"Sierra Madre Villa" ©

The gold leaves, red roof and burnished walls attracted me to this view. On the other side of the Villa is a long reflecting pond surrounded by Cypress Trees. It was a toss up of which view to paint. The golden leaves won.

Oil on Raymar Panel, 8" X 10"

"Mt. Wilson Trail" ©

Mt. Wilson Trail heads out above the small village of Sierra Madre. After leaving the lush growth, due to the lower elevation and homeowners generous sprinklers you come face to face with this Palm Tree. Completely out of it's element, flourishing, beating all odds.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

"Sierra Madre Wash" ©

Here is the first look at the larger version of the Sierra Madre Wash. If you notice the small study that I worked from sitting to the left of the larger canvas, you can see how valuable the little paintings become. Without the color notes and reminder of a place and it's much more difficult to paint the larger piece. I will let this painting, set up before going back in to punch some of the river rocks and bright spots in the painting. The show it's going to isn't for a couple of months so I have lots of time to tweak.

Oil on Canvas, 24" X 20"

"The San Gabriels" ©

The 60" X 48" painting of three horses was taken off the easel today so that I could paint a small piece for this blog today. It was such a drastic switch I included a photo of the little canvas on the easel. To place a MOUNTAIN on a tiny canvas is so much fun, just a hoot. I wish it had been on one of my wood panels but I am out of stock, so this is actually canvas on board. Tomorrow I'll go shopping for panels, this is a serious shortage in the studio. Not really but I sure miss the wooden panel. The view is the San Gabriel Mountains from the bottom of Baldwin in Arcadia, I just left out all hints of concrete and automobiles. Artists have the life!

Oil on canvas panel, 5" X 7"

"Wild Yard" ©

The Ward ranch in Sierra Madre is well cared for, except this wild yard next to the drive. There are a few orange trees full of oranges despite the lack of attention, and you can find signs of a past history on this land amongst the weeds. I was captivated by the sunlight grazing the green weeds, creating an emerald glaze on each tip.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

"Canyon Creek" ©

Music drifts down the canyon as the creek runs down the wash. The Sierra Madre Canyon has it's own unique culture, one of sharing, there is a "free" wall, when you want rid of an item just place it on the "free" wall and another soul will make use of it. The residents stick together in time of need, illness or just an extra place to park. Once every few years they fight fire as it threatens their existence. In this little painting I was looking to capture the sunlight busting through the thick canyon trees, lighting the tiny cabins porch all the while thinking of these things.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"