Monday, October 30, 2006

"Beneath The Oaks" ©


The other day I had "Ruby" (my 1947 Farmall Cub) out for a spin around the neighborhood. We were following an ATV/horse trail along the creek and suddenly the trail dived right into the creek. We stopped, this was the view from under the oaks, then I gently found the reverse gear and backed the old gal out to safety.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"



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Sunday, October 29, 2006

"Cold Creek" ©



This tiny creek boarders a bird sanctuary about 20 miles from my home. The small tunnel allows the creek to flow under the road. If you are very quiet you'll see Egrets and Cranes in the foliage along the creek.

Oil on Canvas, 3" X 5"





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Friday, October 27, 2006

"Oxbow Bend, Grand Tetons" ©

As agreed the night before I stole away in the dark and headed to Oxbow Bend. At one point as the sky just gave a hint of light a herd of elk was crossing the highway. I turned off my headlights and engine to watch their shadowed bodies, leap, lope, dance and mosey from one pasture to the other. The energy exploding in the darkness was glorious and frightening. I felt as if I was witnessing a secret ceremony. Finally, the show of shadows ended and I drove on to Oxbow Bend. The day before we had passed the point I wanted to paint after rafting the Snake River. Little did I know that photographers favored this spot. I found a notch in the road away from the foot long lenses and set up to paint. It was 5:30 A.M., 35 degrees, within minutes my fingers were numb, the oil paint became stiff and sticky. Remembering the morning I was miserable physically, mentally I was soaring! Daylight tickled the Tetons, the very tips lit up pink, birds calls echoed across the Snake River beside me. I was truly in awe of our amazing planet and so grateful that the land had been preserved. That morning was priceless and will remain in my mind forever. I have painted three paintings inspired by that morning, the original 9” X 12” sketch, a 20” X 30” studio painting and finally the tiny piece, my daily painting for October 27th.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"


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Thursday, October 26, 2006

"Brush Blaze" ©


California has fall color! This view captured me with the blazing brush colors. Beyond the second mountain is a gorgeous lake. I hope to paint on the shore soon.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

sold

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

"Mario and Tilly" ©


Silent film star William S. Hart owned a ranch a few miles away, which is now a park. Very early the other morning I was headed to the back wilderness area of Hart Park and met Mario walking Tilly. The early morning light grazing his shirt and Tillys fur stopped me dead in my tracks.

Oil on Canvas Board, 4" X 6"




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Tuesday, October 24, 2006

"Her Majesty" ©


This oak lives in the field at the West entrance to our canyon. She shelters ravens, hawks, rabbits even a homeless man. Imagine what she has weathered in her 200 years. Soon she will be surrounded by concrete and it will probably end her life. Until then she is the Queen!

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"



sold

Monday, October 23, 2006

"Retired In Harmony" ©


This old truck is behind the glass blowing shop in Harmony, California. Harmony may be the smallest town in the state. Tonight I was painting a man walking his dog at about 7:30 this morning. The light along the edge of the fellows clothing and catching the tips of the dogs fur was what I was after. I could not render a painting worthy of the subject, to share with you. Maybe tomorrow...

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 10" sold

Sunday, October 22, 2006

"Shadows In The Sand" ©


This afternoon my neighbor and I agreed that we live in this canyon because it is truly a "paradise". The canyon bottom is sand covered with trails. This painting is another path soaking up the last of the sun, near the west end.


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Saturday, October 21, 2006

"Old Friend" ©



This tree and I have spent many hours together, the foliage changes with each season but the "bones" are always the same. Now, as fall takes hold of the land the creek that runs beside the tree is completely dry. Both the creek bed and the tree are waiting patiently for rain.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

sold

Friday, October 20, 2006

"Late Afternoon Glow" ©

Driving home from helping a friend "adopt" an old roll top desk the glowing landscape was breathtaking. This path was just off the main road, near Placerita Creek. Two deer were grazing on the hill oblivious to the beauty surrounding them.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"




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Thursday, October 19, 2006

"Last Light, Revisited" ©

Painting a scene that is familiar can be akin to "comfort food" for a painter. I have painted this piece three times, every one is unique and it was a lovely way to spend the day.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

sold

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

"Morning Fog" ©




Cool, quiet, early morning. It's as though a gauze blanket has been wrapped around the earth.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

sold

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

"Sunday Serenade" ©


My brush is continuing to conduct "Sundays Serenade" of color from yesterday. I tried to stay near the safety zone of my car, yet the color of the brush pulled me up this path. Fortunately, the only wildlife I saw were rabbits.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"




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Monday, October 16, 2006

"Highway Gems" ©



Sunday I drove from Bakersfield to Los Angeles. Every turn of the road revealed a new wonder of color. Finally, I pulled off the freeway before I had an accident and wandered down a few trails just absorbing all the color from every shadow to the sunlight tickling the wild brush. This painting reflects that day, as best I can.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

sold

Sunday, October 15, 2006

"Sycamore Sentry" ©


This beauty stands watch at the creeks edge, while small creatures drink, lizards sun bath and a hawk circles. Soon she will be naked, but first a glorious show of gold.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"



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Saturday, October 14, 2006

"Old Oak" ©

This stormy Saturday, I was a participating artist at the Pasadena Playhouse District Artwalk. I painted this old oak that lives down the street from me during the show. Young and old, people seem to enjoy watching the process of a painting develop and in turn I enjoy their enthusiasm.

Oil on Canvas board, 6" X 8"



sold

Friday, October 13, 2006

"Lone Cloud" ©


This cloud was alone in the Utah sky last summer. The other clouds were beyond the horizon and I felt parental, wishing I could summon up some playmates for this bit of fluff.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"



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Thursday, October 12, 2006

"First Move" ©


A sniff of sand is the first move of the "turn out" ceremony. Next, a trot to furthest corner, followed by a quick buck and finally the luxurious roll. It's been rumored that in the old days, the more times a horse could roll from side to side, the sales price increased by one hundred dollars.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"


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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

"Calm Clouds" ©

A dancing brush, pushing and pulling paint on the canvas creating calm clouds floating over our valley. Can you imagine a better way to spend time?
note: This lovely land will be "dense" housing soon, paint furiously fast plein air friends! (13th and San Fernando Rd.)

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"




sold

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

"Windswept Palm" ©

Sunday, at the close of a picture perfect day, a small gang of outlaw clouds blew into town. A lone puddle reflected their pink retreat and the powdered dirt was speckled. This palm wrestled with the wind and won.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

sold

Monday, October 09, 2006

"Ranch Road" ©


Atlasta Ranch, as in "at last a ranch" is just behind the trees on the left where girls from 3 to 103 years old, (and just a few fellows) ride, groom, hug and love their horses.

Oil on Canvas, 5" X 7"



sold

Sunday, October 08, 2006

"Stream To The Sea" ©



I set my brush down and had 14 minutes till midnight to post this painting for Saturday. My connection to the internet didn't happen for 20 minutes. Half awake here is a huge tree on the bank, watching the water flow to the ocean near Santa Barbara, California.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"




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Friday, October 06, 2006

"California Coast" ©

Artists are most fortunate, we can go anywhere, anytime. It's similar to hearing a song from long ago, in your mind you instantly drift back in time. You can smell the popcorn, hear the ocean or feel the warmth of the sun, you know exactly who you were with and what was happening, all from a simple melody. Today on canvas, I went to Big Sur and felt the sand between my toes.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"


sold



Thursday, October 05, 2006

"Dirt Road" ©



This is as far as I dare walk down this dirt road. The signs warned of dogs that could out run me and how unwanted I was, the perils of plein air.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"




sold

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

"Morning Chill" ©



Crisp air flowed though my lungs to my toes and this morning a jacket felt just right. It's difficult to get oil paint to move when it's cold, similar to some people.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

sold

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

"Drinking Fountain" ©



Before plastic water bottles, the drinking fountain was every kids source of water during recess. Sometimes the water would be wonderfully cold, other times just shy of boiling and we drank either because we were "dying". One game was to push your friends head a bit while they were drinking, hoping that the water would jet up a unsuspecting nostril. Of course I only watched.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"




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Monday, October 02, 2006

"Trailside Tree" ©


Plein Air (Open Air) painting is an "E" ticket at Disneyland, if you remember "E" tickets. Time is an issue, as the sun and earth are working together to change the shadows. Bugs are nibbling on your ears. The wind is tempting to tip your easel. And then there are days like today. A rustling in the brush alerted me, only to see a family of deer. The buck, doe and fawn hadn't discovered me yet and I was able to observe them for a very long time. What a wonderful world.

Oil on Raymar Board, 6" X 8"


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Sunday, October 01, 2006

"Path of Gold" ©


In the spring, if you hike up this trail you will be rewarded with a hidden waterfall. Now, at the end of summer the grasses are golden and the granite boulders are shedding their green moss.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

sold
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