1/2022
I am delighted that my seascape “Coastal Quiet” took first place in the annual peer judged contest.
I joined the Los Gatos Art Association in 2017 because they have a very active local plein air painting group. Beyond this, there are wonderful friends in the organization I have come to treasure.
8″x10″ oil on linen panel
Winter in Northern California delivers residual autumn leaves and spring green grasses.
11/15/2021 – 1/15/2022
It was an honor to be included in the 91st annual landscape show hosted by the Santa Cruz Art Association with my painting “Coastal Quiet.”
When the California Art Club’s San Francisco Chapter announced a plein air painting event in Yosemite a few friends and I quickly signed up. As it turned out there were 60 participants and it was so much fun. Here are 4 of my paintings from this trip to Yosemite.
The last painting is my favorite from this trip to Yosemite and it was later purchased. Here’s a photo one of my painting friends took of me as I was just beginning this piece.
9″ x 12″ (sold)
This painting began as a plein air piece in rural San Jose at a spot in Santa Teresa Park where I enjoy painting. In addition to the friends I painted with this day, I also appreciated seeing a few local equestrians and lots of turkeys.
9″ x 12″ (private collection)
This was painting at a lovely spot along the Merced River in Yosemite.
6″ x 8″ oil on linen panel
This plein air painting was painted at a beautiful spot along the Merced River in Yosemite known as Devil’s Bend.
11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel
This Yosemite plein air painting was painted just as the colors were turning on the beautiful elm tree that stands under the watchful eye of Half Dome.
9″ x 12″ oil on linen panel
The Humboldt County Coast offers so much. I started this piece in the Trinidad Harbor paying close attention to the colors of the water both in and out of shadow. Now that I’ve finished this up at home I want to head back to further savor the beauty of far Northern California.
One of the great joys in outdoor painting is getting to know an area in a way that is personal and deeply experienced. This painting trip was especially delightful in that I was able to share it with some amazing painter friends. We set off for a morning spot and an afternoon spot each day. In the evenings we returned to a large ocean front house we rented to share dinner and look at that day’s work. I am, bit by bit, becoming a better painter. Painting immersion with a group like this is as valuable as a class with a master painter to generate growth.
The six paintings above were hung at a lovely art gallery for a show that included about two dozen participating artists. I was so happy that my painting “Ready to Go” received an award for “Best representational Painting.” It’s the one first painting in the gallery above. I so appreciate the Redwood Art Association for hosting this terrific event. See you next year.
