"Stormy" ©

My husband walked up to me as I was tweaking this little painting and he said he kind of liked this moody piece, so I asked him what he would title it as? Without hesitation he said "Stormy". Simply put and right on the money, as usual. Thanks Mikey....

Oil on Panel, 8" X 10"

"January Dusk" ©

Gallery sitting all day at Descanso Gardens, I watched the clouds quickly passing overhead as if they were on their own speedway. Then as the evening grew close the whites turned to lavender, gray and brilliant edged pinks. Our very own light show, what a wonderful world.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"Vanessa" ©

Today before tackling the horse painting again, I went to the McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga to paint a live model. Artist Julie Snyder has arranged this 3 hour workshop for any artist that would like to draw or paint a live person. The time flew, besides the music playing all you could hear were the sounds of a studio, brushes on canvas and charcoal rubbing against paper. I had a blast and can't wait to go back! If you would like to see a real figure painters work visit Julie's website at http://www.juliesnyder.com/.

Oil on Panel, 11" X 14"

"Winter Clouds" ©

It's been such a long time since we were blanketed in gorgeous clouds. This cloud collection in variations of white were hanging over the San Francisquito riverbed.

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

p.s. back to the horses......

"The San Gabriels" ©

The 60" X 48" painting of three horses was taken off the easel today so that I could paint a small piece for this blog today. It was such a drastic switch I included a photo of the little canvas on the easel. To place a MOUNTAIN on a tiny canvas is so much fun, just a hoot. I wish it had been on one of my wood panels but I am out of stock, so this is actually canvas on board. Tomorrow I'll go shopping for panels, this is a serious shortage in the studio. Not really but I sure miss the wooden panel. The view is the San Gabriel Mountains from the bottom of Baldwin in Arcadia, I just left out all hints of concrete and automobiles. Artists have the life!

Oil on canvas panel, 5" X 7"

"Wild Yard" ©

The Ward ranch in Sierra Madre is well cared for, except this wild yard next to the drive. There are a few orange trees full of oranges despite the lack of attention, and you can find signs of a past history on this land amongst the weeds. I was captivated by the sunlight grazing the green weeds, creating an emerald glaze on each tip.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

"Canyon Creek" ©

Music drifts down the canyon as the creek runs down the wash. The Sierra Madre Canyon has it's own unique culture, one of sharing, there is a "free" wall, when you want rid of an item just place it on the "free" wall and another soul will make use of it. The residents stick together in time of need, illness or just an extra place to park. Once every few years they fight fire as it threatens their existence. In this little painting I was looking to capture the sunlight busting through the thick canyon trees, lighting the tiny cabins porch all the while thinking of these things.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Hansen Dam Path" ©

Paths snake in and out of the dense brush, created by small creatures, horses, fishermen
and possibly Barefoot Ted. In this path painting the brush open up allowing you to breath, until you duck back into the canopy of gold.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Pastel Canyon" ©

50 cars sat outside the entrance to Towsley Canyon Park in the soft morning light, waiting for their owners that had fled the sheets to move muscle. The brush in it's winter nakedness turned the canyon into a palette of pastels.

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Hansen Dam Evening" ©

Today I took the little Hansen Dam III and blew it up a bit to 11" X 14". This gave me a bit more room to explore the Pepper tree in the foreground and work each part of the painting to a deeper level. (A note to artists, I worked on linen again and wow wee, it's so elegant and lovely to paint on.) I drove past this area on the freeway yesterday, near the waters edge all of the golden leaves have blown away and the trees are gray barren sticks. It might be interesting to paint one of the Hansen Dam scenes, now naked. Maybe tomorrow?

Oil on Linen, 11" X 14"

"Kern River Rocks"

This morning a good friend asked me via email if you did not need an income from your paintings what would you paint? A very interesting question for artists to ponder. Rocks came to my mind right off, the shapes, the temperature shifts of color, the way they fall on one another, they are always appealing. With that jump start I painted "Kern River Rocks".

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Rancho La Vista"

For my husband that spent so much of his childhood on Rancho La Vista the closed entry gates signal the end of an era. His grandparents lived on the ranch for decades, raising their 4 children in a small cottage deep in the orange groves. The stories of feeding cows, building hay forts and learning to ski on the pond are all that's left now as the new owners are making the ranch into their own dream.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Hansen Dam, Winter VI"

One last view of Hansen Dam in the winter, looking north from the south side of the water. Today was the twice annual California Art Club critique at the Autry Museum. I painted this before going very fast so that I would have a blog for tonight, now after hearing all of the thoughts of the panel I can just imagine what they would say about this little study. Here goes: More structure in the trees, connect the dark trees in an interesting way, create a light path and a definite focal point and on and on. It was a day spent not painting but well worth the time to straighten me out a bit. One of the many benefits of belonging to the club. Thanks CAC!

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Hopland" ©

This is a huge day in my blogging effort. This painting is number 500! I am more then half way to my goal of 1000, since I don't blog everything. In the past I have mentioned that Jean Stern of Irvine Museum told me once that after I paint 1000 canvases I will "begin to understand the process of painting". I believe him with all my heart, at only 1/2 way there I can see that he is so right as he always is. Jean is a treasure and humanity is fortunate to have his incite, love of art, good sense of humor and generosity.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

"Peanut"

Peanut has a complete wardrobe. He is wearing his red hoodie sweater on a windy day at the beach in this painting. Actually I have never met Peanut but his Mom loves him dearly and sent me a photo to paint from. He sure is adorable.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"Hansen Dam Winter, V"

This scene is so typical of California right now, barren hills reaching out to the water below. Exploring the Hansen Dam area in paintings has been a nice break each day from a large (60" X 48") commission that I am working on. I am at the point of designing, which for me, takes the most time. This stage of developing a painting is so important, if the design/composition is poor it doesn't matter how beautifully the piece is painted it will still be poor. The investment of time is well worth it. Shifting back and forth from small 5" X 7" paintings to the large canvas allows for some fun.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

"Hansen Dam, Winter IV"

Still soaking up all I can from the Hansen Dam adventure, I took one of the small studies and painted a larger view of Hansen Dam in the winter.

Oil on canvas, 20" X 24"

"Hansen Dam, Winter III" ©

Soft notes of color, in a tiny study of December near Hansen Dam. I think that this would make a lovely large painting. Compositionally I would change the lit mid-ground to a flat area, rather then an incline, as the incline mimics the angle of the mountain tops and in a large piece this would be repetitive. Also I would add a trunk system to the Pepper Tree on the left and maybe a cloud shape if needed. Otherwise it's ready to go.

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

"Hansen Dam, Winter II" ©

If you can imagine standing at the waters edge and being totally enveloped by gold. The leaves, the light and the reflections in the water, all golden. What a glorious world, and right off the 210 Freeway!

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Hansen Dam, Winter" ©

Yesterday, driving home from the Descanso Garden Gallery I spotted this brilliant show of gold. Instantly pulling off the freeway, finding a place to park I was off and running, in search of a way to get closer to the "gold". Everywhere I turned the view took the breath out of me. I was even talking to myself about the amazing light and color. There will be several paintings out of the material gathered. Here is the first little study of Hansen Dam in the winter.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Midday Chill II" ©

The original "Midday Chill" was posted a few postings ago. The view appealed to me and I felt it warranted a larger canvas.

Oil on canvas, 11" X 14"

"Danielle and Joey" ©

"Danielle and Joey" were painted on request by her family. They supplied a super photograph and just asked me to do my best. Danielle is lovely girl I wouldn't mind adopting and I care for her a great deal. Joey is one of those amazing dogs, that come along once in a lifetime. Spending time with these two, even if it's just on canvas, was like going on vacation during the holiday scramble.

Oil on Canvas, 16" X 20"

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"In Between Storms" ©

Another storm is pounding Southern California today. White dusted mountains were visable until the afternoon when the valley became veiled completely in white gauze clouds. This little painting is the view near the 14 freeway and San Fernando Road, "In Between The Storms".

Oil on Panel, 5" X 7"

"Winter Day" ©

Yesterday we had real rain, the creek is flowing and you can almost hear the trees sing with joy. The clouds passed overhead, sometimes letting the blue beyond peek through, at other times solid dark fluff blanketed the valley.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Midday Chill" ©

You could hear the conversations of ducks coming from the small island of brush and reeds. The cold air stiffened my oil paint to the point of solid masses on the palette. The location is another gem on the California crown.

Oil on panel, 5" x 7"

"Breaking Clouds" ©

Caught up in the holiday chores, I went outside for break and a quick walk wondering what I would paint today. The sky was inspiring, to the west I could see the "Breaking Clouds".

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"Cottonwoods Below" ©

In a cold wind blowing I was lucky to get any paint onto the panel today. I met up with a few wonderful lady painters in Towsley Canyon and we painted together. This is my effort, standing on the edge of a cliff looking at the tops of the "Cottonwoods Below".

Oil on panel, 8" X 10"

"Whispering Pines" ©

On the way up to the Sierra's we noticed the names of small motels and Inn's, deciding that they would make wonderful titles for paintings of local scenes. While standing mesmerized by the shade on this granite outcrop I heard the "Whispering Pines", which was also the name of a tiny motel a few miles away.

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

"Malibu Ranch" ©

The California Art Club quarterly paint out was held at the King Gillette Ranch in Malibu on Saturday. Sharon Burkett Kaiser arranged everything beautifully and I am grateful for all of her efforts to make sure everyone was comfortable. The ranch was a terrific painting location. You could have blindfolded me, spun me around, whipped off the blindfold and said "paint that", and "that" whatever it was would have been inspiring. A long stand of Eucalyptus trees line the entry drive, the distant famous Malibu mountains were beckoning, flocks of ducks paddled around in a pond that reflected golden Sycamore trees, the paintable views were endless. I finally settled on this little group of buildings off in the distance with the huge Sycamore trees towering over. What a day we all had, absolutely perfect.

Oil on panel, 9" x 12"

"Fine Feathered Family" ©

I promised to post the commissioned duck painting that I have been working on for weeks. It's so large I can't get a decent photo but hopefully you can get the idea. Delivery was today and I was still painting on it yesterday. Are we ever done? Thank goodness for deadlines. My easel looks empty and I'll miss my fluffy feathered buddies. Now they hang over a carved marble fireplace, in a soft mint green sun room, floating peacefully forever.

Oil on canvas, 30" X 40"

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"Sierra Duck" ©

Prior to visiting the Sierra's I had no idea that ducks would happily swim in ice water. As their creek froze over they would all migrate to the large lake, then later in the day when the sun had performed it's magic defrost the ducks would return to the creek. A winters day routine. Preening took up a major amount of time for this high "Sierra Duck".

Oil on canvas, 6" X 8"

"Winter Brush" ©

On painter John Cosby's bookshelf I found "Impressionists In Winter, Effets de Neige". Ever curious I requested the book from my library and it finally arrived. I was inspired by the works of Monet, Renoir, Sisley and Caillebotte, and their handling of frost, snow, storms in the winter French landscape. Today, inspired I painted another Sierra piece of "Winter Brush".

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

"Sierra Morning" ©

While hunting for the last painting of the Sierra trip, this tiny creek came into view. We had found it the night before, exploring for a morning location, now the sunlight danced in the dry brush and just a hint of the sky reflected in the water. Happy Thanksgiving.

Oil on panel, 6" X 8"

I am hanging my "gone painting" shingle once again. We are headed to Wilits with our speeder to ride the Skunk Railroad to Fort Bragg. (If you are curious about speeders, check out http://www.narcoa.org/)

"Silent Forest" ©

It was absolutely silent. How could that be? Not a human making sound, nor a bird, not even the wind in the pines. We found a spot to paint off of a small two lane road, everyone fanned out and spent the afternoon silently painting. Occasionally I would hear the sound of a brush Ferrel hitting the side of someones turp can, but that was it. I wanted to sing, or just yell to break out and make noise but the spiritual side of standing amongst the ancient trees kept me in line, in the "Silent Forest".

Oil on linen panel, 9" X 12"

"Fall's Gold" ©

4700 ft. elevation, just before a major storm, the last of fall's gold is dangling in the sunlight. Nature naturally combines complimentary colors, in this case the yellow trees and egg blue sky. "Fall's Gold" was the first painting I painted while on an art trip last weekend to the Sierra's. We had an amazingly productive time, 14 paintings between four artists. Personally I was very lucky to have this opportunity following the John Cosby workshop, as I was able to practice his "pile" method and start tweaking it to work for me. Also Cosby's tip about keeping the paint warm, and white in your pocket paid off, as the creek froze during the night, proving that it was indeed chilly. Standing next to a small lake, painting this piece all I could hear was the faint quacking of ducks in the distance. There were painting possibilities everywhere you looked. I loved it, the air, the colors, the chilly air and warm sun.

Oil on linen panel, 9" X 12"

"Winter Rose" ©

Walking past the row of roses that lines the dirt driveway, this beauty caught my eye. I was packing for a run up to the Sierra's to paint before the holidays consume me. Throwing caution to the wind, I played in the paint and had fun painting all of the shades of this lovely winter rose.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

I'll be off line until Monday, there are no phones or Internet access in the woods, thank goodness.

"Storm Clouds" ©

Wetcanvas.com offers a reference library for artists. An image from that library was the inspiration for this little warm up (before painting on the ducks) today. It's my "rain dance", maybe my focused exercise painting storm clouds will bring rain to our burning lands.

Oil on panel, 5" X 7"

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"Placerita Canyon Fire" ©

When plein air painting you arrive at a location and look for something that attracts your interest. You want a little story, a concept to develop upon your canvas. Today my painting buddy Lorelle and I went to a location at the top of Saugus, on a cliff overlooking the backside of the San Gabriel mountain range. I debated with myself over what to paint, the fires have been so devastating, yet they are hypnotic in their beauty. Do you paint the "elephant" in the living room or ignore it as if it doesn't exist. I went ahead painting the fire, my elephant. (Then I came home to work on the "Ducks".)

Oil on linen panel, 8" X 10"

"Laguna Canyon" ©

John Cosby Workshop Day 5 - This morning Cosby quickly demonstrated painting a tree, using large interesting shapes, capturing the personality of the tree. Then all 15 of us fanned out to locations within the Laguna Canyon park that sits a 1/4 mile from Cosby's studio. After the morning of painting we all went back to his studio for a critique. Not the typical critique, Cosby explained how to critique your own work and with each painting explained how the painting could possibly be improved. Everyone left feeling positive about their week long efforts. In fact there was a tearful group hug at the end, a tribe had been formed. Here are a few of the reoccurring themes of the critique: Watch for predictability, vary the shapes and create randomness. Make sure your trees are grounded with some dark. Avoid sharp contrasts near the edges of the canvas, Interrupt repetition. Small jumps in value creates the feeling of air. Subdue one area of the painting to streighten another areal. Provide an area of rest. Make sure the sky matches the light in the painting. Does the painting convince you of a story? Finally Cosby must have said 20 times, you have to give a little to get a little. I would highly reccommend John Cosby to any painter that is looking to improve. He is one of those instructors that can identifiy your level and weaknesses quickly and offer a path to improving your work, all in postive notes. He has so much to offer, I look forward to the next workshop that I am able to attend.

Oil on Linen panel, 11" X 14"

"Laguna Coast" ©

Day 4 John Cosby Workshop - Listening to Cosby speak, sparks pop off in my mind of an idea surfacing and becoming fully illuminated. As an example today the discussion was on creating distance in your painting. Here is the gem: When a structure (tree, pole etc.) that is close to the viewer passes over the distant mountain, soften the edge of the mountain on either side of the structure. Almost to the point of obliterating the edge. Cosby demonstrated this on his painting and the increased feeling of depth was ten fold. Gems are flowing constantly from Cosby, here is one more, simple but amazing true. If you are seeing a problem in your painting, solving the problem area directly isn't always the best solution, sometimes it's better to change something else that relates to the problem. The demonstration for this was Cosby felt his clouds were too green. Instead of changing the cloud color, Cosby put some additional green in the palm tree up in the clouds and that solved the green cloud problem. A real TA-DAA moment.

Oil on Linen panel, 8" X 10"