Vine Time

I've never thought about 

'painting for wine'

but I'd gladly barter this next piece for an

appropriate number of bottles if that's 

your choice!!

Vine Time, oil, framed, 20 x 24

More paintings have been ruined by over-painting than not!  It's really difficult when one becomes engrossed in the myriad details to stop and not render too much information. 

Thinking perhaps I had not gone far enough on this piece I asked some favorite collectors if they knew where this was.  "The vineyards in Napa?" they responded.  Well, good enough.  I pointed out the mountain horizon and they realized it was Grandfather Mountain in the background.  "Oh, that's here!" they exclaimed.  In all fairness, they had yet to spend an afternoon sipping vino at the nearby Grandfather Winery but at least they could call a growing vineyard from the info I provided.

This is a risky composition for me...a huge post front and off-center and everything else secondary.  I love the compliments of purple and orange together so that was an easy choice for me.  The rest was a push-pull on giving just enough info without painting every single leaf on every single vine.

Some local artists shy away from painting this iconic and very recognizable mountain range but I think it gives a sense of place to the scene.  Our area has several local vineyards experimenting with growing their own grapes and combining the fruit with that brought in from further west.  I do my best to support them...ahem.

I know that grapevines improve with age, the older, hardier stock produce better grapes and thus more full bodied wine so in a way I see the mountains, some of the oldest in our nation, encouraging the relative newbies to be strong, grow, flourish and stick around for the long haul.

Meanwhile, we locals will have to move over and give up our seats as welcome summer tourists pour onto the grounds to sip the wines and listen to local music.  It's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.  If you have enjoyed a bottle with this view you know exactly what I am talking about.

Cheers!

Cindy

Wine on the Vine

One of my favorite local organizations, The Women's Center, is sponsoring a fundraiser called ART:Uncorked!  Now wine and art are two subjects I really enjoy so I said yes when they asked if I would put together a basket collection to be auctioned off.

I had photos of some grape vines I had photographed this summer while

visiting a winery and I looked forward to playing with them.

So here is the little piece (8 x 6) I did in acrylic and graphite to put include in the basket.  This

is done ona wooden board with a 3" cradle so the edges are painted and needs

no additional framing.

Now take a look at the wine.

Yep, it is Michaud Wines....only in my fantasy are we related to the vitner but I have contacted

Michael Michaud and he is a hardworking vintner who made wines for many houses in the

west until he went full time into his own business in the Chalone region.

It's wonderful wine you can learn more at his website.  We have enjoyed it for many special ocassions and really enjoy sharing it with our friends.  Someday we hope to visit Michael and his operation.

The basket I'm building will also have a Reidel decanter, some notecards with my art on them, appropriate coasters, napkins, decorative corks and so on. 

Michaud is known for holding his wine for quite some time, not releasing it until he is certain

it is ready.  You may learn more on his website and order it for shipping  OR

you can come to the fundraiser on November 11, bid on the basket and

take it home to enjoy while hanging the art in your bar or pantry area.

For tickets call 321-253-9355.

Cheers!