"Study for Chasing The Sun" ©

At the Christensen workshop, Scott talked a lot about finding the "good idea". I painted "Chasing The Sun" early in June and since have reworked the sky and foreground a couple of times. The painting has a glimmer of a good idea, too much to abandon the piece. In search of the "good idea" I painted a small study of the large painting, changing the composition a bit and the palette totally. Two things I am seeing as I post this is the path in the foreground needs to be brought closer to the viewer and the shift between the distant mountain and the closer mountain is too great. I'll look at it with new eyes in the morning, searching for the "good idea".

Oil on panel, 6" X 8"

"Above Avalon" ©

I am still working on these lovely lanky eucalyptus trees but I think you can see where I am headed today with this painting. It's another Catalina Island view high above Avalon on the road to the airport. One morning around 7am, as I headed out there was a buffalo beside the road and he was still there when I trekked home at 7pm. I wondered if they have a few staged around for the tourists. Nah, he moved his head a bit and wiggled his tail.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 12"

"Chasing The Sun" ©

The cool grasses in the foreground were the first signs that evening wasn't far behind. I was chasing the sun on Catalina Island.

I think this study will work well for a large painting, next up on the easel......

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

Purchase ($100. U.S. shipped, unframed): from the artist

"Twin Rocks, Catalina Island" ©

Early morning drifts of moisture obscured the massive stone face, then the sun would push it's way to kiss the rock here and there. At first I thought why even try to paint this view when I can't even see it, then watching this push and pull of clouds and sun, I couldn't help myself.

Oil on Canvas, 12" X 16"

Catalina Plein Air

If you add a little figure painting in this image you would have the whole view of me plein air painting. This was the best I could do alone. You can see the location, inland on the Island of Catalina and the beauty of the rolling hills, diving into Manzanita groves and the rising mountains in the distance driving the fog back to sea. A small fox came quite close and bounded as if on air through the wild grasses. The earth surface glows with true iridescence because of the natural Steatite. I wish you could hear the many bird songs that are the music of the inland. It was a magical week of painting.