"Spring, Arlington Gardens" ©

 Spring has had a tough time this year due to the lack of rain.  Arlington Garden in South Pasadena has just a few signs of spring a few lupin, poppies and flowering trees.  Saturday and Sunday I will be at the Garden painting and showing a few pieces as part of the foundation annual fund raiser.  By then all the trees and plants should be covered in tiny new green leaves.  

Oil on Canvas, 14" X 11"
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"Arlington Wisteria" ©

Next weekend I will be exhibiting and painting in the Arlington Gardens of South Pasadena.  The artists were asked to paint a few pieces of the gardens for collectors that love walking the garden paths.  This spot is near where gentlemen and boys play bocce ball on Sunday afternoons.  The soft bantering of the men and light click of the balls hitting each other under the olive trees transported me back to Italy.  Segil Fine Art Source in Monrovia is my gallery and one of the Pasadena Art Gallery Association members that is providing the artists for this event.  

Oil on Linen, 10" X 8"

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"Sunset At Vasquez Rocks" ©

Just before jumping on the plane to San Antonio last week I received a phone call from Senator Steve Knight's office congratulating me on being selected for the 2013-2014 "California Contemporary Art Collection" exhibit at the capitol building.  I could hardly pay attention at the Salon International reception at the Green House Gallery, thinking about the canvas waiting for me at home, knowing I need to ship this piece to the capitol by Friday.  The painting is very close to being done, now is when I need someone to take the brush away from me.  It's so hard to back away from the easel......

Oil on Canvas, 30" X 40"

"Lazy River" ©

Last minute I jumped into this painting hoping to get it done by midnight to enter in the CAC Waterscapes exhibit.  Once a painting buddy, Rod Edwards, told me that "green" paintings were the hardest of all.  The difficulty was pulling off the different values and temperatures with only the greens. Years later, Scott Christensen explained to me that you can't have a green tree without "reds" within the greens.  Boy, did he nail that one.  So to begin this piece I started out with a Rembrandt Transparent Red Oxide wash, leaving bits here and there within the distant trees.  It's a great tool to give the viewer the illusion that they are seeing into the forest and provided that "red" bounce for the greens.  

Oil on Canvas,  16" X 20"

"Irises" ©

In a few weeks the Arlington Gardens is hosting a paint out and art sale to raise funds for the foundation that supports the garden.  I'll be one of the many artists painting in the garden.  Last weekend I went exploring so I would know what to expect on the paint out.  These lovely Irises were raising their heads above the spring grasses growing along a path.  Nearby couples were picnicking under striped umbrellas on a flowered table cloth reminding me of Italy.  A gem of a spot that I am looking forward to painting after I get home from Texas.  

Oil on Panel,   12" X 9"

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"Road to Dusk" ©

A year and a half ago I painted this spot and found myself drawn back to the subject of the desert dusk. I find comfort in painting the same locations.  It is as if the spot becomes an old friend due to the intimacy developed while standing and painting for hours.  

Oil on Canvas, 14" X 18"