Descanso's Gate

If you live in Southern California, maybe you've visited Descanso Gardens in La Canada/Flintridge.  That is where I took the reference photo for this pastel painting.  If you haven't been there and have a chance to go, it's worth the trip.  It's about 160 acres and has about 1000 California Coastal Oaks in a forest with huge camillias growing beneath them.  There is also a rose garden, lilac garden, koi pond, Japanese garden and tea house, art gallery, gift shop, a cafe, classes and so much more.  I've been there at different times of the year and I don't think I have a favorite (there are always so many things in bloom) but this year I think I might go in March for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Descanso's Gate

Image Size 7" x 10"

Pastel

First Bloom - Silk Painting

This is the silk painting I told you about in last week's post. This was the second one I painted and I am happy with the outcome. I painted this to enter into a local contest held at Chemers Gallery. The theme for the show is "Live and Play in Tustin." I'll find out next week if it gets in. Below is my first attempt at this scene.

I just taped it onto a board and it's not stretched which is why it's so uneven looking. Also, I wasn't paying attention when I taped it down and it's backward from the way I painted it. Of course, that doesn't really matter because with silk painting, the color is the same from both sides. There are several reasons that made me feel that this first attempt wasn't as successful as it could be. Even though I always garden in pants, this person dressed in pants didn't feel right. I also don't like the sunglasses. I think my second attempt with the girl in a skirt and hat just feel more garden-like.

First Bloom
Image Size 30" x 18"
Silk Dyes on Silk