Villa Maria, Steven's Creek Park

Buckeye trees are a favorite of mine. I love the sweet, fragrant blooms and the foliage which changes into fabulous colors before any other tree in the area. This composition was started at Villa Maria in Steven's Creek Park where I was attacked yellow jackets at the beginning of a promising piece. I urgently fled the park and finished the painting weeks later as a studio project.

Painting at Rockaway Beach

Today the sun decided to come out, and I headed to a new Pacifica locale. I've been reading Duma Key by Stephen King and was more than inspired to see what evolved.

Large Painting for Office

This painting was designed by request for this Pacifica office setting. It's four panels that are 3' x 3' . . . so it spans a full 12' across this long room. It was done in acrylic on canvas.

Another couple days painting

Above: I returned to the Calera Creek location to work on some other ideas I sketched out on site last week.

SOLD

Above is the reworked painting shown below of Lake Lagunitas done Saturday to capture the colors I wanted to get previously. I am much happier with this result of today

Lake Lagunitas, Stanford, CA

Today the weather cooled off, and a big turnout of plein air painters met at Lake Lagunitas at Stanford for a day of painting.
The location was new to me, and I took on more than I should have. I attempted two canvasas, and this is the beginning of my more successful attempt. I decided to rework it in the studio to capture the fantastic colors that escaped me on this outing.
Painting is a constant learning experience!

Calera Creek Quarry

It was a beautiful day for painting in Pacifica. Fog hung over the water, and the sun shone brightly.

SOLD

Hot Day on the Bay

Extreme heat made painting uncomfortable. I spotted Barn and Cliff swallows gathering mud at a spot at the base of a faucet under some brush. This water from the boat launch hose provided relief for wildlife and me. I expected to execute two paintings, but it was just "too darn hot".

Painting in Pacifica

14" x 12" oil painting on canvas board done alla prima.
The site is in Pacifica above Rockaway Beach along the water treatment trail below the old quarry.
I was inspired to capture the warmth of the day with colors becoming more vibrant as the sun began to set.

It's a beautiful day on the bridge at the Baylands

May Day 2008

Two new paintings were done at the Palo Alto Baylands today. Home repairs and remodel put painting on the backburner the last few weeks. It's a joy to get back outdoors to paint.

Plein Air Work

Paintings:
Top: Baylands III
Middle: Baylands II
Below: Baylands I

Studio Work

These studio studies are the wet-on-wet technique. Each painting was with a fast, direct approach.

Donna In Studio

Painting in the studio on a cool spring day