We thought it was about time to visit historic San Juan Bautista, a California Mission town. Many of the buildings remain as they were, taking you back in time.

The first thing you notice is the chickens & roosters. They run free all over the town:

I had carefully made a list of all the haunted sites in town for my Haunted California paintings, then forgot it, but, as I recall, most of the buildings claimed some ghost story. Here's the Plaza Hall:

And the Plaza Hotel:

And a shot of the bell tower of the mission church:

We finished up with a trip to the cemetery on the hill, as inspiration both for the Ghost Paintings and the Eternal Wanderings cemetery photos:

Seagull Cove is a painting I did several years ago. I always felt, at the back of my mind, that it needed a bit more pizazz. So, I added a mermaid:

Cypress trees stand on a bluff covered with magenta wildflowers on a Spring day at Pacific Grove (near Carmel and Monterey). Seagulls fly through the white, fluffy clouds, while one takes a rest on a rock, watching a mermaid trying on a necklace of white shells. This California fantasy ocean seascape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in blue acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

New commissioned painting, Abby and Caesar in the Spring:

Abby, a beautiful Calico cat, and Caesar, a handsome gray tabby, gaze at the luminous Springtime moon. Cherry blossom petals dance in the lime green sky, and a purple dragonfly flits in the upper corner. This visionary landscape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in purple acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.
Being commission, this piece is sold, but prints are available.

This is a painting a did a couple years ago, Dandelion Wishes and Pine Trees. I had the sudden urge to add a cat in the tree:

The full moon illuminates a distant hill with three pine trees, and is reflected in the lake below. On a closer hill, a twisted pine tree stands over dandelion globes, a flame-point Siamese cat on one of the branches. Dandelion fairies dance in the night sky, which is in shades of blue. This visionary landscape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides have been finished off in black acrylic--no need to frame). It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

Sky helping me with a commissioned painting:

This is one of my favorite areas in the Santa Clara Mission cemetery, The Town Square:

Amazing architecture abounds in the historic Santa Clara Mission cemetery with its mausoleums like small cathedrals. A statue of Jesus watches over the city of the dead. This California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish) from an artistically enhanced photograph. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.

New Painting, Her Tomb by the Sounding Sea:

The ghost of Annabel Lee, forever a maiden on the brink of womanhood, stands in the red iceplant on the bluffs overlooking the sea. She wears a white regency gown with a string of pearls, her blond hair swept up in a bun. The full moon illuminates the Grecian-style sepulchre on the rocky cliff. This Gothic fantasy landscape, inspired by the "Annabel Lee" poem by Edgar Allan Poe, is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in brown acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

New photo from Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Crow Among the Stones:

A crow lights on a tombstone, nearly lost among the many graves and mausoleums. The original photo was taken at the historic Santa Clara Mission Cemetery and was artistically enhanced to resemble an old sepia print. This gothic California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish). The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.

New cemetery photo, Monuments under a Blood Red Sky:

Three monuments, grouped together as if in conversation, standing against a red sky. The original photo was taken at the historic Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. This gothic California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish) from an artistically enhanced photograph. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.

Stuck for a unique Valentine's Day gift? Handmade jewelry is an excellent way to go. And there's still plenty of time to ship. Most online sellers will ship directly to your faraway Valentine too!

For an excellent selection, check out Linda B's Beaded Jewelry.

For a gal who loves the southwest or Native American styled jewelry, there's this wonderful Turquoise and Coral Necklace.

Or, for a lady who loves fairies or vintage, consider these charming dragonfly earrings.

Or this excellent all-around Valentine's Day necklace, with its hearts, red beads and little key (adding a touch of steampunk as well)

How about St. Patrick's Day earrings? They're multi-purpose :-).

A new cemetery photo, Lonely Angel:

A lone angel statue, standing against a purple sunset sky. The original photo was taken at the historic Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. This California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish) from an artistically enhanced photograph. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.

A new one in the Eternal Wanderings series, Grave Redwoods:

Three stately redwood trees stand among the tombstones and monuments, watching over the graves. The original photo was taken at the Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga. This California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish) from an artistically enhanced photograph. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.

After spending so much time visiting cemeteries for my ghost paintings, I decided to try out offering the photos for sale as well, figuring there were people out there who love these places as much as I do. I call the series, Eternal Wanderings.

In search for interesting cemeteries for my ghost series of paintings, I found a fantastic one, right near home. The Santa Clara Memorial Park. It's even dog friendly! My mom's dog, Star, found a friend there (Star is the white dog). Interesting monuments and trees, including redwoods and pepper trees. We got there late so we only had time for a short visit but I'll be back soon.

New ghost painting, Lenore in the Breaking Dawn:

In her prettiest ballgown, the ghost of Lenore casts a final look at the raven, before the day breaks and she fades. The rising sun illuminates the haunted cemetery, casting light of pink, deepening to magenta. Cherry blossom petals dance among the tombstones. This Gothic fantasy landscape, inspired by the "The Raven" poem by Edgar Allan Poe, is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in black acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

Found another great site on etsy, sewmeamemory, featuring all kinds of clothing, items for the home, accessories. This little girl's purse is just too adorable:

One thing I love for breakfast is a whole-grain English muffin and some sort of fancy jam. I found a great shop on etsy, dasweetspot. The Vanilla Bean with Pears Jam is particularly tempting.

Today, I went on a little day trip to Monterey to gather inspiration for my Haunted California series, and more Lenore paintings. There was a fantastic cemetery there. I took over 100 photos. Here are some highlights...
My personal favorite for "Spookiest Tree in the Cemetery":

Unusual cross covered in seashells:

One of the many mausoleums. This one was a little fancier:

These tall cypress trees stood like sentinels, watching over the graves:

This was a different one with an Asian theme:

And, as we were leaving, I spotted this sweet little angel statue near the base of a tree:

New ghost painting, "Bent Cypress and Blue Lady":

A local legend, the ghost of the Blue Lady walks the bluff along Half Moon Bay. She wears an evening gown from the roaring 20's. A crow (messenger between worlds) perches on one of the distinctive cypress trees. Seagulls glide through clouds in gentle shades of mauve, gray and purple tones. A golden halo surrounds the sun in the late afternoon. This haunted California paranormal fantasy seascape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in dark green acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

I am inspired to work on more ghost paintings so I looked up some older cemeteries to visit. Today, we went to Los Gatos Memorial Park (in San Jose, California). We had the puppy with us so we couldn't go in. I took some photos at the entrance gate (where there was a crow...I thought that a good omen) and where the hedge was low enough. We saw there was another entrance on the other side but we couldn't find it so that will have to wait for another trip. Here are some images from the excursion:

Happy New Year! Got my newsletter out: Click here for my January 2011 newsletter. Chock full of special offers and a nice recap of new pieces. There's a sign up on my website, or email me.

I can't really say when it started but, for years, I've wanted to go to the ocean near the new year. This year, we went to Santa Cruz. This was a particularly inspirational photo, I thought, of the light and the ocean.

And wouldn't this be a great house to have.

Full Moon over Paris, original ACEO painting (half price):

I joined a new ACEO group on etsy called ACT. The first project is a cityscape. This is not a subject I've worked much with. After some debate, I decided to spend Christmas in Paris and painted this:

It will be available for sale soon.

Got two 16 x 20 canvases gesso'd for peace tree paintings today. One will be a green background with butterflies. The other a multi-colored background with dragonflies. Not sure which one I'll start with.

New ghost painting, Lenore by an Olive Tree (from Poe's The Raven). Went into a private collection but prints are available.

In a white empire gown, the ghost of Lenore drifts among the olive trees, forgotten by all except the raven. The full moon illuminates the ghostly landscape. The night sky is in shades of dark red and burgundy. This Gothic fantasy landscape, inspired by the "The Raven" poem by Edgar Allan Poe, is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in black acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermark does not appear on the actual painting.

Peace Tree in Golden Glow Original Acrylic Painting:

The setting sun illuminates blossoming tree branching, arcing to form a peace sign. Some of the cherry blossom petals are dancing in the sky, which is in shades of glowing yellow and gold. A couple dark red dragonflies dance in the sky. This hope-filled piece, part of the Zen Mandala modern art series (visionary landscapes in a surreal Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in burgundy acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

Peace Sign Tree with Monarch Butterflies Handmade Art Pendant on Cord on ArtFire. From my original painting :-)

Got a good start on the golden glow peace sign tree painting. For this one, I started with a 16" x 20" canvas and used my new Golden open acrylics. The background went on very similar to oils. I then wanted to get the main branches & some blossoms in while the paint was good & wet. You can't really simulate that after the fact. Worked for hours. Time for a break. The open acrylics will stay wet through the day and can even be reactivated. I was planning on some dragonflies as well, however, and I may want the paint to have set for those (easier to do the transparent wings).

New zen painting, The Moon in a Teacup

A blue dragonfly lands on an earthenware yunomi (Japanese teacup). The luminous full moon is reflected in the green tea it holds. Steam rises from the black tetsubin (cast-iron Japanese teapot), which is sitting on a woven mat. In the background, a couple more blue dragonflies flit among the green bamboo forest, twilight turning the sky lavender. This zen landscape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in black acrylic)--no need to frame.

This is one of those paintings that's been on my mental "to do" list for I don't know how long.

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I've had in mind that, for my next Lenore ghost painting, I'd set her in olive trees. Olive trees always look kind of spooky to me to begin with. Since I was there anyway, I asked Steve to take a couple quick photos of me (pretending to see a raven);
Then, I remembered there was a great olive grove at a nearby convent.