"Clouds For Pennie" ©

This painting is a commission that will be heading to it's new home tomorrow. The idea was to paint a large gallery wrapped canvas as if you were looking through a window, seeing clouds and a blue blue sky. Clouds are very enjoyable to sculpt in paint, simply put I had fun.

Oil on Canvas, 24" X 30"

sold

"Oaks Under Clouds" ©

Clouds are still drifting over the Oaks in the valley. Even now, close to evening the wind is cutting through the leaves. Today was a banner beautiful day, or what you might call a "mayors day". This was the kind of day you want photographs taken of your home town for publicity.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

"Stormy Sky" ©

Clouds blew in and out of our valley with ease today. A cold nip reminded me that even with the light change, summer is far away.

Oil on board, 5" X 7"

"Oaks" ©

Spring green is sprouting all around now. This bunch of Oaks are down at the corner of Sierra Hwy and Placerita Canyon. There has been a truck in the field lately and usually that is followed by construction. Hopefully they will save these old oaks.

Oil on Canvas

sold

"Another Day" ©

This painting is titled "Another Day", simply because as I was walking down the trail and spotted this view I thought to myself, "geez another day in paradise". I am so fortunate to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. "Another Day" is part of the exhibit "Chasing Open Spaces II" that will hang till May 6th. The show is exclusively paintings of the natural areas of the valley with the purpose of showing people how beautiful it is and that it is worth preserving.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

"Tree Trunk Study" ©

This small tree trunk study was a luxury for me. My only goal was to capture the light bouncing around on these lovely trunks. I wasn't working towards a framed finished painting, just simply painting the light that I saw.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

"Midday In March" ©

The sun is still a bit to the south, so even midday you see lovely shadows. This is one of the advantages of painting during the winter and spring in California.

A footnote: A few days ago I found a new way to photograph the blog paintings and the images are now looking very close to the originals on my computer, for which I am very pleased.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

Purchase from the artist

"Gotta Itch" ©

Last Saturday while waiting at the William S. Hart Park for my painting buddies I was watching this goose. There was something really pestering his belly that far outweighed any interest in me. Today was raining and painting this goose seemed like a wonderful way to spend the day.

Oil on Raymar panel, 6" X 8"

sold

Purchase from the artist

"Trail Shadows" ©

San Francisquito Canyon, late in the day, on the bridle path watching the rabbits dart across the trail.

Oil on Raymar panel, 6" X 8"

Purchase from the artist

"Glowing Clouds" ©

The idea for this little painting was to capture the clouds as sunlight burned it's way along the edges.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

sold

"Winter Pastels" ©

Soft. Everything this day was soft, the sky, the sand, even the brush. The colors of winter are becoming more and more pastel.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Winter Grass" ©

These grasses will soon be replaced by waving strands of green. I think the drastic contrast between the oak trees and the silver grass is what captured me in this scene.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"


Purchase from the artist

"March Midday" ©

Spring, really is just around the corner. Looking into the brush winter and spring are battling it out and spring is winning! On the trees small tufts of green are unrolling and it won't be long till our hills are a carpet of green. This painting is of Rice Canyon in the middle of this March day.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

Purchase from the artist

"Palms And Clouds" ©

Last evening was the city of Pasadena's Art Night, a twice annual event. I was lucky enough to exhibit paintings and demonstrate at the Pasadena History Museum, during the event. The museum is hosting the "Who Was Sam???", Sam Hyde Harris exhibit presented by Maurine St. Gaudens Studios. Just knowing that his paintings were a few feet away was great inspiration. This painting was my demo piece.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

Purchase from the artist

"Above The Arroyo" ©

The "Thursday Irregulars" plein air group gained access to an estate overlooking the Arroyo, in Pasadena, today. This little painting was done entirely with a palette knife, and no, I didn't forget my brushes. I really am enticed by the action I can get with the knife on the panel. It doesn't photograph well, as the thick paint catches the light.

Oil on panel, 9" X 12"

sold

"Pico Canyon Morning" ©

Even with just a couple of inches of rain the hills have a green glaze as the bits of wild grass reach for the sun. This view is just at the mouth of Pico Canyon, looking South West, towards the sea.

Oil on Panel, 12" X 16"

"Near Rocking Horse Road" ©

This little painting is all about the light caught in the brush along the road.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

"Sanctuary" ©

Deep in Descanso Gardens there is an overlook where wild birds take sanctuary. This scene is early on a winter morning, with just a few ducks floating in the shade. From the other side of the lake you could see through the brush several very large white birds. If you were a bird this would be a bit of heaven.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

sold

"Early Morning, Pico Canyon" ©

Very early in the morning it's difficult to get the oil paint to "move" on the panel, due to the cold. Today I experimented with working exclusively with a tiny palette knife. It felt wonderfully juicy and powerful.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

Purchase from the artist

"San Simeon Seals" ©

I have been painting a large piece for 2 days now. I just can't bring myself to take it down off of the easel and paint a small daily painting, just yet. Today for your pleasure I am posting a section of a painting that is hanging in my dining room that I painted previously. These seals stack against each other, basking in the sun up the coast, near San Simeon. Every time we go camping we stop just to watch their antics, guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone.

Oil on Canvas, 36" X 36"