A Painters Life

Yes, Viriginia...artists can have Cyber Monday sales...but in this case, it's err...Thursday or Friday? Oh, wait, today is Wednesday. (I think the paint fumes are getting to me...no just kidding.) Anyway...you can help support an artist and buy my new wall calendar! Every month, a different view. Most of the scenes are local but some Santa Ynez area and some Northern California coastline. So...this calendar is $20...folded out, it's 11" x 17" wire-bound. I do charge shipping...sorry folks, but I am not Jeff Bezos (the wealthiest man in the world and founder of Amazon -- well he keeps changing between 1 & 2 depending on the stock market) and free shipping doesn't work with such a small margin. If you live out of the area, and want it shipped...buy below. But....if you live in Ventura, Camarillo, Oxnard or Ojai , I will deliver your calendar for FREE! That's right...absolutely free. Hey, maybe we can go for coffee... You can purchase below!...

What the heck is she talking about? Art Couture? Well, as fashionistas know, couture is art, but as my friends know, I'm no fashionista! (As I write this, I'm in my paint pants and a black t-shirt...so original huh?) Anyway, I digress... Fashion designer Greta Lovina, painter Susan Cook and me are putting on a show that defies categorization: is it a fashion show or an art exhibit? It's all things combined. Susan and I have painted (in our own styles) images of Greta's clothes into our paintings. Observe how the the marvelous designs transfer and evolve into a unique collaboration between three kindred spirits. Our happening...event...parties (try on some clothes!) will be at Primavera Gallery in Ojai on December 2 and December 9 from 7 - 9 pm. Well...better get back out to my studio! Chris PS: Can artists have Cyber Monday? You bet...I'll be coming up with some specials so you can do your holiday shopping from your comfy chair or couc...

"Santa Cruz Island" by Christine Apostolina Beirne Getting ready for the Ojai Studio Artists Studio Tour involves a little more than hanging your paintings on the wall, it takes straightening out the yard (I still haven't gotten around to pulling out my tomato plants), vacuuming the studio, putting away paintings I thought I'd have ready for the tour but don't...and of course, promotion -- like this blog! (I think I just won the award for the longest sentence.) Anyway, the piece on the left "Santa Cruz Island" is from one of my favorite places: Santa Cruz Island which is part of the Channel Islands off Southern California. Remote. Silent. Beautiful. If any of you know our area, this is definitely a winter painting...California turns brown during the summer! "Santa Cruz Island" is available and for sale on the tour, in my studio (#17 on the map!) for $540.00. It's 8x10 and comes framed! Tickets for the tour are on sale now and a...

"Ojai Meadow Twilight" by Christine Apostolina Beirne 16x20 oil on board Ojai Meadow Twilight is a scene from one of my favorite locations: the Ojai Meadow Preserve. I started it plein air and then completed in my studio. Ojai is known for it's Pink Moment. When the sun is setting...for a brief moment, the sun will turn the mountains a brilliant pink. I've tried to capture it plein air -- have even mixed my paints ahead of time. But, mother nature paints the mountains when she chooses...not when I do, so I finished then in my studio. You can take home this piece for $950 framed and $895 framed. Come by my POD to purchase. See this and other works at two locations during Artwalk Ventura . I will be in a POD sponsored by Community Memorial Hospital (thank you!) on California Street close to the information booth and on the same street, at DA Davidson for the Ventura Plein Air Invitational Reception from 3 - 5 pm on Saturday. What's up next? Ojai Studio Artists ...

This piece is called "Humboldt Shoreline" and will be at the Museum of Ventura County (100 E Main St., Ventura, CA) for Artwalk Ventura through October 8. Join me October 4 from 6 - 8 at the museum for a special "Collector's Reception" where you can preview and buy work BEFORE Artwalk. You can take home this 36"x 48" relaxing painting of our California coastline for $2,695.00. It's oil on cradled board and sure to be a favorite in your home for many years. Since I paint exclusively with palette knifes now, because of the size of this painting, I had to purchase large plaster knifes from my local hardware store. Smoothing the first paint layers over the board was almost as relaxing as when I was actually there: I think it truly got me in the "zone." Coming up next? Updates from the Ventura Plein Air Invitational, we've already started painting, so you'll be able to see the results before they're hung! ....and...

Since I've been back from the Sierra's, it's been non-stop getting ready for ARTober...errr...I mean October. First up, this piece below will be hanging in the Ojai Art Center as a preview for the Ojai Studio Artists Tour. Interested in purchasing? It will be available at the Ojai Art Center through October 26. Feel free to stop by and bring home some art! "Ojai Lavender Fields" 16x20, oil on cradled board, $1,100. Over the next few days, I'll be talking about the Ventura Plein Air Invitational , Artwalk Ventura and the Ojai Studio Tour . So subscribe and don't miss a moment of ARTober. Please visit my website as well. www.ChristineBeirne.com