"Along the Pacific Coast" ©

Over the last few weeks I painted twice in the area of Carmel, California.  Part of that time was during the Carmel Art Festival, which hosts a plein air competition for four days.  60 artists have two days to paint and two days for the judging, auction and final show.  It's not an event for sissy's.  While painting, I plowed though rain, fog, wind and a dog using my back pack for a fire hydrant.  One time while painting my water bottle started whistling in the wind and I knew it was more then just a little windy.  It's such a beautiful area, the light shifting, clouds drifting that you really don't care about the adverse conditions.  Every moment is a surprise, as the ocean changes from dull gray to brilliant turquoise.  

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

"Coastal Cypress" ©

The Museum of Ventura County is planning their 3rd bi-annual "Art Alfresco" fundraising event on Saturday August 17th.  I was invited to exhibit my artwork for sale, so all of the construction work on the home front will have to wait a bit, while I paint new work for the show.  Looking at my collection of available paintings I decided a few more coastal/water scenes would compliment the group for the event.  

Oil on linen,  16" X 20"

"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"

"Carmel Sunset" ©

While painting in Carmel one evening, the fog lifted, the clouds broke apart and for about 15 minutes the sun had one last hurrah for the day.  I was toasted from painting all day, looking forward to a hot shower and dinner but thought why not and broke out my easel to just paint color notes of what I was seeing.  Maybe someday this little study will become a painting in the studio, who knows?

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Carmel Coast" ©

Looking through the trees at the Carmel Coast.

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 10"