• Lovely Ladies
  • Alter Egos
  • 100 Days of Lovely Ladies
  • Intuitive Scenes
  • Archive
  • About
  • Shop
  • Instagram
  • Contact
  • Menu

LAURA JOHNSTON

intuitive artist interested in meaning and magic; people and healing • Bay Area, CA
  • Lovely Ladies
  • Alter Egos
  • 100 Days of Lovely Ladies
  • Intuitive Scenes
  • Archive
  • About
  • Shop
  • Instagram
  • Contact
Pacifica, CA

Pacifica, CA

Family Visits & Adventures

April 13, 2015 in Adventures, Bay Area Adventures

I'm currently exhausted, but feeling so good. It feels like it's been days since I woke up this morning! Every time I am required to wake up early for something I am reminded of just how much I love being awake in the morning. This morning I drove my dad to the airport, saw the sunrise, caught up with a friend on Facebook, had breakfast, did some work and packed some orders, took Cody to meet a friend for a 1.5hr hike + lunch, shipped my orders, wrote a to-do list and watched an episode of America's Next Top Model. It's only 2:25pm. What?!

My sis feeding a goat at the petting zoo in Happy Hollow.

My sis feeding a goat at the petting zoo in Happy Hollow.

My sister visited for 8 days and my dad's trip overlapped hers by a day, so it was super awesome to see both of them and take a break from my normal routine. We saw the zoo here in San Jose (more pics here), tried some delicious restaurants (my favs were Jubba in San Jose and Falafel Stop in Sunnyvale - SO MUCH YUM), drove around the coast (Monterey, Carmel, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay), toured homes, took walks, test-drove Teslas, and had a great time catching up.

 

Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Pacifica

Pacifica

One of my favorite things on our trips to the coast was seeing the wildlife of course. There were ground squirrels milling about on Carmel Beach and at Half Moon Bay we saw bunnies, birds, cats, and skinks. We also saw otters and sea lions and deer. I was impressed at the beautiful, wide beaches - until now I'd really only ever seen rocky shores in CA so it was a pleasant surprise. The water is still too cold to play in but it's oh so beautiful and clear. 

Getting braver with my plant collection, and by that I mean just having a few more easy-to-care-for plants in my possession. I scooped these up at a succulent nursery on Highway 92 on the way back from Half Moon Bay. On the left is Isabella, then we have Einstein (who looks JUST like a brain), Pokey, and Peli.

Getting braver with my plant collection, and by that I mean just having a few more easy-to-care-for plants in my possession. I scooped these up at a succulent nursery on Highway 92 on the way back from Half Moon Bay. On the left is Isabella, then we have Einstein (who looks JUST like a brain), Pokey, and Peli.

It's always nice to see family and I'm so glad they've been able to make it out from the East Coast. The break was much needed, and after it I'm feeling a bit refreshed and ready to get back into things. I am inspired to try sticking with an earlier schedule, to get my exercise and work done in the mornings and leave the afternoons open for play and exploration + keeping myself and the house in order. I saw Silence of the Lambs for the first time in my life yesterday, so I think I'll create a sketch based on that for my sketchbook this afternoon. I already want to re-watch it. For now, I'm off to find the perfect flower pot for my new cactus friends here!

Happy Monday!

Tags: california, coast, family, visits, art life, san jose, silicon valley
Prev / Next

INSTAGRAM
I can see the universes you hold within you. They’re expansive. Beautiful.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Finished ceramic ladies + new works in progress.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#smallceramics #ceramics #portraitceramics #figurativeceramics #miniatures #artists #blackandwhite #artfigures #carveouttimeforart #choosemust #confidenceboost #misunderstood #youareawesome
Amal is too smart for that shit.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am going to list some of my remaining #100daysoflovelyladies originals here for a steal, from $100 to just $30+ shipping. I can’t believe this one is still available! DM me if you’d like it. 💕

#originalart #workingartists #whatsyourpassion #spiritualawakening #feminism #sassyart #womenempowerment #choosemust #carveouttimeforart
It’s amazing what a day of playing with a friend will do. I’ve got clarity on a new series and I can see everything about it from the pieces to the statement to the way it will be exhibited. 😍 I will share more details as I go along, but for now, the first piece: “Somewhere Else”. 18x24ish, rough around the edges.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I made this from a roll of paper which... on the one hand is nice because it’s economical and the roll causes unpredictable tearing patterns, BUT, I am not a fan of flattening the paper.  It’s tedious and boring. ”Wet the paper just enough, get another piece of paper and a towel and blah blah blah omg whatever.” I don’t do well with organized processes. 😜
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#artists #artistsonig #womenartists #socialanxiety #generalizedanxiety #womeninart #portraitpainting #intuitiveart #psychology #chooseart #ljtheparty
I will keep going.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#artvsartist #artvsartist2019 #artists #artworkyoushouldtotallyfollow #artistsbeingslepton #abstractportraits #blackandwhiteart #resilient #expressionism #carveouttimeforart #expressiveart
Donna is in line at the buffet and someone just took the last samosa.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am going to list some of my remaining #100daysoflovelyladies originals here for a steal, from $100 to just $30+ shipping. DM me if you’d like this one! 💕
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#hangryproblems #originalart #flashsale #smallart #portraitart #womenartists #buyoriginalart
I can see the universes you hold within you. They’re expansive. Beautiful.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Finished ceramic ladies + new works in progress.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#smallceramics #ceramics #portraitceramics #figurativeceramics #miniatures #artists #blackandwhite #artfigures #carveouttimeforart #choosemust #confidenceboost #misunderstood #youareawesome Amal is too smart for that shit.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am going to list some of my remaining #100daysoflovelyladies originals here for a steal, from $100 to just $30+ shipping. I can’t believe this one is still available! DM me if you’d like it. 💕

#originalart #workingartists #whatsyourpassion #spiritualawakening #feminism #sassyart #womenempowerment #choosemust #carveouttimeforart It’s amazing what a day of playing with a friend will do. I’ve got clarity on a new series and I can see everything about it from the pieces to the statement to the way it will be exhibited. 😍 I will share more details as I go along, but for now, the first piece: “Somewhere Else”. 18x24ish, rough around the edges.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I made this from a roll of paper which... on the one hand is nice because it’s economical and the roll causes unpredictable tearing patterns, BUT, I am not a fan of flattening the paper.  It’s tedious and boring. ”Wet the paper just enough, get another piece of paper and a towel and blah blah blah omg whatever.” I don’t do well with organized processes. 😜
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#artists #artistsonig #womenartists #socialanxiety #generalizedanxiety #womeninart #portraitpainting #intuitiveart #psychology #chooseart #ljtheparty I will keep going.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#artvsartist #artvsartist2019 #artists #artworkyoushouldtotallyfollow #artistsbeingslepton #abstractportraits #blackandwhiteart #resilient #expressionism #carveouttimeforart #expressiveart Donna is in line at the buffet and someone just took the last samosa.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I am going to list some of my remaining #100daysoflovelyladies originals here for a steal, from $100 to just $30+ shipping. DM me if you’d like this one! 💕
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#hangryproblems #originalart #flashsale #smallart #portraitart #womenartists #buyoriginalart

Featured Posts

Featured
Jun 18, 2018
New Painting - Never Empty
Jun 18, 2018
Jun 18, 2018
Oct 26, 2017
Lovely Ladies
Oct 26, 2017
Oct 26, 2017
Aug 18, 2017
12 Variations on Stickers
Aug 18, 2017
Aug 18, 2017
Jul 21, 2017
Queen of Scales
Jul 21, 2017
Jul 21, 2017
Jun 16, 2017
People Who Say Yes
Jun 16, 2017
Jun 16, 2017
May 6, 2017
Any Ol' Where
May 6, 2017
May 6, 2017
Apr 26, 2017
New Painting - Eight
Apr 26, 2017
Apr 26, 2017
Mar 31, 2017
SJ Japantown Shoot with Tiffany
Mar 31, 2017
Mar 31, 2017
Mar 5, 2017
Guardian of the Forest
Mar 5, 2017
Mar 5, 2017
Feb 25, 2017
New Collages
Feb 25, 2017
Feb 25, 2017
Feb 9, 2017
Holy Smokes, Happy 2017
Feb 9, 2017
Feb 9, 2017
Dec 8, 2016
CULT PAPER x Laura Johnston: Bark Collab
Dec 8, 2016
Dec 8, 2016
Nov 22, 2016
Castle Rock Shoot with Heather
Nov 22, 2016
Nov 22, 2016
Oct 18, 2016
New Scribbles + What's Up
Oct 18, 2016
Oct 18, 2016
Aug 4, 2016
New Paintings - Scribble Paintings
Aug 4, 2016
Aug 4, 2016
Jul 1, 2016
Tidbits (of Late)
Jul 1, 2016
Jul 1, 2016
Jun 21, 2016
New Painting - Sun's a Crowd (Let's Go Home)
Jun 21, 2016
Jun 21, 2016
Jun 16, 2016
My First Mural - for Palomacy Pigeon & Dove
Jun 16, 2016
Jun 16, 2016
Jun 10, 2016
New Painting - A Different Shade of Past
Jun 10, 2016
Jun 10, 2016
May 23, 2016
New Work - #bitchseries Collaboration
May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
May 12, 2016
A Banana for Your Thoughts
May 12, 2016
May 12, 2016
Mar 21, 2016
Some Favorite Sketchbook Spreads from My 365
Mar 21, 2016
Mar 21, 2016
Mar 7, 2016
New Painting - Did You Try Magnetizing the Blankets?
Mar 7, 2016
Mar 7, 2016
Feb 25, 2016
Studio Space Lately
Feb 25, 2016
Feb 25, 2016
Feb 16, 2016
New Painting - Disagreeing Quietly to Myself
Feb 16, 2016
Feb 16, 2016
Feb 8, 2016
New Painting - The Avocado Tree (So Much More to Say)
Feb 8, 2016
Feb 8, 2016
Feb 4, 2016
The Circles Continue
Feb 4, 2016
Feb 4, 2016
Jan 14, 2016
New Painting - A Taste for Trust & Tagines
Jan 14, 2016
Jan 14, 2016
Jan 5, 2016
Instax
Jan 5, 2016
Jan 5, 2016
Dec 20, 2015
New Painting - 28 (But Who's Counting?)
Dec 20, 2015
Dec 20, 2015