Heather Ihn Art

Turns out I am a creature of habit and did a near identical painting from one in 2022. Slightly different perspective and not at peak bloom (more green in the pink) but it’s mighty close. #gouache #pleinair please don’t tell me I got worse 🙈 my heart can’t take it.

April, a stray chicken that we caught on April fools, has always been very wild and different from the other hens. She wants to sleep in trees, and can fly over the fences at her will (she loves it here too much to leave) Today I found her wading in the duck pool 😂. Always something new with her.

Feels like summer out there. So hot! But we can’t let the poppies pass us by. There weren’t a lot here but the sprinkle of orange adds something special to a landscape. #gouache #pleinair

Back to paint the thistle. I only had an hour before work so I’ll probably bring this one back tomorrow morning to refine it a little more. #pleinair

I was wondering why no one has been laying eggs this past two weeks. Turns out they preferred the privacy of the tool shed.

Forcing myself out there to paint, because it’s too damn pretty to be stuck inside. #pleinair #oilpainting #mtdiablo

My friend poured her heart and soul into this game and it really shows!!! She’s one of the most incredible humans, so multi-talented. Please check it out!

I’m not sure I’ve done an early morning painting in this space during this time of year. The thistle and mustard felt more wild and vigorous than ever, some were taller than me. Stunning time of year. #pleinairpainting

Freesia on a cloudy day.

Not as good about posting on here, but here’s some recent work! Haven’t been painting as much either but the spring flowers are luring me in. #gouache #oilpainting

The gorgeous yet terrible-for-the-environment sea figs of Sea Ranch. Beautiful Intruders.

open.substack.com/pub/heatheri... I’ve been terrible about sharing work on here. Partly because I’m just checked out on social media in general 😅, but my newsletter has lots of art to look at. #painting

Two modes: overthink — no think

Here’s a painting I did for my realtor neighbor. Her client just sold this house and their favorite part was the kitchen. The lemons are from their tree. It’s a subtle nod to their old home, and a more minimalistic composition but I think it’s a nice warm reminder of this special place. #gouache

I know Substack has its problems, but honestly the art scene on there is very good! So much inspiring work, and stuff that is really varied and new to me. I post more frequently there, but whether you follow me or not, it’s worth checking out.

I’m going to run away from the noise and start a niche bookmark store with a not-so-little-free-library and coffee shop. We can all get together, do crafts and read in front of fireplaces on a rainy day. Pet friendly of course. #agirlcandream

I’ve been having a blast making these. This is a two part bookmark, and the little peanut marks your goal destination. I tried it out and it was so rewarding to get to and reunite the crow with the peanut.

No painting, just linocutting. I’ve been burnt out of everything and feeling so drained but these little creative bursts are therapeutic.

I admit to going back to TikTok for a while and didn’t regret it. It is full of creative, playful, and funny people, and still was a surprisingly good window out into the world. But now, once again my barely existing account is deleted, and I’m just going to obsess over my new kobo. 🤷‍♀️

My latest hyperfixation seems to be reading aka escaping reality. But my attn span sucks, and keep skipping around to all different books. Anyone use Pagebound or StoryGraph and want to be friends? I can’t say I have very good taste 😆, but it’s fun. pagebound.co/users/pannoo...

Another pretty and foggy morning.

Cold and foggy 🥶, but I love it.

Mood

I wasn’t planning on painting, but while sitting down at the table eating breakfast I couldn’t help but admire this lemon just sitting there. They’re so paintable! The salt is keeping it company. #oilpainting

I have been painting, but these bookmarks seem to be more important 😆. Oh the joy of PLAYING and creative thinking. Carrot, our lil kitty, joined the fun.

Pancake got one too, because we care about fairness. Carrot is next…

Over the break I picked up two more hobbies. Reading (actually FINISHING books), and linocutting. Linocuts are fun, and I’m really letting my playful weird side free. Currently focused on bookmarks. paper books are coming back, right?

The sun kept making quick appearances but it was mostly overcast and dreary. I loved it though, us Californians don’t get this wet rainy vibe often. #pleinair #oilpainting #concordca

I wanted to finish a book on my time off and after getting partway through no less than 6 other books and being disappointed, I finally found one that felt like a missing puzzle piece. This 100 pg book is quick but fascinating and impactful. I’ll be thinking about it for a while. #book

Getting all the painting I can in while I have time off from work. It’s really nice 🥺. The temps were quite brisk and the wind was cutting through my jacket. Great clouds and subtle colors today though. #pleinair #oilpainting #shellridge #walnutcreek

Today looks to be the last sunny day of my time off, so we went to Benicia to paint some less-painted scenery. I love Benicia, it’s such a quaint and beautiful little town. #pleinair #gouache

Opted to stay indoors this morning since there was frost on the ground 🥶. Painted cozy warm things instead! #stilllife #coffee #oilpainting

This is one of the best books I’ve seen on landscape painting. A total surprise! I found it in the library friends store. Definitely check it out, it covers everything in great detail and includes stunning paintings by so many amazing artists! Landscape Painting by Mitchell Albala

The clouds danced around Mt Diablo and I attempted to paint them. It was hard. #oilpainting #pleinair

N.C. Wyeth’s compositions are just SO ridiculously good. Very excited about this book.

Our local library friends bookstores are 30% off this weekend. Found some great ones, as well as some gifts for friends. What are you reading this break? #books #art

This is what we chose to paint on this rainy, cold, and windy Christmas Day 😆. Kristian Matthews came back out and we all got hotpot after which was the perfect post painting meal. Wishing you all a wonderful and warm day. #pleinair #oilpainting

Dead Garden

This tree had the most beautiful colors, especially when the sun graced us with its presence. My good friend Franklin Lei came out to paint and we both ended up with similar compositions unknowingly 😆. We weren’t even sitting next to each other. #gouache #pleinair

My friend Kristian Matthews came down to get a paint session in, and the rains really filled up the creek. I really loved watching the foam swirl and create beautiful patterns in the water. #pleinair #oilpainting

Part 2/2 of the preview. I tried putting in new work unseen in person, as well as a bunch of personal favorites. Almost all are discounted, some quite heavily. Come on out tomorrow! 11-4 Dec 21 in concord ca. #art #bayarea #painting #eastbay

Part 1/2, preview of the open studio. It takes place between 11-4 tomorrow (Dec 21) in Concord CA. Soooo many paintings, soooo much work! This doesn’t even show the whole tent of pottery we will have. 😅 #painting #art #eastbay #bayarea

Just a reminder we are having a little art sale out of our garage this Sunday from 11-4. It will be rainy, so dress warm! But we will have lots of warm drinks and snacks to keep yourself nourished while you browse all the art. #concordca #bayarea #art

New bookmarks! It is a two sided design, sunrise themed. I don’t sell them, but rather give them as gifts with orders. Also there are no reprints. This one has a warm and cozy feel to it. #art #bookmark

Painted this doggy sculpture I made, along with a vase from Anu Ghandi. Calling it “The Watchdog”. Feeling excited for this long break and to be able to get back in the pottery studio! So many animals, bowls, and mugs to be made. #pottery #painting #oilpainting #stilllife

I found this print at an estate sale a few weeks ago and lovingly put it in a hold pile. They forgot to check it out 😢. I went back today and voila, he was still there. MINE NOW. He reminds me of our Cudabear 🥹. Turns out I also LOVE the artist’s other work. www.rubyetc.com

Prepping for the open studio this Sunday. The Ugly Duckling $5 pottery box always gets cleaned out quick, but I am throwing TONS of stuff in there this year. I love some of them but also just want things out of the house. #pottery #sale

Some newly purchased ceramics! Cups are from Anu Ghandi, and the plate is from a student artist at Red Ox Clay Studio. I’m ready to get my hands in the mud again. I have no problem tossing out every single mass manufactured dish in our cabinet to make space for these beauties. #pottery

Just a little mandarin orange to start the day. #stilllife #oilpainting

Chilly mornings these days! Still happy to be able to get out and sneak in a quick painting though. Rewarded with a near boiling hot shower and hot breakfast. #pleinair #oilpainting