Oils

In this painting of quince blooms, I am in celebration of spring. I love the warm red-orange color of the blooms and their early arrival.

Winters in the California foothills can be mistaken by turns for spring or fall. On overcast days the vibe can be moody which I endeavored to catch as I painted this at Santa Teresa Park in San Jose.

Garrapata is one of my favorite places to paint. This time I wanted to give attention to a small beach nestled in a cove. The tide was just right to allow a sandy patch to be seen through the water to reflect beautiful greens in the sunshine.

I painted this on incredibly windy morning. My goal in this piece was to capture the sense of the morning glare on the incoming surf.

I enjoyed watching surfers and picnickers come and go as I painted this above Manresa State Beach. I spent much of the time looking at the angles and shadows of the life guard tower quickly dashing in the figures at the end.

I so appreciate the twists and turns of our California manzanitas. I painted this one in the fall at the home of a painter friend.

The name of this creek is apt if not creative. This plein air piece was painted alongside the Rock Creek that is in the Eastern Sierra. I loved the glowing grasses and the glimpses of peaks and mostly the sounds of the flowing water.

This was painted just below Lover’s Point is Pacific Grove which is one of my favorite places to paint. I was drawn to the particular color the water takes on when it hits the sandy bottom surrounded by the rocks. I made a few changes back at the studio because the incoming tide told me my time on location was up.

I donated this piece to the Coral Reef Alliance who sold it as part of a recent fundraiser. CORAL.org is working to save the world’s coral reefs which are under serious and increasing threat. There are many joys I receive from painting and being able to make this contribution is one more.