Eleven artists arrived at Quinta Julia apartments and basically took over the property. We were welcomed with interest and allowed to paint wherever we were inspired. Some people painted on the second floor, others on the ground floor walkway, in the yard etc. It was a lovely morning! I always find it inspiring to see what the artists chose and how they rendered it. When someone is leaving, we do a "throw down" or "slap down" (on the tiles) and take a photo of the works in progress. Rarely is someone finished but it is always inspiring to take a photo of all participants work! Very interesting how two artists captured the same yellow umbrella with the same lean (notice the door is closed in 1 and open in the other).

"Quinta Julia"
12" x 16" plein air oil on canvas pad, #20031126

I have really been enjoying this free online workshop on collage. As I am travelling and not in my studio, I had to improvise. Instead of having nice papers to paint on, I had to use til receipts, found paper, toilet paper roll wrapper, well you get the idea. The second way she showed was to use bought decorative papers. I did not have any way of purchasing any so I used the inflight magazine from the flight we travelled on (with permission). Both worked well enough for these  exercises in my sketchbook.

This lesson's "rules" are in the photo below with the two 4" x 4" boxed examples that I did. The photo below that was of the inflight magazine pieces using the same "rules". I enjoyed both!

This is a free online class that Cat offers before her Collage extended course. I enjoyed doing this free course last year (similar but different). Last year the course included decorating papers, both patterned and what she calls "quiet" using only 2 colours plus black and white. This year she sent emails with You tube videos on decorating these papers prior to the course starting.. I was helping with my new grand daughter June and travelling so was not able to prepare. I did enjoy the videos though.

The upper right is Lesson 1, on 9 squares (2" x 2")  in my sketchbook, using 2 pieces of collage papers using one piece of patterned paper and one "quiet", using different values, shapes and orientations. These also had to be different from the boxes next door. I had to make "papers" out of anything I could find (receipts, dryer sheets, delivery papers etc.). For the one on the right, I used an inflight magazine I read on my flight. I also changed the orientation of my sketchbook. 

Above is lesson 2 (left) on 6 larger squares (3" x 3") using the same found decorated papers, this time using 3 papers (2 pattern and 1 plain or 2 plain and 1 pattern) with the same rules (different orientation, values and sizes). The one on the right is a different orientation of my sketchbook and again using magazine pieces. These all took a lot more thinking than I expected.
@catrains.artist, Catherine Rains, @karenoliversfineart #collageartclass

There were only 4 of us and we tucked ourselves in close to a building in an alley way that led to restaurants on the beach. Amy, Shauna and Linda focused on the restaurant on the side of my photo. I had a wonderful small canvas from Peggy that worked perfect for the sign. A few people stopped to chat and before we knew it, time was for a coffee or cold juice. I forgot to take a photo of the works in progress.

"Senales De Playa"
9" x 3", plein air oil on canvas, #20021126

@karenoliversfineart, #karenoliversfineart, #canadianartist, #pleinairoilpainting, #smalltreasure

The invite was out for the Saturday morning paint out at the lovely Bistro Escondido. Artists arrived around 8:30 a,m, For some, the priority was shade and others a table and shade. 14 artists found their muse, although most of us were in the alley painting various parts of the Bistro. We all stayed for a cod and tasty drink after while planning out next outing next week. A lovely way to spend a morning.

"Bistro Escondido"
16" x 12" Oil plein air,  on canvas pad, #20015126

This was an interesting area to paint. The first priority was to find some shade, then check out whatever interested each person in the group. We all painted whatever we wanted with no instruction, wonderful. I love seeing what inspired each person considering we were all in the same area! Fun to have a group of 8 this time. Delicious breakfast/lunch was enjoyed after by those able to attend.

Below is some of the groups "works in progress" of the artwork when the first person had to leave. It is so great to see what others find interesting, love that!

A wonderful loose group of plein air sketchers meet at a different place each Monday. Everyone is welcome, meet at a designated spot with all your materials and sketch or paint whatever you like, what fun! Below was my first adventure out. I went early and painted in the town square then met up with everyone and sat on the raised sidewalk and painted the street scene ahead of me. Lots of interested looks but generally we were left alone.

This sweet little oil painting (3" x 9") is of the setting sun on New Year's Eve from a photo I took on our friends' balcony. The view is stunning and so fun to see all the people below enjoying themselves. I really wanted to capture the moment and how much I was enjoying it.

More good news to this painting. I had asked in my plein air group where people bought canvases and Peg replied that she had some little ones that I could have (oh happy dance!). I am not used to painting this small so it was a challenge with my chunky brushes but I loved painting in oils again. Happy New Years to all!

@karenoliversfineart