SUSAN'S . . . PLAYING AGAIN!

My good friend, Alex Richardson came for a visit - and all the way from London! In March I posted of his petite piece Blue Mesa Floor , when recalling of my experience at the Petrified Forest National Park during my September residency. The pastel scene depicts an rapid, approaching storm viewed from the Blue Mesa outlook. I was able to enjoy his little painting since it would be many months before he arrived in the States. A sweet good-bye, but know it's flying to a good home.

HOTEL DEL pastel, 10"h x 8"w courtesy of Tirage Fine Art Gallery SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Today is an exciting week for me with anticipation of a couple of out-of-state / country guests! So wonderful to catch-up with news, share wonderful dinners and just enjoy one and another's company. The excitement is killing me! I just can't pay attention to finish a started petite painting, so decided to post a recently completed pastel in Tirage's possession and available for sale. This painting is a slice of the iconic vacation landmark Hotel del Coronado . Even though the hotel is a conglomeration of several various shaped buildings, it is visibly known for it's red turret which graces the front entrance. The hotel which dates back 120 years, is a beachfront luxury resort as well as a location for motion films, such as Some Like It Hot, that starred Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis. There is even rumored a ghost, Kate Morgan, still inhabits the premises. She had...

After waking up to another rainy day in San Diego, I decided to post something a bit brighter. Last week amidst the rain drops while at Catalina Island, a small rainbow popped out in the afternoon. Such a wonderful splash of colors! And how amazing that the arc is perfectly aimed for the flag. Nature is such a thing of beauty.

THE VIEW 4 1/2" X 4 1/2" pastel white archival matt, glass and 8" square petite, gold scrolled frame SOLD- PRIVATE COLLECTOR After climbing so many hills, found out I needed a break or two. The Zane Grey Hotel had a lovely veranda off Zane's original library / sitting room, which overlooked the town of Avalon. I could glimpse a mountainside view of nestled homes beyond the turquoise chairs. The next best thing would be a friend and a glass or two of wine!

I'm still traveling in my head to Catalina. Of course it has helped tremendously that the weather has been rainy and damp. (Hey, are we still in San Diego?) As I stated in an earlier post, the Zane Grey Hotel is located at one of the highest spots of the Town of Avalon. It's closest neighbor is the Chimes Tower, which I've included a picture for your pleasure. As you can see it was getting ready to rain once again, so the colors of the tiles are very subdued. Nevertheless, the tower is a wondrous sight. In 1925 the Chimes Tower was presented to the Town of Avalon by Ada Wrigley. Since then the tower rings every quarter hour from 8am to 8pm.

For the first time, I stayed at the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel - http://www.zanegreypueblohotel.com/ - when I traveled last week to Catalina Island. Zane Grey was an American novelist known for his westerns and this was his home on the Island. The Hopi Indian-style Pueblo is located on this picture at the highest point of Avalon. It was quite a daily hike, plus there were an additional 28 steps to climb from the road to the doorstep! I initially planned on painting through the evening, yet instantly fell asleep from all the hiking! Truly a peaceful place to stay without any phones nor televisions. If a guest could not handle the withdrawal, there is a small tv in the central, common living room.

BURST OF RAIN 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" pastel with archival white matt, glass and gold scrolled petite frame SOLD - PRIVATE COLLECTOR Wouldn't you know as soon as I was dropped off to paint on Middle Ranch Road in Catalina Island, it rains! Luck of the Irish, huh? But I'm only part Irish, so the rain eventually stopped and the sun peaked through.