Watercolor and Ink on 9×12 Arches watercolor paper
(To enlarge, click image, select “All Sizes”)
I did this plein air painting on Monday afternoon at Blake Gardens. I got there 90 minutes before closing with a plan to paint the redwoods and creek area (just behind this little pagoda fountain). Unfortunately, landscape architecture students from U.C. Berkeley (the gardens belong to the University) had been allowed to do “art installations” and the creek had been covered with large white posterboards with yellow tape stuck here and there. (Is this art?) I had to quickly pick a spot to paint so settled for this fountain that was brightly lit on the edges by the setting sun at first. I painted without much drawing and then added the ink, using a non-permanent Pentel ink brush pen. I softened and bled the ink with a little water here and there.
Tonight my painting group met at the California Watercolor Association’s National Show held in downtown San Francisco’s Academy of Art gallery. There were a few stunning pieces, but the majority were disappointing. Someone was smoking cigarettes near the door and the gallery smelled horribly of cigarettes and was hot and stuffy so we headed over to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art three blocks away for a delicious dinner in the cafe and a visit to some “real” art (What makes something “real art?”).
I enjoyed seeing some Matisse paintings and sculpture on display that he made in the period I’m now reading about in the two volume, 1200 page biography, The Unknown Matisse and Matisse the Master. Then we saw an absolutely thrilling show of enormous sculptural paintings by German artist Anselm Kiefer. The scale, perspective, brilliance and 3-dimensionality of the work was breathtaking.
While we dined and looked at art we had many thought-provoking conversations about art, artists, showing, painting, and teaching. I’d love to share them with you but I’m falling asleep standing up (my computer is on a standing-height work table) so it will have to wait.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
9 replies on “Blake Garden Pagoda & Art Show”
Do share your thoughts, Jana. I like the fact you questioned twice whether something IS art. I am haunted by that question whenever i think of art schools — but again, i could also write pages about that. I like the fountain a lot, particularly the water. I need to find me one of these Pentel ink brush pens.
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I really like this painting, particularly the water and reflections and the trees in the background. That is so cool that you got to see some Matisse works etc…even if the first stop was a bit of a disappontment. I’m in Nebraska, and not very close to many musuems/galleries so I’m a tad envious!
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Jana, this is so pretty with that fountain and the colors of all. Very oriental feel to it.
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This brings back memories. The very first class I took met at Blake Gardens and I dove right in and painted a colorful mess. Wish I could have been there with you guys at the CWA show and MOMA.
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Hi Jana!! OHHH — I think this is beautiful!!! Rich blue colors, fine lines, reflections, values — LOVE IT!! I especially love the ink on the fountain against the washes, Jana! It so reminds me of Karen Winter’s watercolors with Laura’s fine lines! GREAT JOB!
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I also saw the Matisse paintings when I was there, very thrilling to see as I’m also reading the bio!
gorgeous rich colors in this, love that blue!
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Oh MAN! I love that blue! And also the style you have of using the black to outline. I think that is terrific! The black lines are full of bounce and energy, too, and not just a hard outline …
Cheers!
Mary Ellen
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Unique picture. I like it.
And, your comment is very interesting.
What is the art?
You who thinks by crossing all the art fields of it are attractive.
To talk about it, I should study English more.
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uniqui pictures!!!!right amazing
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