"View from the Patio", 12x24, oil on panel, Lioness Cellars, Wineries in Temecula, vineyards, vineyard sunset, wine-tasting, Southern California vineyards, Maryanne Jacobsen fine art, grandchildren, hope and joy

"View from the Patio", 12x24, oil on panel

 Back in December of 2015, my very first grand-daughter was born. My son and daughter-in-law named her Zoey, which means "life" and indeed she was a beautiful lively child from her earliest days and continues to fill our hearts with great joy!

We traveled out to San Diego California to meet her and had a week and a half of pure bliss, enjoying this lovely new addition to our family, and spending time with our son and his wife.

While there, we took a road trip to beautiful Temecula, an hour or so drive from San Diego that took us through many rolling hills, small mountains and lovely vineyards. We decided to stop at Leoness Cellars  to see the sunset and enjoy a glass of Temecula wine.

As we sat on the patio in a beautiful setting and watched the sun sink lower in the sky, I could not help but count my blessings and marvel at the wonder of God's creation, both in baby Zoey and in my surroundings.

 My daughter-in-law smiled broadly, baby at her breast, as she enjoyed a rare glass of chardonnay- the first in many, many months since she had become pregnant.

The sun continued to descend and the sky looked as though it been dry-brushed with swatches of rose and yellow.

Almost five years later, I came upon the photos I had taken from the patio that day and decided that now, in the midst of a deadly pandemic, it would be helpful to concentrate on happier things and happier times, in the hope that there will be more memories to come that are just as sweet, and just as hopeful.

This painting is available for purchase. Please contact me at maryannejacobsen@aol.com for more info, and please visit my website at Maryanne Jacobsen Fine Art to see more of my work.

Thanks for visiting.

Who Let the Dogs out?, 8x10 , oil painting, Maryanne JAcobsen art, paintings of dogs, pugs, bull dogs, Wine-tasting, Santa Cruz, MJA Winerie, Canson paper pads for oils

"Who let the Dogs out?" ,8x10, oil sketch on Canson paper

On our way to Yosemite last year we stopped and had a wine-tasting at MJA Vineyards tasting room in   Santa Cruz. The fun and laid back atmosphere was perfect after a stressful drive !

While we were enjoying our tasting , we met a nice fellow from San Franscisco who was there with his two adorable dogs. We chatted and the dogs were a huge hit with everyone who came in, especially me! The owner gave me permission to photograph them and they did their best to hold still!

Last night I decided to try out my sample sheet of Canson paper panels for oil and acrylics that I rec'd in a gift bag at a Paint-Out recently. I chose the dogs for a quick study. The paper has a nice tooth and is sturdy enough to take a palette knife and even frame. The best part is that you don't get too attached to your work while you're painting because it is an inexpensive support. So I did this quick study in about an hour or so.

I'll definitely be buying more of these supports as I loved painting on it.

If you're ever in the Santa Cruz area and looking to relax, be sure to stop in at MJA's and enjoy a delightful and casual wine-tasting . And maybe you'll be lucky enough to meet Eda and her brother, too!