"Desert Day Break" ©

Watching a DVD of a master painter while in the middle of a painting is not recommended. I had the opportunity to see Ted Goeshner paint a scene in Paris, that was eye opening and full of good information. This painting was already started and when I went back to the easel, I was mumbling "well that is wrong and oh I should have done this, and so on". The next painting will include all that I can remember of the DVD and will be better!

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

"Watering Can" ©

The docents at Rancho Camulos enjoy dressing up and playing the part of the residents long since gone. Beth was kind enough to water this lovely vine, holding the pose for several artists. I wasn't going to post this effort but my daughter encouraged me to blog the painting. She said "look at it in the dark, the painting glows". And so here it is, the "Watering Can".

Oil on panel, 12" X 9"

"Rest Stop" ©

The idle of diesel engines, dogs straining at the end of their leash looking for a bit of grass, children scurrying to the concrete buildings that signal relief after hours in the car, all going on with this view in the distance at the "Rest Stop".

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

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"Quiet Light" ©

Today at the easel I felt at ease to paint my home turf without a care about upcoming shows or commissions. We have been on the road, traveling to Santa Maria to ride the rails in our Fairmont M-14 Speeder. Yesterday was the grand opening reception at Gale's Restaurant in Pasadena. Many thanks to everyone that took the time to come and support the show. I am not sure who bought paintings, but I am deeply thankful and sincerely hope they bring joy to your homes and hearts. With the past few days behind me, I painted the creek that rambles past my home down the canyon at a spot where it spreads out wide offering up the blue and pink mountains in the distance. I love this view, it's quiet and beautifully lit.

"Piru Farmland" ©

Oceans of vegetable greens ripple in the wind. The valley that runs from Piru to Santa Paula is a quilt of farms, hemmed in by eucalyptus and poplar trees. Orange groves stop and start varying the view. This painting is a tiny glimpse of the beauty of Piru this spring.

Oil on Linen, 9" X 12"

"Rancho Camulos" ©

The perfume of orange blossoms hung heavy throughout the grove. I sat painting in the middle, a small lizard sunning a few feet away and off in the distance I could hear the laughter of strawberry pickers lunching. Thirty plein air painters attended the Ranchos Spring Plein Air Day. The costumed docents welcomed us with hot coffee and pastries, served tortilla soup and an array of salads for lunch, offered tours and posed. The artists were pleased to be so well cared for. I saw some beautiful paintings that were born today, thanks to the loving staff of Rancho Camulos.

Oil on Linen Panel, 8" X 10"

"Red Roof" ©

Very small flying creatures attacked my painting today. I was able to flick most of their bodies off my panel this evening after the paint set up a bit. A paint out was planned for the North Campus of College Of The Canyons, nine artists came out to paint together. Not only was the safety of numbers appreciated at the end everyone shared their mornings efforts and Lorelle was kind enough to critique (offer very helpful suggestions). Several of the artists, like moths drawn to light, included the red tiled roof, all alone tucked down in a nest of trees.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

"Filmore" ©

Delivering a painting to Lake Hughes, visiting the Poppy Reserve and preparing for the Wistaria Festival tomorrow didn't leave much time to "paint" today. After dinner I sat at the easel and painted Filmore for two reasons, one my husband, Mike was there this morning and told me how beautiful it was and second I'll be there painting on Tuesday. I am very excited with the prospect, there could be 50 painters working at the same location, Rancho Camulos.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

"Above Avalon" ©

Deer follow this trail, high above Avalon on Catalina Island. Delicate long legs, large all hearing ears, ever on alert but truly not very shy, at least of human kind.

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Lucky" ©

Lucky Wambsgans - 1/1997 to 3/27/08
With tears and love, missing you buddy......

"Pasadena Bridge" ©

Today a dear friend was able to meet me at Gale's Restaurant today for lunch. We chatted about "life" while surrounded by my paintings, eating food that stopped the conversation, it was so delicious. After lunch, standing in the parking lot I was treated to a private viewing of my friends latest art quilts. These are fabric paintings, each unique, each a piece of fine art. On the way home I could see bits and pieces of the famous bridge of Pasadena and that was the subject I chose to paint. This painting will always remind me of this day, with my very good friend Jeanne.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

"Wistaria Of Sierra Madre" ©

114 years old, seems to be young for the famous Wistaria vine, that knows no bounds. Next Sunday I'll be participating in the festival with my famous painter Mom and so today I decided to paint the actual vine in anticipation of a wonderful day. (The Sierra Madre spelling is Wistaria for all of you that know the spelling Wisteria. Who can argue with 114 years of tradition)

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Eaton Canyon At Dusk" ©

Looking at this painting on the blog I once again see details to tweak. Basically here is the final piece created from the small study. Eaton Canyon is one of those locations that offers inspiration no matter what time of year, day or weather is layered over the canyon.

Oil on Linen, 18" X 24"

"Eaton Canyon, Dusk" Study ©

Painting 2 larger pieces, that will not be "daily" paintings, I gave myself 15 min. to paint a small color study. Here are some color notes for a larger Eaton Canyon at dusk. You can see it's very rough and yet full of information for me to work with. It looks like if I adjust the mountain range, it has potential worth exploring on a larger canvas.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Meadow Beyond" ©

It's amazing to me how much of the landscape you can fit on a small canvas or panel as in this case. Another tiny study, done while thinking of what it would be like to walk out from under the shade of the trees into the early sunlight.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Golden Hills" ©

Small studies are a wonderful way to explore a composition and/or a palette of colors. A month ago I was driving along Placerita Canyon Road as the sun broke through the clouds to illuminate the golden hills, against the dark sky. It was so dramatic that I stopped to observe this moment in awe. Today I was wondering if I could create a painting to portray the drama and decided to try a little study.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Storm Passing" ©

The field at the corner of the canyon is green due to rain and sun. It will be brief as the field spends most of the year dressed in the colors of straw. Thankfully the folks around here are stalling the development of the field and every time I drive past I imprint the view so that when it's a memory it will be clear.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"
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"California Poppies" ©

I can hardly wait till the 2008 babies bloom!

Oil on Panel, 9" X 12"

"Arriving Rain" ©

This view is from the ridge overlooking the creek in front of our home, looking to the east. Clouds had come into the valley, mixing it up with blue skies and fluffy white clouds until the enough of the storm had taken over the sky to rain on the earth.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

"Winter, Eaton Canyon" ©

Add one more painting for my upcoming show at Gale's. Eaton Canyon is north of Pasadena and it's well worn trail is known to many hikers. Not to far from the entrance is a waterfall that pours into a pond, then the water hugs large granite boulders finding it's flow downstream. No matter what season Eaton Canyon is an inspiring location to paint.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

"A bit Of Wistaria" ©

The Sierra Madre Annual Wistaria Festival is right around the corner, March 30th. Today I was reminded of the upcoming celebration of the lovely vine and with that thought in mind I painted "A Bit Of Wistaria".

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 6"

"Desert Palms" ©

Sometimes it seems I just can't get enough of a subject and since palm tees seem to crop up in my paintings over the years, they are on the list of continuing subjects.

Oil on Canvas, 9" X 12"

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"The Brickyard" ©

I had to set the timer today and race to "move" paint on the canvas. This scene is the area on the Amador Foothill Railroad called the "brickyard". I was curious, did this peach colored earth give birth to bricks, or was this the local of a brickyard for the town of Ione many decades long past? A note on the painting: I will add more branch work and develop the cliff more in the morning, at the very least. As usual I suspect in the morning with new eyes I will see a painting with serious flaws. Meanwhile I am off to paint with friends this evening. Yipee!

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Old Barn" ©

How many of these old barns dot the landscape across California? What's amazing is that they still stand and quite a few are still housing hay, tractors and mousers.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

"Malibu Creek Park" ©

The California Art Club held their first quarterly paint out for the year today. Members could choose between several locations, I picked Malibu Creek State Park. What a spot! Signs of spring are covering the hills and dusting the trees. The creek is full, wide and a deep brown under the cloudy skies. A deer passed by, while we painted, as if seeing easels, umbrellas and artists dotting the landscape is an everyday occurrence. Maybe it is. During our lunch break Karl Dempwolf was kind enough to give a critique, in exchange for a sandwich. I would have bought him dinner too, for his valuable insights into our paintings. Great day....

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Desert Sanctuary" ©

I should have been addressing invitations and framing all day, but the easel was so magnetic I couldn't fight the pull. This is an odd painting, a combination of views, all in Borrego Springs. I was imagining traveling across the barren sands, suffering the lose of all comfort and this glorious white structure off in the distance, promising at least a drink of cool water. Of course I was sipping ice tea, listening to great music in the lap of comfort while painting away the day.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"

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"California Colors" ©

An artist friend saw this painting last evening and said "it's classic California". True enough, this view could be down near San Diego, in the Central coast area or Northern California.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

"Along The Coast" ©

California has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. I am working very hard preparing for an upcoming show at Gales Restaurant in Pasadena. The little daily paintings are taking a beating, while my attention is focused on varnishing, framing and all the little details that it takes to pull off a show. I only have one month left. "Along The Coast" was a nice break from the drudgery.

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

"Saguaro Cactus" ©

I have been advised never to paint a subject that would be considered "odd". Saguaro Cactus are odd, especially when vast desert acreage is covered by these strange figures. Today I threw advice to the wind and played in my paint.

Oil on Linen, 9" X 12"

"Between Storms" ©

This spring our storms seem to have clean breaks, in between pouring rain. The canyon I live in is sandy riverbed and the puddles disappear as quickly as they fill every hole. This view I have painted in between storms is down the road a few miles. There is a chain across the entrance to this rural road to discourage vehicles and I probably should not venture in but I love the view and "sneak" in often.

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Clouds" ©

The clouds were racing overhead all day. A quiet symphony of sun, rain, dark heavy clouds, brilliant fluffy clouds, pink cotton ball clouds all playing their parts, topped off by a golden glow for the final movement.

Oil on canvas, 6" x 8"

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"Dangling Branch"

Rest stops are sprinkled along our major highways. I first saw this tree at a rest stop in Utah near the Idaho boarder. It was early in the morning; the grass was still wet from the night. Usually I don't stop, ever, while driving long distance alone but I could see this tree from the highway on approach and it just pulled me in. I felt safe. Painting the back lit dangling branch, makes me those feelings of being protected, safe and magnetized by the beauty of nature, once again.

Oil on Linen, 18" X 24"

"Zion Morning" ©

Zion National Park is a wonderland of stone, trees and wildlife. Today's painting is my attempt to capture the early morning light that bathed my family as we hiked the canyon.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"

"Big Sur Bluff" ©

Billowing clouds at the end of the day, top off the view of the bluff, along the Pacific coast.

Oil on canvas, 6" X 8"

"The Old Depot" ©

The Recreational Railroad Coalition is working with the City Council of Ione, California to convince the Union Railroad to allow the RRC to clean up a couple of miles of rail starting in front of the Old Depot. After running the Amador Foothill Railroad last weekend I can understand the desire to gather up as many miles of track as you can. The Old Depot is in shambles but just packed with character. In this painting the emotion I was looking for was abandonment and loneliness.
Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"California Coast" ©

The Big Sur coastline is calling to my family. It seems a camping trip is in order, meanwhile I painted our favorite sandy stretch of sand.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

"Foothills" ©

It just takes 10 inches of rain and a bit of sun to drape green blankets of velvety growth over the "Foothills".

Oil on Canvas, 6" X 8"

"Farmland" ©

Tomorrow morning my family will be heading up the state of California to Ione, a small town in the Gold Country. Trailering behind our pickup will be "Speedy" our Canadian Fairmont Motor Car, for her first trip on real rails. We are all excited with the prospect of Speedy's maiden voyage, she came into our family last spring and finally we are all ready to put her steel wheels against railroad track. As a painter I am full of anticipation to see the landscape from this new vantage point, guaranteed to be inspirational, riding through "Farmland" Be back Monday......

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"
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"Floater II" ©

The first "Floater" sold the day I posted her and the new owner suggested that I paint another floater for the upcoming show. Thankful for the suggestion, here is "Floater II". Now if I can just hold on to her for a bit.

Oil on Canvas, 11" X 14"

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"Lazy Trail" ©

Today I had the pleasure of gallery sitting at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge. It would be a very long day except I bring my gear and paint. It's just great, good music, nice people and beautiful gardens all around. If you are ever in the area it's worth a visit.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"