"January Sunset" ©

It rained! You could almost hear the ground sucking as the drops fell from the sky. I am looking over the tops of the Oak trees at the glorious clouds. If the "painter police" pronounced a rule that every painter must pick one and only one subject to paint forever, I would pick clouds.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"Wistaria" ©

In a couple of months the world famous "Wistaria" Festival in Sierra Madre will take over the small village of Sierra Madre. This painting is of a tiny section of the Wistaria vine that is the cause of celebration.

Oil on Canvas

"Burbank Palm" ©

They say that if you want to become proficient at painting one particular "thing", paint lots of them. With this in mind the palm trees continue. Burbank is a city about 25 miles from home and this neglected beauty was standing next to the freeway off ramp. I just remembered all of the orange streamers floating off each palm frond.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

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"Following The Sand" ©

This scene is of the creek that runs in front of my home and the mountain that greets me everyday. It is very difficult to walk in the wet sand but worth the effort. I always see wildlife and feel as though there isn't another soul for hundreds of miles.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

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"Afternoon Shade" ©

I was standing in the afternoon shade for this scene. Sometimes shade is difficult to find, in our sunny land.

Oil on Canvas Board, 8" X 8"

"Classic California" ©

These beauties were on full display in our January sun. Today was a classic California day, 76 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

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"Sand Canyon Gold" ©

The brush of Sand Canyon glistens as if it's spun gold under the end of the day sun. Under stormy clouds the drama is breath taking.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"Three Palms At Sunset" ©

Daily painting allows the artist a bit of elbow room to explore themes and methods that we ordinarily might not take the time to do working on large pieces. Today I just wasn't ready to let the palm trees at sunset leave my easel. I even dreamed about them last night, along with an Indian in lemon yellow leather on a dark horse, riding out of a Viridian sea during a storm. Oh, how I wish I could paint that for you. Anyway, palm trees and fluffy pink clouds filled my day and here are "Three Palms At Sunset".

Oil on Board, 5" X 7"

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"Palms At Sunset" ©

From the back door I hear, "Laura come quick", my husband doesn't want me to miss the sunset sky. He is simply wonderful. My neighbor raises palm trees, so I have a whole bunch of exotic and average palms dancing for me daily. Combine the sunset and the neighbors plams and you get "Palms At Sunset".

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

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"Sunlit Trunks" ©

Looking around for a view I spotted these Oak trunks in the distance soaking up the early morning sun. It was all I could do not to follow the road to get a closer view. The bits of brush on my panel will come off when the paint dries, somehow with the wind they drifted onto my painting.

Oil on board, 8" X 10"

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"Keeper Of The Canyon" (working title)

In the 1800's I would have been one of the painters that was still tweaking my painting during "varnishing" days at the Paris Salon. I'll have this piece up on a second easel and continue to adjust here and there, but basically it's "done". The is not a "daily painting", as the piece is larger and took several days. To read more about Sierra Madre and this piece look down a couple of days to "Keeper Of The Canyon, study". Please note that the shine of the wet paint is catching the light on the far right and upper mid-left, my apologies.

Oil on Board, 16" X 20" sold

"Road Home" ©

Late today I was on my way to a meeting at City Hall. While driving there, I saw these mountains, trees and brush. I really wanted to stop and paint, but time was not on my side. The next best solution was to try to memorize what I was seeing and paint the scene when I got home. All during the meeting I thought about the "Road Home".

Oil on Board, 5" X 7" $150.

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"Keeper Of The Canyon" ©

Not one thing in the Sierra Madre Canyon is straight. The canyon is filled with homes from the early 1900's, built as vacation homes to the residents of Los Angeles. The Craftsman styled homes have tons of bedrooms, huge dining rooms, screened in porches that wrap the upper decks and tons of river rock surfaces. All designed for the extended families summer fun. The roads are narrow and snake up the hill, towards the dam, cooled by trees from the heat of the summers day. The tree I have painted is at the start of the canyon, hovering over the road and bridge that crosses the canyon creek. I am working on a studio painting of this scene and took advantage of my packed palette to paint this daily painting.

Oil on board, 5" X 7"

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"Canyon Chill" ©

The temperature gage in my car read 34 degrees, with the wind howling it felt like 24. The scrub brush was still frozen from the night and my feet crunched on the ice. I decided to take a photo and paint from that in my studio rather then fight with frozen paint. I know wimpy, native Californian.

Oil on board, 8" X 10"

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"Rose" ©

Another day, another rose. Today I wanted to continue exploring the curves and lines of the rose. I experimented with a different technique then yesterday, which helped me from becoming lost in the luxurious petals.

Oil on Canvas Board, 8" X 8"

$150.

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"Sunday Rose" ©

Intimacy with a rose is a lovely way to spend a Sunday. I explored each petal, curve and edge of this beauty. The color changes as the curves flow within the rose were a challenge and pleasure to work with. All the while I was chewing on the thought that I should be outside pruning, maybe tomorrow.

Oil on Canvas Board, 8” X 8”

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"Inlet, Morning" ©

The sun is rising and catching the tops of the trees and brush across the inlet. The water is so calm that bird calls skate across the water forever.

Oil on Board, 5" X 7"

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"Eaton Canyon Gold II" ©

Today I painted the same scene as yesterday, without distraction. If you compare the two paintings, you will see I changed the composition, pushed the colors, simplified the mountains and tried to hone in on the feeling you have standing at the base of the San Gabriels, as evening is approaching. Most people wouldn't believe the color range these beauties dazzle the viewer with. Some evenings they are just simply pink, other evenings a rich gold with a hint of green. I am so thankful to live in such a paradise.

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Oil on board, 8" X 10"

"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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