Category Archives: Oil Paintings

Northern California Coast

May

2015

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Oil Painting of Friends on the Beach in Mendocino - by Pat Meier-Johnson

Friends on the Beach – Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson 11 x 14 on Linen Panel

There’s nothing like a girls weekend.

With our husbands minding the fort back home, four of us went up to Mendocino to enjoy the beauty of the northern California coast.
From left to right, Stephanie, Mary and Judy. The light was perfect as we explored a beach below the highway near our vacation rental. All three ladies and I are members of Impact100 Sonoma, a women’s giving circle that does great things in the Sonoma Valley. This organization not only helps non-profits but builds wonderful friendships. This weekend was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and some great hiking.

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Also posted in Landscapes, Uncategorized, Wine Country Art Tagged coastal art, landscape, Mendocino, Oil Paintings, painting of women |

Marin Open Studios

May

2015

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Pat Meier-Johnson exhibits her oil paintings at the Marin Society of Artists

Pat at Marin Open Studios 2015 (photo by Lynn Tompkins)

What an exciting couple of weekends! It was time for the 2015 Marin Society of Artists’ group exhibit at the Ross Art and Garden Center, part of Marin Open Studios. What started out as a relatively slow first day continued to grow and by Sunday of the second weekend, (Mothers Day) the gallery was full of people looking at the works of some 15 local artists…including me. Thank you to all my friends who came by throughout the two weekends.

The preparations for this exhibition began much earlier. I had to select the paintings I wanted to include and finish my three New York City urban paintings. Then I had to frame them all. I even built a frame for one of the very odd-sized ones like the 10″ x 30″ View from Keller Estate. (Yes, I bought a mitre box and saw, clamps, furniture glue, and pine trim and made a fine frame that went so nicely with the earth tones of that Sonoma painting.) Russ printed some great giclees and prints of my paintings that I matted and inserted into plastic bags. Thank you Russ!

Judy Theo, our friend who used to own Wolf Gallery here in Sonoma, came over and gave me some great tips on working art shows and what sells and why. My friend and neighbor, Connie Parker helped me lay out the show on the garage floor where I had taped out two 4 x 8 areas. She laid out the paintings in a such as way that they really worked together. I took pictures and oh, did that help when the time came to hang the show!

I’ll say one thing, my background in setting up trade shows came in handy. I had everything from breath mints to wire cutters, my handy labeling machine, even a change of shoes.

Saturday morning, 11am, the doors opened. A few people came in, largely locals and friends of the artists, including my friends. Then, after lunch, a swarm. Then another. I sold two paintings. Originals. No one ever told me that it would be hard to part with a painting, but these were my two best pieces. (Does one get visitation rights?)

Some friends stopped by late Sunday and bought two paintings that will be featured art in their newly purchased wine country vacation rental home. I was so thrilled and can’t wait to see them when they have their open house.

I find it very interesting to see what people are attracted to. A lovely family came by on Sunday and both father and daughter immediately chose my View from Keller Estate and Sebastiani Vineyard paintings, one for each of their houses. Others loved the edgy urban scenes. Still others were drawn to the flowers. Several people pointed out something that I had never verbalized. My colors are “juicy” and the images are “happy”. I take that as big compliments and if my paintings put a smile on someone’s face, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do since I was a little girl at my artist grandfather’s knee, watching him take such pleasure in painting.

The Same Pear Cool and Warm
Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson
11 x 14 on canvas

View from Keller Estate Oil Painting by Pat Meier-John son

View from Keller Estate, Sonoma
Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson
10 x 30 on canvas

Sebastiani Vineyard by Pat Meier-Johnson 16 x 20 oil painting on canvas

Sebastiani Vineyard Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson 16 x 20 on canvas

Beautiful Fall Flowers Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson

Fall Flowers – Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson 11 x 14 on Linen Panel 2014

Oil Painting of unexpected spring snow in New York by Pat Meier-Johnson Spring Snow Central Park 2015

Spring Snow Central Park New York Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson 11 x 14 on Linen Panel

Cow Talk
Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson
16 x 20 on Linen Panel

Highway One Near Jenner Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson 16 x 20 on Linen Panel

Cakebread Vineyard at Dawn
Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson
8 x 10 on Linen Panel

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Also posted in Articles, Exibits, Landscapes, Small Works, Still Lifes, Uncategorized, Wine Country Art Tagged East Coast painting, Oil Paintings, Pat Meier-Johnson, Plein Aire, Sonoma wine country |

Napa Earthquake Inspires Oil Painting

Dec

2014

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August 24 Napa – Oil Painting based on Napa Earthquake 22 x 28 by Pat Meier-Johnson

When you live in California you become accustomed to earthquakes, but the 6.0 Napa Earthquake August 24, 2014 had a profound effect on me, shaking me out of a deep sleep to be helpless to the rumbling, twisting and bizarre flashing earthquake lights or EQL . A week or so later Russ and I drove over the hill from our Sonoma home to downtown Napa. We

Building damaged in Napa earthquake

saw the damage and I was particularly moved by one building that seemed gouged out by the quake, revealing its innards, sheet rock, wood beams, insulation, laid bare to the sky. The image haunted me. Little did I know at that time that I would paint an abstract of this building to help raise funds for art and for earthquake recovery.

A couple of months after the quake I took a six-session class associated with the recent Realism exhibition at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, taught by Jean Prominski, executive director of ARTescape (more about that further down). Each class taught us to look at reality in a different way and one session involved making our own mirror kaleidoscopes and photographing the museum through it. It made me think of the disorientation and the buildings and lives fractured by the recent Napa disaster. So I focused my kaleidoscope on the exposed infrastructure the downtown Napa building and used it to inspire my painting, “August 24 – Napa”.

“August 24 – Napa” goes on display for sale today December 7, 2014 and half the proceeds go to Napa Valley Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund http://napavalleycf.org/ and half to ARTescape http://artescapesonoma.com/, a Sonoma Valley program providing affordable and accessible creative opportunities on the visual arts to the diverse population of the Sonoma Valley community. Bids may be made in person, over the phone 707-938-5551 or by email.

“Kaleidoscope”, the name of the show where this oil painting is on display also features photographs from the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art class by Suzanne Brangham, Susan Bundschu, Kay Maynard, Connie Parker, Suzanne Phillips, Jean Prominski, Jan Rafferty and Francina Richardson and me, ranging from the keys of the grand piano in the museum to the washboard pattern of the rolling garage door that leads to the museum classroom. The works will be on display December 7, 2014 – January 12, 2015 at ARTescape, 17474 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma www.artescape.com .

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Also posted in Landscapes, Uncategorized, Wine Country Art Tagged abstract, art, Napa Earthquake, Oil Paintings |

Fall Flowers

Nov

2014

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Fall Flowers by Pat Meier-Johnson 16 x 20 Oil Painting on Linen Panel

I love this time of year….Yes, I say that every day. But truly, there’s nothing like fall colors, so painting this arrangement of leaves and blooms was particularly enjoyable. It’s nice to have a setup that keeps the light consistent. And because of the light and subject matter, I can dig into my oil paints as they come out of the tube, bright and unabashed.

It’s too bad that the fall colors last only a few weeks. In fact we are expecting rain tonight that will likely knock the remaining bright leaves off the trees. Soon we will have the duller darker colors of winter and I may have to go to the snow country to get some cheerful subject matter.

In the studio painting Fall Flowers

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Also posted in Still Lifes, Uncategorized, Wine Country Art Tagged Fall Flowers |

Marin Marshland

Nov

2014

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Marin wetlands by Pat Meier-Johnson 8 x 10 oil painting on canvas

Marin Marshlands by Pat Meier-Johnson 8 x 10 oil painting on canvas

I enjoy the trail that takes us through Marin County wetlands. In the fall the grasses and algae take on a ruddy hue. The walk behind McInnis Golf Course takes one deep into the Marin wetlands where long-legged birds pick their way through mud at low tide, searching for tasty nibbles.

Hard to believe that many years ago during the Cold War the peace of this area was shattered regularly by sonic booms, probably from nearby Hamilton Airforce Base. Now, the thwack of a well-driven golf ball can barely be heard as we wandered out toward the San Francisco Bay.

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Also posted in Landscapes, Small Works, Uncategorized Tagged Marin wetlands, McInnis Golf Course, Oil Paintings |

Into the Pot

Nov

2014

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Into the Pot – Oil Painting of Soup Pot and Vegetables by Pat Meier-Johnson

If I had to choose a favorite time of year, it would be fall. The nip in the air, the soft warm clothes, fireplace nights next to my honey, and comfort food.

I painted this still life of a soup pot and vegetables a couple of weeks ago. As expected, the hot spotlight started to warm the veggies and a faint whiff of onion hovered around the studio. I became quite enamored with choosing the right colors to create the sheen of the metal of the pot and wish my own cookware looked that good.

Well last night was the first night for my fleece blanket and as I look out my second story window this afternoon I can see the bright liquid amber tree a block away. The painting of “Into the Pot” inspired me enough that I went to the store the other day to buy some legumes that will soon warm our insides some chilly evening soon.

Soup’s on.

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Also posted in Still Lifes, Uncategorized Tagged fall vegetables, food art, soup painting |

Highway One Near Jenner California

Oct

2014

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View of the Northern California coastline from Highway One near Jenner – Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson

One of our very favorite places for romantic getaways: the Northern California coast just above where the Russian River spills into the Pacific Ocean. My birthday is just around the corner and Russ suggested we head out there again. I never grow tired of it. The light is different every time of the year and with clear weather ahead for next weekend I can’t wait to see the coastline bathed in autumn light.

Some people say California is too dry, and certainly with the drought this is no laughing matter. But I do like the silvery grasses with feathery tops that catch the wind and reflect back in whites, lavenders, frosty greens, and gold as the sun prepares to go to sleep. Typically by this point in the day we are heading to the open pit fireplace to enjoy a bottle of good wine and some nibbles at the Timber Cove Lodge, right near where this picture was painted.

On one occasion when we stayed at the lodge we stopped at Korbel Winery first on the way to the coast, picked up some sparkling wine and chunks of sinfully good salami that we couldn’t finish (though we gave it a good try). We returned to our room after a lovely dinner, fell asleep to the sound of the ocean, leaving our deck door slightly ajar. In the middle of the night I thought I heard Russ rummaging around and called out to him, only to hear his voice in bed on my left. Well if that was Russ, who was that in our room. I switched on the light in time to see the greasy hasty footprints and furry hindquarter of a local raccoon who obviously made off with the last of our salami. Maybe I should paint the raccoon next time.

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Also posted in Landscapes, Uncategorized, Wine Country Art Tagged California Coast, HIghway One, Jenner, Pacific Coast, Russian River |

Kerala Beach in India

Sep

2014

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Kerala Beach India – Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson (Original NFS)

My husband Russ and I went to India several years ago and loved the colors and atmosphere of Kerala. We enjoyed touring the coastline and learning of its history as an important spice trading center of great interest to Portuguese and Dutch who left their indelible imprint on the region. We saw this scene from a bluff above the ocean. Locals wading in the surf looked like confetti. This was one of my favorite images and I finally painted it.

The late afternoon sun shone through the women’s saris and glanced off the calm waters. Mostly young families were enjoying the mild weather. We would love to revisit this area where we also enjoyed ayurvedic massage treatments and cruises down the Kerala canals in rice boats that had been turned into houseboats with our friends from Ibex Expeditions. Truly beautiful.

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Also posted in Landscapes Tagged India, Kerala, Malabar, Oil Paintings |

View of Mount Tamalpais from St Vincents in Marin

Aug

2014

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Here it is and there it went.

View of Mount Tamalpais from St Vincents Marin – Oil Painting by Pat Meier-Johnson
NFS

I painted this late summer afternoon picture of Mount Tamalpais to reflect the warmth of the northern Marin fields and the late hour of the afternoon. This was the view south from the eucalyptus-lined road leading up to the lovely St. Vincent’s School for Boys.

I remember this field fondly ever since I was a little girl and traveled up highway 101 with my brother, Bob, parents and grandparents, often for weekend kayak trips to Johnson’s Beach on the Russian River. I think I may go back there and paint a picture of the building itself and trees one of these days.

LATEST NEWS: I am so tickled because I brought the painting in to swap out with one in a group show and it sold immediately, even before it went on display!

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Also posted in Landscapes, Uncategorized

Plein Aire Painting in Marin County

Aug

2014

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This is my favorite time of year. No, let me rephrase that. I don’t really have a favorite time of year, but this is certainly the nicest time to be outside painting.

Plein Aire painting at St. Vincent's School for Boys in San Rafael, California

Plein Aire painting on a Friday afternoon in August at St. Vincent’s School for Boys

My instructor, Carol Smith Myer, offers Plein Aire classes on Fridays, choosing a different location each time. This time she chose St. Vincent’s School for Boys in northern San Rafael, in Marin County, California.

We set up our easels and during the course of a couple of hours painted the landscape. (Actually hoping some cows would make their regular appearance around 4pm but they took a different route, it appeared.)

The thing I love about painting is the way colors, highlights and shadows make themselves known the longer I look at something, be it a flower, a field or a form. And light changes too, warming colors, cooling them, lengthening or shortening shadows. It changes constantly. And that’s magic.

I’m putting the finishing touches on this painting and will post it in the next day or two.

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Also posted in Landscapes Tagged Marin County, Oil Paintings, Plein Aire |

Pat Meier-Johnson

Category Archives: Oil Paintings

Northern California Coast

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Marin Open Studios

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Napa Earthquake Inspires Oil Painting

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Fall Flowers

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Marin Marshland

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Into the Pot

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Highway One Near Jenner California

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Kerala Beach in India

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View of Mount Tamalpais from St Vincents in Marin

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Plein Aire Painting in Marin County

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