Linda Abbott Art

Back to figure drawing...

2012-02-07T14:40:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again---time to paint and draw figures and still life. Here's one! I've always wanted a pair of round glasses like these.

Loving The Fall Colors

2011-12-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Due to the huge variety of trees planted in the Central Valley of California, there is quite a show of color through the months of October and November, even into December. There were lots of bicyclists and walkers along this colorful path on a very pleasant fall day.

Painting in the California Delta

2011-11-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

During a painting workshop with Randy Sexton, we painted in three locations around Rio Vista. One of those locations was the little (!) town of Locke. I was so busy painting that I never made it into the museum, but it was clear that, back in the day, the inhabitants were Chinese. As I painted this house, one of the local resident/historians informed me that it had served as a brothel at one point. It now belongs to a local artist who has a gallery in town.

Yellowstone Fall

2011-10-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

My favorite time of the year and what better place to be but in Yellowstone National Park. I'm trying to get some end-of-season images before it is time to pack up and leave. This scene is visited by hundreds of people each summer, and although the thermal area is fenced, people still find their way to be close to it. This is the Firehole River in the southwest part of the Park.

Life Is Unpredictable!

2011-09-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

It has been quite awhile since I last posted. A medical emergency sent us from Montana to Salt Lake City for nearly three weeks of treatment at University Hospital. The only art accomplished was on a sketchbook with 3-4 markers. I missed my painting equipment but, in truth, would not have had much opportunity to paint. Lots of wonderful old houses in the area called "the Avenues!"

Ah, Montana!

2011-08-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

As my dog, Ted, would tell you (if you speak Dachshund), it's a looong road trip to Montana. However, it is a wonderful place to paint and I know lots of Montana painters who celebrate summer here by plein air painting.

I'll be posting plein air images from this summer soon!

Just One Day In Yosemite....to paint!

2011-07-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

I recently acted on a promise to myself---to drive into Yosemite National Park and do at least two plein air paintings. A heavy winter snowpack has the Merced River absolutely roaring down the canyon, and the waterfalls are spectacular. The first painting of the day, a view across the Ahwahnee Meadow toward Yosemite Falls, is hanging in a show. The second, smaller painting was a view of Bridalveil Fall from the north side of the Valley. I finished it in four "passes" by the Valley Floor Tour tram---entertained lots of park visitors and was the subject of several "may I take your picture painting the waterfall?" Two paintings---not a bad catch for the day.

A Great Paintout Day

2011-06-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

I joined up with the Valley Sun Catcher plein air group from Modesto at Beekman's Lavender Farm in Hughson. I couldn't pass up this old gas pump surrounded by flowers!

Poppies Head Up The Hills

2011-05-28T17:57:00.000-07:00

As spring and summer arrive, the blooming period heads upward by elevation. I will have poppies to paint for a bit longer! These were found along the road to Ironstone Winery in Murphys, California!

Group Paintout at Knights Ferry

2011-05-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

A group of painters from the Valley Suncatchers (Modesto) traveled up to the Sierra foothills to a location called Knights Ferry. There is an old mill, a covered bridge, and lupine and poppies. The covered bridge was of great interest to most of the artists, but I couldn't settle on a good way to approach it without it taking over my painting in a negative way. This painting will lead to other small studies, then larger ones, and than a 30" by 30" composition (I hope).

Twitter and Tweet

2011-04-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

Some hours spent at the San Luis Wildlife Refuge revealed that most major migrations apparently have gone through already. However, there are lots of birds, like the red-winged blackbird perched on the reed.

Happening in SoCal

2011-04-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

There were 500 6" x 6" paintings on the walls at the start of this show! Should be a huge variety of subject matter and style. Two of my paintings are included.

Off To A Show

2011-03-31T23:15:00.000-07:00

The 6" Squared Exhibit and Competition hosted by the Randy Higbee Gallery in Costa Mesa, California, is a new and fun concept among shows. In December, 2010, the Hibgee Gallery held the first show. I entered one image I had framed and handy, and won an honorable mention! Now the spring version of this show is opening in April. The image shown---"Your Toss"---is one of two accepted into the show. We'll see how it goes!

On my way to the wildlife refuge...

2011-03-17T22:15:00.000-07:00

I spotted this small almond tree in full flower. All by itself next to an empty field---just beautiful! Somehow these little "volunteer" fruit trees pop up along roadways, empty fields and other odd places which are quite a distance from the orchards. They seem to have survived just fine without the irrigation, fertilization, and all the other types of care provided by the owner farmers. Anyway, another plein air painting opportunity, and the wildlife refuge will have to wait for another day!

Our Lady of the Orchards

2011-03-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful day in the Central Valley of California. The almond orchards survived a predicted weekend of cold, cold weather because it never materialized. Bees are critical during this flowering period. Did you know that the bees won't emerge from the hives until it is 55 degrees, and just in case you are an artist trying to paint among them, they are very attracted to cadmium yellow? Other fruit orchards are starting to bloom as well. The church in the background is one that always catches my eye because of how light falls on it and defines those domes at different times of the day. At any rate, it was a great day for a little plein air painting.