Oils

While I was painting these Hot Poker Aloes at Cottle Park in San Jose, I was struck by the chartreuse grass of early spring and enjoyed the entertainment of a hummingbird making the rounds.

Those of us who grew up in the Bay Area know how much it’s changed which makes us appreciate the rural spots that remain. This neighborhood is located in the Almaden section of San Jose. There is a sense of wide open spaces in this area that is enhanced by access to Santa Teresa County Park.

There was no rain expected when I set up my painting gear. Then … it poured. In the end, when I finished this up at home, I worked to retain a sense of uncertainty and the moments just before the downpour.

So fun painting this view of downtown Los Gatos and chatting with locals passing by. I had no idea that the park where I was set up used to be the train station or that the building this painting focuses on used to be a hotel.

When visiting Filoli, there are a number of specific vignettes that I look forward to seeing as the seasons and plantings change. I have loved seeing this walkway lined with tulips and terra cotta pots full of hyacinths. If I had to choose though it would be the scene I’ve captured here with a multitude of foxgloves in the raking light of a sunny afternoon in early summer.

There is a feeling of wonder standing on the edge of the Pacific … particularly in Big Sur. In this piece, I’m particularly drawn to the coastal rhythms and curves.

This painting is looking out from a sweet spot on the far western edge of Pacific Grove.

Exhibited …

2026 – Coastal Arts League, Juried Plein Air Painting Show