"Eaton Canyon Gold" ©

Late in the day, Eaton Canyon, one lovely gold Sycamore tree. I will paint this as a studio painting large, as there is potential here.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

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"Fork In The Trail" ©

Today I added a color to my palette called Terra Rosa. It's been such a long time and what a joy to paint with. The scene is San Francisquito Canyon once again and just ahead is a fork in the trail.

Oil on Board, 12" X 16"

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"Late In The Day" ©

It's getting late. The afternoon warmth is trading places with the chill of the evening. The road home is behind me, not far away and one hawk has kept me company, making lazy circles high above.

Oil on Board, 8" X 10"

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"Ranch Trail" ©

San Francisquito Canyon is laced with horse trails. It's one of the most beautiful canyons in the valley. No matter what season, no matter what time of day, if you just want to look at true beauty, it's here, it's free, just go! I wish I could really get it on canvas for you. Today, this is as close as I can come.

Oil on Board, 8" X 10"

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"Majestic Oak" ©

This field is up Bouquet Canyon and is a favorite of mine to paint. I wish I could talk with the Oak and find out her story. While painting my mind wanders and wonders. An arborist told me that the Oaks in our valley can be hundreds of years old and many were planted by the Indians. What a story this Majestic Oak keeps secret.

Oil on Canvas, 14" X 18"

"Angeles Oak" ©

Today was the first day that you could really see the brush turning to rust in the winter light. We have quickly past over the lavenders and now alizarin will be a staple on my palette. It seems no matter what the season is we have dazzling color in our valley. I was painting out with a buddy in the Angeles National Forest, just below a home to a family of Condors.

Oil on Linen, 8" X 10"

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"Griffith Park" ©

Driving along the main road surrounding Griffith Park I caught a glimpse of this view, or at least I think this is close to what I saw. The trees in the crook of the hills were orange, dusted on top with light. I don't believe that this composition would do for a bigger piece but I feel satisfied to at least get this much of a sketch down on a canvas while it's fresh in my mind.

Oil on canvas board, 5" X 7"

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"Canyon Country Clouds" ©

Our small canyon sits on the edge of Canyon Country. The winter clouds were dancing again and my brush danced right along to create this painting, today.

Oil on Canvas, 12" X 16"

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"Golden Time" ©

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Today I simply had great fun with color. I pushed to the "neo impressionism" limit, as far as I could. Also of note, I experimented with a new ground of hardwood covered in white gesso. It was very different from canvas and allowed some movement of my brush that was quite exciting.

Oil on board, 8" X 10"

"Golden Sycamores" ©

I spent the day with Frederic Edwin Church, or should I say with his paintings. The Huntington Library in San Marino, is hosting "Treasures From Olana, Landscapes by Frederic Edwin Church" until Jan. 3rd. Since the Rose Parade is going to bring millions of visitors into the L.A. area, I took the day to learn from Mr. Church, without having to duck around the throngs of heads destined to invade the gallery. Then I came back to my easel and painted a few "Golden Sycamores". Could a day get any better?

Oil on canvas board, 5" X 7"

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"Road In Winter" ©

A storm is approaching this evening. Our valley was muted, grey, lavender and blue, all day. Just the very tips of some trees have the last of the, now dusty yellow leaves. I let the chickens out of the coop for one last dust bath before the rain. This painting is about how the day felt.

Oil on Canvas, 5" X 7"

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"Early December Morning" ©

Christmas Day. Early, on this cold December morning, there are still a few trees in the valley with gold hanging.

Oil on Canvas, 12" X 16"

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"Sierra" ©

There is a very special lady that boards her horses, where my daughter rides. This is "Sierra", her favorite mare, the painting is a "thank you" for all of her kindness.

Oil on Canvas

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"Sycamore In Gold" © Landscape

In January I am happily heading up a group of plein air painters for our local art association. I went out hunting our first location, hitting an all time favorite spot, the Placerita Canyon Nature Center. Standing in the brush, trees all around I thought about just painting the feeling of the moment, and letting all the "learned" motions that come into painting sit in the background of my mind. So, if I am successful you will "feel" the golden moment of a California winter just before the leaves fall.

Oil on Canvas, 12" X 16" sold

"December Clouds" © Landscape

Our valley may not host snow storms, but we sure have gorgeous clouds. These beauties were passing over Canyon Country.

Oil on Canvas Board, 8" X 8"

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"Oaks In The Afternoon" © Landscape

All day I was working on a studio painting of Zion. I had hoped to finish this piece to "blog" today but I just can't rush and more honestly, I enjoy savoring each moment. So with my palette loaded with the colors of Zion canyon I painted this scene of the dry creek in front of my house. I envy the painters that have snow right now and dream of painting a winter wonderland someday. This is our winter, the Oaks never change color, the green brush turns gold, rust and finally soft lavender.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

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"Valley Below" © Landscape

This is the end of the trail. Peeking though the chaparral I could see the valley below. From this point there isn't a way down, which means the wildlife can live without any fear or disruption from man, this makes me smile in my heart.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

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"Cotton Woods" © Landscape

Some of the Cotton Woods still have gold, flitting in the breeze, even with last nights storm.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

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"Stark Landscape" ©

At the Pasadena Museum of California Art, one room is full of Puthuff paintings. My nose was 1/4 inch away from these beauties. I was inspired by his treatment of trees and painted "Stark".

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

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"Cloudy Skies" © Landscape

It seems like clouds miss our small valley for so many months that when they do arrive it's all you can see. They move swiftly, creating shadow patterns skipping over the landscape.

Oil on canvas, 11" X 14"

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"Roses" ©

After last weekends storm the last of the roses in the yard fell to the ground. I will miss them and wait till spring for the new buds. Today I painted a few so that I could just simply think about roses.

9" X 12" Oil on Canvas

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"Solo In Gold" © Landscape

This beautiful tree is surrounded by Coastal Oaks that never alter their green coats. Early in the morning, I just couldn't pass up the chance to paint her. Thanks again to these little paintings for the daily blog I felt that it would be permitted to "feature" one lovely, solo tree in gold.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

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"Valley Floor In Fall" © Landscape

Tree tops in gold and amber lay at the feet of the San Gabriel Mountain range. Probably not the most "acceptable" composition but "Sunday Fun" was what my brushes requested.

Oil on Canvas board, 5" X 7"

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"Golden Pond" © Landscape

One hour was all the Christmas crunch would allow today. After a few paintings using a cooler palette, it was a pleasure to play in gold. "Golden Pond" is the result when the timer rang.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

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"McKenzie" © portrait

Daily painting allows painters to explore subjects that we might otherwise just ponder. Today I was asked "what are you going to paint?, not having a clue and seeing McKenzie all bundled up for winter, I just couldn't resist a small study.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

"Silver Pampas" ©

Silver Pampas grass does not grow naturally in our valley. Landscapers use it often and every time I drive past a clump I slow the car and gaze longingly. The wind and sunlight have a great time dancing in the razor sharp leaves and fluffy tuffs.

Oil on Linen, 9" X 12"

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"Winter White II" ©

I just couldn't let this field of "Winter White" go, not just yet, and so today's painting is another view. These two may "hang" together.

Oil on Canvas Board, 6" X 8"

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"Winter White" ©

As a young lady you are taught the difference between "winter white", worn after Labor Day and "summer white, worn late spring till Labor Day arrives again. This field of dry wild grass was the perfect display of "winter white".

Oil On Canvas, 6" X 8"

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"Egg Shell Nautilus" ©

Last week our community of daily painters decided to post "eggs" on Monday. Usually I paint landscapes outside, so this was really just plain fun. My sculpting roots reared up, as I "played" with the shells. The result of egg Monday and a bit of paint is "Egg Shell Nautilus".

Oil on Canvas Board, 4" X 6"
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"Santa Clara River" ©

First I saw a coyote with gray sides, then two others, smaller, darker. Maybe a family, living in the riverbed, hunting rabbits, drinking our run off. Their lives must be perfect, living in a safe, beautiful river bed, protected from humanity crushing in on the open spaces.

Oil on Canvas Board, 11" X 14"

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"November Clouds" ©

Nature never fails to amaze me. Just when the landscape becomes gray, dry and brittle, clouds arrive in the valley. You hardly notice the ground anymore, as you stare into the sky soaking up the show.

Oil on Canvas Board, 4" X 6"


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"End Of The Day" ©

Just a bit more of daylight left, at the end of the day.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

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"Aspens" ©

When I first started exploring the media of paint a well-seasoned artist was describing trees, the dancing trunks, patterned sky holes, the subtle changes of color within their leaves. It was almost romantic and I felt as though I was listening through ear muffs, unable to comprehend this admiration and love for all the earth's trees, and yet so desperately wanting to see. Fortunately I didn't say a word and felt deep down that someday I would understand this language about trees. It's taken years and finally I can see clearly though artists eyes these lovely inhabitants that surround us quietly.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"


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"Red House" ©

A buddy and I went out painting and came home freezing. Wimpy Californians just are not use to anything below 60 degrees. For this little painting I was standing at the corner of Vasquez Canyon Road and Bouquet Canyon. I could paint at that very corner for a month, it's so beautiful.

Oil on Linen Board, 8" X 10"

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"Sand Canyon Storm" ©

Clouds marched into our valley today. The sunlight played tag, hill to hill, tree to tree, peeking in and out of the clouds. The rain should begin at midnight.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

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"Plein Air Painter, Jim" ©

Crystal Cove, Newport Beach at the end of a long day of painting, Jim is still at it. The tide and sun are now joining forces to end our day.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

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"Santa Clara River" ©

Big box buildings pop up on the horizon almost daily, or so it seems. The Santa Clara River winds her way through the valley, fending off the white structures.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"

"Laguna Canyon" ©

The people of Laguna Beach purchased the land in the Laguna Canyon to prevent building and protect the wilderness. Two deer came bounding out of the brush, glanced in my direction and as quickly disappeared back into the brush. Painting in the canyon you can just imagine the early California Plein Air painters, discovering the unique light, the beautiful range of colors and thriving in the healthy beach environment.

Oil on Linen Board, 8" X 10"

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"Ice Cream" ©

November in California. What could be better then cold vanilla ice cream to top off a day at the beach?

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"

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"Small Sailing" ©

Tied to the dock in Dana Point Harbor this small sail boat just glowed in the late afternoon sun. I stood and painted as the pint sized crew of the pirate ship wandered past asking all the great questions children ask.

Oil on Canvas Board, 5" X 7"


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