"Red Roof" ©

Very small flying creatures attacked my painting today. I was able to flick most of their bodies off my panel this evening after the paint set up a bit. A paint out was planned for the North Campus of College Of The Canyons, nine artists came out to paint together. Not only was the safety of numbers appreciated at the end everyone shared their mornings efforts and Lorelle was kind enough to critique (offer very helpful suggestions). Several of the artists, like moths drawn to light, included the red tiled roof, all alone tucked down in a nest of trees.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

"Filmore" ©

Delivering a painting to Lake Hughes, visiting the Poppy Reserve and preparing for the Wistaria Festival tomorrow didn't leave much time to "paint" today. After dinner I sat at the easel and painted Filmore for two reasons, one my husband, Mike was there this morning and told me how beautiful it was and second I'll be there painting on Tuesday. I am very excited with the prospect, there could be 50 painters working at the same location, Rancho Camulos.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

"Above Avalon" ©

Deer follow this trail, high above Avalon on Catalina Island. Delicate long legs, large all hearing ears, ever on alert but truly not very shy, at least of human kind.

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Lucky" ©

Lucky Wambsgans - 1/1997 to 3/27/08
With tears and love, missing you buddy......

"Pasadena Bridge" ©

Today a dear friend was able to meet me at Gale's Restaurant today for lunch. We chatted about "life" while surrounded by my paintings, eating food that stopped the conversation, it was so delicious. After lunch, standing in the parking lot I was treated to a private viewing of my friends latest art quilts. These are fabric paintings, each unique, each a piece of fine art. On the way home I could see bits and pieces of the famous bridge of Pasadena and that was the subject I chose to paint. This painting will always remind me of this day, with my very good friend Jeanne.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

"Wistaria Of Sierra Madre" ©

114 years old, seems to be young for the famous Wistaria vine, that knows no bounds. Next Sunday I'll be participating in the festival with my famous painter Mom and so today I decided to paint the actual vine in anticipation of a wonderful day. (The Sierra Madre spelling is Wistaria for all of you that know the spelling Wisteria. Who can argue with 114 years of tradition)

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Eaton Canyon At Dusk" ©

Looking at this painting on the blog I once again see details to tweak. Basically here is the final piece created from the small study. Eaton Canyon is one of those locations that offers inspiration no matter what time of year, day or weather is layered over the canyon.

Oil on Linen, 18" X 24"

"Eaton Canyon, Dusk" Study ©

Painting 2 larger pieces, that will not be "daily" paintings, I gave myself 15 min. to paint a small color study. Here are some color notes for a larger Eaton Canyon at dusk. You can see it's very rough and yet full of information for me to work with. It looks like if I adjust the mountain range, it has potential worth exploring on a larger canvas.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Meadow Beyond" ©

It's amazing to me how much of the landscape you can fit on a small canvas or panel as in this case. Another tiny study, done while thinking of what it would be like to walk out from under the shade of the trees into the early sunlight.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Golden Hills" ©

Small studies are a wonderful way to explore a composition and/or a palette of colors. A month ago I was driving along Placerita Canyon Road as the sun broke through the clouds to illuminate the golden hills, against the dark sky. It was so dramatic that I stopped to observe this moment in awe. Today I was wondering if I could create a painting to portray the drama and decided to try a little study.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Storm Passing" ©

The field at the corner of the canyon is green due to rain and sun. It will be brief as the field spends most of the year dressed in the colors of straw. Thankfully the folks around here are stalling the development of the field and every time I drive past I imprint the view so that when it's a memory it will be clear.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"
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"California Poppies" ©

I can hardly wait till the 2008 babies bloom!

Oil on Panel, 9" X 12"

"Arriving Rain" ©

This view is from the ridge overlooking the creek in front of our home, looking to the east. Clouds had come into the valley, mixing it up with blue skies and fluffy white clouds until the enough of the storm had taken over the sky to rain on the earth.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

"Winter, Eaton Canyon" ©

Add one more painting for my upcoming show at Gale's. Eaton Canyon is north of Pasadena and it's well worn trail is known to many hikers. Not to far from the entrance is a waterfall that pours into a pond, then the water hugs large granite boulders finding it's flow downstream. No matter what season Eaton Canyon is an inspiring location to paint.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

"A bit Of Wistaria" ©

The Sierra Madre Annual Wistaria Festival is right around the corner, March 30th. Today I was reminded of the upcoming celebration of the lovely vine and with that thought in mind I painted "A Bit Of Wistaria".

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 6"

"Desert Palms" ©

Sometimes it seems I just can't get enough of a subject and since palm tees seem to crop up in my paintings over the years, they are on the list of continuing subjects.

Oil on Canvas, 9" X 12"

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"The Brickyard" ©

I had to set the timer today and race to "move" paint on the canvas. This scene is the area on the Amador Foothill Railroad called the "brickyard". I was curious, did this peach colored earth give birth to bricks, or was this the local of a brickyard for the town of Ione many decades long past? A note on the painting: I will add more branch work and develop the cliff more in the morning, at the very least. As usual I suspect in the morning with new eyes I will see a painting with serious flaws. Meanwhile I am off to paint with friends this evening. Yipee!

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Old Barn" ©

How many of these old barns dot the landscape across California? What's amazing is that they still stand and quite a few are still housing hay, tractors and mousers.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

"Malibu Creek Park" ©

The California Art Club held their first quarterly paint out for the year today. Members could choose between several locations, I picked Malibu Creek State Park. What a spot! Signs of spring are covering the hills and dusting the trees. The creek is full, wide and a deep brown under the cloudy skies. A deer passed by, while we painted, as if seeing easels, umbrellas and artists dotting the landscape is an everyday occurrence. Maybe it is. During our lunch break Karl Dempwolf was kind enough to give a critique, in exchange for a sandwich. I would have bought him dinner too, for his valuable insights into our paintings. Great day....

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"