Grace Beneath the Turquoise Arch

On March 12 of 2020, a radiant spring morning invited me to explore a few wineries for my next paintings.  I wasn’t chasing tastings that day, but color…the mustard flowers that spill like golden rivers across Sonoma’s hills each spring.

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My first stop was Buena Vista, and only later did I realize how closely it was linked to my next discovery, Bartholomew Winery.  Buena Vista lacked the mustard blooms I sought, but Bartholomew had them, just beginning to unfurl.

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The tasting room immediately drew me in with its mission-style building, bright white with turquoise trim and a rustic wooden door that seemed to glow in the sun.  I knew at once that those colors would anchor my painting.  The year was shifting into pandemic lockdown, and I’m grateful I ventured out that day; soon, such visits would be impossible.

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Inside, a kind sommelier greeted me.  He explained that this 375-acre estate had been gifted to the public by Frank and Antonia Bartholomew to preserve California’s viticultural history and natural beauty.  The property included hiking trails, a museum, and vineyards newly revived in 2019 under winemaker Kevin Holt.  As he spoke, I imagined afternoons spent hiking, picnicking, and painting here.

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Next to the tasting room, a bright gallery displayed plein-air paintings along the rustic white walls; a quiet celebration of local artists.  I wandered outside, photographing the grounds, the family crest above the door, and the parklike grove of oaks across the way.

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Later I explored the nearby museum which was once the location of the villa of Agoston Haraszthy, the Count of Buena Vista, now rebuilt by Antonia Bartholomew in 1987 as a faithful replica.  Along the trails, gnarly old vines rose from fields of lavender sweet peas and mustard flowers, early signs of the season’s bloom.  The hike rewarded me with sweeping views of Sonoma Valley and a living sense of history shared between these two neighboring estates.

A return visit in May 2020 offered another perspective.  Most wineries were closed for tastings, yet the park remained open.  My husband and I, restless from months indoors, parked outside the gate and walked in.  The lawns were emerald, the trees foreign yet graceful, the trails dotted with historical markers.  Midway through the hike, a gap in the brush revealed Buena Vista across the creek…history made visible in landscape.

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When painting Bartholomew, I focused on the mission-style architecture, the turquoise accent, and the serenity of the trails.  I included hikers, families, and couples - real and imagined.  And, during that moment of social awakening in 2020, consciously represented people of color for the first time in my work.  It was both an artistic and personal awakening, a reminder of the richness of inclusion.

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I used my usual limited palette but added a rare Phthalo Turquoise Blue from Rembrandt paints, saving it for this building’s striking hue.  Zinc White brightened the sunlight.

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I finished the painting on April 8 2021;  the very day I received my COVID vaccine which was a fitting symbol of renewal.  After the wildfire displacement and months away from my studio, returning to my easel felt like breathing again.

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Bartholomew embodies generosity…of land, legacy, and spirit.  I hope this painting captures the peace and gratitude I felt walking those paths where history, art, and nature meet.

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Cheers!
— Patti Copus

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Visits: March 12 & May 22 2020  Paint Begun: April 29 2020  Completed: April 8 2021
Primary Colors: Phthalo Turquoise Blue (Rembrandt) • Zinc White • Lemon Yellow
Primary Symbols: Mission Building • Rustic Door • Family Crest • Old Vines • Wildflowers • Hiking Path

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<--- Back to Whispers of Wine Country: Open Doors

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