AFTER THE HARVEST

                                         After the Harvest   Pastel |  6x12

Mid October in the Shenandoah Valley Wine Country near Plymouth, Ca finds the grapes harvested the leaves turning gold and starting to drop. There are always a few stragglers left behind. Thank goodness because these clusters of leftover grapes made the scene for me.  It was a perfect autumn day, a bit crisp and intermittent clouds.  After several hours of painting, our group retired to the tasting room where a few sips led to a few purchases and lots of laughter.  There are always beautiful places to paint, but at a vineyard with a winery, there's a bonus to the plein air experience!

Painting notes:  A lovely 9x12 piece of Wallis warm Belgian Mist was taped off to make a 6x12 painting because a recent order for 9x12 frames was misunderstood and I now have six 6x12 frames.  'Making lemonade', I decided it is a lovely size to add to my 'Little Gems' collection of small original pastels; not to mention, a great plein air size.  The 2:1 ratio makes for an almost panoramic view when the scene has a horizontal quality to it. Next I'll have to use it vertically!