A Trip to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in California

"China Cove," oil, 8"h x 6"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Serendipity reigned yesterday. First up, I tried to go to the Monterey Museum of Art for some inspiration after struggling the day before. It doesn't open until 11am so I headed to the gardens at the Pacific House (built by the Spanish as a Customs House). There in the courtyard were a group of young people dressed in old-fashioned Mexican garb, for Summer camp learning history by practicing customs ... like churning butter. They were fantastic models for an oil study painted there ... that will become a larger garden painting sometime in the not too distant future.

Then, it was back to the Museum of Art to look at California Impressionists, old and new. They led me to explore Point Lobos.

Oh, boy.

Each hike at stopping points in the Reserve were ridiculously breathtaking. The last stop in the curve around, with a hike up a steep hill led to "China Cove" with a beach with lapping turquoise water, a cave and a dugout to the other side. Can you believe it?

"The greatest meeting of land and water in the world. " --Landscape artist Francis McComas' description of Point Lobos.

So you know you'll see the study and paintings derived from Point Lobos and the gathering at Pacific House sometime to come.

Now I'm heading for a farmer's market and to capture some boats!

See more of the paintings (please) from California and other spots in the Places Gallery on my web site.

I plan on showing my California pieces in Virginia sometime soon.

Thank you for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com

EVENTS

May through December:  First Friday Art Walk, 6-9pm, Artists' Atelier, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. The Atelier is also open on Wednesdays, noon to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 2pm (or whenever an artist is in there working.)

June 21-August 15: "Flowers and Such: the Still Life Show" Solo Exhibit, Triny's, Great Falls, VA.  14 of my original still life oil paintings on exhibit in Great Falls.

July 9-10: Wickford Fine Art Festival, Wickford Historic Village in North Kingstowne, RI.

August 27-28: Shadyside: the Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh, PA

September 17-18: King Street Art Festival, Alexandria, VA

September 24-25: Armonk 55th Annual Outdoor Art Show, Armonk, NY

I did one more little study there of the rock formations leading to Bird Island. It's a little rough but the inspiration for what comes of it is definitely alive and well.