"Eaton Canyon Trail" ©

Eaton Canyon is one of those locations that you could paint year round, everyday and feel as if it's brand new with each sunrise. This painting is depicting one of my favorite times of the year, late fall.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

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"Golden Glow" ©

Painting large pieces for an upcoming show, I am unable to post everyday, even though I am painting day and night. So, yesterday as a break I gave myself a limited amount of time, to paint a small piece to blog. Ready, set, go! It's difficult to explain but comparable to stretching after a 4 hour car ride. And really fun!

Oil on canvas, 9" X 12"

"Rural Road" ©

One wonderful thing about painting is that the artist can create the world that they want to be in. We focus so intently on the painting, that really it's like being there. So you may choose a busy city scene or on a stormy weekend you may choose a warm California scene away from distraction, maybe even a "Rural Road".

Oil on canvas, 16" X 20"

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"Placerita Creek" ©

Before the heavy rains, this was the western view of Placerita Creek, that I drive through each day coming and going out of the canyon. This morning the water was so high it was unsafe to cross. I thought about painting the water rushing but am fearful of it's power and not attracted to an all grey palette. Tomorrow a paint out is planned for a bunch of SCV artists. We all have our fingers crossed for a break in the rain, big fluffy clouds and a bit of warm sun.

Oil on panel, 10" X 8"

"Reflections" ©

After working on the "Kitchen" for a couple of days, I thought I would take today off and paint an easy, calm, relaxing piece. This view of land jutting out into the water is just that. I can imagine boating on around the bend, chasing the sunlight, avoiding the incoming storm.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"

"Gale's Kitchen" ©

Before you even hit the door at Gale's Restaurant enticing smells drift around the parking lot. I have just painted one small area of the kitchen that glows in the late afternoon light. It was a nice switch from landscapes, this rainy January day.

Oil on Linen, 12" x 16"

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"Lagoon, Greens" ©

I am painting furiously for a show that installs late March. 40 paintings, plus a few on hand to replace any that go to new homes. This piece is a quiet, peaceful painting that might be a good prospect for the show. It's so hard to tell when they are fresh. I have already tweaked this after the photo. In the morning I'll see more. The joy of paint.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

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Down the road, at the corner of Sierra Highway and Placerita Canyon this field is getting a lot of attention. The owner has ideas that are not exactly in line with some other folks. It always gets my attention because it's beautiful and I am soaking up the view as much as possible before it's fate of concrete and buildings takes hold.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"Riverbed" ©

Today's painting was created by looking at a smaller version of the same scene, the Santa Clara Riverbed, that I painted plein air in December. A storm was approaching quickly, the cotton wood trees were hanging on to their golden glory.

Oil on Linen, 12" X 16"

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"Golden Trees" ©

Usually I avoid a closed composition but I thought that the mountains looming in the background would support the trees and add to the feeling of scale. The lone cow was added to give interest to the piece. I debated whether to give him some friends and thought I would let the viewer decide where the rest of the herd was hanging out.

Oil on linen, 11" X 14"

"Afternoon Warmth, Laguna Beach" ©

Warmth radiates from the sandstone cliffs long after the sun sets in Laguna Beach. My goal in this painting was to capture that warmth and take the viewer to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Oil on Linen, 12" X 16"

"Days End" ©

I can't get a good photo of this tonight, for you. There is shine on the brush strokes and the darks are not as dark as you see. I have decided that it's true enough to blog but once again I am reminded that I need to get better at photographing these pieces in the dark of night.

Most of this little painting was painted while I gallery sat at The Carriage House Gallery at Descanso Gardens today. Creating a view of miles of land on a very small panel always excites me. I am thankful for the blogging process, without it I would have never explored painting small.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

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"South Pasadena Stable" ©

For the first time in a long while I was able to join the Thursday Morning Irregulars (hence the title) plein air painting today. Honing in on a subject took me an unusual amount of time, but once I spotted the main barn from this vantage point with the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance, I went to work. Here is the result of the mornings effort.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Arroyo Bridle Path" ©

Down in the Pasadena Arroyo there are several bridle paths to choice from. This one is north of the casting pond. I was attracted to the way the trees created a tunnel, just tall enough for a horse and rider.

Oil on Canvas, 12" X 16"

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"Sierra Snow II" ©

Usually an artist would avoid a big dark patch in the middle of a composition. This little study was all about trying to capture the color temperature change in the gully where the snow was blocked from the sun. There is enough information here to create a larger studio piece, which is one of the benefits to small plein air studies. In a larger painting I would move the gully over and play up the lit brush to help direct the viewer through the piece.

Oil on canvas, 6" X 8"


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"Sierra Snow" ©

This is another view at R-Ranch in the Sequoia Forest. After the weekend storm I can just imagine several feet of snow covering all the small brush.

Oil on canvas, 6" X 8"

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"Santa Clara Riverbed, January" ©

The first real storm of the winter hit yesterday. Wind and rain pelted the windows and doors begging to come in. Before the storm, near the market, I painted one of my favorite views of the Santa Clara Riverbed that cuts through our valley. I am sure that the wind stripped the last of the leaves and the trees are now naked.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

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"To Be Young" ©

Maybe 6 years old, I can't remember. I think my Mom took a photo of me out on the driveway in front of the house. It's very strange to look at a photo of myself and then attempt to paint it. The little girl is familiar, every bit of her and yet she seems like a dream. I still have the necklace in a small jewelry box that my Grandmother gave to me years ago.

Oil on Linen, 14" X 11"

"Malibu Lagoon" ©

Seabirds by the hundreds bob about in the Lagoon until a larger bird drifts in to create complete havoc until every bird gets settled once again.

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"