October 6 was the opening of the annual art show at the community center in El Cerrito. The oil paintings were judged this year by Paul Kratter. I have been a huge fan of his and was thrilled when he awarded me Second Place in the judging. It was for my painting done this past Spring on a very green Napa county overlook. Sadly, the Sunday of the show the devastating fires in Napa and Sonoma Counties began and burned through much of the beautiful wine country there. I also received an Honorable Mention for an oil pastel of a street scene in Crockett. The show came after the month of September when I had been involved in the Strada Easel challenge to paint and post a picture on Facebook each day of the month. It’s been a busy time.