Mount Tamalpais' Steep Ravine

Foggy San Francisco viewed from Mount Tamalpais

Hiking the trails of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California is a rewarding exploration. The slopes are mostly steep and challenging, the views often vast and revealing; at times paths may be gentle and relaxing, yielding intimate sights. The experience hints of living a primordial existence, resetting the self in relation to nature: mind and body synchronizing with flora and fauna in awe.

Of the many trails, Steep Ravine is one of the most sheltered.  It may be approached from near the beach or close to the mountain top. Driving up to the trail head at the Rangers Station parking lot above the redwoods opens up vistas to the Pacific Ocean on the West and San Francisco on the South.  

San Francisco and Bay Bridge emerge from the fog

From these heights the City often looks like a ghostly apparition emerging from a foggy bed. As low clouds dissipate with the morning sun, the city wakes from white-lace dreams questioning permanence and reality and "all that is solid, melts into air". To the East, Mount Diablo looms like a long lost brother waving proudly from afar.

Mount Diablo viewed from Mt. Tam

Spiritually inspired, hiking down the mountain into Steep Ravine becomes a journey of discovery. Leafy canopies and tall redwoods envelop the descent in a green and red cocoon. 

Redwood tree overhead

A small creek makes its way down alongside the trail splashing and tumbling on its trip to the Pacific not far from Stinson Beach; cascading into sheltered waterfalls.  Trail and creek crisscross dancing to the tune of rustling leaves, tinkling water, and rhythmic strides.  

Sheltered Waterfall

Small wooden bridges span shaded banks while thundering footsteps pound the beat on ancient boards suddenly thudding, muffled on loose dirt; birds chirping highlight the score.

Redwood Forest Bridge

Of the many vignettes coming to life on this nature walk, the most pleasing are probably the cool mossy green waterfalls.  While not spectacular in a roaring way their charm lies in their non-threatening poise; some carving channels out of solid rock, while others, cascading over a multitude of boulders and hydrating the vegetation into fertile growth.

Mossy Rock Watefall

Redwoods variously arranged, standing, or fallen together with rich foliage create a cozy homelike feeling.Throughout, there's a sense of balance, of harmony barely disturbed by man and wildflowers rejoice in verdant freedom.

Promethea- Birth on the Rocks

Promethea- Birth on the Rocks

Oh Prometheus!

You stole from Olympus on high

delivering fire so low.

Your reward your plight:

eternally boulder bound.

Where is your relevance today?

What Earthly creature will replace;

precious spark from gripping hands

be ripped this day?

Oh Daughter of Man!

You pinched essence from most high,

delivering life below.

Your issue your light,

forever on rocky mound.

Man's hope your delight:

eternally fate unbound.

20" x 16"

Oil on Canvas
$3100

Like Prometheus who stole fire from ancient Greek Gods for mankind, only to be chained to mount Olympus for his audacity a very pregnant woman makes her to Lovers Point, Pacific Grove, California sensing her moment to come.  There, before Heaven and Earth, nature threatens to overcome her and biological forces from time immemorial take over to deliver new life, the promise of life, a new hope for mankind.

This painting was featured in the San Rafael Food and Wine Festival and did extremely well. 
Thank you dear Art Collector! (You know who you are;).

Giclees on canvas also available: 

20" x 16" 

$290 

Giclee on Canvas

Un-Framed $290.00 Framed $365.00

San Rafael Food (Art) & Wine Festival

We'll be in San Rafael this Saturday in the heart of Marin County at the historic Falkirk Mansion

San Rafael is the County seat and its downtown has the look and feel of midsize prosperous California towns such as Livermore, or the larger Walnut Creek: quaint and gentrified.  Its history going back to to the Spanish Colonial years prior to the Gold Rush, complete with a Mission and still active Catholic Church.    Nineteenth century urban planners laid it out using the grid, resulting in a reliable walking experience with a vibrant main street: Fourth Street.  Walking here street yields the prerequisite coffee houses, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and watering holes.  A couple of blocks North is Mission Ave., along which way are more institutional type buildings such as Missions, Banks, Libraries and assorted Mansions of the Victorian, Queen Ann, and Edwardian variety.

This is where Romagosa Fine Arts will set up Saturday displaying its collection of original fine arts and photography; at the Flakirk Cultural Center, home of Art installations and rotating Art exhibitions.  We will be joined by boutique vintners from nearby Sonoma, Napa, as well as regional Marin wineries; all of which will be eager to let you sample and taste their delights - admission is free but there is a wine tasting fee.
Not only will you experience visual arts and culinary treats, you will be accompanied by fine music, some times Classical, other times Jazz.

What better way to relax after a fruitful working week?  The event starts at noon and ends at six, so if you snooze.... well, you know....

See you there!


Last year's event was great!  +Romagosa Fine Arts was there then and will be there again Saturday; drop by and say hello.

http://dguides.com/sanfrancisco/events/upcoming-events/6th-annual-san-rafael-food-wine-festival-august-11-2012/

After the Show: Images from the Benicia Waterfront

When the Benicia Fine Arts and Jazz Show was all over, it was time to relax and the weather was perfect in this maritime town. Strolling, dreaming, enjoying the warm early evening light, it was all good.

Promenade Promises:
Pedestrian Pier

Homeward Bound
Sailors returning from the San Francisco Bay to the Benicia waterfront.

Carquinez Straight

Brackish wetland foreshadow deep channel waters.

Upcoming Art Show: San Anselmo Art Festival

Romagosa Fine Arts is proud to announce that this coming Saturday and Sunday (7/16 and 7/17) we'll be showing our entire collection at the San Anselmo Arts Festival.   There will be music: three separate bands each day and there will be fine wine and food to enjoy.  Please take a look at the video below for a sampling of the artwork we'll show and sell in various formats such as framed Giclees on canvas and on archival paper, matted and framed.

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Please contact me with questions or comments.

Gold Moss Landing

Gold painted sky

upon cresting waves of glittering

Precious Orb from on high

dipping to horizon shimmering

Amber light

casting

on ruddy shore golden nuggets bright.

12" x 16"
Oil on Canvas
$2500