"Distant Oaks" ©

It's been said that if an artist likes one inch of their painting they are lucky. Today I am lucky with the tiny area where the smaller Oak tree meets the distant hill on the left. That little bit (1/2"), in person, is lovely.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

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Personal note, on my easel is a 30" X 40" commissioned canvas, I really need to keep my head in this important painting. I'll post now and then but until this piece is done, no promises.

"Barn At Sea Ranch" ©

This barn is barely standing, above the Pacific Ocean near Mendocino. "Sea Ranch" could be described as a hide away. It's a very quite inn, offering exquisite food and miles of paths that cross the bluffs above the sea. A dream would be to have a week to paint the ranch day and night, soaking up the quiet.

Oil on canvas, 6" X 8"

"Backlit Brush" ©

During my early morning walk down the canyon I saw these dry bushes glowing. All the brush is so dry now, at the end of 6 long hot months, you can almost hear the plants calling to the clouds.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Frazier Park Sunset" ©

It's cold, windy, dry and desolate feeling, yet gorgeous dressed in fall colors. I met up with friends in Frazier Park and found this view hard to resist.

Oil on canvas, 20" X 24"

"Tolley Workshop"

Elizabeth "Libby" Tolley taught a class today in Pasadena at the Learning and Product Expo, all the artists in attendance had the chance to paint this scene. After Libby's demo, we each went to a spot at a table that had, paint, a panel, brushes, Gamsol, Galkyd and a photo card with one of her paintings on it. Our job was to use her technique of laying in the painting in transparents and slowly building up to thicker opaque paint, painting from her card. Libby was delightful, full of energy and answered all the questions thrown her way. Her main points were to think value, temperature, interesting shapes and what are you the artist is trying to say with your painting. Recently Libby's first book on painting was published, encompassing her complete process, all the questions students have asked her and everything she has learned from her mentors. I would recommend it for every artists library, "Oil Painter's Solution Book, Landscapes", published by North Light Books. If you ever get the chance to paint with Libby, go for it! To see paintings by Libby, go to www.elizabethtolley.com

"Laguna Palms" ©

Tonight is the California Art Club/South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce "Rialto Visions" exhibit, collectors circle preview. A bunch of bloggers are in the show, Sharon Weaver, Karen Winters and Marian Fortunati. There may be more, which is part of the fun at these events, figuring out who's who. I have seen the paintings, all featuring historic landmarks of South Pasadena and it's a room full of gems. I am so fortunate to be hanging with this group. Meanwhile today, in between framing, the insurance photographer and sanding an orange alabaster I painted "Laguna Palms".

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

"Pacific Sunset" ©

Recently I was asked what are the advantages of blogging small paintings? This painting is a perfect example of one of the benefits, allowing me to experiment with a Gamblin medium, Neo Megilpm without investing a ton of time or materials. Clouds seemed like a good subject to make use of the silky consistency that the Neo Megilp gives the paint. In a couple of weeks I'll be down in Laguna Beach painting in John Cosby's workshop, so today I practiced a "Pacific Sunset".

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Vasquez Rock View" ©

Nine artists met at Vasquez Rocks, site of Star Trek filming and early 1900's bank robbers hideout. It was the Santa Clarita Artists Plein Air event for the month, with yours truly as the ring leader. Actually I just arrange the date, upon arrival the artists drift out into the wilderness following their own mojo. I painting happily, till shivering I had 10 minutes till the ranger pad locked the gate for the night.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Little Trailer" ©

A couple of days ago Tammy Marashlian, a staff writer for The Signal newspaper emailed, interest in writing a story on "Chasing Open Spaces III", an exhibit that is hanging at the Canyon Theatre Guild Hallway Gallery. Today, we met with Lorelle Miller, another participating artist, telling Tammy all we could about the project. Then we walked down the road a bit to an open field and spent the next couple of hours painting while she watched and Francisca, the staff photographer took photos. Lorelle and I throughly enjoyed our time painting, just like kids playing their favorite game, I hope that Tammy and Francisca enjoyed their afternoon too. It's not very often that people watch us paint.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Eaton Canyon Sycamore" ©

This morning I headed out to Eaton Canyon to meet up with the Thursday Morning Irregulars to paint. I have missed their friendship and good humor more then I realized, it's been a while since I have been able to participate. I am including two photographs, the photo on the bottom is inaccurate with light catching the paint and washed out darks, the photo on the top is what the painting looks like sitting on my studio easel and is more accurate. This is a very clear example of how the photography can kill a painting.

Oil on Linen, 8" X 10"

"Meridian Iron Works" ©

In the heart of the South Pasadena Mission District the old Meridian Iron Works building faces the 1907 Watering Trough-Wayside Station. The little rock structure was built as a spot for travelers to rest and water their horses. The whole area is a gathering spot now for locals to sip coffee, shop and walk their dogs.

Oil on canvas, 9" X 12"

"Fraizer Park View" ©

For those of you who know the Frazier Park exit off the 5 freeway, this is the view at the little bridge behind the Jack In The Box, looking toward the Tejon Ranch. As far as painting it's cold and windy, the rewards are the hues of fall, full of gold.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"May Lake Creek" ©

Driving up the narrow road to May Lake this little creek shadows you, meandering near and far. I knew at once that someday I wanted to paint the rocks and fallen logs, today was the day.

Oil on Linen, 12" X 16"

"It's All About The Ears" ©

What can I say? It's ALL about the ears....

Oil on Linen, 8" X 10"

"Aspens In Fall" ©

Today driving past the Cottonwood trees in the Santa Clara Riverbed, I remembered the Aspens of Colorado, standing tall along the trails. Here is my version of "Aspens In Fall".

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Lembert Dome" ©

Half Dome is probably the most famous dome within Yosemite National Park. Since sitting watching the sun bathing Lembert dome in sunset colors last summer this view of has been whirling it's way around my mind as a painting that I really wanted to attempt. I know that it isn't a common subject as domes are odd, but anyone that has visited the North East area of Yosemite would know this stunning stone formation.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

"Cathedral Oak Monument" ©

The city of South Pasadena has embraced the artists of the California Art Club, encouraging paintings of city landmarks to be presented in an exhibit in a couple of weeks. I went on "the hunt" for a landmark to paint and came to this simple cross surrounded by Sycamores on the very edge of the Arroyo. Something about the cross and the stone, quietly standing amongst the trees just grabbed my heart and I painted the "Cathedral Oak Monument". Legend has it that this is the spot of the first Easter Service in California, preformed by Father Crespi in 1770.

Oil on Linen, 9" X 12"

"Duck Dining" ©

The dinner menu consisted of Cheetos and torn bits of bread, thrown into the water by squealing children. Lovely ending to a cool fall evening.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

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