"Fairly" Hot Days

"At the Fair"

10x8  Oil on Panel

$175

I went to the LA County Fair and this is all I got. Just kidding. It was a fun, HOT day and it's always enjoyable to watch kids having a blast.  I got several photos that might turn into paintings, this one just jumped out at me.  Can you feel the heat?

More Sunflowers

"Fence Line Flowers"

10x8 Oil on Panel

$175

                                                              

Thanks to a dear friend who shared a photo of his lovely sunflowers. Finished just in time for today's 30 in 30 Challenge.  Now off to the LA County Fair, hopefully, with some fun ideas for more paintings.  Always thinking like an artist.

Avoiding a Fight

"Picking Strawberries"

6x12  Oil on Linen

$175

Nothing like going out to explore painting opportunities.  Leslie Saeta recently invited me to join her for the day.  So off we went and discovered a lovely field of workers picking strawberries.  I think I barely waiting for the car to stop before jumping out to capture this lovely scene.  That moment didn't last long.  A guy in a pickup quickly came to us and told us we couldn't take photos.  We explained that we were artists and wanted pictures to paint.  He told us again that we couldn't take them.  Not wanting to start a fight, we "agreed".  Go back in the car, drove 3 feet, jumped out again and starting taking more pictures.  What can I say...no stopping artists on a mission.  Thanks, Leslie for a fun day. 

Wilting in the Heat

"Heat of the Day"

12x6  Oil on Linen

$175

On my walk home from church on Sunday, I passed a small community garden with these sunflowers.  It was already 90 degrees at 11 o'clock and like the sunflowers, I was wilting.  They were lovely nonetheless.  So grabbed a quick photo and here's the result.  BTW, I think the humidity followed me from the east coast.  Bad, bad, bad!!!!

Who Needs Sunshine

"Morning Mist"

12x6  Oil on Paper

$135

I seem to be drawn to water, no matter which coast, rain or shine.  Give me a view of the water & I'm good to go.  Hoping to get lots of painting done this week & hope to share some news by weeks' end. 

No Snake Charmer

"Fire Road, Cherry Canyon"

5x7 Oil on Linen Panel

$95

This morning's hike was in Cherry Canyon.  I start up the fire road and then take a turn down to a lovely oak grove.  It's a pretty hike but today as I started my descent, I saw a snake. I am a WIMP when it comes to snakes, so I headed the opposite direction.  I was able to only scream in my head so I didn't startle other hikers.  Despite the wild life, I love this view.  Hope to get more paintings from here.  Have a great week.

East vs. West or rather Southern vs. California

"Afternoon at Crystal Cove"

9x12

The difference between the southern coastline and California coastline are the beautiful cliffs and rocks.  What fun it is to paint the "splash" of the waves as they break against the rocks.  Still having fun and enjoying my new life.

Setting Sun

"Setting Sun"

8x12 Oil on Paper

$400

I've been wanting to try out the Arches Oil Paper for a while and have to say I love it.  It's always fun trying out new products, techniques, etc.  Good to stretch my brain and be surprised.  Also spent the afternoon with my bestie, Julie Hill (a watercolorist) as she is trying her hand at oils.  Always fun to spend an afternoon with another artist.  All in all, a good day.

Paint Starting to Fly - SOLD!!

"Streaming Light, La Canada"  SOLD

7x5  Oil on Linen Panel

$75 + shipping

Exactly 2 months ago today I arrived in California.  It has taken me a little while to settle down at the easel.  I've spent this time acclimating to my new home and all the different colors & scenes that are before me.  I've always taught my students to spend time looking at their subject before blindly diving into their painting. I'm glad I took my own advise.  So excited to see what direction my art will take over the next few years.

Other News 

One Day Oil Painting Workshop

"Learning to Simplify Your Subject"

March 5th, Creative Arts Group, Sierra Madre

click here for details

Just Outside - SOLD

"Just Outside the Window"

7x5 Oil on Linen Panel

Sometimes you don't have to travel far to find inspiration.

Just Indicating - SOLD

"Mountainside Lupine"

12x12 Oil on Linen Panel

$595

Had fun trying to just "indicate" the beautiful lupine. There's always that line 

that you don't want to cross & hopefully I've stopped just short of it.  

Cast Shadows - SOLD

"Cast Shadows"

9x12 Oil on Linen Panel

A new subject for me.  A challenge color wise because I haven't painted in a 

primary color palette. I enjoyed painting the shadows as much as the buoys.

Kiawah Marsh

"Kiawah Marsh"

10x10  Oil on Linen Panel

$325

Can't count the number of marshes I've painted over the years.   Adding another one to the collection.

Tomorrow, I'll share the video demo of this piece.  

Off with the Old, On with the New! $45 SALE!

2012 has been a very trying year, so as the saying goes "Off with the old, on with the new"!  Exploring new direction in my art and want to clear out my previous work.  Good news for you, great prices!

Each piece will be offered at $45 plus $5 shipping (if needed).  These paintings range from 4x4 to 8x10s.  If you see a piece you want, email me and I will send a PayPal invoice to you.  Here's to new adventures and a great 2013!

The First Look

"Familiar View, Catalina"

6x6  Oil on museum quality board

At auction on DPW, click here to bid.

A few days ago, I talked about seeing the obvious subject to paint versus taking some time & finding a

different view.  Don't get me wrong, I love painting the Holly Hill House.  It's been a favorite class demo several times.  However, when I slowed down & really looked at what was in front of me, I found an equally, if not, more interesting vantage point, see here.   My students always comment that I'm able to pull so much out of one photo...so here's to really seeing not just looking.

Another Look

"A View from the Top"

4x8  Oil on Canvas

At auction on DPW, click here to bid.

This week I've had my students focusing on doing thumbnail, value & color sketches. I used a photo from Catalina (the Hollyhill House) that I had painted more than a few demos from & in the process found 2 more potential paintings. This is one of them. Sometimes we are so focused on the obvious that we miss the true beauty in front of us. I'm thinking this would make a great diptych.

Back to Provence

 

"Provence Time"

6x8  Oil on museum quality panel

At Auction on DPW, click here to bid

I recently completed a painting for a couple's wedding of their trip to Provence.  So enjoyed painting it that I decided to go back for another try.  Don't you just want to wander in the fields of lavender? Hope you enjoy the view.

TGIF

"Low Country Sundown"

6x6  Oil on museum quality panel

At Auction on DPW, click to bid here

I've painted so many marshes, that you'd think I'd be tired of them.  Nope!  There is always a surprise somewhere along the way.  Be it in the grasses (they change seasonally) or the beauty of the skies.  I just feel blessed to be close enough to the marshes to have ample inspiration.  Happy weekend.

Wedding Bells

"Provence with Love"

6x6  Oil on museum quality panel

NFS

This is wedding gift for a student's brother.   He and his fiancee visited Provence last summer and Carol shared some of his beautiful photos with me.  So I thought that I would paint them a memory from that trip.  Sentimental, I know.  As my friend, Julie Hill, will tell you I don't have a sentimental bone in my body.  Or it is just well hidden.  I just like to keep her guessing.  Best wishes to the happy couple on their very special day.

Painting Zone

"Peaceful View"

6x6  Oil on museum quality panel

At Auction on DPW

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Buy/Auction/16475

Peaceful mood, peaceful painting.   Nice to be in the painting zone again.