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:
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:
Wishing you a happy summer!
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.
I wish you much rest and a peace-filled summer.
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.
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.
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.
Wishing you much health and happiness this year.
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.
Vintage Home Napa Valley, Shoppe Amber Interiors and Chateau Sonoma are shown here, as they each uniquely excel at helping to create a welcoming home for the holidays.
Last weekend, an article in the Wall Street Journal relates how “The Stagecraft of Holiday Dining Matters as Much as the Food”:
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These seed packets have been created and donated to the community by my Sonoma Nature Journal Club, with the help of Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance mentors and mentees, as well as the support of specialty food company Sonoma Syrup Co. As local professionals who help clients with homes, gardens, families and food, we hope that you will call upon us if we can assist you in any way. Visit us on Instagram: @artofleisuresonomanapa, @sonomasyrupco, @sonomamentoring.
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.
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.
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.
Happy Spring! As we begin this season of growth, I’d like to share a few ideas for a leisure weekend of rejuvenation and restorative wellness. In Sonoma and Napa Valleys, the abundance of rain this year has brought what we hope to be healthy vines as they emerge from their winters rest. Thus, this is a perfect time to step out and enjoy something new and special before the full excitement of this season is upon us.
The idea of rejuvenation and wellness is inspiring because it evokes renewal, an abundance of energy, and a sense of optimism. To experience this feeling, here are a few places that offer various forms of personal tranquility and serenity. From the visual to the experiential, these places and rituals allow the true feeling of rejuvenation to bubble to the surface naturally. From the simplest idea of a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a steaming washcloth in the morning, to visiting a spa-golf hospitality venue, or just maybe, up-close gazing at stars and planets at the most advanced observatory in the West . Whether inside or outdoors, a focus on rejuvenation and wellness is an element of the leisure lifestyle any day of the year. As always, I wish you many moments of ease and joy as you experience the Art of Leisure.
Beauty and Tranquility as expressed by International artist/photographers today:
Available at Scott Nichols Gallery, Sonoma Square. www.scottnicholsgallery.com
Sonoma Valley:
Napa Valley:
Retreats:
Regarding real estate, we are in a time of many questions and uncertainty. If you would like to know the facts, historical data, and trends that we are seeing for 2023, contact me for a Market Update that will help define today’s reality. Here are a few highlights as we peer into the future:
Overall, the mindset in real estate is evolving, as properties are taking longer to sell and buyers are in a less competitive environment. Every market is unique.
Recently, I visited a site in Healdsburg with new construction containing many of the elements of an Art of Leisure Home.
The property is the Mill District, and although quite different from a home in the country with land or in town, it does offer many desirable amenities to clients.
The interiors have clean lines, minimalist decor, and include some furnishings, including appliances and window coverings. This is a very move-in-ready property that is located close to the Healdsburg Plaza for entertainment and casual to gourmet dining.
I wanted to share this property with you as it is an example of the trend location, home condition, and amenities as we look towards the future.
It is my hope that you will enjoy a beautiful spring, and as always, please contact me anytime with questions or thoughts about the leisure lifestyle or the market which is adjusting quickly today.
Recently, I was visiting with a friend who has created an aromatherapy company in wine country and she brought to mind the importance of a restful nights sleep for one’s wellbeing. As this is an important part of the lifestyle within an Art of Leisure home, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you.
Home is our haven and our wellbeing is largely centered around the places at which we feel at home. This could be our own house or a well appointed resort or guest cottage. A large part of the welcoming and relaxing experience that we feel is the air or scent of a location. Carole Addison-Goyne from Nomad Botanicals has created a lovely business with this as their priority. In my own office, I use a lavender diffuser from Nomad Botanicals to enliven the air with a restful scent that reminds me of a trip to a monastery in Provence where monks grew acres and acres of lavender.
At times in which you seek a moment of ease, it is nice to remember that our sense of smell allows us to reach back to a pleasant moment or memory in an instant. This is an element of the wellness provided us by natural plants, which I find fascinating.
In Sonoma and Napa Valleys, with fall upon us, we are feeling the shorter days and longer nights. Along with the grapevines and land devoted to agriculture, we are grateful for the slightly slower pace. With all of my involvement in creating a home and environment that nurtures a sense of wellbeing, it was the luck of synchronicity that I noticed a recent discussion on the importance of sleep and relaxation on the TODAY Show, with Ariana Huffington and noted Harvard professor and sleep doctor Rebecca Robbins, author of “Secrets of Sleep“.
This seems to be a popular topic today, as Carole was asked to speak at the San Francisco Academy of Sciences’ Nighty Nightlife event under the stars.
A lovely older tree is an endless source of healing and airborne scents.
This picture of a very old tree reminds me of Forest Bathing which is receiving quite a lot of attention recently. Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, is a healing ritual originally from Japan. Spending time in nature, has been linked to both cognitive benefits, increase in mental health, and emotional wellbeing. This Japanese practice of taking in the forest with all the senses is truly a rewarding experience. A very interesting book on this subject is Forest Bathing by Dr. Qing Li, who is the chairman of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine and Associate Professor at the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo.
Plants can be both hardy and delicate. Accordingly, Nomad Botanicals shares three key areas of working with plants for health and wellbeing:
A bee roaming my neighborhood on a summer afternoon. Simply looking and smelling flowers or consuming honey can be healthy additions to our day.
As one of the more relaxing scents, lavender is abundant in Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Grown for both medicinal reasons and for landscaping. essential oils from plants such as lavender are at the heart of the mind, body and soul-soothing world of aromatherapy. It was interesting to be reminded that essential oils in plants are their organic method of communication with the environment around them. This is both to attract creatures, such as pollinating bees and butterflies, and to deter predators. How plant oils affect our mood and brain is an organic experience that has much to do with our past experiences and the influence of scent.
Towels are most always part of a wellness ritual. These are a few lovely thick white towels and a waffle robe which I saw recently at the Chateau Sonoma store on the Sonoma Plaza.
Another wonderful example of organic towels from the sustainable home decor shop JAK W in Sonoma, just off the Plaza. This style would be perfect for an outdoor shower as can be easily hung from a hook and dry in the breeze.
Alchemy Works is a newer store to Yountville which offers a number of very lovely products. Seen her on the shelf is their room spray which features notes of bergamot, vetiver, and sandalwood with hints of nutmeg and fresh geranium.
Cooking can offer its own form of aromatherapy as seen here at Alchemy Works in Yountville.
This bag and hat would be especially welcome on a leisure wander along a path in a forest or tree lined city street, shown at Alchemy Works.
Wishing you many moments of relaxation and beauty as you enjoy the Art of Leisure. Feel free to contact me anytime.
