"Palms" ©

I can hear you, "Palms again?". Well, it's sunny California and everywhere you look these beauties are dancing in the sun. So, every once in a while they are going to pop up here because I love to paint them. Actually the palms in my valley suffered greatly in a few days of very low temps. Most of them are brown but at sunset the brown turns rust and they glow. Maybe they will be next?

Oil on canvas, 9" X 12"

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"Corgi" ©

This little Corgi has the largest ears you can imagine. He is a ranch dog and is willing to let me pet him as long as I would like. He will also fetch a stick just so that I can keep throwing it. His eyes speak volumes.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

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"Ocean Air" ©

Down by the sea the air acts like a veil, creating more and more layers as you look to the distance. Capturing that effect was my goal with this piece. I was in Malibu with the ocean singing behind me.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

"Summit Park Trail" ©

Summit park starts out with tennis courts, then a large grassy area and finally a path into the wilderness. It's right smack dab in the middle of town and yet most people don't even know about the back area. There is a small sign warning about snakes and coyotes. During the day coyotes lay low and it's to cold for the snakes. So it was a perfect painting day. My buddy Sandy and I chatted, painted and chatted some more. She painted a lovely watercolor and it was nice to have the company.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

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"Eaton Canyon" ©

Today the "Thursday Irregulars" painted Eaton Canyon. When you are plein air painting, not much can distract you from the task at hand. Not 40 children singing, not the hiker with a pit bull straining against it's leash, not even the couple that want to offer advice. But today a small mouse was running from one clump of brush to another, back and forth, the whole time I painted. I almost named the little fellow. He managed to distract and endear me to him. Finally the rain drove me out of the canyon and back to my car.

Oil on Panel, 9" X 12" sold

"Koi Fountain" ©

One of the first sights that greet the visitors to Descanso Gardens is lovely Koi pond with fountains. Painting daily allowed me to spend my morning engaged with the water bouncing off this beautiful fountain.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Rice Canyon" ©

Rice Canyon is part of the Santa Clarita Woodlands. Even though it's still winter the canyon is stunning. In spring it bring us to our knees with beauty. The photo is washed out on the right due to the size of the panel and wet paint, my apologies.

Oil on Panel

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"Little Red Cabin" ©

Lately my family has been discussing our summer vacation plans during dinner each evening. These talks spirited this little painting, as I was day dreaming of a perfect vacation spot today.

Oil on Canvas Board, 8" X 8"

"Lake At Descanso Gardens" ©

Today I painted out with a group called "The Thursday Irregulars". "Irregular" is in the title, I was told because all of the artists are professionals and depending on their show/travel/commission schedule they attend irregularly. We met at 9am to paint in the famous Descanso Gardens till 12 noon, and then gathered together at the cafe for lunch and a critique. What fun!

I painted at the far end of the garden, past the cactus garden, looking over the bird sanctuary towards the San Gabriel Mountain range. This is my mornings effort.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

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"Colors Of Malibu" ©

Last Sunday, on the beach at Malibu these were the colors flying. It's no wonder that Malibu has such a reputation for beauty. I feel so fortunate to have been born in California and so lucky to have the opportunity to see this sight in person.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"



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"East Mountain" ©

I have been working on this painting, while "blogging" the smaller pieces, the last couple of days. It's close to the finish line, now. Posting it allows me to see it with new eyes.

Oil on Canvas, 20" X 30"

"Sun Dappled Gray" ©

A large berry tree stands just outside of Neo's stall, shading him most of the day. His is the first stall in a long row, so he greets or ignores every visitor depending on his mood. I was captured by the sun splashing here and there over his back. I was being ignored.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"


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"In The Arroyo" ©

Saturday the California Art Club held one of their quarterly paint outs in the Lower Arroyo Park, just south of the famous Pasadena bridge. The weather was suppose to be horrible (for painting out), I just don't think the clouds would dare to pounce on a CAC event. So, a fabulous time was had by all. Artists painted the casting pond, hills or the bridge and I chose this wonderful path through the trees. I walked quite a ways down the path, as it pulled me further and further along. This is the feeling I wanted to pass on to the viewer of my painting.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10" sold

"Highway 126" working title ©

This view is near Filmore, out Highway 126. Houses are planned for this lovely land. In a few years this view will be history.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20" sold

"Golden Sycamore" ©

This tree must be one hundred years old. It stands along the bank of the Placerita Creek. Now it's naked, but painting just the bear "bones" felt so cold, so I dressed her up.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10" sold

"Valencia Palm" ©

We have had a couple of very warm, summer-ish days in sunny Southern California. Most of the palms have a tinge of rust because of the cold snap a couple of weeks ago. This little beauty is hanging on to some green.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"View From Rancho Deluxe"

Late last spring I had the opportunity to visit Rancho Deluxe in Sand Canyon, just down the road. This was the stunning view from one of the ranch houses. The painting is not entirely finished, I'll tweak the piece tomorrow morning with fresh eyes.

Oil on Canvas, 20" X 30"

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"Evening Light" ©

This view is Placerita creek, dry as a bone, late in the day. This painting will be part of the "Chasing Open Spaces II" exhibit, in a couple of months. Two painters and myself are painting the undeveloped areas in our valley, in order to expose and document the beauty that surrounds us everyday. I still have a bit of tweaking to go but this is what I painted today.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

"After The Rain" ©

The storm clouds are heading to other lands, leaving behind puddles, dark bark and wet asphalt. New storms will march into the valley before February is past, giving our creek it's chance to run.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

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