"Vasquez Rocks" © #vasquezrocks #laurawambsgans

The last 10 days I have been painting pieces for an upcoming show of historic and contemporary landscape paintings of the Santa Clarita Valley and nearby areas.  Vasquez Rocks is a location that many people recognize and respond too with fondness.  With this in mind I added the park to my group of paintings.  

Oil, 24"X 30"

"Sunset At Vasquez Rocks" ©

Just before jumping on the plane to San Antonio last week I received a phone call from Senator Steve Knight's office congratulating me on being selected for the 2013-2014 "California Contemporary Art Collection" exhibit at the capitol building.  I could hardly pay attention at the Salon International reception at the Green House Gallery, thinking about the canvas waiting for me at home, knowing I need to ship this piece to the capitol by Friday.  The painting is very close to being done, now is when I need someone to take the brush away from me.  It's so hard to back away from the easel......

Oil on Canvas, 30" X 40"

"Vasquez Juniper" ©

Artist George Malone organized a California Art Club paint out today at Vasquez Rocks. The Juniper bushes that seem to grow up out of the desert stone floor caught the mid-morning light and we painted while shadows slowly creeped into the scene. Thank you George for a nicely planned day.

Oil on Linen, 9" X 12"

"Wild Rocks" ©

When your hiking around Vasquez Rocks the rock structures are totally wild. The landscape looks like another world. This little painting captures the warm December sunlight at the end of the day.

Oil on Panel, 12" X 9"

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"Evening At Vasquez" ©

Vasquez Rocks, glowing in the final sunlight of the day was a welcome challenge to paint, after wrapping up another weekend showing at an art festival.

Oil on Linen, 14" X 18"

"Vasquez Rocks, Summer Evening" ©

Making every area of the painting interesting was one of the things that Scott Christensen repeated often in his teachings. It's a delicate dance to keep the little areas of the painting interesting but not so interesting as to distract from the main idea (focus) of the painting and at the same time keep the edges of the painting a bit duller and so on. I keep those thoughts preforming a jig in my head while painting the "Vasquez Rocks" on a summer evening.

Oil on panel, 6" X 8"

"Hot Rocks" ©

Painting in the Vasquez Rocks park is always a challenge, especially because the rock formations are quite bizarre. All at once they are stunning and strange. My painting buddy and I went out at about 4:45pm. The wind was calm and cool, not one snake, an absolutely lovely evening amongst the "Hot Rocks".

Oil on panel, 6" X 8"

"Chantry Flats Falls" ©

Today preparing for the upcoming Sierra Madre Art Fair I slipped in painting this little piece. The dance between framing, varnishing, figuring out inventory and the easel was non-stop. I need a couple more of me floating around the studio/house.

Oil on Panel, 12" X 9"

"Vasquez Rocks" ©

The Vasquez Rocks are so unusual and an almost weird subject to paint with their unique formations launching into the sky. I gave it a shot and enjoyed this painting very much.

Oil on Canvas, 14" X 18"

"Vasquez Rock View" ©

Nine artists met at Vasquez Rocks, site of Star Trek filming and early 1900's bank robbers hideout. It was the Santa Clarita Artists Plein Air event for the month, with yours truly as the ring leader. Actually I just arrange the date, upon arrival the artists drift out into the wilderness following their own mojo. I painting happily, till shivering I had 10 minutes till the ranger pad locked the gate for the night.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"