"Cottonwoods and Clouds" ©

I am hanging my "Gone Painting" shingle, once again. Heading north on the California coast, all the way to Oregon. This is the final trip for this summer with my family, exploring beaches, galleries, museums and of course painting. In two weeks I'll be back, blogging again.

This painting, "Cottonwoods and Clouds" is a larger studio version of the last two postings. I altered the composition and used a nice big brush, still pushing the colors as far as I dare.

Oil on canvas, 16" X 20"

"Cottonwood Trees II" ©

Just fun. I continued with the Cottonwood trees, creating a "sister" to yesterdays painting. They are sitting together and make a nice couple. Truly I just had fun in the paint today.

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 10"

"Cottonwoods" ©

Today I painted out with friends. The sky was flat, with low clouds blocking any of the suns rays. We were painting under an arbor, expecting dappled sunlight on the dirt path with warm reflected light on the columns. The painting ended up a "scraper", so when I got back to the studio, I painted some of the Cottonwood trees that were in the field next to the Blue Heron Inn up in Idaho. I feel much better about this one.

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 10"

"Pasadena City Hall" ©

I am still tweaking the lines on the tower but wanted to photograph the painting in daylight, so here it is almost finished. This painting along with the past couple of the Pasadena area will be part of the California Art Club show on Sunday, celebrating the re-opening of the building. It isn't until I painted this tower and the Colorado Street bridge that I really grew to appreciate the beauty of these structures.

Oil on canvas, 11" X 14"

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"Arroyo Seco Casting Pond" ©

Sunset at the Casting Pond in the Pasadena Arroyo. This was a very quick study and may be worthy of a larger studio painting.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Colorado Street Bridge" ©

The Colorado Street Bridge is probably the most famous bridge in Pasadena. She is long, lean and elegant. The history of the bridge is colorful and most Pasadena residents couldn't imagine the city without her.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

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"Under The Bridge", Pasadena Arroyo ©

There is just a bit of water left under the Colorado Bridge in Pasadena. With this painting I was trying to capture the feeling of being deep in the woodland.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

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"Another Foggy Morning" ©

At an Artwalk a couple of weeks ago I met a lovely couple that were interested in a painting. They ended up looking at this blog and "Foggy Morning" was their favorite. So with some adjustment in composition (5 X 7" Horizontal), inspired by the original, I painted "Another Foggy Morning" for their collection.

Oil on Panel, 5" x 7"

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"Summer Blues" ©

Just playing with the colors of the day.....

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

"Desert Morning" ©

Driving to Idaho, sipping coffee, listening to Steely Dan I glanced to my right and squealing to myself "look at that!", I slammed on the brakes. These are the times you wish another artist was in the passenger seat so you could share in the delight of the colors and gorgeous light. "Desert Morning" is the view that caused a slight delay in my travels.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

"Holly House, Catalina" ©

The Holly House stands overlooking the Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island. You can spot the red and green striped roof from almost anywhere in Avalon. If a house can be "adorable", this one certainly is.

Oil on Canvas, 24" X 20"

"Summer Greens" ©

As a painter, when you see a view that is GREEN, from the foreground to the distant trees your mind has to push the paint and brush just a bit harder. You are trying to give the finished painting depth and tell the tale without the advantage of a multitude of colors. Up in Idaho everything is green near the Snake River and since it is the beginning of summer, I titled this little painting "Summer Greens".

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

"Late Afternoon" ©

On my way home I glanced over as I headed into our canyon to see the light playing in the tops of the trees and grazing the mountain in the pass. It was late in the afternoon.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Pepper Tree" ©

The Pepper Trees must be able to survive on very little water. This beauty stands off the 210 freeway, near Sunland.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Summer Trail" ©

In Southern California we are having a heat wave. "Summer Trail" is my attempt to capture the feeling of cool shade on the right and the summer heat on the trail and the landscape on the left of the canvas.

Plein Air painting in Idaho was quite an experience. The powerful Snake River became a constant source of inspiration, while I was a guest of Claudia and Dave, Innkeepers of the Blue Heron Inn. If you are ever within 200 miles of South Eastern Idaho, The Blue Heron is the place to hang your hat. Claudia and Dave are fabulous cooks and help guests with everything and anything from easel repair to driving directions. If you would like to see photos of the Inn check out www.idahoblueheron.com. While staying at the Blue Heron not only are you staying in a lovely log home but you are adopted into the family instantly. Thanks again Dave and Claudia for the safe haven.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"