"Approaching Winter Storm", © #SantaClarita #laurawambsgans

For the next couple of months this painting, along with 4 others are hanging in the College of the Canyons Art Gallery.  The exhibit is called Plein Air, California Landscape painting and has some very good pieces.  Mike Hernandez, Alan Garber and Karl Dempwolf have paintings that are worth studying for a long time.  Karl loaned two original William Wendt paintings and there is a nice collection from Steve and Doris Marie Zimmer.  A good painting buddy and friend Lorelle Miller has several paintings in the show too and it's always a bonus to hang with a friend.  

Oil on canvas, 24X30

"Point Dume" ©

Point Dume is one of the many beautiful beaches in the Malibu area with long stretches of white sand  rimmed by majestic cliffs welcoming long walks alone or a day at the beach with friends and family. 

Oil on linen, 11" X 14" 

"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"

"Rocky Cliff" ©

Painter, Margot Lennartz told me once that often rocks look like potatoes in paintings.  During her many critiques of artists paintings, over and over again she would mention the potato problem.  It was one of her common comments that seemed to pop up on so many artists paintings.  Today I am posting my "don't paint potatoes" practice.  

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 16"

"Riverkern Beach" ©

About 8:30am, along with artists Marian Fortunati, Diane Nelson Gold and Sharon Weaver we painted at Riverkern Beach, just a few minutes from downtown Kern River, CA. The conditions were perfect for painting, no bugs, snakes, wind and quiet except for a volleyball game at the campground next door. Actually, while your painting you don't hear anything, so the guys yelling didn't matter one bit. We had a great trip, painting and sharing. Lucky girls!

Oil on panel, 10" X 12"