Sketching at Point Bonita in the Marin Headlands yesterday it was so windy that I could barely hold my sketchbook and all my photos were blurry because my camera was being blow around so much. At one point my watercolor palette blew right off the ledge on the old fort where I perched while another painter’s table blew away from her. I wore several layers of clothes, and had my head wrapped in ear warmers, a hoodie, a jacket hood and over that tied a bandana over most of my face so only my eyes were peeking out.
I didn’t even try to set up an easel although others did, finding shelter in one of the old forts. I wasn’t thrilled with these or my other sketches but I was pleased that I’d made the effort to go and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery. I’d love to come back some time when it’s not windy, but I’m not sure if there is such a time.
The area is fascinating:
One of the most unique areas in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Marin Headlands covers various types of histories from the Miwok Indians to the Military. Included are historic Fort Barry and Fort Cronkhite, the NIKE Missile site and other military installations and fortifications, dating from 1776 through the Cold War, and the 150 year-old Point Bonita lighthouse. Other attractions include varied hiking trails, dog friendly Rodeo Beach, and astonishing views of the coast and San Francisco. The explosion of wildflowers in the spring and raptor migration in the fall fill the headlands with year round excitement.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
13 replies on “Wow! Was it Windy! Pt. Bonita, Marin Headlands”
These are gorgeous. I especially like the top one – you can feel the waves and wind. Don’t miss our summer paint-out. Richard Naughton is hosting and the subject is lighthouses. You have some excellent specimens near you. Anyway nice paintings!
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I love lighthouses so be sure to send me a link to your paint-out. Where will you be painting? jana
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I think these are wonderful! I’m sorry it was so unpleasant, but this definitely looks like an area to return to in better weather! What a brave Jana you are, taking on the elements in the interest of creating!!!
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I forgot to ask you about the stamp on the bottom sketch. What’s the story on that?
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Hi Carol, At many local historical parks and all state and national parks they have rubber stamps in their visitor centers that you can use to stamp your journals (or anything else you want to stamp). I think the idea is that they are sort of like passport stamps and I noticed they even had National Park passport booklets for sale. I kind of messed up when I stamped though and the rest of the words didn’t print. Jana
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Wow what dedication to your art! Nice results despite the conditions.
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Thanks Sue. Next time I’ll remember the long underwear and ski mask! Jana
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The wind was blustering up at my place so I knew it’d be windy at Pt. Bonita. I want to go there later too. I’ll send you an email if the NBPAP decide to go to that site this summer. See where we are going on the 23rd:
http://nbpleinair.blogspot.com/2010/05/14th-north-bay-plein-air-paintout.html
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You were smart about the weather but it was worth going anyway (especially since I got to ride with someone else who drove). I’m very tempted by the site on the 23rd but wondered about the time of the paintout since it’s during the hours with the least interesting light. Do you always meet during those hours or was the mid-day time selected for this particular site? Jana
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Considering the conditions, I’d say you did a fantastic job! And the right side of your borders look almost like an ekg of the wind!
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That’s funny.. EKG of the wind. I was a bit annoyed that I didn’t take the time to draw a border first. I seem to do a better job at the sketch when I draw a window to put it in first. Tonight I went through the rest of this journal and pencilled in borders on all the pages. It was a good reminder that it’s almost time to bind another book too. Not too many pages left in good ole Froggie the green journal. Jana
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Hi Jana!
Your work speaks of such beauty. I recommended it today to readers of my blog with a preview of these Pt. Bonita sketches attributed to you. Please contact me if not okay.
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Thanks so much! I’m sorry it took me so long to reply. Thanks for recommending my blog to your readers! Jana
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