"Sands of Carmel" ©

Finally home for a couple of weeks and back at the easel I started to explore the sands of Carmel that I discovered while painting up there in the festival.   Our sand in Southern California has a warm hue and heavy grit. The sands of Carmel were pristine, almost white and very fine.  It seems like everything about the little seaside town is special.  

Oil on Canvas,  18" X 24"

sold

"Carmel Sunset" ©

While painting in Carmel one evening, the fog lifted, the clouds broke apart and for about 15 minutes the sun had one last hurrah for the day.  I was toasted from painting all day, looking forward to a hot shower and dinner but thought why not and broke out my easel to just paint color notes of what I was seeing.  Maybe someday this little study will become a painting in the studio, who knows?

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Whalers Cove", Point Lobos State Reserve, ©

Home safely from participating in the 19th Annual Carmel Art Festival 2012, as one of 60 plein air painters I have been reflecting on what a great week it was.  Carmel is a tiny town, that is pristine from the sidewalks to the beaches.  Painting in the area is endless and finding spots to paint in a competition is so easy you can almost close your eyes, turn your body, open your eyes and start painting.  The town could also be titled the "dog loving capitol of the world".  It was truly a perfect event and the volunteers that pull it off deserve gold stars, they worked so hard on behalf of the artists. 

Oil on Panel, 11" X 14", $800.

19th Annual Carmel Art Festival 2012

"Creekside", one of the many paintings sold at the Sierra Madre Art Festival and Art Matters, Encore! at the Huntington Library and Gardens, last weekend.  

This morning I am off driving my art mobile to Carmel for the next 6 days as a juried participant in the 19th Annual Carmel Art Festival.  The artists will paint 4 paintings, 2 for judging and 2 back up for sales.  Sunday morning is a quick draw, which is always a challenge.  My car looks like I am leaving home forever, between the 12 wired frames (you never know what will look best till you finish the paintings), painting gear, big coats (I have been told it will be cold) and all the usual traveling gear, it's a full load. 

I am really excited about painting in the area of Carmel, catching up with the artists I know and learning about this event.  Wish me good luck!  

"Tejon Ranch Paint Out" ©

The last couple of days the California Art Club held a paint out at the Tejon Ranch in Kern Country, CA. Laura and Dwight Dreyer put the event together from arranging our admittance to the ranch to lunch served alfresco in the ranch vineyard.  About 20 artists participated, painting from 6am - 7pm on Thursday, ending the day at a great little Mexican restaurant, Los Pinos, in Lebec.  

This little painting captures the morning light on a sea of spring greens.  It was painting in the exact location that a State Farm commercial, including some bison, was filmed.

Oil on panel, 9" X 12"

Instead of getting ready for the weekend shows a couple of day's ago I went painting on the Golden Valley Ranch Open Spaces of the SCV with my buddies.  It's a spot I have painted many times but never comfortably because I have been alone. I know I shouldn't do that and don't need any emailed reminders. With my friends that fear was gone and we had a lovely afternoon, painting to the sounds of birds singing.

Oil on Panel, 12" X 12"