A collection of stories, thoughts and good vibes from my back porch

Napa Valley, CA is in my work territory, and I get to travel there periodically. As often as I can, I love to stop and enjoy part of the afternoon driving through or stopping at one of the vineyards, enjoy  a glass of wine, and spend a few minutes sketching or painting. One beautiful May afternoon, I found myself with a few hours after work to enjoy some sunshine, and one of the vineyards I drive by all the time was still open, so I decided to stop and try to do a quick oil sketch.

I always travel with a small watercolor kit, but on this occasion, I had a small pochade box with oils and a couple of 5x7" panels. I can pack it in my check-in luggage, and carry it with me in my backpack when I'm on the ground. So I pulled into the vineyard, used the bathroom to do a quick change of clothes, and entered the lobby for directions. So there I was at the tour desk, wearing blue jeans, a black pullover, and a black newsboy hat, carrying a black backpack, and the young girl behind the counter asked me if I wanted a tour. That's when the fun started...

Girl: Did you want to take the tour?

Me: No. I really just came to get a glass of wine and find a place to sit so I can paint one of your olive trees.

Girl: (Deer in the headlights look...) I don't think you can do that!

Me: Really? I just want to get a glass of wine, and find an olive tree I can paint.

Girl: (Now getting alarmed) Let me find my supervisor and ask.

She proceeded to make several calls, trying to find Louis. Louis is nowhere to be found.

Girl: I can't find him, but I don't think we can permit that.

Me: Nevermind, I'll just find a tree in the parking lot and paint one of those.

Girl: No, you can't do that. 

(I'm thinking, what kind of weird law does California have to keep an artist from painting a tree? Do I need a permit?)

Me: Can I take a picture of one?

Girl: Yes, you can do that. 

Me: Well, I'm going to take a long exposure picture with this paint brush and put it onto this canvas with some paint.

Girl: (Deer in the headlights look again)

Me: I'm an artist, and I want to paint a tree on this canvas. 

Girl: (Light bulb comes on) Oh! Well you can do THAT....

Yes, I got my glass of wine, and painted this dandy tree. (With a brush on canvas)

"Olive Tree, Mondavi Vineyard, Napa, CA"

Oil on Canvas panel, 5x7"

©2015 Pauly Tamez Art