Eucalyptus at Oak Hill Farm

It was just another day in paradise for plein air painters. We were invited to Oak Hill Farm along Highway 12 in Kenwood on a Sunday so that we would not be in the way of the farm workers . Oak Hill Farm has wonderful, organic produce, as well as wreaths and other fun stuff. I painted this above the Red Barn, looking across a field of Eucalyptus that is grown for flower arrangements and wreaths. While painting there, I had to look out for rattle snakes and bees. Oak Hill Farm sells some really tasty honey from the bees who live in the hives located near my plein air painting setup.

Kendall Jackson Chateau

Monday Morning Painters venue yesterday was at Kendall Jackson Wine Center. Here are the vineyards that surround the Kendall Jackson Chateau and tasting room.

Summer Vines

This old farmhouse sits at West Dry Creek and Yoakim Bridge in Healdsburg. While painting, we were able to eat some fresh produce we bought from the nearby roadside stand.

The Farnsworth Studio

Earlier in the week, I painted this image in the Healdsburg garden of a fellow artist. It was a delight to be invited into this serene scene. The air was filled with the songs of many different kinds of birds, a gentle breeze, and the sweet scent of flowers.

Thru the Lavender

Matanzas Creek Winery is a favorite spot for Monday Morning Painters during the lavender blooming period. In fact many of us have painted there over and over again, so that we almost don't have to look at the scene because we can paint it from memory. But both the gardens and the umbrellas are subtly changing, with the addition and disappearance of these features from one year to another.

Near the Lavender Barn

The Lavender Barn is off to the left. This was a venue for our Monday Morning Painter's group. Most of us were located under a huge oak tree painting in the same direction. Someone said it looked like we were having a convention, but we were just trying to stay cool on that blistering day.