Went out plein air painting awhile ago to the coast with friends. The beach got too windy, so we packed up and headed inland. Wound up in Freestone where the sunlight was shining brightly on the barn across from the Wildflower Bakery. This image over-saturates the colors in the painting, but you get the idea. The painting sold yesterday!
Spring is exuberant in Sonoma County, and bright green colors are everywhere. This painting is a celebration of the season.
Suzy Kuhr, black & white photographer extraordinaire, is a friend I both respect and admire. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to share a gallery with her!
The March 1st Friday Art Walk was hopping at the Kuhr-Norris Studio & Gallery! Sister Yoda paid us a visit, and both Suzy Kuhr and I sold work!
My wife is a "garagista"---she built a winery in our garage and makes incredible wines. Our winery (run with the dedicated help of a group of dear friends) is called TKO. Here are 2 of her latest wines...which feature my paintings on the labels!
My side of the Kuhr-Norris Studio & Gallery---cleaned up and ready for 1st Friday Art Walk!
Watercolor sketch done at Millerton Point overlooking Tomales Bay.
This was a quick sketch done at the mouth of the Russian River on a beautiful day.
It is spring time here in Sonoma County, and painting by the river is gorgeous!
My friend Lola Escarpa of Madrid was visiting for the holidays. She is a talented watercolor painter and we painted nearly every day while she was here. Three of her paintings were featured in my studio for the 1st Friday Art Walk. She sold all three!
Kuhr-Norris Studio & Gallery was hoppin' on the 1st Friday Art Walk in Guerneville. Art excites people!
My most favorite part of this wonderful winter holiday from school was that I had the opportunity to go out painting with some of my very favorite people in the world!
Downtown Guerneville, festively lit up for the holidays. The window of Kuhr-Norris Studio & Gallery (adorned in red lights) is visible in the top right corner.
Loved having time in my studio over my winter break from school!
During the month of December, the Kuhr-Norris Studio & Gallery is hosting a guest artist: Marilyn Livingston. Her works in fused glass are a vibrant showcase of light and color.
Had some days off from school this week, so I spent some time painting signs for the studio/gallery. In addition to the sign pictured here, I painted one to hang out the window to hopefully attract the attention of people walking around town.
There is a gorgeous road in Sonoma County called Coleman Valley. It runs from the town of Occidental to the coast, and there are many stretches which have sweeping views. Several days ago I had the opportunity to paint there. I did these two 5"x7" studies which I will use as inspiration for a larger studio piece. Staring at this view was a beautiful way to spend a morning!
This studio painting is based on a photo I took this summer while walking along the bluffs in the town of Mendicino. The blues of the sea were breath-taking.
This painting was completed in my studio. I used a reference photo that I took at Eastside Regional Park in Healdsburg, CA. The fall colors are spectacular there!
The Kuhr-Norris Studio & Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of a building on Main Street in Guerneville, CA. I have been surprised at how difficult it is to get visitors to the town to notice that we are here. This is disappointing, and we are trying to come up with creative solutions to this. One thing I do on weekends is put one of my paintings and one of Suzy's photos in the windows and illuminate both.
This is a plein air painting, done on a beautiful, hot day in Dry Creek Valley. My wife, Kimberly, painted with me that day, which made it extra fun.
This painting sold to Patte, who owns a massage business in Guerneville, CA. She has bought a cabin with land that goes down to the river and she is moving her business there. This painting will go live in that cabin. So nice that a painting of the Russian River will now go to a cabin by the river!
The Kuhr-Norris Studio & Gallery opened on July 4, 2014, and it has been a grand adventure so far. Suzy Kuhr and I have both sold pieces each month. This does not make me feel sure of anything in the long winter months ahead, but I am very grateful for the success we have had thus far. Since we both work full time, we don't have to panic about selling a lot. If we sell enough to pay the rent, we are happy!
"Still Waters" sold today! My friends, Marty and Z, who live in San Francisco, purchased it. I confess to being happy that people I know bought it as it is one of my favorites.
