"Midday Shade" ©

A bit of shade is so very welcome under the arid blue California skies.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"

"Walker Basin" ©

I am standing a couple of curves in the road from the old Rankin Ranch family cemetery. Granite headstones can be touched by the three generations of the family still living in the basin. It's an emotional sight, even for a stranger.

Oil on canvas, 9" X 12"

"Road to Rankin Ranch" ©

Driving down the mountain as the elevation drops pine trees give way to oaks, as you head to Rankin Ranch. This is the vista just as you arrive, once you hit the basin floor. This little painting is all about the early morning light.

12" X 16", Oil on Canvas

"Rankin Ranch Bridle Trail" ©

Set up on the side of the bridle path I learned that it's not a good idea to paint on the side of a hill nestled in a tangle of tree roots. True the legs of the tripod can adjust to the hill but after a while some muscles started protesting and I found it frustrating not being able to back away from the easel to look at the painting from a distance. The sound of a snake had me looking for something slithering, a real distraction to the painting process. Plein air painting joys.

Oil on Panel, 12" X 12"

"Walker Basin" ©

The strange limbs and trunk structure of the trees in the pasture immediately caught my attention when figuring out a spot to paint on the Rankin Ranch. I found out that the cows create the sculptural trees by using the bark as a scratching post.

Oil on Panel, 9" X 12"

"Old Stage Stop" ©

Pockets full of gold, men stopped here on a break from the dusty trail to Bakersfield. Rankin Ranch has several generations historically documented with great stories of snake races and kids smoking behind the water tank. Today I unpacked my car and repacked it for an art show this weekend at Moorpark Park, in Studio City. If your in town it should be a gem of a small show, under shady trees. It's on the corner of Laurel Canyon and Moorpark St. My spot number is B14.

Oil on Panel, 12" X 12"