by Ellen Joseph

Ellen Joseph in her studio next to the meadow painting she’s working on. Photo courtesy of Mike Slinn.

It’s a fine Sunday morning at the end of May and my husband, Mike Slinn, and I are driving to Capitola for brunch by the beach. Heading south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1, we see a sprawling vista of rolling green hills and farmlands unfolding before us. The sunshine and clear sky combine, turning the ocean a rich blue-green, laced with whitecaps the wind has stirred up. All around us, lush grasses and delicate wildflowers wave in the breeze. I’m in heaven.

Returning to Half Moon Bay full of ideas for my current painting, I open my gallery doors, turn on the lights, water a few plants and head to my studio. Turning on Steven Pasero’s classical guitar music that will power my brushes, I squeeze big blobs of paint onto my palette, matching the colors of the day.

With impressions of the drive filling my mind, I begin populating a large, previously blocked-in painting of a meadow with tiny white, lavender and yellow wildflowers I had seen covering the fields along the coast. I add another layer of blue to the top of the painting, brushing the sky with dramatic white clouds that appear to move across the canvas. Distant hills surround a small lake and grasses teaming with wildflowers fill the foreground, creating a sense of abundant life.

Inside the Ellen Joseph Gallery. Photo: Ellen Joseph.

Fully engrossed in the world I’m creating on my canvas, humming along to the music, I hear a “hello” and look up to see a face peeking into my studio. “Welcome,” I say, greeting my visitor. We introduce ourselves and then she spends a little time watching me work, asking where the inspiration for the image on my canvas came from and what medium I’m using — it’s acrylics. Her eyes are busy taking in all the paintings on my studio walls, asking about locations and commenting on her favorites.

I stop for a break to take my guest on a tour of the gallery, telling her a few stories about the paintings and answering her questions. She picks out a painting she’s considering buying and says she’ll be back with her husband to make a final decision. I have her sign my guest book and give her a brochure to take back to her hotel.

A few more people stop in for a look at the gallery and to watch me paint. I’ve made big progress with my painting, due to all the visual inspiration from our morning drive. Before I know it, the day is over, so I clean up from my little paint fest, washing my brushes and covering my palette with cellophane. I lock the gallery, turning off the lights and put up the closed sign. What a delightful day!

Since the grand opening of my gallery two weeks ago, this is one of the few chances I’ve had to really get into painting again. Today I was able to experience the perfect combination of painting and showing people around the gallery. I have a strong feeling of gratitude for this wonderful space and for the opportunity to do what I love.

The Ellen Joseph Gallery & Studio is located at 840 Main St. in Half Moon Bay.