"San Clemente Beach Path" ©

This little painting is one of the plein air pieces that I painted during the "Paint San Clemente" event.  I was standing on the edge of the beach path, the train tracks and ocean were on my right.  During the week the path is wide open, without the parade of people running and walking past.  There are changes I would make looking at this now but at the time it was what I saw and how I responded.  

Oil on Linen,  11" X 14"

"Calafia Palms" ©

Calafia Beach in San Clemente is packed with families frolicking in the warm Pacific waters, once the sun breaks the marine layer of clouds.  I painted this piece very early in the morning looking up the little canyon from the parking lot before the sun and people arrived for the day.  The interesting shapes of the palm trees were captivating.  

Oil on Panel 16" X 12"

The "Paint San Clemente" event ended last weekend with an art fair in the park outside the gallery.  I like to participate in these occasionally and  think it is valuable to hear peoples comments on my paintings.  Often when sales occur online or in a  gallery, you never actually talk to the new owners.  I enjoy having the personal contact and knowing the families that will hang my paintings in their homes.  

"Trestles Trail" ©

The trail to Trestles surfing beach runs along side the San Mateo Riverbed, so thick with trees and brush the river is buried. I was tempted to find a way down into the riverbed when a local explained that it might not be safe for a lone painter. Being on my own, I opted to wimp out and stick to the trail.

Tonight I am packing my paints for a long 4th of July weekend at Rancho Oso, in Santa Barbara on the Santa Ynez River. Yes, the kids are packing horses and tack, they'll ride, I'll paint. What could be better?

Oil on Panel, 12" X 16"

"Cottons, North" ©

I am standing on the beach at Trestles, looking at Cotton's and in the furthest distance, Dana Point. It was a very gray day, without many people wandering the beach. Standing at my easel I watched a pod of dolphins cruising the coast, while thinking about why I live inland. This painting was entered in the San Clemente Plein Air Competition last weekend. It's hanging right next to the first place painting, nice company.

Oil on panel, 9" X 12"

"Pacific Sunset" ©

The San Clemente plein air competition and art show is coming up soon and it seems my mind is focused on the ocean. I can't wait to paint the rolling waves, wet sand and clouds glowing with the last of the sunlight.

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

Golden Time" ©

Thinking about the upcoming San Clemente Plein Air event "Golden Time" came to mind.

Oil on Linen, 14" X 18"

"Ocean Trail" ©

The sun is sinking low faster every evening, leaves are just starting to show a glimmer of gold and you can smell fall. I am not quite ready to give up the season of summer, so today I painted a beach scene that I discovered while painting in San Clemente last June.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Taunting The Sea" ©

It's time to hang my "Gone Painting" shingle once again. I am headed to the north east area of Yosemite National Park. California Art Club Gold Medal/Signature artist Charles Waldman will be leading a workshop that I will join while there. A workshop event saves you time scouting locations, provides a "tribe" that looks out for one another, promotes safety in numbers and gives an artist an opportunity to learn from all the other artists participating. I always make new friendships that last long after the workshop is over. I will return on August 11th with a box full of wet canvases to share with you. Meanwhile, here is another view of the "Sand Dancer" as she was "Taunting The Sea".

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

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"San Onofre Sands" ©

This little painting has little specks of sand all over it. One of the many treats of plein air.

Oil on Linen, 8" X 10"

"Eucalyptus Trees" ©

This painting is another San Clemente plein air piece. I chose not to enter this piece in the competition because I felt that there wasn't a clear light source and focal point. The sun went behind the hill over my shoulder and that was that. I went back a couple of days later to see if I could spend more time with the view but a wonderful gray mass of clouds floated in off of the ocean creating a lovely moody scene, a totally different view. In truth that is the excitement of plein air painting, you are not in control of the elements and just along for the ride.

Oil on Linen, 12" X 16"

"Sand Dancer" ©

One day last week in San Clemente I was sitting on the beach with my small Guerrilla Box easel on my lap, ready to paint little studies of people enjoying the sun and sand. This was one of the many luxuries of the week, being able to just paint without any regard about time. I learned a very neat trick. The sand makes a great brush holder. As you are painting you can stick your brush handle down into the sand, while using another brush or squeezing out more paint. This little girl was flying on air down to the water and back up onto dry sand. Her hands were splayed out and her feet performed a ballet, then one moment she actually paused to gaze at the waves and I captured the "Sand Dancer".

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7", $100.

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"Evening Light, San Mateo" ©

Perched on a tiny ledge of gravel, over looking the road that follows the San Mateo Creek to the ocean I was entranced by the "Evening Light" filtered through the Eucalyptus trees.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

Lesson learned: Bug spray has no effect on gnats.

"Bluffs" ©

Calafia beach is laced with beautiful bluffs that offer up sandy surfaces to the sun. It's hard to know whether to gaze at the Pacific, or be dazzled by the "Bluffs".

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Sunlight On Trestles Trail" ©

I was headed to a location called Trestles, one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world. One thing I always remind myself when looking for a painting in nature is to TURN AROUND. More often then not, that is moment of Ahh-Haa, which is exactly what happened here. When I saw the dappled light filtering through the sycamore trees, that was it. I never made it to Trestles that day. As surfers and hikers passed me more often then not they would comment that they come down this dirt path because it's the most beautiful way to Trestles.

Oil on Linen, 8" X 10"

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