I resist letting go of Fall this time of year so yesterday while it was snowing outside my window  I was back in the desert, painting  Wilson Canyon  in Nevada,  remembering my hike with friends from a few days before. Sure is fun to be an artist, I can go wherever I want from my own studio.

                                                         Desert Vista pastel 12 x 24

Before Winter arrives 
and covers  all this beauty, 

October on the Carson pastel 11 x 14

Paintings for Fall  

October in the Marsh
pastel 5x7

October in the Valley
pastel 5 x 7

Steven's Peak November 2 pastel 5x7

Truckee River Afternoon pastel 14 x 18

October 28 , Hope Valley pastel 11 x 14

November Snow pastel 8 x 10

Approaching Storm pastel 22 x 28

Evening in the Marsh by Bonita Paulis selected as TAMC Sticker 5

Posted on August 13, 2011
Filed Under North Tahoe Art Scene, South Tahoe Art Scene
“Evening in the Marsh” shown here painted by South Lake Tahoe artist Bonita Paulis has been selected as the Tahoe Arts and Mountain Culture (TAMC) collectible sticker #5 for 2011.
Bonita’s romantic depiction of the Upper Truckee Marsh, the largest wetland habitat and watershed filtration system in the Lake Tahoe Basin, was painted one evening last summer.  Just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Highway 50, this special place represents our commitment to stewardship and is a welcome oasis for all of Lake Tahoe’s inhabitants.
Only 1,000 of the TAMC collectible stickers are available which can be found throughout Lake Tahoe and Truckee.

Living in Lake Tahoe for more than 25 years, Bonita says the Upper Truckee Marsh is a favorite subject to paint year round especially during the evenings when it comes to life with birds, and transforms into an intense shade of alpenglow.  The constant ebb and flow of wildlife and birds bring life to the marsh that is a daily miracle to witness, taking a lifetime to preserve.  Bonita’s lovely painting of this life giving refuge helps us all connect to this special place we call home.

“The meadow wetland was lush with flowers and wildlife. The colors were pure Tahoe Sierra saturated in blues, purples, yellows and greens. The warm pine-scented  air and the birdsong out there in the marsh was just lovely; calling me, once again.

This place is a favorite evening walk of mine, so close to home and the center of town, yet so wild in the middle of the city. I have seen bluebirds, pelicans, blue herons and every local variety of bird population frolicking in this magical marsh.” Bonita Paulis

You can read the entire article on the TAMC website http://www.tahoeculture.com/

Markleeville Plein Air Event ( Our First Annual) June 21 through June 25, 2011

Meadow Afternoon

Buttercups by the River SOLD

Early Spring SOLD

Markleeville Plein Air Event  ( First Annual)
June 21 through June 25, 2011
Come watch twelve Plein Air artists paint Markleeville and Alpine county with its beautiful vistas of mountains, lakes, rivers, valleys and cute quaint places like Markleeville and Hope Valley.  Artists and collector reception June 25 between 2 PM and 4 PM then grand opening of the Markleeville Art Gallery for showing of all the artwork done during the event. 
Artwork will be available for sale at the gallery until July 31, 2011. 
Reception tickets $20.  Space limited. Artist inlcude (so far) Charles Muench, Greg Drinkwine, Eric Holland, Lady Jill Muller, Don Fontine, Ray Freeman, Thaleia Georgiades, Bonita Paulis, Ron Schlorff.

PSWC 25th Pastels USA International Open Exhibition

I have a painting "SUMMER CLOUDS, HOPE VALLEY "  juried into the Pastel Society of the West Coast's 25th Pastels USA International Open Exhibition to be held at the Haggin Museum opening on April 24 and running through June 19 to be held at the 

Haggin Museum

 1201 N. Pershing Ave.

Stockton, Ca.

http://www.pswc.ws/
My painting was awarded the Margo Schulzke award, my first in a Pastels USA International show, quite an honor!

Blog Award surprise

I was just checking my stats and discovered this post, I won an award for my blog , didn't even know this site was out there http://www.onlinegraphicdesigndegree.com/features/painting-pastels/

2010 Los Gatos Plein Air Art Show & Auction

Just returned from the show, great weather, beautiful green hills everywhere, I sold all 4 of the paintings I entered in the event!!!   but forgot to take pics of 3 of them, the one above is "Shoreline Path" 11x14, painted on Thursday morning at the edge of Lexington Reservoir, just west of town. I have been juried into the 2010 Los Gatos Plein Air Art Show & Auction June 2-5 We will be painting around the town and area from Wednesday June 2 through Friday June 4, Friday evening will be the Gala Plein Air at California Cafe in Old Town Center and Saturday June 5 will be the art show and auction at Old Town Center 11:00 to 6:00. Los Gatos is a beautiful little Classic California Town in the Santa Cruz Mountains on the way to Santa Cruz.

The Best Of America Pastel Artists Book Volume 2

I have just received my copies of the new publication from Kennedy Publishing and Best of Artists, I have 3 images included in the second volume Artists K-Z pages 55 & 56, "Gigantic Beauty, Eucalyptus" 18x24  "Polished Water, Echo Lake" 19x25 and "Coral and Blue" 12 x 16.

"East of the Rain"

Before the snow flies here at Lake Tahoe, I will be taking one more trip to this area of Nevada,
 Wilson Canyon, east of Smith , west of Yerington. It's a wonderful area to hunt for rocks
 and the view is expansive.

Meiss Meadow /////// ////////// Upper Carson River Hope Valley, Ca.

          "River Glow 9x12

"High Sierra Summer" 16x20

Now that the the fall is coming on  with all it's glorious colors I decided to do a farewell to summer painting with this view of gorgeous Meiss meadow last July, it was a hot summer day and the flowers were still abundant, the sweet meadow grass smelled delicious and the afternoon  thunderclouds made their appearance. The other painting   "River Glow"  9x12   is of the Upper Carson Rver in Hope Valley, a warm fall afternoon, the lazy river glowing with late autumn colors

"Summer View to Lake Tahoe" pastel 11x14 above Meiss Meadow and Showers Lake

This is a view of far distant Lake Tahoe in mid-late summer from a ridge above Meiss Meadow and Showers Lake in the Carson Pass Area of the High Sierra. Although it was late in the summer, the high elevations were carpeted with wildflowers, the day was very hot and Showers Lake was a very refreshing lunch spot before our hike back up and out to where we parked at Schneider Cow Camp. SOLD

North Tahoe Plein Air 2009

soldsold

The Plein Air Event at Northstar at Tahoe was a lot of fun, great weather this year and lots of activity during the show and exhibit on Saturday and Sunday, With so many beautiful paintings created I was very honored to be one of the award winners and pleased to sell 3 of my 5 pieces during the show. Many thanks to the judges, Craig Mitchell, Paul Kratter and Zee Zee Mott, and to Lois and Andy Skaff again for all their hard work putting the event together.

soldsold

North Tahoe Plein Air 2009

The North Tahoe Plein Air show ( formerly Martis Valley Plein Air Show) is coming up soon, I and 37 other artists will be painting on location at various locations around North Tahoe from September 9-11. On Sept, 12 and 13 there will be a public exhibit , sale and painting demonstrations at the Village at Northstar Saturday 12-7 Sunday 11-4 On the same weekend as the Autumn Food and Wine Festival. From Sept 14-October 18 the exhibit moves to North Tahoe Arts 380 North Lake Blvd. Tahoe City. The painting on the left is a view of "Liv's Beach" on the east shore of Lake Tahoe near Logan Shoals which I did in oil pastel before Liv and I went for a kayak ride on the lake, beautiful day !

"Five Pines" 8x20 on a ridge above Diamond Valley "Red Rocks" 9x12

"Red Rocks"

"Five Pines"

"Hot Springs Trail" pastel 18x24

Early this summer or maybe late Spring I hiked with some friends to a hot springs on the Carson River, east of Diamond Valley and south of Markleville. A beautiful spot with improved pools and very private in the springtime because of the big river, no road on the west side, but probably accessible from an east side road in the fall with some wading. The springs were so hot that it took a long time to get in but then very soothing after the 5-6 mile hike, only problem was the long hike back out but all worth it. This painting is of the trail on the way back along the ridge above Diamond Valley.

2009 43rd Mother Lode National Art Exhibition

SOLD

 I  had 2 paintings accepted into the 43rd National Mother Lode Art Exhibition sponsored by the Placerville Arts Association , juried by Dan Petersen and to be held at the Placerville Shakespeare Club 2940 Bedford Ave. Placerville Ca. from August 16 through August 30,on the left " Red Autumn Willows" 16x20, on the right " Big White Pine" 18x24 This tree was a stop on a hike last summer, base is about 28 feet around and it is rumored to be one of the largest white pines in the Sierras, a real beauty

Summer at Lake Tahoe

Summer is here, warm weather, thunderstorms and beautiful sunsets.

"Southshore Sunset" pastel 11x14

"Storm Clouds Rising" pastel 11x14

"Full Moon Sunset" pastel 19x25

Rain, rain, rain, thunder, lightning, hail, the lake looks like the ocean coast, the far side obscured by clouds and covered with whitecaps and lapping waves on the near shore, thought an ocean scene would be appropriate, this is a site south of Pigeon Point Lighthouse on the California coast, south of Half Moon Bay California

Santa Cruz Art League 79th annual Statewide Exhibition "Irreplaceable Places; Contemporary Landscape Painters of California

I have had 2 paintings juried into the Santa Cruz Art League's 79th annual Statewide Exhibition entitled " Irreplaceable Places" Contemporary California Landscape Painters. Shown above they are "High Sierra Gem, Caples Lake 12x36 and Glacial Reflections, Roundtop Lake and 3 Sisters 18x24 the reception is Saturday June 6 from 3-5 pm at 526 Broadway in Santa Cruz and the exhibit runs from June 6-28. I also have found out that I have been juried into the North Tahoe Plein Air 2009. It was previously "Seasons of Martis" The judging will take place Saturday September 12 and the public sale and exhibit will run through Sunday, September 13th. It will be at The Village at Northstar again this year , at the same time as the Autumn Food and Wine Festival, and will have a continuing exhibit and sale at North Tahoe Arts in Tahoe City from September 14-October 18.

"Awakening Lake"

This is a view of Lake Tahoe seen from the East shore looking West on a late spring morning. Original painted in Pastel , giclee prints available: image size 8"x32" print paper size 12"x32" to fit in a standard size frame

"Autumn Reflections" 16x20 "High Sierra Lake" 16x20 "River Reflections" 8x20

Autumn colors along the Carson River in Hope Valley

High Summer in the Sierra Nevada 

End of Day in the Meadow, Upper Truckee Marsh

Late afternoon in the upper Truckee Marsh on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, pastel, 18x24 ; giclee prints available

New Acrylics from new area

I spent a couple of months in the beautiful area around Penticton B.C this last fall, while there I did a few

acrylic paintings, I really like using the new medium ( for me) and when I returned I did a couple of coast scenes (Crystal Springs Reservoir) , I love not having to frame under glass as I do with pastels and the wrap around canvasses make a really nice display.

Valhalla Provincial Park British Columbia Canada

Just returned from a trip up north, visited many areas of B.C. and topped it off with a stop at my sister's ranch in Eastern Washington, lots of fun, took the cows out for a walk. long story! and enjoyed the bountiful harvest of a late summer garden. This painting is entitled "Odin's Bath" in gorgeous Valhalla Park in the Slocan area.                                                                                                 

                                               

This is a view of  Seton Lake near Lillooet B.C.. from an earlier trip,  in early April, still cool but with the hint of spring called "April's Promise"  18x24

Blue Lakes Road paintout

Went for a drive today with Penny Shrawder and Dixie Murnane from Tahoe to scout out painting sites, only found one around every bend, what gorgeous country here, spring is bursting right now and the weather is fine, here are a few pics from our travels