San Francisco July 2012

I spent a wonderful 9 days in San Francisco last July 2012. Sadie Valeri opened her Atelier and asked me to come and teach a workshop. I was a little nervous, but what a great opportunity, to spend time with Sadie and to see San Francisco for the first time. Sadie is amazing, not only is she a master painter, but she has opened this incredible school and offers students the best chance to learn how to draw and paint in the Bay area. http://www.sadievaleri.com

I arrived a few days early so I could see a little of the city, I stayed at a little studio apartment in the Castro district.

 Lynn Sanguedolce  http://lynnrenee.com a super talented artist that lives just outside SF came with her sweet husband and took me around the city. They showed me the bridge, the art museum and the John Pence Gallery http://www.johnpence.com

Dewing

Sargent

                                                     Lynn and me posing in front of a Benson

                           
                                                                   Sargent

                                            Lynn studying one of he Sargent paintings.            

A huge Maxfield Parrish in a posh bar at a local hotel

Another treat was spending time with Felicia Forte  http://www.feliciaforte.com

She has a studio in the building next to Sadie's building. I am jealous that they get to hang out and paint together all the time. Felicia not only is a great artist, but she is also a wonderful teacher and teaches at Sadie's Atelier.

                                                         
                                                                         Sadie took us to the best Mexican restaurant near the mission district. I didn't give it the respect it deserved when I first saw it, but I had to eat crow and beg for forgiveness once we ate. I long to eat at that place again. I love the photo above because Felicia is so animated and her hands were always telling a story.

Sadie, Felicia, Lynn and Felicia's Sister

Sadie's studio, she offers many different classes plus intense multi-day workshops.

Just one of Sadie's floral studies, she did a bunch when she was on vacation. WOW, I flipped out at how beautiful they were. I love this one above because even though it's upside down it works at every angle.  9 by 12

I am so inspired by Sadie's little sketches, she can do Atelier style and alla prima. 

                                                           Justin Hess - http://www.jhessfineart.com/#home
 An artist and teacher that just moved here from Florence ( he taught at the Florence Academy) now teaches at Sadie's Atelier. Three master teachers !!!!  Sadie, Felicia and Justin. I look forward to visiting SF again, I just saw a small portion of the city.

Monument Valley, Utah March 2012

We were at The View hotel for 5 nights in the middle of March, just before the tourist season started. The weather was extreme, it was sunny and warm one day, super windy another and the last day we had a white out. The snow didn't stick to the ground though, this was the view from our balcony.

Benny our guide, he took us around to meet his family and friends that lived in the canyons.

Scott drawing him in his yard.

My drawing, pastel and white chalk  20 by 16

Scott's drawing he did on the spot in this man's bedroom. The room was too small for me to also paint. It was his 80th birthday that day and his family was preparing a party for him in the next room.

Another view from our balcony

Scott met this lady in the summer of 2011, Benny took Scott around and because of the photos he took I really wanted to see the area. Scott submitted this painting and the painting below to the Prix de West show at the Cowboy Hall of Fame 2012

My drawing,  18 by 14  pastel and white chalk

Inside this couples Hogan

This man had just gotten back from a long hike to find coyotes. He walks for long distances every day. He gave Scott an old Stone Axe head that he found in an Anasazi ruin. 

Me and Benny's wife Peggy