Weisinger's Hill

Weisinger's Hill

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

nfs

If you've followed my blog long enough, you might recognize this scene from some paintings I did a while ago. The vineyard and winery belongs to my stepfather, who started Weisinger Family Winery in Ashland, Oregon something like 30 years ago. I've been fortunate enough to visit several times, and have enjoyed exploring and painting in the vineyards (followed by a glass of Weisinger's Malbec or Tempranillo, of course!)

I used my old plein air studies to create this 9 x 12, and gave it to my stepfather this Christmas. As he now spends most of his time in Texas, I wanted him to have a window into the vineyards he spent so much time cultivating while he built the heirloom business he owns today. Love you, John!

-julie davis

Weathered Vineyard Barn

Weathered Vineyard Barn

11 x 14 in., oil on panel

nfs

Many of you asked about purchasing Old Vineyard Barn (6 x 8")--and I wouldn't sell it (it has sentimental value, and I wanted to do a larger version)--sorry!  But finally, here is a larger version!  The barn is an iconic structure on my step-father's property in Oregon, and I never tire of painting it when I visit.  It is available right now at Davis Gallery here in Austin.

Also, now through the holidays, you can take $10 off my new 6 x 6 book at blurb.com.  Enter the code GIVE10 at checkout.  (www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3653023).  There is also an e-version for iPad and iPhone for $1.99.

-julie davis

View Across the Valley

View Across the Valley

This summer I visited family in southern Oregon and managed to paint a couple of times.  This is from that trip--looking across the valley from Weisinger's Winery.  It's a beautiful view of homes scattered through the trees and fields, and as the sun sets, the hills are just magnificent.  It's one of my favorite places!

-julie davis

Old Vineyard Barn

6 x 8 in., oil on linen panel

nfs

Summer vacation arrived at the end of May (yippee!) and our family moved into the busy, but carefree mode of summer trips, camp preparation, and general rest.  With the changes in our schedule, my blog posts have gone to nil, but that doesn't mean I've been still!  We visited family in Ashland, Oregon earlier this month, and I managed to paint a few small pieces at the winery my step-father owns.  This is  one of my favorite subjects there--the old barn.  

-julie davis

Sunlit Grove

Sunlit Grove, 12 x 16

sold

This is a larger version of a post a week or more back called "Field Guides." I lowered the horizon line and played with things a bit and am very happy with how this one came out.

The Rogue Valley runs through southern Oregon, and these trees are down in the valley beneath Weisinger's Winery in Ashland. I did take some artistic license and reduce the size of the mountains--they're gorgeous, but too much for this composition.

-julie davis

Field Guides

Field Guides, 9 x 12

sold

These trees are down in a valley in Ashland, Oregon below Weisinger's Winery. Every time I'm there I am so drawn to them, and how they're beautifully backlit by the sun. I'm hoping to do this one larger and work on the composition to some extent, but I really enjoyed this one.

-julie davis

Vineyard Barn

Vineyard Barn, 6 x 8

Another painting from my Oregon trip. As many barns do, this one houses all kinds of equipment for the vineyard and has been used for decades. When the light filters through the old boards, it's almost magical. Unfortunately, it was overcast for much of our visit, but it didn't diminish the fun.

-julie davis

Tempranillo, Weisinger's Winery

Tempranillo, Weisinger's Winery, 6 x 8

A Spanish variety, these Tempranillo grapes thrive in the Southern Oregon vineyard of Weisinger's of Ashland. Our family had the pleasure of traveling to Ashland in August, and visited family at the vineyard. I took many photos, and am finally getting around to working from them.

This painting was again a mix of brush and palette knife work--something I'm finding I really like.

-julie davis

Country Road

Country Road, 6 x 8

sold

I think I'm painting my way through the lines of a John Denver song. Yesterday's post was "Take Me Home", so naturally, today felt like "Country Road." I suppose tomorrow will be (to) "The Place I Belong," though I'm not sure what to do when I get to "West Virginia, Mountain Momma." Hmmm.... This is actually the (country) road behind the barn at Weisinger's Winery in Ashland, Oregon.

I've failed to write about what a fantastic experience the show in Ashland was; just getting back into town and starting school (yesterday) has been enough to keep me pretty occupied. The show at the winery kicked off very well. Two paintings sold before they were even hung, and more sold over the weekend (hanging out at a winery all weekend was quite a lot of fun by itself!) Thank you to John Weisinger, Robert, and Shelby for hosting me with such ease and for the warm hospitality. I'll post some photos tomorrow--it's a school night and I'm overdue for tucking in the girls.

-julie davis

Tucked Away

Tucked Away, 8 x 6

This little red shed stood out from the shadows and foliage this morning just enough to attract me. The temperature was 52 degrees when I went out, and low clouds were obscuring the mountains in the distance. After an hour or so, the curtain lifted just enough to reveal them.

-julie davis

Between the Vines

Between the Vines, 6 x 6

sold

My last post drew votes from both camps: about half of you liked the yellow and green version of the foreground, and about half liked it all green. I think they both work, though I tend to agree that I like the contrast that both the colors provide.

Today's painting is from a snapshot taken at Weisinger's Winery in Oregon. I'll be up there in August for a show (thank you, John!), and will try to play around with some vineyard subject matter between now and then. I like the way this one turned out, but have a tiny issue with the long green diagonal brushstroke--think I could've broken that up.

I also wanted to show anyone who ever washes brushes the way I do (Master's Soap and warm water) something I've found to press my brushes into besides my hand (since keeping paint off your skin is a good practice). I recently found these little green silicone things called "poachpods." They're perfect to hold in my hand and press the soapy brush into as I wash most of the paint out. (I believe they're intended to poach eggs in....must try that with another set!) I do the last cleaning bit with my fingers, but when the paint is really coming off initially, I keep one of these poachpods in my hand instead of rubbing all that paint into my skin. Seems to work for me now. I know Carol Marine at one point was using a tennis ball cut in half in the same manner. Haven't tried that yet because I found these and they're so easy to keep clean and I can still feel the brush in my hand because the pods are so thin and flexible.

I put the (size 4) brushes in the image for scale reference.

-julie davis

Wine Country

Head for the Hills, 6 x 6

This is a scene I've been afraid to paint, and I think I know why!  It's a place that's new and very important to me--a view from the deck of Weisinger's Winery in Ashland, Oregon.  Last summer my mom married a childhood best friend, John Weisinger, and this is the view from his winery's deck (or my 5 am attempt at translating the view).  I've been once, and hope to return many times, as it is one of the most relaxing, delightful places I've been, and to sit on the deck and enjoy a glass of wine with mom and John is one of my life's very treasured moments.  I hope to attempt more from this location, perhaps when I'm there in August for a bit I'll paint from the deck, rather than from a photo--even photos don't do it justice.