Back in the USA!

Wow! What an incredible holiday my husband and I had in Europe with our two children - the experience of a lifetime for all of us. It went by much too quickly but it was good to get home and sleep in my own bed.

Of course, once the jet lag abated, I couldn't help but hurry back to my easel.

Doberman Deliberation oil on linen panel 16 x 12

Flying from the west coast to Amsterdam is no picnic but we made it in one piece and my daughter (who lives in Amsterdam) and my son (who arrived on a flight just an hour earlier) met us in front of my daughters flat.

Our first glimpse of a canal - and the weather could not have been more glorious! My daughter warned me to pack warm clothing as just the day before it was cold and the wind was howling but I never needed any of it! We brought sunshine and warmth with us.

 The red boats can be rented for tours - there are lots of people living on houseboats lining the canals and some of the homes seen from the water are magnificent with stunning and unique architecture.

The crooked house - a famous Amsterdam landmark.

The very next morning we made our way to the Van Gogh Museum, we were there early and the crowds were not too bad although they got heavier as the day progressed. Its a good idea to purchase tickets in advance as the ticket-holders line is shorter and moves much faster.

The museum has a separate gallery dedicated to self portraits - Van Gogh did many and there were quite a few I had never seen before. Many of them appeared to be studies with paintings on both sides of the canvas.

Self Portrait 1888

Red Cabbages and Onions

 There was so much life and vitality in this still life - those veggies could have rolled right off the canvas.

Sunflowers! 

 Magnificent - and beautifully displayed on a dark charcoal wall making it shine like a beacon in the gallery.

Irises

 A favorite of mine as the brush work is so fearless, so effortless.

I left the museum feeling that Vincent had given me a very personal lesson in painting - one I will long remember.

As you might imagine, I took hundreds of photos and,over the next few days and weeks, I will share some of them here on my blog in a chronology of our trip but will try not to go overboard!

More to come!

Unleashed

Had some fun tonight with thick paint and bold brush work!  12 x 24 oil on stretched canvas.

Fearless

I spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Dog Beach here in San Diego and took 98 photos! Rushing home, I used 5 reference photos to paint this alla prima study. 12x16 oil on canvas panel. The fearless  little dog who has been caught in the midst of launching a surprise attach is the Yorkshire Terrier belonging to my daughter and son in law and she is fearless!