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Fabulous People, Places and Pets

The cool of winter, the joy of the past and oncoming holiday’s with friends and loved ones, and the days beginning to brighten, bring me to share with you a few fabulous people with whom I have been chatting recently.  I’ve included a few lovely places and a few of the pets, both shelter dogs and dogs with homes, that I have been painting portraits of in the past few months.

With all of this, I hope to share a touch of the leisure lifestyle as lived in Sonoma and Napa Valleys.

Mustard in the Valley for an organic soil amendment.

 

Cool days in Napa Valley

 

Fresh persimmons picked amidst Sonoma late afternoon light at a friends house.

 

Pets, especially dogs have been a feature of this season.  Here are a few that have sat patiently with me as I painted their portraits of over the past year.

A beautiful Golden Retriever looking up at his favorite person

 

Two brothers saved from a hoarding situation by Family Dog Rescue in Sonoma.   As I sat with them, they clearly loved staying close together.

 

A beautiful Great Dane that was looking for a home.  She came to the shelter with two puppies; they all did find a new home.

 

A darling cat that heroically survived, in a home with a wonderful dog that is now her friend.

 

This is a dog with presence; she was a pleasure to paint.

 

A puppy looking for someone to adopt him; two young kids eventually did.  A joy to observe.

 

Quick painting of the German Shepard Penelope who was the highlight of my art show at Bartholomew Park last year.  She has been adopted–a beautiful outcome!

 

A simple portrait of a special dog looking up at me.

 

Dolly was at Pets Lifeline in Sonoma until she found a fabulous home.

 

 

Artist Highlight
Barbara White Perry 

The slower days of winter are the perfect time to wander around historic buildings in this beautiful area of our country, so filled with old buildings and their ever so interesting stories.  Artist Barbara White Perry has created a lovely book with individual drawings accompanied by brief histories of over 70 structures.  These noted buildings continue to stand tall though having weathered many seasons in these valleys.

It is so refreshing to look at and to relive a moments from the past in which these buildings were filled with life and activity.  You may purchase this book at Reader’s Books in Sonoma.

 

 

Music Highlight
Tanya Tompkins

A moment from the Valley of the Moon Music Festival 2025 outside at a location with this stunning building.

Valley of the Moon Music Festival: 12th Season
July 11–26, 2026 | Sonoma, CA
Tickets go on sale in April

This inspiring festival, in its 12th season, will return to Sonoma this summer.  Such an accomplished group of musicians of all ages, and the selection of pieces that they perform is beautiful!

Celloist Tanya Tompkins is the founder of this Classical and Romantic chamber music festival, which brings both the highest caliber of music to the Valley and is educational for young musicians.  Musicians perform on on period instruments.

When I last I spoke with Tanya this past February,  she was hopping on a plane to teach at The Julliard School of Music in New York, then off to organize a Salon performance at a private home, and plan the Valley of The Moon Music Festival.  This summer event is really not to be missed, as it brings to this area inspiring world class musicians and transformative music.

 

 

Please send me a note with any thoughts or comments on this overview.  Always love to hear from you.

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