryInn.com 

The most recommended books by plein-air pro-painter workshop artists..

These 2 books are without doubt the two most highly & always recommended books to "brush-up on" before any workshop.  Thanks to plein air painter Tim Horn for reminding me.  You might want to add them to your art bookshelf.   "Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color" by Kevin MacPherson. It's about $24 a on Amazon $ @ some book and art stores. Also Mitchell Albala's "LandscapPainting", http://www.mitchalbala.com/book/index.html

Raser paintings premier at Face of CA Exhibition..

The Santa Paula Art Museum always has the best opening night bashes - and the "Face of California" exhibition June 29 opening night swarie was beyond expections for artists, collectors, and art fans.  The gallery was packed with people and wonderful art work.  The jurried selections of over 40 pieces reflecting the diverseity of California images, included 2 of my paintings, "Sanoma Barracks", and "Royal Palm - The Adamson House - Malibu beach, CA"  Sales will benifit the Museum programs - especially for kids.  Both of my paintings will be on view along with the entirer Face of California exhibition through October 20. at The Santa paula Art Museum, 117 N. 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA. with information at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org  [805 525 5554]  To purchase these exhibition paintings on line please visit www.BobRaserArt.com  

Plein Air Bob Raser and Mrs. Plein Air, Caroline, pose at Bobs paintings [gold frames]

 Collector couple Ann and David Coons at Bob Raser paintings,

"Royal Palm - The Adamson House" & "Sanoma Barrack"



Updated Fine Art Sales page to reflect upcoming Face of California exhibition works...

I am starting to deal with marketing.  This morning I have updated my Fine Art sales site at www.BobRaserART.com to present the paintigs selected by The Santa Paula Museum of Art as part of their "Face of California" exhibition running June 29-October 20, 2013. 

Funds from the sale of these works will be donated to the Museum to help fund free art and music programs for children like Xavier's great guitar class in this photo!  Thanks for checking it out, and for your support of the art, the kids & their music, the museum - and my cat. 

Small sketch of a neighbor's VW bus - started selling sketches by popular demand @ $50 - unframed plus postage.

"Road Tripper", 6"x8", acrylic, unframed.  I've decided to sell some of the small sketches I do for $50.  I do these all the time and really enjoy myself.  People are always asking me if I sell them.  So now I've started to do that.  No frame, but there is the cost of USPS postage to add-on depending if you live close or in Europe.  The frame in the photo is just a frame I keep around so I can hang the sketch in my studio for a few days to see if I want to make any changes.  But the fun - and challange of these 6"x8" sketches is not to be tempted to make it something more than it is.  So here it is.  Right off the easle!  Just zap me a note if you want it.  $50, plus postege - unframed. I'll put up more as I paint them so please stop back. You may spot something that would make a neat gift for someone, or just hang someplace to give your day a smile when you need one.

"Steve's Place" - Santa Paula, CA

One of the really neat elements about painting on location [plein-air], is that you meet neat people.  I was painting in Santa Paula, CA after a morning meeting at the terrific Limoneira Co., and decided to unwind and think about a project by painting in town.  I spotted this neat old place, and tucked myself in up against the Agriculture Museum [go see it - really really neat] across the street.  It's an agricultural supply business housed in this really old structure, and in the back is the [red] former carriage house that was built on the property early in the last century.  The top of it, I learned, had burned off.  Now it was one flat story.  Out to say "Hi" came Steve, the owner of the business and the property and what a neat and interesting guy!  He had old photos of the place and was filled with all kinds of history, stories and information on anything Santa Paula.  It was a really great afternoon, with not a bad plein air painting in 2.5 hours.  I was told by a pal painter you should be able to do a painting on location in 90 minutes.  I'll keep trying.  ["Steve's Place" - 8"x10" - as yet unvarsished]

Rough in for Santa Paula Art Museum painting..

The shapes are in, and I like the"Peggy Kroll Roberts" style shape of the garden docent - as well as the truck, which will be the original orange when competed.  The front of the structure will move to a more grey/blue color - but the values look OK to me.  It's a starting sketch to refiine toward a final version and I think it will turn out fine.  Landscape, clouds - all to come. At 12"x16" it's larger than I usually do, but the yellow trimed turn lane and the addition of the street markings [turn arrow & 25 MPH speed graphic in that lane will add to the foreground interest.  No clue of a title yet.  Should be done by the end of the week if not mid-week.  My next Santa Paula painting will be of the neat little Santa Paula Inn B&B. I am trying to get a dozen or so Santa Paula based paintings done in conjunction with the opening of the Face of California exhibition at this neat art location that will feature three of my paintings.

Raser Paintings Chosen for Art Museum Exhibition - June 29 - October 20.

Face of California" is a jurried exhibition featuring original selected works that depect the "face" of California showcased in a variety of art expression including painting, sculpture, and photography. Per the published "Call to Artists": "The Santa Paula Art Museum exhibition, "Face of California," will examine the issue of the recognizable character of California, both the place and the people. The creative intent is to explore any type of imagery that is representative of any aspect of California." The exhibition will feature three original plein-air paintings by California plein air artist "Plein Air Bob Raser" including "Sanoma Barracks" [6x8], "Royal Palm - The Adamson House, Malibu, CA" [9x12], and "King Gillette Ranch House" [9x12]. Each painting depicts original and historic California locations with associated stories or unique California personalities associated with each location. All are painted in acrylic and framed. All are offerred for sale with a percetage of each sale going to support programs at this outstanding place of the arts in beautiful Santa Paula. Please visit the Museum web site to see how you might support any of the programs - especially for childrren - offerred at one of America's most outstanding small town art locations. Raser's paintings can be seen at the artists Face Book page, search for Bob Raser Art.


As featured in the LA Times, Santa Paula is a wonderful getaway location with outstanding accomodations at the historic [and slightly haunted] Glenn Tavern Inn, as well as at the european flavored Santa Paula Inn. Good food can be found at Rabalis Cafe [breakfast is super], Garman's Irish Pub and Mupu Cafe [all on Main Street], also at La Cabana, & Family Diaz Restaurants - as well as the ag-tours at the beautiful Limoneira Lemon Ranch property [ask about dining at sunset in the lemon grove high on a hilll - and maybe a hot air balloon ride]. The Citrus Hot Air Ballon festival is a July national event [don't miss the evening sunset "glow" and bring a camera], and the classic car "Cruise Night" on Main Street with classic cars and great local food, and the historic SP Air Museum at the famous SP airport always happening on the first Friday [classic cars 5pm-9pm] and Sunday [airport] of every month is fun for sure. All that and the SP Museum of Art, Oil Museum, and new million dollar Agriculture Museum are all within walking distance past the historic red and white SP Train depot. Find out about the real train ride to and from SP through the countryside from Filmore. St. Thomas Aquanis is one of the the most beautiful and peaceful campus locations in the nation. All in Santa Paula, just minutes from Ventura and the beautiful CA coastline. About 1 hour from LA, 30 minutes from Santa Barbara is my guess.

Submissions for "The Face of CA" exhibition at The Santa Paula Museum of Art June 29-Oct 20'13

One of the treasures of California is Santa Paula, CA, home of The Santa Paula Museum of Art. One of 4 world class museums in the town.  Filled with amazing art, creative and wonderful exhibitions, lecture series and more, this is not only a local showpiece, but should serve as a model for any town wanting to do Art right for their community as well as art followers.  On June 29 the SP Museum of Art will feature "The Faces of California" exhibition through October 20.  Sign up for their beautiful e-newsletter at www.SantaPaulaArtMuseum.org  for details and upcomings.  I have collected six paintings seen below of my own both of California locations where I have spent a plain air day, and a few sketches from Santa Paula that might be of interest to local visitors.  A few are from a series of "small paintings" I did for a special on-line exhibition of smaller size art.  The submission process ends May 24.  

Santa Paula Depot - 8x10

                                           

King Gillette Ranch Gateway - 6x8



California Ranch House - designed by Wallace Neff   9x12





Pt. Loma Light, San Diego, CA  6x8




Historic Adamson House - Malibu, CA - 9x12



Overlook at Pt. Dume, Malibu, CA  6x8



Loosing up with some neat barn photo based paintings...

I decided that my last painting of the neat adobe in Santa Paula [below] was a bit "tight".  I am still working on that one.  I am really trying to get as lose as I can. That means I have to understand the fundamentals before I can really soar like I want to.  I have come close or done it as you can see on this blog as well as my Fine Art Sales site at www.BobRaserArt.com  I guess for every painter, even the pros I have interviewed, learn something new every time they paint.  You never know it all.  These are small and the flag barn [both based on photos from photg Sue Calaustro] feel good to me and much more loose.  That's a good thing.  

Santa Paula Adobe home...

Santa Paula, CA is filled with so many great looking homes and places it's really a toss up on where to stop and paint for an hour or so.  I picked this neat adobe that was just too colorful, elegant and old California to pass up.  Thanks to the neighbors too for letting me unwind for 2 hours after a day working in that town.  Plan to do a lot more during my 4 week job that will take there every other day for sure.  [8x10 acrylic]

Painting in Santa Paula

After a morning of actually working hard on a great vid-project in one of California's most perfect places, Santa Paula, I decided to stop a while & unwind by sketching out this wonderful adobe home tucked in to the hills above the small city.  Every house in this area is a painting for sure.  The neighbors and City workers in those small trucks working in the neighborhood were great to me and welcoming to this "tough to park anyplace" small road.  I plan to finish it in the studio tomorrow & post the final soon.  Stay tuned.   

Thanks Peggy Kroll-Roberts....

"Splash Sisters" was a hit!  Peggy Kroll-Roberts runs tough and productive workshops.  I attended her figure class at the popular Knowlton Gallery near SF in Lodi, CA where I asked Peggy to suggest several of her solid video lessons for me to work from after I finished her class.  She did, and they have been a great addition to her on the spot teaching.  The result: At the Allied Artisis of the Santa Monica Mts. & Seashore spring show and sales event this past weekend this PK-R inspired painting got lots of attention right from the start.  I plan to do more!  It was purchasaed by a young man who I am told has a fine beach home overlooking the Pacific.  How neat that "Splash Sisters" will continue to have a good time and bring a bit of sunshine in to this perfect setting. 

"Joy"

I was painting with The Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mt's. & Seashore on a shining Saturday morning.  The location was a cliff above a famous beach landmark, the high rock at Point Dume in Malibu.  As I was painting this smaller 6x8 plein air, a guy came to the high spot on the cliff  and spread his arms wide as if to take in all that he could see.  A few minutes later a dad and his daughter.  The girl did the same gesture.  Later on, it was a hiking couple.  They both made the same gesture.  So I had to add it, and called it what I thought they were feeling - "Joy".  I will make it a part of my exhibit at the March 24, 10-5 exhibit and sales event at the King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, CA. 

Ann & "Luci"

We were headed for an Oscar bash at a good neighbors home and I decided to dash off this small gift.  Ann and her pal "Luci" - always the most stylish of pups, looked glam as ever in her colorful gold, yellow, and white ribbon colar [not shown here].  This 5x7 features her usual dress of always fresh pink ear ribbons.  Neat dog - and the party was great!

Have to leave it half done...

It's a start - all be it a rough one.  "Shiny" surfaces are new to me, but I hope to figure it out. I'll give it a rest for a week or so.  This is a camper parked at Leo Carillio Beach off PCH just west of Malibu.  The shape is fine - but the reflections need planning.   I'll leave it up in the studio and when I am ready - I'll get back to it.  I need it done for the Allied Artisis Sale at the King Gillette Ranch on March 24.   

"Top Down Weather" - Malibu, CA

Finished this morning.  My wife asked me not to sell it.  She wants it for her collection.  Plans are to offer it at the March 24 Allied Artisis event sale at The King Gillette Ranch. We'll see what happens?  [8"x10"]

Finished one - started another!

Taking the photo of "Royal Palm" was a royal pain.  I am not sure I got it right, but I do like the painting composition and execution.  Now it's on to the canyons through the Santa Monica Mountains.  This is Las Vergenis Canyon coming from Malibu.  Can't wait to place in that neat rd sports car that just happened to come by when I was painting. Got a photo [heard it coming!].  Should be done by the end of the weekend I think.   Here's another one for the March 24 Allied Artists show event at the King Gillette Ranch.   [That's on the next canyon east of this location.]   

Worked to finish "Royal Palm - The Adamson House" today.

The Adamson House is one of the royal places on the Malibu coast.  I spotted this composition as I was hunting a place to paint on the property as part of the collection I will sell at the upcoming Allied Artists event at the King Gillette Ranch on Sunday, March 24.  I am standing with my back to the beach, and these very old and beautiful royal palms cast their shadown up the lawn to the home property wall.  I liked coming out of the darkness to the light on the house, and the looming clear sky.   Basic shapes,  Fun to do.