Lucky Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association

Don’t get me wrong—we have some lovely parks in Ohio, such as Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the North, and the lovely Hocking Hills in the South to name just a couple. But, what do we find in between our delightful parks? Umm…err…lots of flat farm land filled with corn and soybean fields, that’s what.

In contrast, here in central California my senses are on overload. Not only are the parks delightful, but everywhere I look there are amazing beaches, ocean cliffs, green mountains, abundant spring flowers, and, of course, lush farmland too!

MBPAPA members Suzanne Elliott and Michele LaMontagne Hausman were great hosts to this traveling painter today. Dave & I had already found our way to the beautiful and famous Point Lobos this morning, so in the afternoon they took me to Fort Ord National Conservancy where I had the pleasure of painting extraordinary fields of lupine. How lucky we are to be here during the two weeks they bloom each spring. Once again, it was a special pleasure getting to know a few more painters passionate about plein air.

Suzanne and Michele told me about From Field to Fork, the special fundraising project MBPAPA sponsored last year with with Natividad Medical Foundation to benefit the agricultural workers who make up eighty percent of the patients admitted to Natividad. Farmers opened their fields to the artists, who painted scenes documenting the local farming industry, and in return, artists donated half of the money raised from sale of their paintings. Participating MBPAPA members certainly learned a lot about the agribusiness while supporting a worthy cause. Bravo!