In the Clouds

You know that game where you lie on your back on the grass, looking up at the clouds? We play that game a lot with the boys, exercising their imaginations and getting some fresh air and sunshine while we do it.

I painted this from a photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge; each time my wife walked past it, she looked at it oddly, but she never said anything. Finally another friend saw it and said, "Oh. Oh!"

Oh. Oh!

Every time she had walked past the painting, Cam said to herself: "the clouds didn't look like that that day." It wasn't until someone else saw it - and gasped - that she paused to play the cloud game.

What do you see?

Sunrise Over the Salinas River

While this painting - of a summer sunrise over the Salinas River - was unfinished, hanging in my studio, some friends saw it and wanted to buy it. So I finished it, framed it...now it's signed, sealed, and delivered. Hope they enjoy it.

Summer Art Classes

I stumbled across these affordable art classes for kids, ages 7-12, at the Monterey Museum of Art and, promptly, signed my boys up for one class. We'll give it a shot and see if they like to paint as much as I do. 

Click here for more information about the classes.

Sand City's Street Party: The WestEnd Celebration

And because it's such a lively atmosphere, I submitted an application today to be one of the artists at the WestEnd Celebration in Sand City in August. It's a gigantic street party with music, art, jewelry, dance, and more. All the local shops open their doors and the festivities spill out onto the street.

It should be a blast. And you'll see me, Cam, and the boys there whether I'm accepted to display or not. I'll keep you posted.

Click here for more information about Sand City's 10th WestEnd Celebration.

Art and Wine

Two of my favorite things. Art. Wine.

Art doesn't sell if it isn't seen, right? As I launch into getting my art more visible, I just sent off the reservation form for a booth at the 7th Annual Carmel Valley Art & Wine Festival. Over 60 artists, local wines, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. 

So, if you're in town on June 11, 2011, swing out to the Carmel Valley Village, and say 'hello.' I'll be there, paintings hung and wine glass in hand. Cheers!

Click here for more information about the event, from the Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce website.

New Doors

A decade ago I fell off a ladder at work and decided then and there - with more than a little nudge from my wife - that rough construction might not be a good long-term career plan.

I transitioned into custom woodwork and have been doing that ever since. But with the economy the way that it is, even the affluent have been affected and jobs are fewer and far between, and the shop through which I've been working is shutting its doors.

So, as one set of doors slams, I'm looking at another opening. Though this change will mean some belt-tightening and better budgeting for the Mann family, but it also means more time for art. I'm looking forward to more paint on canvas, more time in the studio, and - hopefully - a few more commissions. New doors, baby!