west coast art + inspirations

gorgeous papers at flax in san francisco

my most recent trip to california was all about art + inspiration!

Lunch at Tartine Bakery in The Mission, San Francisco with the lovely Tiffany Moore, Beth Nicholls, Louise Gale, and Mati McDonough

i met these lovely and inspiring ladies for the very first time and we chatted and enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Tartine Bakery!

i spent lots of time admiring these fabulous papers and got inspired to add flocking powder to a few new paintings to get that incredible look of velvet!

even with a bit of rain, i took lots of walks...

and really enjoyed the like-springtime flowers.

i found some of my favorite things...watermelon juice, homemade granola bars with dried figs and apricots and the perfect macchiato!

then i headed to an artful journey in los gatos! 

and i so admired the lovely orange trees,

palm trees, 

moss-covered trees...

and even the fog.

after a three day painting workshop with jesse reno...

and lots of art with some seriously amazing ladies...

beth, louise and i headed down the coast on hwy 1!

the sun was out in carmel, california

and i spent lots of afternoons overlooking the ocean...

and eating fabulous food at nepenthe...

and the adorable big sur inn.

i just couldn't resist the blooming magnolias,

orchids!

anything outdoors, really...

especially the redwoods in julie pfeiffer burns state park (big sur).

and after more flowers, 

fabulous food,

and nature walks...

i headed back to wisconsin and feel like i've been painting and so inspired ever since!

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mindy and danielle have some gorgeous photos from class too!

i am so incredibly grateful, grateful to everyone who has already signed up for my HOW TO PAINT AN OWL E-course! i can't wait to see all of the amazing owls everyone creates! 

the Early Bird Sale ends Monday!