Morro Bay

I've returned from a week's vacation in Morro Bay with my sisters Pat and Carole. We rented a great home on the hill facing the ocean and Morro Bay rock! We, well mostly me, could see the early morning sunsets (my sisters didn't get up as early as I did), as well as the sunsets. It was beautiful...one day after another glorious day of sunshine! Day after day after day......jealous?? ; ) It was a great location to be because all you had to do was to drive 10 miles north or south or east and you were in another town with all new sights. There were miles of vineyards and wineries, wine tasting, and the vine colors were going crazy! Reds, burgundies, dark greens, light greens, and oranges - it pretty much drove me crazy it was so beautiful.

We actually got a private tour of the Eagle Castle Winery as one of the owners was a childhood friend. We saw the winery in Paso Robles and then we remembered he lived in Morro Bay. So my sister called him up and he offered us the tour!! How lucky can we get? If you're ever in Paso Robles you will definitely have to stop by the wineries - that's what it's all about. The town is very quaint too with loads of places to eat. The shops were a little pricey, but still worth the stop.

My sister Pat got us tickets for the Hearst Castle night tour. We've been to several of the other day tours, however, the night tour gives you a different view, as all the lights are on, the outdoor pool is lighted, and the staff dress up in period costumes. It was a great trip.

The last night we were in Morro Bay was the best sunset as there were finally some clouds in the sky that night, and a lot of folks were out to see the sunset.

Win some - Win some

Remember about a month ago I was turned down from High Hand Gallery? Well, yesterday late afternoon I receive a call from them saying their 'photographer' left and now they were calling to see if I was still interested in showing my works with them. I played really hard to get and immediately said, 'yes'! Someone will be getting in touch with me soon - someone from the welcome wagon! ;)

So, now I need to figure out what I will submit, although it will probably be Bodie B&W's that are already framed, although I might even put together some of the ones I took of High Hand that I have displayed on my website. You can go check them out. The website gallery is called "Historic Loomis Fruit Growers". I'm posting one of those pics here today!

Acrylic Class

I know this blog is about photography - but in the midst of all things photography - I have other interests that crossover into each other. So Monday I took my first acrylic painting class here in Auburn. I'll do this 2 times a month for now. I chose this teacher because I liked her style. She personally does body figure paintings: big, bold, bright colors, smooth strokes - and the result is 'wild'! I love it. I wanted to learn how to use the bigger brushes, so as not to get so involved with my paintings, unlike my photography. The class is an hour and a half - and it sure goes fast. So I'd like to think I'll be painting in 'stages' since I only have the hour and an half, twice a month.

This afternoon I spoke again with the owner of the Blue Moon Gallery regarding the photos for the show in February. I'll still be able to use the ones I wanted to and I'll throw in a couple of France photos. Now I need to select at least four jpg's to send her for the card mailing. I also will submit a diptych (two prints comprising one theme).