Sanctuary

oil 12x9 inches click for purchase information and zoom This is the last of the four pieces painted from my photos of Mission San Antonio de Padua. The mission is located within the perimeters of an Army Base. On Sunday morning it was great to see service men and women arriving for mass. Inside the chapel a patriotic bunting is always kept over one of the front pews in honor of fallen soldiers. The day I visited, light was coming in onto that pew.

Mission Courtyard

oil 12x9 inches click for purchase information and zoom Just five days remain of the Los Angeles County Fair. So far I've completed twenty paintings. Talking with the general public who come to see what I'm doing has been rewarding and interesting. Visitors have lots of compliments and questions too. Questions about my materials, and of course, how "long does it take you to do that?" Well, "five hours and eight years of study and practice." And there are stories about their aunt, or dad or grandma who paints. On Sunday I got the most insulting question ever, which I refused to answer, and won't repeat here. But soon after, a family from Upland came by. Ten year old Jordan has been following my blog and came to meet me. She found my blog a while back by searching "artist". Surprised and delighted, I shook her hand, we talked briefly and they were off to enjoy the rest of the fair. Wish I'd taken a picture! So here's a shout out to Jordan from Upland: Thank you for finding me! It was a delight to meet you, and you made my day!!!

Mission Sunrise

oil 9x12 inches click for purchase information and zoom Last spring while visiting the Mission San Antonio de Padua I stood in this damp field early one morning and painted. I also took some great shots of the light just beginning to strike the buildings. I used one of those shots as my photo reference for this painting. I loved the light and shadow of course, but also how the dew on the grasses turned them a dusty blue green. In my photo of the painting the greens are soft like I painted them, but when I post it to Blogger they look yellow and garish. As usual, better in person.

Mission Hallway

oil 8x8 inches This is the first of four paintings from reference photos taken at the Mission San Antonio de Padua. I visited there last spring with fifty fellow members of the California Art Club. I'm holding onto this little painting to use it for painting a larger version. I might put it up for sale at a later date.

Saintly Figure

oil 10x8 inches During my weekend at the mission, I kept admiring this weather worn wooden figure of Saint Francis. Finally on Sunday morning the light was just right to paint it. I have drawn him a bit plumper than he actually was. When I paint outdoors I try to work quickly before the light changes. This is just another reminder to slow down and get the drawing right. Anyway, I do like this painting, especially because while painting, I could hear the music and teaching of Sunday mass just behind me. Perfect way to end the weekend.

Courtyard Fountain

oil 10x8 inches This might be my favorite of the mission paintings. The cypress trees provide strong verticals to the design.

Mission Reflection

The mission architecture reflected in the window here caught my eye. The column closest to me was in cool shadow and the wall was hit with warm light. A puzzle in pulling off depth, shallow though it may be. Several of us were talking about the mission's illusive wall color. At times warm white, or salmon, or pink, or yellow depending on the light direction and time of day.

Morning Comes

oil 6x8 inches Saturday morning I couldn't wait to get out and paint. Got up at dark thirty which I usually only do to catch a plane or some fish. High was gonna be 82 degrees. Shorts weather. So I got out there in the field before the sun was fully up and LOVED the subtle color and warming sky. I would have just a few minutes before the sun hit my subject and everything changed. I painted really fast and simple, and I'm happy with the result. Fast was good, 'cause it was 43 degrees and I was shivering uncontrollably! The water droplets were added the next day during the fancy back-of-the-car photo shoot when the painting fell onto my dewy car bumper.

Mission Afternoon

oil 8x6 inches I arrived at the mission at about 3pm on Friday. I was excited to see so many artists already set up and painting. Some had been there since morning. I could tell this was a motivated bunch! Yay, I thought, 'cause I just want to paint too!!! I dropped my stuff in my room and squeezed in this little study before dinner at six. The pepper trees had been damaged by frost and turned that bright red-orange. My intention for this weekend was to practice and have fun, and not sweat over the results. So while these little studies may not be my very best work, they are part of the journey. All of them are in my car right now screaming at me to fiddle with them! I'm leaving the little buggers in there till I get home tomorrow.