11/03/2026
“LESS IS MORE, unless it’s kindness, sleep, or toilet paper!”—Anonymous.
Saturday November 14 Demo Paintout. Demo starts at 9AM with the review at 12:30 PM
Jami Wright will be our Pumpkin Pie and Whip Cream demo artist for our paintout. Jami is a favorite SDWS instructor for the Beginner Basics and Beginner Landscapes workshops. Jami is a prolific Plein Air watercolor artist. She recently won a small image award at the Foothills Art Association for her painting, Island Life! Jami always has paintings in the San Diego County Fair and takes home many ribbons and awards.
You guessed it, our Demo paintout will focus on LESS IS MORE, which can result in a better outcome in a painting. LESS IS MORE, means simplifying, removing clutter, aids in decision making, and helps in developing a more focused and clear vision in creating a composition. Too much or, MORE, can overload a viewer’s visual cortex in the brain. Simplifying shifts your focus more on quality than quantity in a painting.
LESS IS MORE, is to focus on the essence of a scene. Develop what is important, the line, shape or color. Negative space is also important to allow the focal point to become primary. Tell the story in a basic way and it will speak its truth.
Jami also will be showing us how her new brushes help her with limited brushstrokes. The brushes are, Fuumuui, Extended Needle Point brushes and Hollow Middle Texture Brushes. She will allow us to try them out! The needle points are great for branches, masts and lines on boats and any other fine lines. The hollow brushes are good for making leaves and texture. As always, Jami will have the best informative handouts for your reference.
The Demo Paintout will be at Lake Murray near the boat launch. Lake Murray is a 171-acre reservoir that is in the boundaries of Mission Trails Regional Park. Lake Murray has some underwater landmarks that include the 1911 Wyse Ferry Bridge, a stone house with the walls and roof still intact, and old roads and railways. During World War II the military used the lake for pilot training. During the training several B-25 Mitchell bombers crashed into the lake.
Lake Murray is a peaceful and scenic lake. There are Eucalyptus, Palm, Pepper, and Olive trees. People walking and fishing are everywhere in the park. Early in the morning the reflections on the lake can be beautiful. Lake Murray is a great place to start the winter season in a stress free and quiet location.
Directions from 8—5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942. Take 8 to Lake Murray exit and follow Lake Murray to Kiowa Dr and make a left. The boat ramp parking lot is on the left about a quarter mile into the park.
Saturday Nov 14 is, Take Your Painting Gear To LAKE MURRAY DAY! The holiday is for YOU! Join us for a day of painting, friends and laughter. Now is the time to start creating a winning Plein Air painting for the show in 2027, the prize money is BIG! The more you GO the more you GROW!
Painting by Jami Wright
