A New Year

Before AJ left for his trip to the UK for "studying abroad", he granted me a visit to the beach where I photographed him at the most beautiful time of the day. I love that orange "glow" just before sunset! Unfortunately, after AJ had left, I realized that I hadn't taken enough reference. I was not happy with the placement of his left foot, so I had to ask Natalie to pose for me in the same position, at the same location, in the same shoes (or similar) to reposition it. I'm pleased with my "block-in" in burnt umber, and feel the transition from "her foot" to "his foot" went well in my drawing. As the painting progresses I will continue to post.

First Week at RSF Studio

I was recently invited to be a part of a group of arists who meet regularly in Rancho Santa Fe. The setting is wonderful, as the studio sits on beautiful acreage, complete with a grove of lemon trees! I was pleasantly surprised to find a few familiar faces! I'm quite happy with this 14"h by 11"w study, "Kerry". I am committed to indicating shapes more simply, and this opportunity is going to help tremendously! I hope to post many more "studies" from this studio!

"Batiquitos Lagoon"

Today, I met with the "Laguna Plein Air Painters Association" for a beautiful morning at the Batiquitos Lagoon, in Carlsbad. I was fortunate enough to find a spot in the shade of a eucalyptus tree where I painted the play of light from beyond the hills illuminating the pattern in the dry marsh in front of the lagoon. "Batiquitos Lagoon" is 6"h by 8"w

San Clemente Pier

Here are two plein air paintings from my visits to San Clemente this weekend. San Clemente has a beautiful pier, and I'm always captivated with the contrast of the dark wooden pylons in front of the surf in full morning sunlight. Friday, I stood in front and just a bit north of the pier, and worked fast on this small canvas panel to capture the scene. "Beyond the Blue Umbrellas" is 6"h by 8"w and will be ready for sale in about a month.
Saturday, I was surprised to find a large crowd there, waiting for a surfing contest. Where I had stood the day before, there were huge vendor tents so I had to back up a bit (on the grassy area) to take in the people gathered under the shaded pergola on the beach, and the surf beyond. "Waiting" is 8"h by 10"w and will also be available in February.

The Santa Barbara County Court House

A few years ago, my sister in law/web master gave me a few postcard sized photos of the beautiful Santa Barbara County Court House to work from to create a larger painting that she and her husband could display in their home. They were married in that court yard, and it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever attended. (Even Good Morning America was there!) Well, I held onto those small photos for a while, and decided I'd finally give the project a shot. With the help of Jeff Watts at the Watts Atelier, I was able to project a larger version onto a small canvas, then paint an even larger one in time to present it to her for Christmas. I can't wait to see how she frames it!