MOSS & MOSS is a great "antiques & etcetera" shop in my hometown of Mill Valley, California, owned by a delightful couple with great talents. Larry plays the grand piano and Marjorie creates beautiful vignettes to display the merchandise. One Friday a month they have a jazz and wine reception, and it's a popular place to stop by on the way to dinner in any one of the great restaurants in town. I am very delighted that they have chosen to carry my paintings and prints. It's a treat for me to see how they are displayed, and very exciting to get the phone call saying, "Linda, we sold another one!" Visit MOSS & MOSS at 1 El Paseo, just off Sunnyside Avenue.

A group of painter friends and I went out this week on a rare hot summer day in Mill Valley to paint in the cool, shady Old Mill Park, locally called "Dark Park." 

WOW what a challenge. I brought my painting home and put it on a shelf to dry. Later that evening, I caught a glimpse and was shocked at how awful it looked. So I took out a palette knife and scraped every bit of paint off, leaving just a ghost of the composition. 

The next day, my friend and houseguest Jessica came to town from Montana and was anxious to stretch her car-weary legs on a hike. She started off in the park, and I went back to my same painting location with my easel to try, try again. The shadows of the redwoods and the dappled summer light filtering through on the creek bed were so beautiful. What you don't see in this painting is the steady parade of beautiful toddlers wading in the cool water...that's another challenge for another day!

It's the time of year when my little town of Mill Valley is bustling. Starting with the Memorial Day parade, and then the 101st running of the Dipsea Foot race and moving on to the 30th annual Wine, Food and Gourmet Festival. 

To celebrate, I'm giving away a beautifully matted print of my painting, "Mill Valley Depot." To be eligible, (1) click on the Facebook "like" button below this post, and (2) leave a comment saying what you love most about Mill Valley. Thanks, and good luck!

"Mt. Tamalpais, Richardson Bay" is a 10" x 20" giclee, printed with archival inks on heavy watercolor paper, was featured in the Mill Valley Arts Commission Show in April 2010, and on the main gallery wall of the Marin County Fair in 2009. Beautifully matted and wood framed, measuring 14" x 24" and priced at $300 at Moss & Moss on El Paseo in Mill Valley, or send me a note if you would like to buy direct. 

The iconic Mill Valley scene - people and yellow dogs enjoying a warm spring day at the Depot Plaza - has been made into prints that were very popular at Open Studios. year. It is available as an 11 x 14 photo print, matted and ready for framing for $50, and as a 16 x 20 poster, for just $30. Contact me to purchase one.

P.S. It is also the profile photo for the Mill Valley Food, Drink & Hospitality Facebook page - a great page to check out if you like finding out what's good and happening in town!