Clear to Sea Part One

Some recently visiting friends provided us with an excuse for a day out to Newport Beach. There are several islands (some natural, some man made, some public, some private) in Newport Bay.

We started by crossing a bridge to get onto Balboa Island and then taking a small ferry which takes cars, bicycles, and pedestrians over to Balboa Peninsula. 

You can drive further along the coast and get to the Peninsula that way but the ferry is a fun way to travel.

We had decided to leave our car on Balboa Island and travel the ferry on foot. Once on dry land again, we walked to Balboa Pier.

We were really shocked to see how clear the water was. Neither hubby or I have ever seen the water here this clear. The water almost looked tropical.

A view of Newport Pier.

We could look down and see a greb diving for food.

How to make a restroom building more attractive.

I love these old-style neon signs.

There is a small fun fair at the water's edge.

We decided to take a boat ride around the bay. Neither we nor our friends had done this so it seemed a good activity especially as we were all starving hungry and the boat people allowed us to take our lunch on board. I had a bowl delicious of chips (fries) from Balboa Barbie Q. Hubby got fish and chips.

There is a walking path around Balboa Island which you can walk to look at some of the boats and houses but on the Peninsula and on the private islands you can't do that so the only way to see them from the water. I'm not too interested in boats but I do love to look at other people's homes. I like to see how they've decorated and arranged their gardens.

The homes in this area, especially those on the water, are very expensive and some of them are owned by celebrities and part of the commentary on the trip was pointing out who owned which house (or who used to).

The house with the green awning was the childhood home of child star Shirley Temple.

A California Sea Lion enjoying the sunshine.

Heading out towards the ocean.

A Great Egret.

When we boarded the boat, I didn't realise that we would be going out into the ocean to see a group of Sea Lions so i was thrilled when I found out where we were going.

More wanted to get on the buoy than could fit.

At times I was as excited by the reflections as by the Sea Lions!

Back to the Bay.

Pirate Cove (no pirates in evidence today - only visitors).

Convincing

Sometimes I find it hard to choose a painting or drawing project because I can't make a decision. I don't know if it is a lack of inspiration, or motivation, or having too many choices. Sometimes I'm trying to be too serious or building up too many expectations as to how good I want something to turn out.

Then one day something drops into your lap (or post/letter box) that grabs your attention and gets the creative and fun juices flowing.

Such a day occurred for me when a promotional clothing booklet was posted to my house. I'd never heard of the company before and didn't think their style suited my beach life in southern California but I liked the book.

Inside were pictures of a model against a plain background.

I instantly knew I wanted to do something with this book but what? I kept it near and would think about it at odd moments during the days that followed.

Then I decided that the plain background was the perfect backdrop for scenes of my own invention.

This first picture was done quickly without much thought. But then I tried to match the background to an impression I felt the clothes gave off. So had there been a background what kind would the company have used?

The dress below reminded me a little of school wear.

The next two seemed to fit a snowy environment.

As you can see, the drawings are quick and quite crude in parts. I can draw very well but this exercise is not about 'proving' I can draw. It is about being creative, having fun, and doing something a little different from my usual artwork. Who knows but that it will spark an idea for something else in the future.

You don't have to have fabulous drawing skills to play in this way. Or even if you do, it is still fun to see what scenes you can create. If you don't want to draw you might cut out pictures of models in magazines and find new backgrounds to place them against creating a new 'story' than the one the magazine had originally intended.

Note: the paper in this book is not very absorbent. If I have to close the book before the ink is dry I put a plain piece of paper in that page to stop the ink from marking the opposite page.

'Tis the Season

'Tis the season for a Christmas post.

Hubby and I went to Roger's Garden, in early November, to see their annual Christmas Shop. Every year it is a riot of festive colour and style. 

Here are some of the photographs with minimum input from me.

These sweet treats have no calories.

Of course, in southern California, we don't really want snow, just the idea of snow.

A British-themed tree - my favourite.

More festive delights next time.