12 x 16 (private collection)
I have done a lot of painting on the Garrapata trails just south of Carmel. in this view, I have worked to catch the early morning light as it hits the rock outcropping just off shore. The effect is particularly pronounced in the winter.
9″ x 12″ oil on linen panel
In this piece I am drawn to the colors of the evening and the mystery that comes as shadows darken.
8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
Mostly, I went to Volivoli in Fiji for the amazing scuba diving. Still, there was time after the diving to paint in the late afternoons. This piece is all about relaxation.
8″ x 6″ (private collection)
I didn’t end up swimming in the pool at the Volivoli Dive Resort in Fiji though I’m glad I had a chance to paint it. I love the color of the shadows that seem to dance on the bottom of the pool.
8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
While painting this plein air piece in Fiji, I was focused on the shifts in the yellows between the sunlit areas and shadow along with the reflections in the water. The name of the yellow boat is “Rush” though I never saw it move (aside from the action of the tide).
8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
Tropical mangroves play a vital role in healthy coastal ecosystems by helping abate erosion and serving a vital habitat for juvenile sea creatures. Mangroves are adapted to areas that are periodically submerged by salty tides. I love their ‘long legs’ and painted these on a visit to Fiji.
8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
I painted this from the deck in front of the room shared by my dive buddy and me in Fiji. The twin Christmas Palms are on the left side. They’ve long been one of my favorite types of palms though this think these are the first I’ve painted.
10″ x 8″ oil on linen panel
I loved painting palm trees in Fiji. In this painting, I was really took in the shadow cast in the shallow water.
8″ x 8″ oil on linen panel
I painted this piece at Lake Almaden in San Jose a couple of days after returning from a trip to the South Pacific. I think I still had kind of a palm tree sensibility going on.
For divers like me who love colorful reefs replete with soft coral, there are few places that offer up more beauty than the Namena Marine Reserve in Fiji. Diving amongst these reefs is a little like swimming a produce market just above intensely purple broccoli with hot pink and orange fish as companions. Pretty magical.
While there were multiple dives each day, I was able to fit in some painting too.
As it turned out, my long-time friend and dive buddy, Judy, was training for an upcoming Ironman Triathlon so while she swam / ran / biked and exercised, I painted.
I brought water mixable oils on this trip. They are not as yummy to work with as more traditional oils but I am starting to feel a bit more comfortable with them. And … it’s great to avoid sharing a room with solvents even if they are ‘odorless’.
