"Summer Afternoon" ©

This little painting is still on the easel in a field in the heart of the Teton Valley, where I spent the last couple of weeks painting. I was participating in a workshop presented by Scott Christensen. I'll post more about it, but to start I would like to say that it's rare to find a brilliant artist that is also a brilliant teacher and Scott is both.

Oil on panel, 9" X 12"

sold

"Summer Breeze"

Painting on the Teton Valley floor, midday, the summer breeze gently pushed the clouds overhead. And added the 2 bugs in the sky of the painting. I'll get the little guys off the painting when it dries.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Lembert Dome" ©

It's time again to hang my "gone painting" sign on the door.

The last few days I have been packing for my predawn drive tomorrow for the Tetons. I'll be painting in the Teton Valley where Idaho and Wyoming shake hands, for a couple of weeks. My plan is to blog from the motel if I can get a connection. Cottonwoods, streams and mountains under clouds lazily drifting over the land should show up soon on this blog.

Oil on Linen, 20" X 24"

"Descano Palms" ©

Descanso Beach is to the West of Avalon and experiencing a face lift now. The sand is so white it appears to have been brought in providing a pristine beach alla the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the big island of Hawaii. These palms were catching the last light of the day. (Dear painters, place your finger over the yellow sky in the right corner and see how much stronger the focal point becomes. Tomorrow I'll push the sky to a darker value. Thank goodness for blogging.)

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 12"

"Lover's Cove" ©

Lover's Cove is just a 2 minute walk from Avalon on Catalina Island. Trying to research the origin of the name I came up with nothing but there has to be an interesting story, the name opens the door to all sorts of scenarios, love lost, love found, romance on a sailboat?

Oil on Canvas, 8" X 10"

"Rabbits and Hawks" ©

Another practice painting using only the three primaries, with the addition of some warm grays. In a couple of weeks I am heading up to a workshop in the Teton Valley and my anticipation is growing daily. Today painting this little piece the rabbits on the ground and hawks in the air were constant companions.

Oil on panel, 9" X 12"

"Above Avalon" ©

I am still working on these lovely lanky eucalyptus trees but I think you can see where I am headed today with this painting. It's another Catalina Island view high above Avalon on the road to the airport. One morning around 7am, as I headed out there was a buffalo beside the road and he was still there when I trekked home at 7pm. I wondered if they have a few staged around for the tourists. Nah, he moved his head a bit and wiggled his tail.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 12"

"Along the Santa Ynez River" ©

This is the second location I painted last weekend near Rancho Oso. I was trying to convey the warmth of the sun radiating off the river rocks and the character of the Sycamore tree.

Oil on panel, 12" X 12"

sold

"Rancho Oso Pathway" ©

Home from Rancho Oso, safely. Our horse didn't lose any shoes in the river which is great, no horrific falls into the rocks and no snakes this year. One morning I went out to feed and a huge wild turkey was in Jessie's (the horse) pipe corral hanging out with her. They seem to have made friends, go figure.

This little painting had to be done very quickly the light was fleeting at this time of day so I chose to paint with the three primaries only. Boy does that speed things along and add to the color harmony naturally. Great way to paint if your in a hurry.

Oil on Panel, 9" X 12"

"San Onofre Bluffs" ©

Late in the day, painting what I saw, this is one of my paintings that I didn't enter or show anyone from the week in San Clemente. The haze was coming in off the ocean, it was very quiet except for the sea far below me. Little lizards darted constantly between my easel and the tiny brush as I painted. It's amazing how many different body styles lizards come in, from sleek and lanky to chubby and short, just like cars.

I am off to Santa Ynez for the holiday weekend, horse and paints in tow. Happy Holiday to you too!

Oil on Panel, 9" X 12"

"Downtime at Dog Patch" ©

Dog Patch is a spot on Surf Beach (San Onofre) where I found this lovely Palm along the sand. This is one of the paintings I entered in the competition at San Clemente, it's hanging on the gallery wall till August 14, or until someone decides to take it home. It was a great week of painting thanks to the San Clemente Art Association, Pam Hill, Steve Kell, Ann Marie and all the volunteers that manned the events from the quick draw to the Gala. Until next year.....

Oil on Panel, 9" X 12"

"San Mateo Creek Sentinel" ©

Another painting from the week of exploring San Clemente, looking toward the ocean at Lowers, the 5 freeway in the distance and the dry creek bed below. While painting I listened to our military practicing bombing, at first unnerving, then the power and force blasting though the air was exhilarating and frightening at the same time.

Oil on Panel, 11" X 14"

"San Onofre Bluffs" ©

I am painting in San Clemente for the annual plein air competition. This painting was started early in the morning, just as the light caught the rim of the bluffs. Folks stopped by on their trek down to the sea and made nice comments. One woman wanted to purchase the piece for her daughter to take to college as a remembrance of their favorite spot. I take that as quite a compliment. It's been a solid week of painting hard everyday. Saturday we turn in our best 2 paintings from the week. Tough decision......

Oil on Panel, 11" X 14"

"Pita" ©

This week I have been signing, varnishing, tweaking and finally painting Pita. All of this flurry getting ready for a week of painting in the San Clemente Plein Air Competition and art show the following weekend.

I bought a new laptop and will post from the little seaside town as much as possible. Wish me luck!

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

sold

"Olivia" © revisted

A couple people asked that I post "Olivia" after making the changes that I thought were needed after first posting her. Finally at 11:45 tonight I think I have captured her. A couple of days ago I had the chance to pet her at the ranch and once again she tugged at my heart.

Now you can have her Jamie......

Oil on canvas, 11" X 14"

private collection

"Chasing The Sun" ©

I am getting close to wrapping up this larger studio painting of the previous post and posted it after feeling that tug of not posting for a few days. Over the weekend I attended "The Society for the Advancement of Plein Air Painting" exhibit on Catalina Island, which was an inspiring event from the flurry of sales to mastery of the paintings. Last night Gale, owner of Gale's Restaurant in Pasadena hosted "A Taste Of Art" benefiting cancer patients and their families, a huge success, great food (crab cakes and pizza like I had never tasted before) and a very friendly crowd. Donating a painting to the event is an annual event for me along with several other artists (Belinda DelPesco, Nancy Eckels, Karen Winters, Trish Kertes, Karen Hansen, Leslie Saeta, Raymond Logan, Kendra Page and more). It felt good to back at the easel working on "Chasing The Sun" after all the events of the last few days.

Oil on Linen, 20" X 24" sold

"Chasing The Sun" ©

The cool grasses in the foreground were the first signs that evening wasn't far behind. I was chasing the sun on Catalina Island.

I think this study will work well for a large painting, next up on the easel......

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

Purchase ($100. U.S. shipped, unframed): from the artist

"Owl" ©

On a break from painting at the Devil's Punch Bowl I was exploring the ranger station and came across a couple of owls in a habitat. The sign read "Red Tail Hawk", so I have no idea what type of owls they were. While watching, this little guy was quite animated, scratching, fluffy up and preening.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

Purchase ($100. U.S. shipped, unframed): from the artist

"Pacific Sunrise" ©

The soft pastel colors of the suns first light is what attracted me to this scene. Here are two photos so you can really see the small painting, one on the easel and one close up.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

Purchase ($100. U.S. shipped, unframed): from the artist Sold

"Malibu Trail" ©

My family never comments on a painting but this one evoked the words, "I want to be there". I put my brush down and knew the painting said what I wanted it to say, that Malibu State Park is a place to be and renew.

Oil on canvas, 12" X 16"

"Spring Time" ©

You really have to watch the cows with your painting gear. A cow actually licked all the paint off another artists painting while his back was turned. These three were watching for a while then bounced off, pretending to be frightened.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

"Twin Rocks, Catalina Island" ©

Early morning drifts of moisture obscured the massive stone face, then the sun would push it's way to kiss the rock here and there. At first I thought why even try to paint this view when I can't even see it, then watching this push and pull of clouds and sun, I couldn't help myself.

Oil on Canvas, 12" X 16"

"Devil's Punch Bowl" ©

Yesterday Lorelle Miller and I presented "Chasing Open Spaces" an artistic project where artists are historically documenting the SCV's rural areas on a panel for the Antelope Valley Conservancy. Afterwards we hit the road and drove to St. Andrews Abbey in the desert, looking for a spot to paint, we weren't inspired and drove on to Devil's Punch Bowl and wow wee, we found our views. Other then some excitement with a rattler, we finished off the day painting and enjoying the sun setting behind a large Joshua tree forest.

Oil on Panel, 12" X 9"

"Midday" ©

Did you know that when cows eat damp grass and weeds their teeth squeak. It's true, I was painting this scene and heard an odd sound behind me and this cow was having breakfast 1o feet away. I also think they watch you paint, why else stand in one spot, head lowered, just staring at you. The cows in my painting took off and ran before I could really nail them in but I'll try a large studio piece and work the cows out.

Oil on panel, 9" X 12"

"Sun Grazed Oaks" ©

Midday is one of the most difficult times to paint. Although painting these lovely Oaks midday worked well, the light bouncing off each bunch of leaves.

Oil on Panel, 9" X 12"

Affaire In The Gardens, Beverly Hills

I spent all of last weekend exhibiting paintings at the "Affaire In The Gardens". My booth was a mixture of landscapes and several animal paintings, which was very interesting. Sales were balanced between the two subjects and visitors seem to respond kindly to both. I met wonderful artists that became good neighbors, the event runs like clockwork and I can recommend the show to both artists and guests. During the show I demonstrated painting and will post my painting as soon as I get it unpacked and photographed. It was a very successful weekend and I sure appreciated everyone that stopped by to visit and take a look at my efforts on canvas.

"Olivia" ©

Olivia was rescued in Texas and flown to LA by a family with hearts as big as Texas. She is learning to trust with new day.

Oil on canvas, 11" X 14"

"Trans Catalina Trail" ©

Early evening, traversing the island of Catalina I followed this trail till I could see the ocean in the distance. The birds were busy wrapping up their day, singing their last songs as the sun started to dip creating long cool shadows.

Oil on Linen, 12" X 16"

"Dear Marilyn" ©

This front view of Marilyn is probably the last animal painting that will be dry enough to show at the Beverly Hills Afaire In The Gardens next weekend. I may be able to sneak in one more dog, named Olivia, just adorable but time is running out. Marilyn is living large at the Gentle Barn in Canyon Country and I was able to get this view because you can't turn your back on dear Marilyn.

Oil on Linen, 24" x 20"

Catalina Plein Air

If you add a little figure painting in this image you would have the whole view of me plein air painting. This was the best I could do alone. You can see the location, inland on the Island of Catalina and the beauty of the rolling hills, diving into Manzanita groves and the rising mountains in the distance driving the fog back to sea. A small fox came quite close and bounded as if on air through the wild grasses. The earth surface glows with true iridescence because of the natural Steatite. I wish you could hear the many bird songs that are the music of the inland. It was a magical week of painting.

Sierra Madre Art Fair

A dear friend and collector Ken was kind enough to take this photo of my parents and me, yesterday at the art fair. This is the rear view of the booth that my Mom and I shared, as we have the past 3 years. We had a very successful show but more importantly we so enjoyed the people that stopped by visited and looked at our paintings.

Today I spent the day putting all the gear and paintings away and packed to leave as the sun comes up for the boat to Catalina. I'll be painting on the island for 2 upcoming shows that feature the interior wildflowers. I'll be off line, just painting my heart out, till the end of the week.....

"Marilyn" ©

Marilyn is one of the rescued residents, living large at the Gentle Barn in Canyon Country. Every time I pass the easel this morning and glance at her furry face it makes me smile. How can that happen? She is just a cow and I don't have time to giggle, I am trying to get ready for a big show this weekend. The power of a painting, interesting.

Oil on Canvas, 20" X 16"

"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"

"Poppy Reserve" ©

A bunch of us drove up to the California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, CA to paint the brilliant splashes of orange before the show is over. It was interesting to paint in such a windy, dry place, I found sand in my ears!

Oil on panel, 11" X 14"

"Yoda" ©

Last weekend I met "Yoda" at the Gentle Barn in Canyon Country, CA. Yoda was rescued from an animal hoarder in Lancaster a couple of years ago. He was hungry and frightened but after a few weeks at the Gentle Barn he became very friendly and one of the family.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 12"

sold

"Patiently Waiting" ©

Still adding to my inventory of "animal" paintings, today I painted this little guy. First spotting him on 2nd St. in Long Beach, he was waiting for his family to finish up dining at a sidewalk cafe. His name is "Fatty", there must be a story behind the name because he couldn't weight more then a few pounds.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

"Kauai, The Sea's Promise" ©

I found this view so unusual, to be able to see the wave from the side and the backside of the waves hitting the shore. Looking at the painting now I think the white water needs more of the colors of the sky to pull the piece together and the wave backside hitting the shore is just a bit odd. Oh, the tweaks and adjustments continue. Working on the painting brings back the moment of time when the sun was sinking behind me and the sea promised to sing me to sleep with her waves.

Oil on Canvas, 20" X 24"

"Malibu State Park" ©

After delivering paintings to the Four Seasons in Westlake for "Dreams On Canvas" and lunch with my buddy Marian, I trekked out to Malibu State Park, playing hooky from life to paint.

Deep in my painting I caught a flurry of activity out of the corner of my eye, only to see two bunnies playing chase. Truly they were playing a game, having fun. I had no idea that bunnies had "fun". Then a falcon dropped in and the game ended, things got serious. The bunnies escaped, at least on that occasion but the cycle of life became very apparent.

The park is displaying every shade of green, the river is running and it couldn't have been any more lovely.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Jackson Lake" ©

Yesterday my family wanted to run up to the snow for a day of skiing. I opted to paint and found this little lake near the lifts. I had a fun talking to the fishermen and tourist, answering the usual questions:

1. How long did that take you?

2. Do you sell those things?

3. Will you paint me too?

4. Do you give lessons?

and of course all of the stories of their painting relatives.

Mostly I enjoyed the sounds of the mountain, wind in the trees, birds singing and fish jumping.

Oil on Panel, 11" X 14"

"Bed Warmer" ©

Cats have the ability to scope out a home and find the softest warm place to nap instantly. Then when disturbed the look is icy and somewhat disinterested. Oh to be a cat!

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

sold