This restaurant located right outside of city limit. Though it doesn’t look much they make the best hamburgers. I love the Americana decor – the flag, the mural with the hunter. At opening around 11 am the owner opened up. Owner, Pietro Fazzari, originally from Italy, put out the American flag and soon afterward there were people coming in for lunch. Plainfield had been here for many years and had catered to a wide range of people….college students, farm worker…and at that day, artists.
La Finca Restaurant, 10 x 8 inches, oils, 2020 by Marlene Lee
Oil painting of a restaurant in Woodland called “La Finca Restaurant”. A colorful building of pink and turquoise colors with the blossoms of pink flowers right alongside it.
Mountain View at CR25 Ranch in Esparto CA, 8×6 inches oils on canvas panel by Marlene Lee
I am back to participating at the Yolo Arts & Ag Project. It’s a project sponsored by Yolo Arts where artists/photographers are invited to private farms/ranch to captured the California landscape in paintings or photography. Every time I go and visit a farm I am captivated by the vast landscape and the faraway mountain ranges.
For the July Art & Ag Project, the artists were invited to Fong Farms. Owned by my husband’s cousin, the farm has been in the family for many years. I had visited the farm with my sons but when I visited the farm as an artist it took on a different look. I was attracted to the different layers of fields and the purplish, pink sky of early morning.
I did a quick oil study, about 6 x 8, catching the colors of the sky and the safflower fields way in the back. The painting was completed from the study and the photos I had taken.
Fong Farms, oil on stretched canvas, 8 x 16 x 3/4 inches by Marlene Lee
“The Art & Ag Project cultivates a dialogue between artists, farmers, and the community to raise awareness about the importance of preserving farmlands and the visual arts in Yolo County. A nationally recognized creative place making project, Art & Ag has invited farmers to open their land to local artists, providing unique opportunities to capture private landscapes that would otherwise remain inaccessible and unseen.
Each month, artists visit a different farm where they can meet the farm owners, paint en plein air, or take photographs. Artists are invited each Fall to exhibit their agriculturally–inspired artwork at YoloArts’ annual Art Farm Gala, the first Friday in November.”
The “Red Barn” was painted at the Valley Oak Wool Mill. A young woman rented one of the buildings to run her wool mill business. She would take raw wool and spin it for clients. Her waiting list is about a year long.
Red Barn, 18 x 24 inches, oil on stretched canvas by Marlene Lee
The next two paintings was done at the Good Hummus Produce. Caught this dog napping in the middle of the road. Love how the sun light shaped around him.
Napping in the Shadows, 8 x 10 inches, oil on stretched canvas by Marlene Lee
The “Red Tractor” was parked underneath these trees. I did a small quick study, 6 x 8 and got up to stretched. Before I knew the owner had driven the tractor away. Thank goodness I had that quick study plus a few photos.
Red Tractor, 9 x 12 inches, oil on stretched canvas by Marlene Lee
This last painting, “Hazy Day” reflect the fickle weather of March or maybe April. I love how the grapevines captured a glimpse of the sun peeking through the clouds.
Hazy Day, 8 x 10 inches, oil on stretched canvas by Marlene Lee
There are still more farm visits coming up. I probably would visit up to September.
In Davis, I was drawn to these very old apartments that I’ve seen for over 30 years. Located next to them was a sandwich shop that I took my then very young sons after a play at the park. What struck me about these apartments was the entry facade, not often seen in modern day buildings.
Apartments across from Central Park, watercolor sketch in Moleskine watercolor sketchbook, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches by Marlene Lee
Nearby to the apartments are these very new townhomes. Colors and brickworks are what makes these modern day places unique.
Townhouse across from Central Park, watercolor sketch in Moleskine watercolor sketchbook, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches by Marlene Lee
A month later I ate at one of my favorite places in Woodland, California. A hole in a wall place that served Italian and Scandinavian cuisune. They are known for their outdoor oven.
At Guinevere’s Cafe & Bistro, watercolor sketch in Moleskine watercolor sketchbook, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches by Marlene Lee
My husband and I spent a few days in San Francisco. (It was a much needed rest from caring for my mother 24/7).
We stayed in a hotel right in the heart of downtown San Francisco. From our window view I can see the construction workers on the future Mexican Contemporary Art Museum.
Construction of the Museum of Mexican Contemporary Art watercolor sketch by Marlene Lee
After our visit at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), we relaxed at Yerba Buena Park. Despite the cool breezy wind, many other people also relaxed in this beautiful park.
An Afternoon at Yerba Buena Park watercolor sketch by Marlene Lee
After breakfast in the following morning we stopped again at Yerba Buena Park. I was able to get a few sketches of people in while they were doing either Tai Chi, Chi Gung or dancing to music. I believe there’s a senior center nearby. Also I sketched in the rock garden there.
Early Morning Routines watercolor sketch by Marlene Lee
Guinevere is an hole in the wall cafe that serves great Italian food. The two owners, husband and wife are the chefs and also artists. With my lunch, I was sitting outside next to the baking oven going…sending out savory smells.
Outside Baking Oven at Guinevere Cafe in Woodland, 2/14/18, Faber Castell sepia marker and watercolor
