This tiny creek boarders a bird sanctuary about 20 miles from my home. The small tunnel allows the creek to flow under the road. If you are very quiet you'll see Egrets and Cranes in the foliage along the creek.
Oil on Canvas, 3" X 5"
As agreed the night before I stole away in the dark and headed to Oxbow Bend. At one point as the sky just gave a hint of light a herd of elk was crossing the highway. I turned off my headlights and engine to watch their shadowed bodies, leap, lope, dance and mosey from one pasture to the other. The energy exploding in the darkness was glorious and frightening. I felt as if I was witnessing a secret ceremony. Finally, the show of shadows ended and I drove on to Oxbow Bend. The day before we had passed the point I wanted to paint after rafting the Snake River. Little did I know that photographers favored this spot. I found a notch in the road away from the foot long lenses and set up to paint. It was 5:30 A.M., 35 degrees, within minutes my fingers were numb, the oil paint became stiff and sticky. Remembering the morning I was miserable physically, mentally I was soaring! Daylight tickled the Tetons, the very tips lit up pink, birds calls echoed across the Snake River beside me. I was truly in awe of our amazing planet and so grateful that the land had been preserved. That morning was priceless and will remain in my mind forever. I have painted three paintings inspired by that morning, the original 9” X 12” sketch, a 20” X 30” studio painting and finally the tiny piece, my daily painting for October 27th.
This tree and I have spent many hours together, the foliage changes with each season but the "bones" are always the same. Now, as fall takes hold of the land the creek that runs beside the tree is completely dry. Both the creek bed and the tree are waiting patiently for rain.
Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"
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Driving home from helping a friend "adopt" an old roll top desk the glowing landscape was breathtaking. This path was just off the main road, near Placerita Creek. Two deer were grazing on the hill oblivious to the beauty surrounding them. Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"
Painting a scene that is familiar can be akin to "comfort food" for a painter. I have painted this piece three times, every one is unique and it was a lovely way to spend the day. Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"
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Cool, quiet, early morning. It's as though a gauze blanket has been wrapped around the earth.
Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"
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Sunday I drove from Bakersfield to Los Angeles. Every turn of the road revealed a new wonder of color. Finally, I pulled off the freeway before I had an accident and wandered down a few trails just absorbing all the color from every shadow to the sunlight tickling the wild brush. This painting reflects that day, as best I can.
Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"
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This stormy Saturday, I was a participating artist at the Pasadena Playhouse District Artwalk. I painted this old oak that lives down the street from me during the show. Young and old, people seem to enjoy watching the process of a painting develop and in turn I enjoy their enthusiasm. Oil on Canvas board, 6" X 8"
A dancing brush, pushing and pulling paint on the canvas creating calm clouds floating over our valley. Can you imagine a better way to spend time?Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"
Sunday, at the close of a picture perfect day, a small gang of outlaw clouds blew into town. A lone puddle reflected their pink retreat and the powdered dirt was speckled. This palm wrestled with the wind and won.
Atlasta Ranch, as in "at last a ranch" is just behind the trees on the left where girls from 3 to 103 years old, (and just a few fellows) ride, groom, hug and love their horses.
Oil on Canvas, 5" X 7"
I set my brush down and had 14 minutes till midnight to post this painting for Saturday. My connection to the internet didn't happen for 20 minutes. Half awake here is a huge tree on the bank, watching the water flow to the ocean near Santa Barbara, California.
Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"
Artists are most fortunate, we can go anywhere, anytime. It's similar to hearing a song from long ago, in your mind you instantly drift back in time. You can smell the popcorn, hear the ocean or feel the warmth of the sun, you know exactly who you were with and what was happening, all from a simple melody. Today on canvas, I went to Big Sur and felt the sand between my toes.
This is as far as I dare walk down this dirt road. The signs warned of dogs that could out run me and how unwanted I was, the perils of plein air.
Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"
Crisp air flowed though my lungs to my toes and this morning a jacket felt just right. It's difficult to get oil paint to move when it's cold, similar to some people.
Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"
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Before plastic water bottles, the drinking fountain was every kids source of water during recess. Sometimes the water would be wonderfully cold, other times just shy of boiling and we drank either because we were "dying". One game was to push your friends head a bit while they were drinking, hoping that the water would jet up a unsuspecting nostril. Of course I only watched.
Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"
