The weather is cool in Sonoma & Napa Valleys, with rain and rest for the vines + land. It has been a great pleasure for me this year to sit with a number of shelter animals, and see them find new homes. Here are just a few:
Sadie is a beautiful dog who came to the shelter in a basket with young, homeless puppies. Family Dog Rescue shelter in Sonoma was able to find homes for the other puppies, yet this lovely dog lingered. She has since found a loving home.
This little dog is named Chester and is so curious. He was new to the shelter when I painted him and found a home rather quickly.
A wonderful dog of whom I had the pleasure of painting a private portrait.
This fall, I am excited to share that the beautiful NO|MA House Cafe & Collective in Saint Helena now carries my shelter pet cards. No|Ma House is both a store and cafe in a beautiful building with exceptional gardens, a valuable addition to the town of Saint Helena in Napa Valley.
In the early spring of 2020, a few local ladies and I created a women’s group in Sonoma. Now, 4+ years later, ladies from the counties of Sonoma, Napa, Marin and San Francisco gather once a month to pause for a moment, share thoughts, and learn from inspiring people. We have lunch and listen to a leader from an exciting field who shares that which is exceptional with us.Today, I’d like to recognize and thank the speakers from this past year. Their words brought us each to a new level of understanding about something important.
Here is a brief overview of those who inspired us this year, and that about which they are passionate:
Today, to celebrate this month that marks our Independence Day, I wanted to share a few recent pet portraits. Here is a puppy who really did wear a red-white-and blue scarf around his neck:
This young great Pyrenees is bursting with lots of personality and a desire to protect and herd goats and sheep in Colorado. He is a dog with purpose in his life, which is always refreshing to paint.
A darling French bulldog puppy with a new home in North Carolina.
Delivering two paintings to a client in Napa. These will be gifts for her children who have new homes and new children. Such an honor to create these mementos.
A very curious and aware border collie. The painting hangs in the owner’s home; they feel that I “really caught her personality.”
This is a pet who lived a very long and full life, here enjoying a day in the grass with a few daisies.
Most of these Pet Portraits are 11 x 14 inches. For this dog, in an effort to capture his personality, I created two paintings, this is larger at 3 x 4 foot .
A handsome dog who was named after Charles A Lindbergh. The client is an avid pilot and aviator.
A treasured companion to a Sonoma shop owner. This gorgeous English bulldog roams the store, greeting everyone with ease.
At times, my paintings are delivered framed in one of these custom wood frames. This gentle, handsome guy is a beautiful golden doodle. The client says, “He is such a sweet dog and it comes across in the painting.”
A handsome puppy at Pet’s Lifeline, dog rescue shelter in Sonoma. He was adopted.
This special border collie had a broken front right paw and completely touched my heart. He was adopted before I was able to raise very much money to help fund his paw operation at Family Dog Rescue, Sonoma.
This very spunky dog kept me busy as he moved constantly and with such grace. The painting was created en Plein Air very quickly to accommodate the wonderful energy he had. He was adopted.
A larger painting that I created for Family Dog Rescue in Sonoma to help add ambiance to their annual fundraiser. The dog is deaf and truly wonderful. At the time of this painting, he had not been adopted yet.
On a different note, in my effort to learn and understand form, I recently completed a figure sculpture class. This was a part of my Fine Arts degree; here is a first try at sculpting a head:
Two paintings at their new homes: a ranch and a custom built luxury house.
During late spring-early summer in Sonoma and Napa Valleys, we rejoice in the warmth of the sunshine and step into the vineyards or onto a path for a walk. Winter has passed, our gardens are full with roses, and the air is fresh and clean.
This year, to celebrate those who work to help animals, four of my paintings will be going to auction in Napa Valley at the Jameson Humane animal rescue Wineapawlooza event.
My visit to the Jameson Humane ranch earlier this spring inspired me to paint their beautiful animals en plein air. I hope that you are able to participate in this auction, which will be filled with exquisite wine and will help provide them the ability to support thousands of animals each year.
Here are my paintings.
Resting from left: Delilah, Duke, Willy, Tulip, Poppy
This was a special moment at the ranch; the pigs were in the shed dozing, Willy the cow sauntered over, laying his large body down with the pigs with ease. Everyone was fully accepting of the closeness; only a few slight adjustments needed to accommodate this new form. The others, too large for the shed, lowered themselves to the earth, gently melting into the warm afternoon light.
WHY
Jameson Humane co-founder Monica Stevens was my inspiration for these paintings of some of their rescued residents. It was my hope that I could portray, on canvas with oil paint, some of the compassion and caring that she, the staff, and the volunteers shower onto these rescued animals each day.
What I saw on my first visit to the ranch were cows living in harmony with pigs, and sheep wandering casually in their paddock–unique personalities and relationships between very large and very small animals. There was a spirit of grace in the air that had to come to these creatures after troubled times past.
Each pair of eyes revealed curiosity when I looked closely at them, and each in turn looked closely at me. They moved nearer to me, such that I could fully see them; hopefully you may visit them here as well, resting in peaceful companionship.
Each canvas were painted at the ranch using 100% cotton on wood stretcher bars. The frames were custom made for me of the highest quality wood by a framer. Similar frames can be found in museums worldwide. All supplies are completely vegan.
Please visit me at Arader Galleries on Main Street in Saint Helena. On weekends, you will find me amongst the maps, Audubon’s, and glorious art pieces depicting animals, birds, maps, architectural drawings, botanicals and much more.
As we celebrate our fourth year of gifting butterfly & hummingbird garden seeds to the community, I’d like to share my recent visit to the home and garden of my collaborator on this project, Karin Campion Mattoon, as well as my own home in Sonoma.
Karin & I dreamed up this idea in the middle of the pandemic when spirits were low, and business was slow. We harnessed our resources and engaged the mentors and mentees at the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance to help with this meaningful project. Our focus remains beauty, life, joy, and the importance of collaboration for the pollinators on our planet.
Today, we are grateful to the many local business’s who have joined us in sharing these gifts with their clients and friends. We are part of a greater movement to support butterflies and hummingbirds. I understand that the Monarch butterfly count has increased substantially across the nation.
Planting new seeds in 2024, surrounded by the flowers from 2021 planting.
Art of Leisure Butterfly & Hummingbird Seed Gift Businesses • 2024
Sign of The Bear
Café Mac
Summer Vine
Prohibition Spirits Distillery
Sonoma Country Antiques
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
MacArthur Place Hotel
Refill Madness
Caddis Winery
Baker & Cook
Off Broadway Cleaners
Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
Woof
Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers Market
Plain Jane’s
Oak Hill Farm
Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance
Edward Jones, Lindsey Stone Sonoma Syrup Co. Scott Nichols Gallery Readers Books Eraldi’s Men’s Wear & Shoes The Loop Sonoma Potter Green & Company Vintage House Chateau Sonoma Half-Pint Tiddle E. Winks Artefact Design & Salvage Wine Country Garden Center Sonoma Mission Gardens Jak-W Valley Swim Club Williams-Sonoma, Sonoma The Sonoma School of Martial Arts
Cafe La Haye
The Olive Press
Cline Cellars
This year, for a limited time, locally owned Sonoma Mission Gardens is offering a sample of an organic product to help the seeds to start their growth, and Wine Country Garden Center is offering a sample of an organic product to support healthy flower growth. These complimentary samples will be available after April 16th; visit each nursery to pick up your sample and to inquire about additional tips for planting success.
Porches are so valuable in a home where you may enjoy the day or evening surrounded by gardens endlessly changing activity and beauty.Entering the home, we see a dining table waiting to display vases filled with colorful cuttings from the garden.
Art of Leisure & Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
A lovely setting with abundant flowers at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, awaiting guests and the Spring Garden workshop.
In addition to the businesses participating in the seed giveaway, we are honored to collaborate with historic Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa as they celebrate Earth Day on April 19th with a Spring Garden workshop, creating sustainable hummingbird and butterfly gardens using our curated seed packets and garden pots. Gathered on the South Lawn at Fairmont Sonoma, you will learn more about these beautiful creatures and the importance of flowers as a food source for pollinators. Enjoy delicious tea featuring Sonoma Syrup Co. and made with nature’s freshest herbs while you assemble your own personal garden.
Saturday, April 19th, 3: pm, $35 per person (one garden box per family of 4). You may view the program and purchase a ticket at their website here.
As we begin the new year, it is a special time to pause, take a moment to enjoy a sunset, share something delicious with a friend, read a great novel, or maybe pop open a special bottle of sparkling wine for the simplest of reasons. I share with you a few very special places in Sonoma and Napa Valley to accompany you on this journey to rejuvenation.
The quiet waters of Tomales Bay as seen from the boat landing at Nick’s Cove. This bay is located along the coast just west of Sonoma and Napa Valley.
Bayside cottages are available to rent on the water. The soothing sound of small, gentle waves under your deck can help to renew body and uplift spirits.
This painting by artist Kirsten Tradowsky who is represented by Maybaum Gallery in San Francisco reminds us to consider exploring new horizons.
Sigh in Sonoma is an especially bright and fun spot. A wonderful place to stop by anytime to sip champagne or celebrate an occasion.
Both sparkling wine and champagne are served by the glass amongst inspiring quotes of notables from around the globe.
With Valentine’s Day coming soon, thought that you would like to know of this boutique baking business in Napa Valley. Taart specializes in homemade desserts made with heart using recipes from family history.
This cake is a Fraise a la Rose, strawberry cake with aromas of rose, vanilla and cream. Something sweet and beautiful which could also be the perfect hostess gift!
A plate of chocolate Saucisson au Chocolat, classic dessert served in many countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. Each nationality adjusts the recipe adding a liqueur of preference. The chocolate is mixed with toasted nuts and rolled in a cylindrical shape resembling a sausage. It is served after a meal or along with a cheese board.
And to finish, a simple slice of cake in the afternoon is always welcome. This Coconut Dream Birthday Cake has four layers and is inspired by a perfect snow day. A small detail is that the sponge cake is lightly soaked in rum, then filled with coconut pudding and vanilla icing.
In my leisure time, it is always a pleasure to paint the animals of Sonoma and Napa Valley. This is a dog named Moose who is at the Family Dog Rescue animal shelter in Sonoma. He is a kind & beautiful dog looking for a new home.
Late fall-early winter in wine country, we begin to rest and celebrate the year past, holidays of the season, and hope for the days to come.
Here are a few favorite shops filled with thoughtfully selected basics to bring warmth and joy into your home for the holidays this season. These well curated offerings speak to the idea of a pause, how to incorporate nature, and bringing forth the warmth that is so welcoming as we embrace home this time of the year in Sonoma and Napa Valleys.
At this time of year, we very much appreciate the cooler days and evenings; it is always a celebration when the vines are at rest. There is a beautiful ease about the slope of the land, with the orderly march of the vines welcoming the winter rain ahead. As we are a partially agrarian society, the combination of nature, authentic materials, and heirloom pieces are essential for a timeless feel in the home.
“Setting, atmosphere and the little familiar objects particular to each family are what make this time of year such a distinctive comfort and joy.” Bee Wilson, December 16th, 2023.
A very timely read, it reminds us that it is the little things that make a big difference, whether while decorating or dining.
I just love the way this store brings the season forth from floor to ceiling.
At Shoppe Amber Interiors we see the most basic, high quality, elements for a home, to include books, furniture linens and art.
A simple, larger pattern, on a footstool can add just a touch of brightness to a room.
Linens and candles are an important part of the warmth of the season.
This relaxing bed ensemble speaks to the peaceful rest which is so desired. The artful combination of textures, pattern, and neutral tones help to create an atmosphere of ease.
At Chateau Sonoma we see the lovely combination of organic materials, animals, plus antiques, to create this inviting table decoration.
Illuminating the darkness, music is such an important part of the holidays.
Recently, I visited the San Francisco Symphony to hear Handel’s Messiah, a holiday tradition around the world since its 1742 Dublin premiere.
Wishing you and your family a most joyous holiday season this year. For an update on the national real estate market, please visit our Market Watch page.
It is late summer, and the days are sunny and warm. As we approach the September holiday weekend, I’d like to share a few resources for your summer gatherings at home. The following is a peek into the shop Sue Fisher King in San Francisco. It’s an inspiring store with many unique home goods, quite a number handmade. They also have a comprehensive website for last minute ordering.
This collection of beautiful white dishes would be welcome on most any table in Wine Country or beyond.
Lovely place settings with a light, summer feeling, using white dishes and a natural themed tablecloth.
Colorful artisan glass tumblers can add a spark of fun to brighten your home, inside or out.
These handmade placemats and dishes are really quite special, perfect for summer gatherings or celebrations.
For many years I have visited this store, and Sue Fisher King now supports my Shelter Pet Card project, so I am especially grateful. Wishing you and all with whom you may gather on this coming holiday an abundance of health, happiness, and wonderful moments.
Art of Leisure has always been circling around home and the leisure lifestyle in Sonoma and Napa Valley. This naturally includes the physical structure of a home, the spirit of its occupants including pets, surrounding gardens, and the thriving wine country community. Below, you will see my oil paintings of pets, very much a part of a healthy and happy home life. Our four footed friends are an important element of our lives, as noted by artists and authors over the centuries.
For many years, I have endeavored to help the shelter pet community. Many afternoons, I would visit the shelter, sit with an animal, paint a plein air painting of it and share a print with the person who eventually gave it a new home. This practice developed into the creation of my Shelter Pet Cards, sold at such shops as:
Now I am bringing this service to those who would like to memorialize a moment in their and their pet’s life. Hopefully, a delightful, happy occasion in which I can help bring your pet to life in a pet portrait painting.
Bring Beauty to Your Home this Spring with a Butterfly & Hummingbird Flower Garden
As we welcome Spring this beautiful year of 2023, I’d like to share with you a community outreach butterfly & hummingbird seed distribution program created just in time for Spring planting and the celebration of Earth Day.
Gardens are an important part of a home here in the Sonoma Valley and beyond. My friends and I invite you to enliven yours with a gift of seeds to create beauty and abundance around you. These high quality seeds have been specially curated to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Both butterflies and these tiny, lovely birds are treasured contributors to our larger ecosystem. Whether in a personal garden or expansive field, they bring inspiring charm and joy into our lives.
The seed gift packets will be gifted to the community during the week before Earth Day 2023 at the local businesses listed below, located throughout Sonoma County. It is our hope that recipients will plant these seeds in their pollinator gardens in the spirit of celebration for Spring and our Mother Earth. Each gift will contain a mix of seeds ready for planting that will bloom into glorious flowers. These seeds are appropriate for a wide number of garden zones across the United States.
Included with the seed packets will be an information sheet with complete list of the flower varieties and simple planting guidelines.
Gifts will be dropped off at Sonoma businesses on April 20th. The community can stop by one of the following participating locations to pick up a Butterfly & Hummingbird seed packet from the 20th through the 29th of April.
Art of Leisure, Brenda McNeill, Coldwell Banker Brokers of The Valley
Scott Nichols Gallery
Readers Books
Eraldi’s Mens Wear & Shoes
The Loop
Potter Green & Company
Vintage House
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Chateau Sonoma
Bartholomew Estate Winery
Half-Pint
Tiddle E. Winks
Artefact Design & Salvage
Wine Country Gardens
Café La Haye
Art of Leisure & Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
A lovely setting with abundant flowers at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, awaiting guests and the Spring Garden workshop.
In addition to the businesses participating in the seed giveaway, we are honored to collaborate with historic Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa as they celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd with a Spring Garden workshop, creating sustainable hummingbird and butterfly gardens using our curated seed packets and recycled wine boxes.
Learn more about these elegant creatures and the importance of flowers as a food source for pollinators. Enjoy delicious hot tea made with fresh herbs while you assemble your own personal garden, and linger afterwards for live music and elevated street food from CaliForno, Fairmont Sonoma’s signature food truck. Tickets include all of the materials needed to craft your unique garden box. If you are unable to take a box home with you, a seed packet will be provided for you to plant your own garden at home.
Saturday, April 22nd, 3:30pm – 5:00pm, $35 per person. You may view the program and purchase a ticket at their website here.
Mentor and mentee work together to create seed gifts for the community.
Wherever you call home, it is my hope that you may find time to plant lots of flowers this Spring.
And, whether you are renovating a home or relaxing with a hobby, that you may enjoy the Art of Leisure. Wishing you a beautiful Spring. If you would like more information on this project, please feel free to give me a call.
As we celebrate our fourth year of gifting butterfly & hummingbird garden seeds to the community, I’d like to share my recent visit to the home and garden of my collaborator on this project, Karin Campion Mattoon, as well as my own home in Sonoma.
