Spring Farm Work -a plein air oil painting at Amy's Farm

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info I took advantage of a cloudy day and headed over to Amy's Farm. It was a nice cool day to paint. The volunteers working in the field kept moving of course, but I managed to paint them very quickly and then paint the scene around them after they moved on.

Discharged -a plein air painting in oil

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase Saturday I met up with SOCALPAPA, (Southern California Plein Air Painters) at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. Amid all the aircraft, this truck caught my eye. I settled in and started painting. Soon I was informed that there would be some sandblasting going on not too far from me. The noise added to the feel of the place, but in a few minutes a cloud of dust and paint particles hit me. The painting was going well. I really didn't want to move, but I really couldn't breathe. Thankfully, a volunteer wearing a mask was able to get me one quickly. So I was able to continue and hardly noticed the mask.

Pomegranate Field Study

oil 8x10 inches click for purchase info and magnifier Dianne and Joe Wheatley own a little gem of a parcel in Chino where they grow pomegranates. They graciously invited me to paint there, and gave me a tour of their house built in the late 1800's. What a pleasantly quiet time it was...the sun trying to come out, chickens roaming and a cat playing with a potato bug. I forgot I was just four miles from home. Can't wait to go back. Below are some shots of my new plein air equipment cart. In case you're looking for a way to carry your stuff, you might want to consider this one from thecontainerstore.com. Main compartment holds tripod, paper towels, umbrella mount and still has extra room. Two side pockets will hold paint tubes, small sketch book, water bottle, wipes, brush washer, apron, bug spray, sunscreen. Back pocket holds umbrella and pole. Panel carriers drape over handle and Coulter Plein Air Box slides down handle too. The cart is very lightweight, moves well in dirt and gravel, folds up, and has a large cooler pouch inside the main compartment. I did a lot of looking before I purchased, and I'm really happy with this cart.

Breakfast At Flo's

oil on canvas panel 9x12 inches click for purchase information Flo's is an icon in Chino. Local dairymen, pilots, vets and regular folks know it's the place to go for biscuits and gravy. It's located just down the road at Chino Airport. There between cow pastures you can visit the Planes Of Fame Air Museum and see little private planes coming and going. Lately we're going every Sunday after church. It's busy, but worth the wait. As for the painting, I really did leave out a few things though you might not think so. Kept her face really simple so your eye goes right to that cook trying to keep up with the orders.

Prado Plein Air

oil on canvas panel 9x12 inches
Our weather has been beautiful lately, so yesterday I ventured over to Prado Regional Park just a mile or two from home. Standing in the middle of a huge grassy field, I looked out beyond the park's borders to this scene. The alternating rows of road and bush was what interested me most. I'm happy with the feeling of light, but I have numerous criticisms. Instead of sleeping, at 2:00 am I was asking these questions: What if I changed the green? What if I had...toned the canvas...left out more trees...done thumbnails...a value study...blocked in like you're "supposed to"...paid more attention to values??? What if I had stayed home and done a still life? Answers tomorrow. :-)