"Wine Country III" is a contemporary take on a traditional theme - using expressive strokes of thick rich colors and repetition to accentuate the natural rhythmic patterns made by the vines. I use an archival Birch deep-box panel, sanding and coating the face & sides with two coats of clear artist grade sealer, then building up the background with thin layers of oil paint, and finally applying the "icing on the cake" texturing with a palette knife.
The inspiration for the scene was the Talley Vineyards Tasting Room in the beautiful Arroyo Grande Valley on the Central Coast of California near where I make my home. The vineyards are known for their estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.