"Whitney Canyon Colors"

Living in So California, the mild weather lends an advantage to painting out. My painting buddy Lorelle and I hiked into Whitney Canyon to paint, meeting the one and only predator dressed in a cape, mankini (pink) and a lovely pink bra. I think someone should write a book, describing all the things plein air painters encounter.

Oil on panel, 10" X 12"

"Nice Place to Be" ©

About 4pm you witness the last rays of light down in Whitney Canyon. Standing still you can watch the sunlight drift though the trees lighting up different spots as the sun sinks. I was doing just that, thinking what a "nice place to be".

Oil on Canvas, 20" X 24"

"Simone" ©

Simone is one of the lovely large white cows that I met in France last year. She was mildly interested in me the day I painted her in a small sketch as one of her "sisters" attempted to snatch my backpack. I quickly dropped my brush and rushed over to save my gear from the dear girl.

Oil on Canvas, 20" X 16"

sold

Winter Day ©

The idea of this little painting was the light streaming though the Oaks with the last bit of warmth striking the very dry sand in the bottom of the creek.

My time was limited as the light slipped away from me. I do like the idea of the painting and it might be worth exploring on a larger canvas in the studio.

Oil on canvas, 6" X 8"

"Waiting for Sunrise" ©

Clouds announcing the appearance of the sun for the day, in shades of pink. This was the scene just before sunrise, in the heart of France as we headed out to the bakery for the morning baguettes.

Oil on canvas, 14" X 18"

available for purchase $850.

"Golden Glow" ©

Walking along this Quigley Canyon trail, that is used by horses more then anything else I saw a buck with large antlers watching me. He went back to nibbling his dinner and I enjoyed the glow from the sinking sun light up the hills beyond the oaks.

Oil on Canvas, 12" X 16"

"Golden Moment" ©

Once in a while there is a moment at the end of the day when the earth seems dusted in gold, just before the sunlit finally dims into dusk.

Oil on Canvas, 38.5" X 17"

sold

"Morning on the Kern River" ©

You would never know that we were painting in downtown Kernville. A short walk though the park, down the little bank and your on the sandy beach watching the lazy river drift by. It's a bit of an illusion, it's a very dangerous river to stick your toe in. There is a strong current running under the serene surface that will take you down river into the rapids very quickly. Marian Fortunati, Diane Nelson Gold and Sharon Weaver were my painting buddies on this trip. We all painted this morning scene from different vantage points. After we finished, looking at our morning efforts I was once again amazed how artists will approach the same subject so very differently.

Oil on Panel, 10" X 12'

"Desert Flowers" ©

This small painting was the plein air piece that I finished before packing up my gear and seeing the evening scene of the Rabbitbush that I just posted. This valley that the town of Onyx is nestled into must be the perfect condition for Rabbitbush to thrive in. It was a different subject for me and I struggled to pull it together but working it out helped pull off the studio piece "Radiant Rabbitbush".

Oil on linen panel, 8" X 10"

(available for purchase @ $450.)

"Radiant Rabbitbush" ©

The tiny town of Onyx, California is known for the 80 or so, Turkey Vultures that come to roost at night in the park pine trees. In the morning they spread their wings to warm up with the day, then fly off into the desert until the next night.

What captured me in this scene was the back lit Rabbitbush and evening light blanketing the desert.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

available for purchase: $1,100.