I enjoy painting in Montalvo’s Italian garden. In this view, I am drawn to the morning light patterns on the columns and the orange quince in the foreground.
Springtime, Montalvo Temple
11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel
Leslie Landers
Members Show – LGAA
2/2/2026 – 3/31/2026
I have two pieces that are in this year’s show one of which received an Honorable Mention for my painting “Waking Canyon.”
I painted” Waking Canyon on site it the fall at McGee Canyon in the Eastern Sierras. The second painting “Beneath Carson Peak” is a larger piece that I painted in my home studio using small oil paintings I did along this stretch of Rush Creek In the June Lakes area.
I really appreciated that the awards juror, Warren Chang, provided comments about each of the paintings selected for ribbons. I was kind of blown away that five of us who have become plein air painting friends each won awards which made. So fun to share the moment with them and the studio painters who also received ribbons. There a link to view the show online at the Los Gatos Art Association website.
Old Coastal Dairy
11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel
I painted this as part of an outing with the California Art Club to Cotoni Coast Dairy Open Space Park near Davenport. It was my first time painting in this newly opened park. So delighted to be out painting in the winter sunshine.
Beneath Carson Peak
16″ x 20″ oil on linen panel
Much of the golden aspen leaves remain along Rush Creek in the Eastern Sierras even as the first dusting of snow arrives at elevation on Carson Peak. This studio painting was developed from several October plein air pieces painted at this along this creek in the June Lakes area.
Exhibited …
2026 – Los Gatos Art Association, Juried Painting Show
Waking Canyon
11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel
I started this painting just as the morning sun rose above the canyon’s cliffs. I was mesmerized by the colorful shapes as the aspen and cottonwood trees lit up. I was also buffeted by wind. There may be an errant seed or two from the brush around my painting spot that remains embedded in this piece.
Exhibited …
2026 – Los Gatos Art Association, Juried Painting Show (awarded Honorable Mention)
Tasting Room, San Martin
11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel
I painted this at a charming winery nearby just as the wisteria was in full bloom. When I painted this the winery was still family owned. It has since had a change of ownership and it is now called Cordevalle.
New Brighton Shimmer
11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel
There is something magical about sunny winter days on our local coast. I painted this piece on a perfect day in Capitola. As I began painting the sun was bouncing golden tones into the water beneath the cliffs. I so enjoyed all of the activity … kayakers, a few paddling surfers and Monarch Butterflies passing by. Perfection.
Tahiti Morning
8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
My trip to Tahiti included lots of time in the water and a little painting with watercolor. Painting this small oil at home using a watercolor sketch as a reference took me back.
Point Lobos At Peace
20″ x 16″ oil on linen panel
In this painting I’m leaning into the strong diagonals in the foreground and the shimmer of the early spring sunshine hitting the rock outcropping beyond.
Sunshine and Apple Blossoms
11″ x 14″ (sold)
Some spring days are rainy and gray. Others are filled with a warming sun and fruit trees in bloom. I was savoring just that kind of day as I was painting this apple tree in a neighborhood park.