"Canyon Creek" ©

Lush vegetation hugs this tiny creek so tightly that people are kept at bay. I am standing in the shade on a bridge, looking up the creek at sunlight dancing from leave to leave . If I had wings this would be home.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

Purchase from the artist

"Santa Clara River Bed" ©

The Santa Clara River winds her way in and out of neighborhoods. Her colorful plumage dictated by the season. Now, at the end of summer her greens are melting into gold. The sandy bottom waits for the first taste of water in months.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

sold

"Incoming Clouds" ©

Clouds came rushing into the valley today, softening the rust colored brush, signaling a shift in the weather. If you didn't feel the heat of the day you might have believed that fall had arrived.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

Purchase from the artist

"One Straight Tail" ©

Out at the ranch a group of young girls were sitting on the judging stand watching riders in the arena. One girl had a ranch dog tucked under her arm and all I could see from the side was this tail, stretched out straight as if pointing during the hunt. The light on the tail and girls clothing was a red flag to me, although I realize that the appeal of the subject matter is probably quite small. Once again "Painting A Day" allowed me to step out of the, my, box.

Oil on Canvas, 4" X 6"


Purchase from the artist

"Smoke Veiled Sunset" ©

The "Day Fire" is still burning, 41% contained, 140,000. acres charred. The odd coloring to the landscape and sky engage and lock your eyes and yet you know in your heart that thousands of wild animals are frightened, fleeing for their lives. I wanted to paint it and yet hesitated at first. Once I got into the work the beauty erased all trepidation.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

sold

"Towels II" ©

Yes, the back of the bathroom door, once again. I have to confess that I painted this right after the first towels to experiment on changing my palette. What a great lesson. Then I decided to squirrel away this painting for the day when I was short. True confession....Tomorrow is a new day.

Oil on stretched canvas, 4" X 6"


Purchase from the artist

"Two Palms" ©

If you close your eyes and just listen to palm fronds rustling in the wind, it sounds like "vacation", if there was one sound for a vacation. Maybe this is unique to me because most of the trips I have taken have been to the tropical spots on the big blue ball. Have you ever noticed that when Palm Trees grow wild, they are often in pairs? These two were near the ocean and rustled every so often in the gentle sea breeze.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

Juried into 4th Annual Small Works Show "Treasures" at Segil Fine Art, Monrovia, CA


sold

"The Wave" ©

Arriving in Carlsbad 2 hours early, I drove to the ocean, grabbed my Pochade box and headed down the steps to the sand. The day was flat, monochromatic blues, the suns rays unable to reach the sea. I decided to paint a portrait of a wave. I think I spent most of my time watching the waves rolling in to "see" at what point do the values change, where are the shadows and how does the water move? When I was walking back to my truck it occurred to me that I hadn't watched the water so closely since my surfing days, long ago. The sea has my heart.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"


Purchase from the artist

Special Message September 21

The next three days I will be in Carlsbad, California exhibiting stone sculpture and carving marble for the public. Today, while packing pedestals, sculpture and tools, knowing that I have three grueling days ahead of me, I was trying to figure out how I would paint and blog during the show. I know I'll be off the internet grid and this will eliminate blogging, so Monday I will post the paintings I have squeezed out. Possibly a nocturne or two?
Until then....

"Pink Light" ©

My valley is a recipient of the "Day Fire" smoke. The fire began Labor Day and is now at 107,000. acres with 35% containment. It's odd to see people carrying on with their daily lives, seemly oblivious as the sky takes on an erie fiery glow. Sunlight behind the smoke creates lighting that the movie magic whizzes would find hard to replicate. Today our world was pink.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"


Purchase from the artist

"Fall" ©

The colors of fall, amber, rust, peach and what summer has left of green are irresistible, almost edible. Again I am visiting the road to the left of my home. Possibly, I paint it so often because it's beauty grabs my heart every time I head out of the canyon, and simply, dirt roads are a painters delight.

Oil on canvas board, 5" X 7" sold

Juried into 4th Annual Small Works Show "Treasures" at Segil Fine Art in Monrovia, CA

"Yellow Sail" ©

In November I will be painting for a week at Laguna Beach, California, with impressionist John Cosby. In anticipation I keep drifting to the ocean. Today, I gave in and spent the afternoon in Hawaii, at least on canvas.

Oil on Raymar Panel, 6" X 8"



sold

"Towels I" ©

The back of the bathroom door, it's damp terry cloth hanging, has always attracted me. The way the towels create a wonderful shape, as if a shrouded being is hanging there. Friendly I hope. I named this piece "Towels I", because I am certain that there will be many more towel, cloth or napkin pieces to come. Again, one of the benefits of Painting A Day, I can paint the towels on the back of the bathroom door, purely for the joy of it!

Oil on Canvas, 4" X 6"



Purchase from the artist

"Spark Plug" ©

In California your car must be "smog checked", to make sure that your vehicle is not polluting the air. Spark Plug is the garage cat that protects the shop down the street. He was draped alluring on top of a Sears Craftsman roll around tool box and I couldn't resist.

Oil on Canvas, 4" X 6"

Purchase from the artist

"Morning" ©

About 7:30 A.M., the light just beginning to hit the brush with September warmth. I am standing under two old oaks, looking out into the light from under their arms.

Oil on canvas board, 5" X 7"

sold

"Buddy" ©

Having a daughter that rides horses means that I spend long hours at shows and the little ranch down the road. "Buddy", is a gentle horse that is a good friend of everyone at the ranch. He will amble over to the gate, with a quiet knicker of a greeting for anyone that wanders near.

Oil on Raymar Board, 5" X 7"


Purchase from the artist

"Sunset Gold" ©

This morning, thumbing through a group of photographs that my son shot this summer, this sky popped out. I wanted to be on the shore watching the sun sink into the ocean. Using the photograph for my daily painting allowed me two hours of pure joy!

Oil on Raymar Board, 6" X 8"

Juried into California Art Club, "Floating Waters and Coastal Vistas" exhibit, Pasadena, CA.

sold

"Buca de Pepo" ©

If you're lucky, upon being seated at the Buca de Pepo Restaurant you will be escorted through the kitchen. The aroma of each heavenly dish fills the air; fresh tomatoes, garlic and cheeses are within reach. This gentleman was waiting for the next order to be passed to him for delivery to hungry guests. The blue towel drapped over his shoulder and his chef hat were calling to me.

Oil on stretched canvas, 4" X 6"



Purchase from the artist

"Morro Bay" ©

The "rock" of Morro Bay can be seen for miles around. I am sure it was a landmark for early seafarers and probably saved many lives. This view is from the south just past the Inn at Morro Bay. A very lovely spot for a weekend of rest and for any artists, a great artist in residency program. On down the road is a tiny marina, home to a great dock side grill.

Oil on board, 5" X 7"

Purchase from the artist

"Morning Light" ©

Down the canyon a few miles there is an old homestead called Walker Ranch. I was hiking around looking for a view to paint and as happens so often, turned around to the light just grazing the mountain spines.

Oil on Canvas, 4" X 6"

"Bridle Path" ©

Our valley is laced with sandy river beds, lined with Yucca plants, Oak trees, Sage brush and Cotton Wood trees. Over the years horses have traveled in and along these riverbeds creating deep paths in the soft sand. I originally painted this path in plein air, with only Hawks and Jack Rabbits for company. Painting this small piece let my mind travel back to that warm afternoon.

Oil on Board, 5" X 7" sold

"Red Fez" ©

One of the benefits to "A Painting A Day" is the freedom to paint whatever strikes me rather then pleasing a gallery or considering the upcoming exhibits. This gentleman, that has a lifetime behind him captured me the first time I saw him. It's been a long time since that day and finally today, I became intimate with every bit of his face.

Oil on Canvas, 4" X 6"


Purchase from the artist

"Virgin River, Zion" ©

In June, hiking around Zion National Park I could just imagine the original discovery of this stone wonderland. The stone walls glowed from violet to orange depending on the suns rays. The Virgin River flowed lazily, it's cool water playing host to the birds of the canyon. What a beautiful place and how fortunate that it is loved and protected for everyone to enjoy. Painting this little piece took me back to Zion, for a little while.

Oil on Board, 5" X 7"


Purchase from the artist

"Aspen Path" ©

Last July I drove out to Marble, Colorado to pick up stone and carve at the MARBLE/marble Symposium. Marble is a two stop sign town, where local politics almost trump the arts for entertainment. This path weaving it's way through the Aspen trees was beckoning anyone that saw the light.




Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"


Purchase from the artist

"Dry Creek" ©

I came across this view hiking up the dry creek that runs along our canyon floor. The mountains were glowing and the brush was blazing in the late afternoon sun.

Oil on canvas board, 5" X 7"

sold

A Painting A Day by Laura Wambsgans

Welcome to my daily paintings. Thanks to Duane Keiser and Belinda Delpesco I was introduced to the idea of painting a piece in a few hours, then posting the wet work online for the world to view. At first I thought the task would be impossible. Preparing for upcoming shows, workshops and traveling, what if I missed one day or couldn't come up with the proper fodder for a painting? Then after some serious thought, I decided that if I missed one I would probably be forgiven and as for fodder as long as I can see I have plenty to paint. And so, I am jumping into the "Daily Painting Pond" with both of my feet and my brushes in hand. I hope that you enjoy my efforts and see improvement as time goes by.