"Rancho Camulos" ©

Raymar panels are high quality and I just received a shipment of the double primed linen panels. In order to really compare the support I painted this little view again of Rancho Camulos in the morning light. Since I had just painted the same view plein air on a Fredrix Linen panel (my current favorite) it was a good test to see the differences. I knew how the paint moved and worked into the Fredrix and the Raymar was quite different. I did appreciate the smooth finish of the Raymar and how the paint seemed to stay fresh and lively.

Oil on Raymar panel, 8" X 10"

"Rancho Morning" ©

Rancho Camulos near Filmore opened their property to artists today. We painted barns, an old truck, gardens and the distant mountains. Spending the day amongst the orange groves and Spanish buildings it was easy to imagine the Rancho in it's prime. My painting found a home with one of the lovely docents, so I photographed it quickly still on my easel. Of course it's an odd angle and the wall to the right is reflecting on the canvas but you can see the general idea. All round it was a wonderful May day.

Oil on Linen panel, 11" X 14"

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"Rancho Morning" ©

This painting is another view of the Rancho Camulos, in Piru. The large building, graced by the Bougainvillea was in it's day a place to grind corn and make wine. I have never had the chance to peek in, it's time long past.

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 10"

"Bookends" ©

Great success at the "Art Matters" exhibit was followed by disaster at the Rancho Camulos Spring Fiesta. I was painting on this small piece while visiting with folks when a sudden gust of wind picked up my pop top and sent it sailing up into the sky, one big white kite. Next all of my panels went crashing to the ground in a heap with paintings splashed about, some in the lawn, some still tethered to their panels. After what seemed like minutes I looked back at my plein air easel, lying face down in the grass along with my unfinished painting. It was as if a giant was playing pick up sticks with my whole set up. He took his trunk like fingers and swirled everything into a heap. The damage to my bars was so extensive, putting the show back up was impossible. And so I slowly picked through the rubble, finding pieces and organizing my work. Today I pulled out the painting I had started and just picked off the grass, filled in the scrap marks and painted fresh. These trees really do look like "bookends". As an artist I know I am suppose to avoid bookends, but with Saturday still reeling around in my mind I went with the true scene.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Two Flats, Blocks In The Back" ©

Not a straight inch on her. Tucked in the back of Rancho Camulos, this old timer is spending her final days, keeping cool under the Pepper Trees.

Oil on canvas, 6" X 8"

"Watering Can" ©

The docents at Rancho Camulos enjoy dressing up and playing the part of the residents long since gone. Beth was kind enough to water this lovely vine, holding the pose for several artists. I wasn't going to post this effort but my daughter encouraged me to blog the painting. She said "look at it in the dark, the painting glows". And so here it is, the "Watering Can".

Oil on panel, 12" X 9"

"Rancho Camulos" ©

The perfume of orange blossoms hung heavy throughout the grove. I sat painting in the middle, a small lizard sunning a few feet away and off in the distance I could hear the laughter of strawberry pickers lunching. Thirty plein air painters attended the Ranchos Spring Plein Air Day. The costumed docents welcomed us with hot coffee and pastries, served tortilla soup and an array of salads for lunch, offered tours and posed. The artists were pleased to be so well cared for. I saw some beautiful paintings that were born today, thanks to the loving staff of Rancho Camulos.

Oil on Linen Panel, 8" X 10"