"Bits of Gold", © McBean Bridge, Santa Clarita, CA

In between the rain, the clouds broke enough to paint the riverbed.  The storm has been so gentle that the last of the leaves are still dangling, leaving bits of gold in the riverbed.

Oil on panel, 6" X 8"

sold

"Fox Field Find" © Quigley Canyon Open Space

The cloud cover seemed to dampen the sounds of nature in Fox Field this morning.  The rain coming in later today will fill the riverbeds and give this dry canyon a drink.  A rider and horse galloped by and the deer I was hoping to see stayed bedded down in the cool morning air.  If you are a painter or hiker the new Quigley Open Space in Placerita Canyon has several loops of beautiful trails in the wilderness to explore.

Oil on panel, 10" X 12", plein air

"Rabbit Bush", Placerita Canyon ©

For weeks I have been telling my painting buddies about the Rabbit Bush blooming at the end of my canyon.  Today Lorelle Miller and I headed out with our gear to paint the golden bushes.  

Just after setting up to start this painting I was reminded of painting on Catalina Island.  I wonder if other plein air painters experience the recollection of other  painting trips while painting out.   I think it was the sound of a distant motorcycle on the 14 freeway that sounded like a dingy motor on the Avalon bay.  Go figure.  In this photo you can see the beginning step of the painting, blocked out in large shapes of light and dark.

In this shot the painting is half way completed.  I took this photo and the lens on my digital camera decided not to retract.  It still is hanging out.  I can't be too hard on it, this Cannon has traveld the world with me taking thousands of photographs.   Today I was thankful for the little camera on my cell phone and an old point and shoot I have stashed in my car.  

Almost done......

Off in the distance Lorelle, was painting a lovely painting of the Rabbit Bush from another vantage point.   I love the oak tree that dwarfs Lorelle.  

This is a general photo of the area.  We are at the corner of Placerita Canyon and Sierra Highway.  If you paint and live nearby, it's a super spot.

Oil on panel,  10" X 12"

"Colors of Sedona" © Sedona, AZ

Taking a quick break from cooking for tomorrow I painted this little sketch, to practice the beautiful colors that cover the land before the sun sets on Sedona.  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  

Oil on panel,   8" X 10"

"Fall Colors", © Sand Canyon, Santa Clarita, CA

Lately I have been painting walls rather then canvas but I slipped off for an afternoon and found a spot down the road on the side of Sand Canyon that just glowed in the late November light.  I would much rather wield an oil paint brush then a roller full of egg shell latex paint, that is for sure.  

Oil on Panel,  12" X 16"

"City Lights, Universal City Overlook" ©

Landing on the runway at LAX the city lights have always reminded me of jewels laid out on black velvet.  Looking at the city lights from the Universal City Overlook on Mulhulland Drive was my best shot at a simular view.  This piece taught me quite a bit about attempting to paint a city view at night.  I have to admit I had a great time painting this one.  

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

sold