Serendipity: November 2013

Two of my recent paintings, inspired by the Southern California landscape, have been juried into the Randy Higbee's 6" Squared Exhibit! The first one, "Dolphin Watch" was from a quick snap shot I took with my phone while I was painting in Laguna Beach. I had set up my easel to paint a view of the bridge that leads from Dana Point into Laguna, when I noticed three friends walking on the beach behind me. I watched them for a while and was drawn to their gestures; looking out to the ocean and talking about what they were witnessing. I'm just guessing that it was dolphins they were enjoying but I couldn't help but snap a photo to record it in my mind's eye.


"Dolphin Watch" 6" by 6" oil on panel

The second painting, "Protected" was inspired by a trip to Aliso & Wood Canyons Park with my husband and his friend. They rode their mountain bikes on the marked but rugged paths, and I planned to walk to an inspiring spot to paint "en plein air". In a few short minutes from the parking lot where we parted, I came across this beautiful landscape, with the morning light falling gently over the hills. I was struck at how "untouched" by humans it remained, with a chain link fence guarding it. I wondered about all the wildlife the chain link fence was protecting, (and frankly wondered about my own protection a bit too) and decided to include it in my painting.