"Lakeside" © #lakepainting

Fall, lakeside with a bit if crispness in the air is a ways off.  One can dream about it though and paint the day away.  

Oil on linen,  14" X 18"

"Los Gatos Plein Air 2014" #losgatospleinair #vasonapark #pleinair #laurawambsgans

Last week I was one of 34 painters from all of the U.S. to gather near San Francisco, California, painting in the Los Gatos Plein Air 2014 event.  Our mission was to paint the town and surrounding areas starting on Tuesday morning until Friday evening, when we turned in our favorite painting for the VIP Artists Choice Reception and Silent Auction.  The event was put on by the tireless volunteers of the Morning Rotary Club and the proceeds will go to support art and science education to the youth of the Santa Clara County.  

The painting above was painted in Vasona Park, on the first day.  (12" X 16" oil on linen)

I found this view on an on/off ramp to the freeway.  Early in the morning the sunlight was drifting over the hillside with such drama I knew I wanted to paint the scene.   Of course by the time I finished the painting the light and view were entirely different, with the passing of the sun overhead.  

On Saturday morning each artist checked in their paintings and hung their 2 walls with all of their work.  I painted 9 pieces during the week and chose to hang the 6 best, in the photo above.

John Guernsey is a one of the terrific artists painting in the event and you can see him here hanging his walls. 

We sold many paintings, while folks enjoyed live music, sipping wine all day Saturday.  I drove home Sunday tired and happy.

"Waiting for Rain, Eaton Canyon" #eatoncanyon #landscapeoilpainting #laurawambsgans

Oil on Canvas, 24" X 30"

After teaching a workshop full of fun artists in Lake Arrowhead a couple of weeks ago I started this painting for an exhibit next fall.  I am still sneaking up on the light this painting slowly, too much too quickly and the painting will be ruined.  

Next week I will be competing in the Los Gatos Plein Air 2014.   If you want to read more about the event click here.  It's an area unfamiliar to me and I am looking forward to painting the land south of San Francisco.  If possible I will try to blog from the event.  

A bit of good news, I was juried into the California Art Clubs exhibit, "Quintessential California".  The show will be exhibited at the Santa Paula Art Museum until November 2nd, with an artists' reception on Saturday June 28, 4pm - 6pm.  There is a slight admission fee, just so you know.  To learn more about the museum visit Santa Paula Art Museum