"Julia Pfeiffer Falls" © #Bigsurart

The Julia Pfeiffer Falls has been an iconic location for photographers and painters for decades.  Usually the scene is captured in the late afternoon, with the falls and cliff face warmly lit.  I happened upon the scene early in the morning and was struck how the opposite lighting created a whole new view and thought I would give it a try.  

20X16, oil    

"Art Alfresco and El Matador Beach" ©

Today was the monthly California Art Club paint out, hosted by George Malone.  George picked El Matador beach for our gathering spot and the day couldn't have been more perfect.  With most children back in school the parking lot and beach had plenty of room.  So you don't think I paint with sun on my palette and shade on the painting you should know I turned my easel for the photograph, since I had my back to the sandstone cliff as I couldn't get back far enough for you to see the whole spot from where I was actually painting.  One thing I learned today is not to set up so close to the cliff as the wind blew sand off the cliff onto my painting.  It's covered in sand and the paint as some chunks floating on the surface.  The other thing I learned today is Gamblin's new warm white is a luscious and good replacement for Titanium white when painting outside.  I can't wait to try their other newly introduced colors.

What grabbed my attention was the lone big rock lit from above with the shadowed bigger rock behind it adding to the drama of the scene.  

Oil on panel, 9" X 12"

Last weekend I showed paintings at the Ventura Museum for their event "Art Alfresco".  Below you can see my booth set up, before they opened the doors to the public.  I was able to meet several new art lovers and collectors and the weekend was a success for everyone.  I'll be back in two years for the next event.  If you are ever in Ventura looking for a dinner spot, try out Sushi Marina.  The service and food couldn't have been better.  

"Carmel Sands" ©

The last week painting in Monterey County, specifically Carmel for the art festival we had rain, sun, wind and fog.  This painting was done on the main beach, just a bit up from the ocean in the white sand dunes.  Unknowingly I had set up to paint within the space of a beach volley ball court, at the time there wasn't another soul around.  Slowly as the minutes ticked by nets were erected,  balls bounced past my easel and I became increasing aware of being in the wrong spot for a painting.  Finally, when I was at this point of the process,  a very nice guy asked me when my painting would be done.   OK, I got the hint and packed up.  I promise to post more on the festival tomorrow.  

Oil on linen,  14" X 11"

"Beach Day" ©

One of the many advantages of making paintings is that you can paint a picture of where you would like to be.  Even though it's cold and raining outside, I could emerse myself in a sunny day at the beach, creating this little painting.  I popped a couple of children in the scene and may take them out in the morning when looking with fresh eyes, again one of the advantages of painting in oil.  

Oil on canvas,  14" X 18"

"A New Day on Whidbey Island" ©

Painting on Whidbey Island reminded me of how quickly the water moves with the tides.   Painting out I am always aware of the path of the sun and on the coastal islands of Washington the tide was an additional consideration.  By the time I finished this little study the water was all the way up to the cliff bottom.A super tool for landscape painters are the sun bleached trees scattered like giant toothpicks along the shore.  Even from a mile away the logs can create a brilliant white sparkling shoreline.   

Oil on Panel, 12" X 9"

"Rolling In" © studio

"Rolling In" on the easel, shows a good example of taking a small oil "sketch" and creating a large painting from the idea captured in the sketch.

Oil on Canvas, 30" X 40"

My small painting is on the little easel to the right of the larger canvas. I knew I wanted the same proportions for the canvas but didn't have a fresh canvas on hand in that size, so I pulled an old canvas with an idea for a commission (long since finished and delivered) turned the painting upside down to lessen the confusion of waves vs. ducks and starting laying out the seascape.

At this stage the ducks are completely covered and I have laid in the general shapes and color patches, here and there. This is the fun part for me, feeling my way around the painting, making decisions and adjustments.

Here is a close up of the palette. I know it looks like a mess and I am constantly scraping down the glass starting over with a big clean space. The palette is custom. Sounds fancy but in honesty a quick inexpensive solution to needing more palette space. My husband cut a piece of wood and I had the fellow at Newhall Glass Co. cut a piece of glass to fit. I painted the back of glass gray and with not too much trouble I had a terrific palette. I have to give a little shout out for the Gamblin Radiants on the lower right side. Love them!

Oil on Canvas, 30" X 40"

"As The Sun Sinks" © Malibu Bluff Park, Malibu, California

It's a magic moment to paint, the sea turns silver, the landscape glows with hints of violet, while the sun sinks until tomorrow.

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

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"Seaside Discovery" ©

I have painted this little sea lover a few times in the past and it was a joy to visit her once again. This time she is discovering a shell on the sand.

Oil on Canvas, 14" X 18"

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