"California Palm Trees" ©

After having lunch today with Lynne Fearman (great plein air painter, check her paintings out at Segilfineart.com), I was noticing that most of the trees and bushes were dull and thirsty, surviving the 100 plus degree day. Except, the Palm Trees! They danced in the breeze, singing to the sun. And so smiling, I painted them.

Oil on Panel, 12" X 16"

"Natures Highlights" ©

Never ending beauty, that is what nature gives to the viewer. In this case the sun was providing top lighting to the Oaks and brush. The valley is dry, very dry, yet the lavender, rust and wheat colors that engulf every living plant are deliciously rich.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"

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"Summer Evening" ©

As a painters we can move mountains, we can add trees and we can spend the day anywhere in the world, at least on the canvas. Today, I was remembering the Snake River last June and how beautiful the evening skies were. What a life!

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

"Farmland" ©

Near Filmore the land is quickly changing. This little painting will be a memory of a beautiful valley.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Pico Canyon" ©

I saw the mountain lion on my way out of the canyon this morning. She/he was huge and stunning, crossing this dirt road 100 yards from where we all painted. Pico Canyon was the location that I had selected for the Santa Clarita Artists Associations monthly paint out. Who knows how long the lion watched us paint but being last out of the canyon I was privileged to see this amazing animal.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Orchard Evening" ©

This is one of thousands of orchard roads that lace the valley. Some are gated, some seem abandoned, all are potential paintings.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"

"Desert Morning" ©

The Mojave Desert is the location for this scene. The light grazing the brush is what caught my attention as I whizzed down the highway. That lovely light was what I was chasing all day today.

Oil on canvas, 18" X 24"

"Out The 126 Hwy" ©

The landscape between Santa Clarita and Santa Paula will be transformed from rural farmland to vast vistas of homes. Painting the area now, as it is may provide an artistic history of what it once was.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Canyon Afternoon" ©

Our valley has had some very unusual lighting lately. Possibly it's a bit of smoke from the Santa Barbara fire drifting in our direction. The location of this little landscape is Bouquet Canyon, late in the day, under very strange skies.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Sunflower Fields" ©

A romantic gentleman explained a story to me about his future bride. A sunflower field was the setting. His request was that I paint a sunflower field as his gift to this lucky lady. I spent the past couple of days working out a design concept and today with my heart in my hand, thinking all the while about the story, I painted "Sunflower Fields".

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Touch Of Gold" ©

Driving in the San Fernando Valley yesterday I saw these big gold trees right near a freeway on ramp. It was all so fast, spotting the trees and trying to drive that this painting is all that I can remember of the scene. They were stunning.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"California Hills" ©

Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting the Pasadena Museum of History's presentation of "Contemporary Masters, Artistic Eden" exhibit. Being alone I was allowed, long luxurious viewing. The paintings by artists Michael Obermeyer, Jennifer McChristian, Keewon Hong and John Cosby are still vibrating in my mind. The whole exhibit was inspiring and reminded me how important it is to leave the easel and view masterpieces now and then.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Mendocino" ©

The day was gray and flat, the sea completely calm. In the village of Mendocino a sculptor was working on a 2 thousand pound block of Texas limestone, a direct carve. It was a foreign sound, the hammer hitting the chisel with perfect rhythm, in the heart of the village that drew me in. It reminded me of walking the streets of Pietrasanta, Italy.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Summer Clouds" ©

After visiting the Oregon Caves National Monument these clouds followed us to Grants Pass. Small ranches lined the road, here and there a vineyard blanketed the foothills, meanwhile the sunlight turned to gold making everything in view seem magical.

Oil on panel, 6" X 8"

"Point Reyes Path" ©

To find the Point Reyes Lighthouse, you must be very determined. Driving for 30 minutes off the main road, walking down the path (in the painting), you arrive at the top of a 300 step staircase that leads you down to the lighthouse. The docent described 90 mile an hour winds, knocking the staircase railing clean off it's anchor into the sea during a storm. It's difficult to imagine the life of the keeper at this desolate, windswept point, or how many lives this beacon saved. Yes, I am back.....

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"