Oils

In this piece, I am taking in a coastal field full of mustard flowers in December. I love the early arrive of spring in our area. There is a classic California farmhouse in the background that is accompained by palm trees.

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.

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 “Members Show”

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 “Members Show” Honorable Mention

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The coastal walk along the bluff trail at Fitzgerald Marine Preserve is one of my absolute favorites. I painted this on-site and focused on the elegant lines of a tall cypress trees hanging on at cliff’s edge.