Getting Ready for Open Studio

I spent Saturday hanging my paintings for Open Studio 2008 at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA. Today I labeled my work & met other artists. I'm pleased with my work and location in the EAST WING. I'm hoping for a good turnout with people ready to buy artwork.

I HOPE TO SEE ALL MY FRIENDS THERE!

Near Shamrock Ranch

This afternoon I found this pasture with dramatic shadows, and a bit of light left late in the day. I had to hurry to capture what was left of the sun in this shaded canyon.

SOLD

In the Fog at Rockaway Beach

I painted alone in the fog for some time. Finally a couple Peninsula Outdoor Painters (POPs) joined me at the scheduled paintout. There were about 10 people painting from the north parking area where it was more protected.

I had just enough body heat left to do a second painting after a kind painting colleague gave me a cup of coffee. By the time I looked for the group to have lunch, everyone was finished, had packed up, and was driving away! I never got to see the other work.

Pedro Point Field

This painting was done in two sittings. On the first day, the fog rolled in and stayed for a week. Finally another clear day made it possible to complete this project.

Indian Summer at Pedro Point with POPS

Today 4 POPs painters worked at Pedro Point in the heat. We were so involved in our work that we didn't break for lunch until 1:30!

Indian Summer Harvest Moon Evening

Yesterday hauled my supplies quite a ways down the trail toward Rockaway beach and began painting around 4:30. I painted until it got dark, and quickly packed up my cart as I was getting devoured by mosquitoes. I finished re-working this painting today since what I had painted in the dark wasn't what I had in mind!

Pedro Point on a Wintery Day

This Saturday the wind calmed down so I headed to the beach to see what appealed to me for painting. I decided to painting at Rockaway beach. Today the ocean is full of energy and force, and the wet sand pocked from activity.

Thursday at Pedro Point

Today I returned to Pedro Point to finish my painting started on Tuesday. It's a cool, clear, windy autumn day. Edwin Bertolet of POPS was the only other painter, and we painted together, and discussed our work.

Painting at Pedro Pt. with Peninsula Outdoor Painters (POPS)

This morning was completely fogged in then cleared around 9:30. I began painting at 10, and by noon the fog completely swallowed the view, ending all possibility of continuing. I'll return to finish on another sunny morning.

Painting at Sharp Park Golf Course

Late in the afternoon I headed to Sharp Park to paint outside the golf course. I was joined by a friend, Morning Nichols. We painted until dark.

Painting at this new location brought new challenges of dramatic trees, unnatural golf turf, and dramatic hills, tules, and skies. I learned how difficult it is to successfully compose angular Cypress trees.

Western Rockaway Beach

October 1st, a calm day, had a nice surfing swell and changing skies as a front moved in.

SOLD

Rockaway Beach

This sunny and windy day at Rockaway Beach provided interesting clouds and fog, as well as beautiful colors in the water.

Pedro Point Vistas

This Thursday the weather was a beautiful, constantly moving cycle of changing skies and lighting. This was my first time painting at this site. The beautiful focal points of land, and sky, combined with the everchanging light conditions left me confused, painting without a committed plan. I look forward to working here again, and capturing the magnificent vistas more dramatically

.

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