"Around the Bend on Hwy One"

One of the advantages of camping along the Big Sur coast, is that you can stumble out of your tent as the sunlight comes streaming though the mountains at dawn. Without another soul around, accompanied by the singing of the birds and just absorb the cool quiet beauty of a fresh new day.  That is the inspiration for this new painting, for an upcoming exhibit featuring California's Highway One.  

Oil on canvas, 24" X 36"

"Julia Pfeiffer Falls" © #Bigsurart

The Julia Pfeiffer Falls has been an iconic location for photographers and painters for decades.  Usually the scene is captured in the late afternoon, with the falls and cliff face warmly lit.  I happened upon the scene early in the morning and was struck how the opposite lighting created a whole new view and thought I would give it a try.  

20X16, oil    

"Sandy Trail" ©

This trail winds under the cypress trees down to the ocean along the Big Sur coast.  I'll be painting in Carmel in a few weeks during the 19th Annual Carmel Art Festival and looking forward to meeting the other artists and painting my "socks" off.  

Oil on Canvas, 14" X 11"

sold

"Deep in the Forest" ©

Last night was the big show at Cope Studios in Glendale. The people flocked in , had a blast and seemed to really appreciate all the art. I was glad to be included in the show with my paintings. Today, after a day of Christmas shopping, painting "Deep in the Forest" was a welcome break.

Oil on panel, 12" X 9"

"Sand Dollar Beach, Sunset" ©

This little study of Sand Dollar Beach at sunset was one of the "ideas" that I came up with while in Big Sur recently. If I design the rocks and really explore the color I may have the makings of a decent larger painting.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Sand Dollar Beach" ©

With Highway 1 closed at Carmel and Gorda, the Big Sur stretch was vacant last weekend, along with the camp grounds. This must have been what it was like in the 60's. Another week and all the wild flowers will pop open, I saw bits of red, purple, orange and yellow announcing what was yet to come.

Oil on Linen panel, 8" X 10"

sold

"Big Sur Creek" ©

The painting of Laguna 2 posts ago just never pulled together. So tonight like a bad child I grabbed the panel and painted this scene right over it! Oh it was fun to see that painting just disappear, never to see the light of day again. I'll admit I am painting seriously for a couple of shows, they are bigger works and not blog-able yet. Going nuts for a bit was a nice break.

Oil on (used) panel, 9" X 12"

"Inland Trail" ©

The lighting system over my easel has taken a break and I have to stop here for the day. My hero husband will wing in, cape flying and fix the lights later this evening. The painting is of a trail that leads from the ocean heading inland along the Big Sur coastline. It's very quiet and cool, with the scent of Eucalyptus trees hanging heavy in the damp sea air. I will work on this painting more and develop every area one more time but it's enough of a statement now to give you the idea of the "Inland Trail".

Oil on Canvas, 24" X 20"

"Ocean Cliffs" ©

Today while preparing for Sunday's show, I slipped in this little painting. Probably because the thought of painting at the beach is surfacing in my mind, while framing finished pieces.

Oil on canvas, 6" X 8"

"Deep Within The Trees" ©

Along the Pacific coast in the Big Sur area it doesn't take many steps to be "Deep Within The Trees". This small study is the seed for a 20" X 24" studio piece that hopefully will mature into a beautiful painting.

Oil on Raymar Panel, 8" X 6"

"One Wet Dog" ©

His best friend is a Lab named Tibbs. Hank was retrieving a tennis ball as many times as it was thrown on Limekiln Beach. Painting wet fur and a hint of wet sand as background was a new challenge for me.

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 10"

"Limekiln Creek" ©

A flock of small children stood all around my easel asking just what you would expect. "What are you doing?", "How do you mix paint", "What color is that?", and then adding to the conversation tales of their painting experience and trials, which I came to hear are very great for 5 year olds. I had set up on the outskirts of the campground just above the creek, deep in the redwoods to paint "Limekiln Creek". We all had a great time. The children came and went, patience drifting away, then finally when the painting was almost finished the oldest said "who are you going to give it to"? I knew her mind was pleading for it, but thought better of sending a wet oil painting to some unsuspecting parents tent.

Oil on Linen, 8" X 10"

"California Coast" ©

The Big Sur coastline is calling to my family. It seems a camping trip is in order, meanwhile I painted our favorite sandy stretch of sand.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

"Big Sur" ©

During a conversation with a museum director, he told me that it takes 1,000 paintings to begin to understand the process, which was another reason to start this blog. This small painting is my 250th post, I am a quarter of the way.

The view is Highway 1, along the Big Sur coast. Today, in the Descanso Gallery I painted this piece with dark clouds brooding above and chilly air drifting in.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

sold