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Pre-Sale Begins: My First DVD "Spanish Landscapes in Watercolour"

5/28/2016 11:02:51 AM

As I wrote on my blog exactly a year ago, my first DVD set is about to be launched from Veopintar, a Spanish video production company. I am very happy and excited that five complete plein-air demonstrations that I did in Spain last year are included in this 2-DVD set. The audio portion will be available in English and Spanish. Watch the trailer on YouTube. Veopintar has just started offering my DVD set as a pre-sale with a 10% discount (this offer is valid until June 15, 2016) from their website. The shipment will be after June 16 2016. Download this DVD I hope you will [...]

Huntington Beach Art League Demonstration

9/4/2014 11:14:09 AM

I had the pleasure of spending some time yesterday together with members and guests of the Huntington Beach Art League (HBAL) who invited me to do a demonstration for their September meeting. It was quite an honor for me, as a watercolorist, to do a watercolor painting demo to an all-media art group such as the HBAL as they kick-start their fall season. I did a demo, showing my process from the beginning to the end, of a street scene with corner cafés in Paris. I painted this subject from my previous plein-air sketch, and I did so in response to the [...]

Workshops in Kyoto & Osaka, Japan

8/22/2013 2:27:15 AM

I just finished two workshops in Kyoto and Osaka, Japan. I was told, in both locations, classes were filled months ahead of time and there was still dozens on the wait list. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who braved this summer's record-breaking heat to participate in my workshops. This was my second workshop in Kyoto. While sign-ups were taken on a first-come, first-served basis, I saw several familiar faces in the classroom. It was nice to see them again after my first one back in February. This time we practiced painting a street scene involving a café [...]

Springtime in Paris, Paris Café Painting

4/5/2012 12:30:50 AM

"With so many trees in the city, you could see the spring coming each day until a night of warm wind would bring it suddenly in one morning... Sometimes the heavy cold rains would beat it back so that it would seem that it would never come and that you were losing a season out of your life. This was the only truly sad time in Paris because it was unnatural... You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches were bare [...]

My Solo Exhibition Next Month in San Diego

9/29/2011 2:11:11 AM

Next month we will meet Philippe, Gustave and Henri, three World War I veterans living in an old soldiers' home in the French countryside. We will listen in as they make a crazy plan to escape from there (or from their nun, to be precise), with their stone dog… To where? To the poplar trees that they always see from their terrace! This is a story from HEROES, Gérald Sibleyras' play, which received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy. HEROES will be the next play at the San Diego's North Coast Repertory Theatre (NCRT), October 19 (preview) - November 13. I am [...]

Japan Disaster Relief Auctions

3/13/2011 12:25:33 PM

Paris (#17) - Bistro In addition to the two paintings posted here on March 11, I am offering seven more paintings (see below) for a disaster relief auction. All proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society to help tens of thousands of victims and their families in Japan who were affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Minimum bidding starts at USD100. Please send me an email to bid. The bidding closes at midnight on the 17th. The highest bidder will be notified by email. This is a closed (by invitation only) auction. To participate, please contact me. The prices [...]

Paris Café LII & LIII, French Landscape Paintings

3/11/2011 4:13:57 AM

As I was writing today's blog post, I received a call from one of my family members in Japan who was horrified about a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that had just hit there. It took me some time before I was able to get in touch with the rest of my family (and they were all ok). However, as I see more news reports on this biggest tremor in the history of Japan and think how extensive the final damages can be, my heart goes out to those who have been affected. And I feel I want to do something, however small, [...]

Retour de la série «Paris Café»

3/6/2011 11:57:19 PM

Paris Café LI (Montmartre) Paris Café was the series of mostly small works depicting different cafés in the city of Paris. I started it in 2009 and, after making 50 paintings, I announced the end of the series. I am happy to say most of the 50 paintings found a new home and that I still hear from visitors to my website that they continue enjoying viewing the images of those paintings. In fact, after the announcement, I myself couldn't stop painting scenes involving Parisian cafés, bistros, bars and restaurants, and occasionally showed them here on my blog (see my Paris, France category). Without [...]

50 Blogs Recommended for Watercolor Artists

11/27/2010 1:01:39 AM

Web Design Schools Guide recently put together a list of 50 best blogs for watercolor artists. A comprehensive guide for students of any age who want to learn more about the latest in the field of watercolor art, the list has links to 10 watercolor demonstrations blogs, 20 watercolor artists blogs, 10 art business blogs and 10 art news & reviews blogs. I am honored to be included as one of the 20 artists they recommend by saying, "Follow this award-winning watercolor artist as she travels around the world, painting Parisian cafes, California beaches, Venetian gondolas and other lovely sites." Paris Café XXIV Paris Café [...]

Paris Café XXV & XXVIII, French Landscape Painting

4/29/2010 1:22:10 AM

Paris Café XXVIII Sorry there has been no post of new daily paintings for a few days as I was working on commissioned pieces. I'd like to post here today two small paintings from my Paris Café series (2009) that have never been shown before. Please enjoy! Paris Café XXVIII Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper) Mat/Frame: No Purchase: Sold Paris Café XXV Paris Café XXV Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 7.5 x 9.5 inches Mat/Frame: Yes/No Mat Size: [...]

Paris (#17) - Bistro, French Landscape Painting

4/6/2010 3:44:43 AM

Paris (#7) - Bistro This bistro was near the place where I used to stay in Paris on several occasions. Because this neighborhood was away from any tourist sights, I enjoyed "living like a local" every time I was there. On my way to a nearest Metro station every morning, or when I went out for grocery shopping in the evening, I passed by this bistro. It was never too crowded but locals were always there, stopping by to spend some time as if it was their living room or a kitchen nook. Although this may [...]

Paris (#16) - Brasserie, French Landscape Painting

4/3/2010 1:54:53 AM

Late afternoon as the sun goes down, people (mainly young) have gathered in this casual brasserie, enjoying the last rays of sunshine and company. A lone bicycle parked to the lamppost is casting a long shadow, and I imagine someone in this neighborhood just hopped on a bike to come here to have a drink with his friends. For many residents, their favorite cafe, favorite bakery, favorite hair salon, etc... they are all there within a walking distance or a few minutes by bicycle from their apartments. Life in a big city can be stressful but in Paris, living in [...]

Paris (#11) - Crêperie, French Landscape Painting

3/17/2010 2:01:30 AM

As soon as this sweet smell hit my nose, I knew I was near a crêperie. Around the corner, there it was, a crêpe restaurant with red umbrellas. While a crêpe can be bought from a street vendor and eaten right away, it is nice sometimes to sit down in a restaurant to have it as a meal and/or a dessert. The sheer number of crêperies in Paris alone says a lot about how popular crêpes are here. They are simple, quick and delicious -- it's hard to resist the temptation of this warm, savory, classy fast food. In fact [...]

Paris (#10) - Vélib', French Landscape Painting

3/15/2010 2:16:33 AM

Paris (#10) - Vélib' Thanks to a public bicycle sharing system called vélo libre (Vélib' for short), there are thousands of bicycles available for use all over Paris nowadays. It takes no time to notice quite a lot of people, both Parisians and visitors, take advantage of sturdy bicycles provided by the city, and they are riding practically everywhere. This is quite a change from pre-Vélib’ days (that's only 3 or 4 years ago) when not so many two wheelers were in the Paris streetscape. When I spotted these two Vélib’ users chatting in the morning light, they were barely out [...]

Paris (#9) - Bar, Interior Painting

3/10/2010 5:49:21 PM

It was Friday afternoon. The outdoor terrace of this bar was popular as it always is on a sunny day like this. A couple of businessmen opted to stay indoors, however. Still, with large windows allowing the sunlight to pour in, they must have felt as if they were outside, too. Not quite mobbed by a happy-hour crowd yet, this bar still maintained a quiet ambiance. So it was ideal for them to discuss an important business deal. Or, were they talking about a golf weekend in the countryside? Paris (#9) - Bar Click here for an enlarged view. Media: [...]

Paris (#8) - Corner Café, French Landscape Painting

3/6/2010 2:14:10 AM

Paris (#8) - Corner Cafe Although I've been talking about how I paint from time to time, it is not my intention to show you there's a set approach to my painting style. It would be easier for me if I knew steps to follow, but honestly, I'm not even aware of what I am doing while painting - how dare I write "How I Paint" posts! I may stick to one method of painting for some time, especially after it worked for the first time. Finding a comfort zone encourages me but I also know a part of me always wants [...]

Paris (#6) - Montmartre, French Landscape Painting

2/27/2010 6:46:35 AM

Paris (#6) - Montmartre Since Montmartre is my favorite part of Paris, I'm sure this is just one of many I'll be painting of the neighborhood that feels almost like a village. This particular scene, near the St-Pierre church, happened only a few steps away from the majestic Sacre-Coeur. Seemingly a simple scene, but it was a bit of a challenge to create a sense that we are walking through a meandering alley that is going down gently on the hill of Montmartre. It's better to help people than garden gnomes. -- Amélie Poulain, from the movie Amelie from Montmartre [...]

Paris (#5) - Ile St-Louis, French Landscape Painting

2/24/2010 2:03:04 AM

What would be the best way to describe Ile St-Louis, one of the two islands in the middle of the Seine? Compared to the neighboring Ile de la Cité where people flock to see many famous sights such as Notre-Dame, Ile St-Louis is mostly residential. Cross any bridge that connects to this island, and we are in a surprisingly quaint neighborhood with not many tourists. Elegant buildings, tree-lined streets, a view of boats on the Seine, small cafés and restaurants, and a really good ice cream shop… This island is like a pearl for its quiet beauty. I was intrigued [...]

Love is in the Air

2/14/2010 1:34:50 AM

I am re-posting this painting for Valentine's Day (Please click here to read more about this painting). If you're in or near San Diego and still trying to plan how to spend this day with your sweetheart, here's an idea. Go to Fallbrook. If you both love art, this tiny art town will charm you. If you're both fans of watercolor paintings, that's even better. Now through March 28, there's an extraordinary exhibition you never want to miss, World of Watercolor, being held at the Fallbrook Art Center. Believe it or not, this is National Watercolor Society's 89th Annual [...]

Paris (#2) - Boulangerie, French Landscape Painting

2/5/2010 12:51:42 AM

Paris (#2) - Boulangerie Long time ago, during my first visit to Paris, I bought a baguette at a small corner bakery (boulangerie). Carrying it in my hand, like the French do, I was tempted to have a bite right then. Wow, I was surprised how delectable it was. Rather, maybe I was surprised at myself for being surprised at something simple like the taste of bread. Anyway, I thought croissants and pastries I had during the trip were all sensational, too. Later, I learned not all bread is created equal, even in France, as I heard names like Poilâne and [...]

Paris (#1) - Bistro, French Landscape Painting

1/28/2010 2:10:57 AM

This year I am starting a new painting series of none other than - Paris! Oh, I know it seems every artist paints Paris at some point of their career, and I've been painting it, too, especially café scenes. So choosing this city as a theme of new series may be more of a cliché. But as I was musing last week, Paris holds a very special place in my heart. For this series, I plan to take a more intimate look at the city that I love - its streets, people, dogs, parks, restaurants, river and bridges, etc. [...]

Paris Cafe XXXVIII, French Landscape Painting

1/27/2010 1:34:23 AM

This café, near an entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens, is in such a great location it seems always busy. Late afternoon the light was coming straight into the terrace where people were enjoying a drink before heading home or for other evening activities... This is the story of this painting. But I hope you will see what will happen after this scene. A waiter will come and clear one of the round tables that was just vacated. Soon these three tables (in front) will be taken by more customers as an evening approaches. Here's how I painted this scene: [...]

Paris Café L, French Landscape Painting

1/24/2010 1:33:38 AM

After walking around on streets of Paris for a while, I would have to make a hard decision whether to go in a café or to find a bench in a quiet park to sit down. My answer to this dilemma is the Luxembourg Gardens (On peut faire d'une pierre deux coups!). If your feet are sore and you need a little caffeine boost and clean air, you'll feel nothing is more relaxing and satisfying than sitting at this open-air café inside the Luxembourg Gardens. In warmer months, greens of chestnut trees provide cool shades. When I was there last [...]

Paris Café XII, French Landscape Painting

1/20/2010 1:53:02 AM

How we connect with a new place we visit is just like a relationship. It may be a love at first sight (so we never leave) or we may leave disappointed (never to return). In most cases, we were already interested enough to visit, so naturally we enjoy 'our first date' and may want to return to get to know it better. I love Paris. To think of my first visit there about 20 years ago, it was not a love at first sight (it was too short). But Paris already had a special place in my heart and my [...]

Paris Café XLIX, French Landscape Painting

1/19/2010 1:41:10 AM

Known for famous intellectuals who used to frequent here (such as J-P Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Picasso), Café de Flore still attracts the same kind and many others. Behind glass panels, I could see young couples, foreign tourists, and wealthy old men and women. There were also families on vacation and a couple of well-dressed businessmen. I could only guess, but they must have come here for more than a cup of coffee. To experience the charm of an old Parisian cafe, to be part of its history, to people-watch, or to daydream -- whatever their purpose might have been, [...]

Paris Café XXX, French Landscape Painting

11/22/2009 1:26:29 AM

Paris Café XXX Le Colibri, the hummingbird. I have no idea where the name of this café came from. They named it because the hummingbird is one of the most beautiful birds? Or, is it because everybody loves this jewel-like bird? Under a very eye-catching red-yellow awning, this café was bustling. Ernest Chausson (1855-1899), by the way, composed a romantic piece Le Colibri to a poem by Leconte de Lisle, praising the bird's amazing power and love. I can't help but think whoever chose the name for this café must have been a romantic, too. [...]

Paris Café XXXII, French Landscape Painting

11/21/2009 1:07:00 AM

As 2009 has only 40 days left, I have been thinking a lot lately about what painting project to do in 2010. This year my main project has been San Diego 100, which is winding up within a few weeks. I've also kept working on my Paris Café series. Since I've been having so much fun with Paris Café, I will continue this series. But I need something else for a change... I will have to put on my thinking cap. Speaking of a change, one of the biggest changes that occurred in the history of Parisian cafés was a [...]

Paris Café XXXVII, French Landscape Painting

10/30/2009 12:39:53 AM

Paris Café XXXVII I love everything about Paris... well, almost everything. There are a few places I'll never even consider going to. One of them is the Catacombs. I've heard enough about this underground cemetery where thousands of skulls and bones are stacked up. It sounds so creepy I don't need to see it. But it would be a perfect place to visit on Halloween if you're in Paris (it's been closed this year due to some vandalism). If I were there and my travel companion would like to go meet ghosts in the Catacombs, I think I'd pass. I'd rather be [...]

Paris Café XLVIII, French Landscape Painting

9/23/2009 1:28:57 AM

They are dressed impeccably in white shirts and dark vests. Waiters in crowded Parisian cafés move briskly from table to table. But when its not so busy, we may see them chatting with one of the regulars who lingers or taking a little break, as in this painting. It's been more than a year since smoking was banned in restaurants and cafes in France. So the sight like this may be more common as smokers can only light up outside. Paris Café XLVIII Click here for a larger view of this painting. Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x [...]

Paris Café XLVII, French Landscape Painting

9/22/2009 1:29:01 AM

I am happy to add this painting of another cafe on the Montmartre hill (north of Paris) to my Paris Cafe series. Ever since I joined Daily Painters Gallery (online) back in January, I have posted on DP website almost every single new piece I created for this series. They have received a lot of views and many were collected. I know some of my blog readers are also fans of Daily Painters. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for following my work (Click to see my gallery at DP). Whether or not you are already familiar with Daily Painters Gallery, [...]

Labor Day Weekend Sale - Paris Café Paintings

9/4/2009 1:24:24 AM

Paris Café IX (La Rotonde) Last year I started painting a series of Parisian cafe scenes (Paris Cafe Collection) as a tribute to someone very close who was a big influence in my life -- my love for Paris in particular. I didn't think how many pieces I would eventually create; Rather, I started this series as a long-term project. I knew I was passionate about the City of Lights but I never knew my emotion could go so deep. I love Paris more and more as I finish every single painting! I am very thankful that this series has been very well collected. I have just taken down three paintings [...]

Paris Café XLVI, French Landscape Painting

8/27/2009 1:39:00 AM

What if it was sunny? What if this building looked more exciting? What if I could fill the street with light? What if I could change everything that I see just to have fun? These questions might have been in my head when I did this painting. Whether en plein air or working from a photo, sometimes we find ourselves too preoccupied with painting the scene exactly how it is. There's nothing wrong with it; in fact that is good training to hone our technical skills. But if we start focusing on copying what's in front of us instead of painting what we [...]

Paris Café XLI, French Landscape Painting

8/26/2009 1:32:05 AM

I cannot possibly know every café in Paris but I must say there's no other cafés in City of Light that looks so patriotic than this one, Le Bonaparte. Their blue-white-red awning, bright against grayish-colored walls, looks just like many French national flags sewn together. However, I notice their blue stripes are much wider than the other colors. And that makes me think of how the tricolor used to be. Three stripes of the earlier French flag were not equal in width, either, with blue being the thinnest and red the widest. Who changed that to make each stripe equal? It was Napoleon I. [...]

Paris Café XLIII, French Landscape Painting

8/1/2009 2:01:35 AM

Paris Café XLIII Cafe de Flore is a historic cafe in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood in Paris. Next door is another famous cafe, Les Deux Magots. Here are some interesting quotes on Paris and cafes. Van Gogh's was not really my feelings but I thought the idea behind one of his masterpieces is intriguing. "All I wanted was to connect my moods with those of Paris. Beauty paints and when it painted most, I shot." - Ernst Haas, photographer "Strangely enough, the first character in Fried Green Tomatoes was the cafe, and the town. I think a place can be [...]

More Paintings of Paris Café, French Landscape Painting

7/29/2009 11:37:26 PM

Paris Café XLIV So my French friend was a little concerned that my paintings of cafe scenes in Paris might give a wrong impression (read yesterday's blog post). He said that people may think the French do nothing but sitting at a cafe. Of course it is an exaggeration to say that they do it all day, but it is important to join their friends even just for 15 minutes for greetings and a little conversation. Both my friend and I know that it is pretty much a way of life, or a part of their culture, for many in France. Here are more paintings. Please [...]

Paris Café XLII, French Landscape Painting

7/29/2009 1:17:04 AM

"I love your paintings, but I think maybe you shouldn't keep producing so many paintings of French cafe scenes. People will think that is all we do here in France." When my French friend suggested this to me the other day, I knew he was half-joking. But it was an interesting point of view I had never really thought about. However, I also know that sitting at a cafe is one of the things on a to-do list of many visitors to Paris. They, if not all, are so attracted to the ambiance and culture of Paris cafes such as this historic place called [...]

Paris Café XXXIX, French Landscape Painting

5/4/2009 12:24:52 AM

This little neighborhood café stands on one of the thoroughfares leading to Gare Saint-Lazare, one of the major railway stations in Paris. A day has just started and soft morning light suggests it is going to be a nice day. While two customers are enjoying an espresso on a sidewalk, another has stopped by to grab a freshly-baked croissant. The Saint-Lazare Station is a huge, busy terminus for trains going to the suburbs and regions northwest of Paris. It's been a favorite subject depicted in paintings of famous artists - Claude Monet and Edouard Manet among others. If you plan [...]

Paris Café XXXV (La Palette), French Landscape Painting

4/28/2009 1:33:02 AM

This cafe is located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the Left Bank in Paris. The clientele was a largely youngish crowd. With the École des Beaux-Arts being just a stone's throw away, some of them were probably art students from the famed school. I also saw some intellectual types and a fashion model when I was there. Near here there were other cafés, brasseries, galleries and boutiques but the narrow streets of this neighborhood were surprisingly quiet and cozy. Even though this area was known for intellectual life in the past, the air was not pretentious at [...]

Paris Café XXXIV, French Landscape Painting

4/20/2009 11:49:28 PM

This cafe, in the Marais district of Paris, was full, inside and outside. Actually, the entire neighborhood was full of people, mostly young, who seemed to come here to dine and socialize. The vibrant energy in the air told me that this must be one of the hip places in today's Paris. See how this painting developed: Paris Café XXXIV Click here for a larger image of "Paris Café XXXIV" painting. Media: Original watercolor on paper Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. Mat/Frame: Yes/No Mat Size: 14 x 18 in. (color: off-white) [...]

Paris Café XXXII, French Landscape Painting

4/17/2009 12:27:51 AM

It is early on a Sunday morning in Paris. Not many people are out walking; few cars are on the streets; and tables are not ready at neighborhood cafés. Around the corner, I see café chairs still stacked up high, wet with morning dews. Within a couple of hours, the same scene will look entirely different, with people starting to fill the sidewalks and cars coming and going from all directions. And waiters from this cafe will busily set up tables for customers soon. If it gets sunny, yellow umbrellas will provide nice shades. Years ago I stayed at a [...]