Morning -a plein air painting from historic Bumann Ranch SOLD

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info On a Monday in March I had the unique opportunity to paint on historic Bumann Ranch in Encinitas. Fabulous plein air artist, Rita Pacheco invited me to join her, for which I'm very grateful. I drove south the night before to a cheap hotel in Carlsbad, then met up with Rita early in the morning. Mr. Richard Bumann was very welcoming, informative and proud of his family's homestead ranch. We had stepped back in time. Structures and equipment dated back to the 1800's. When we arrived the sun was shining through an early morning mist. It was this atmosphere that I set out to capture. I added Mr. Bumann using shots from my camera phone. I'm very happy with the feel of this painting. Sincere thank you's to Rita Pacheco and the Bumanns.

Farm Cat -a plein air painting in oil -SOLD

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info This could be a long post. So much happening, I'm going to try to catch up a bit here. On Labor Day (seems like months ago!) I had the pleasure of taking Katie, a very talented 8th grader, out painting for her first experience in oils and plein air. We had a great time at Amy's Farm as did the farm cat and this chicken that was overly interested in us, especially for a chicken.

My demo in Rancho was Sept. 12th, and I haven't painted since, but yes, I've been just a tad busy. We moved on the 25th after 25 years in the same house. About 175 boxes later, we are now down to maybe 30 left to unpack.

Part of the reason we moved was for a nice big studio where I could do my thing. So... in our backyard there's this "RV Garage". At first sight I thought "ART BARN!!!!" It already had a tiny restroom, industrial sink, overhead lighting, heater, epoxy floor and a north window (that might get bigger). Woo-hooooo!!! I just needed to clean, move cabinets, put in new counter tops and paint. Here are some progress shots. We are still working on it, but I might actually be painting in there very soon!

The top two indoor shots show the size (28x30 feet) and condition. Lots of potential! Then I had it painted taupe before move in day. More pictures coming in the next post.

Horse Farm Tunnel -a plein air oil painting from a horse farm

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info I couldn't resist the light at the end of this tunnel, a barn on beautiful Baker Scudder Farm in Rancho Cucamonga. Thursday friends and I met up there to paint. Though overcast for most of the day, the dark inside the barn made for some nice contrast. I don't like to make changes once I get the painting home, but this time I risked it. Basically I added more interest in the focal area, and reduced interest in the foreground. Below is how it looked before the changes. I decided the red rake detracted from what I wanted to convey.

Call It A Day -an oil painting of ranch life

oil 11x14 inches magnify/purchase Painted from a photo I took while camping in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The RV park offers horseback riding. I got some great sunset shots of horses nibbling grass by the creek and shots of this cowboy too. THANK YOU Orange Art Association for a fun experience demonstrating last night. What a lively group you are! I was too busy painting to snap photos, but I'll post the finished painting next chance I get.

The Grain Bin, Amy's Farm (sold) - And A Painting Frenzy!

oil 9x12 inches magnify One day back in August I took advantage of an overcast morning and headed down the road to Amy's Farm, one of my favorite painting spots. I try to stick with how the scene looked when I started, but the sun came out and added interest to that grain bin. I know it's risky to "chase the light", but I couldn't resist. I'm pleased with the result. At Amy's farm they sell all kinds of organically grown veggies. They had just harvested the most gorgeous heirloom tomatoes. I bought a big bag full and was home by noon. They looked so beautiful on my kitchen counter, their rich color just sucked me in and pulled me into my studio to paint. Finished around dinner time, I ate something quick and headed off to my paint/talk/laugh group. We had a model that night. It was a crazy wonderful day of painting. Plein air, still life and portrait all in one day. Not planned at all! Here they are lined up against my backyard fence.

I'll post the tomatoes and portrait in the next two posts.

Country Road -SOLD

oil 8x10 inches magnify/purchase Painted on location in Buelton, California, just three miles from the little Danish town of Solvang.

Light & Shadow, Oak Glen

oil 8x10 inches magnify/purchase On a fall visit to Snowline Orchards in Oak Glen, I set up to paint these lovely shadows. I should have brought a jacket, I thought while I set up. The light lasted about 5 minutes, then dark clouds came in and made everything go flat. I wimped out and went home. I took my good pictures home with me, along with a little bag of hot mini apple donuts. UPCOMING EVENTS: Tomorrow I'll be at the Chino Arts Festival, 10-4:00. BALBOA ART WALK, SUNDAY, MAY 18, 9-5:00. Over 100 Artist Booths and 4 musical groups. On the island promenade, along the seawall. To find me, walk left off the ferry and along the seawall to Pearl Street. Same location as last year! I hope you'll come by and say hi.

Field Sketch-Barn

oil 8x10 inches click here to bid Yesterday I took advantage of a cooler day and got outside to paint. I drove out to historic Yorba/Slaughter Adobe where I've painted before. Along the road is this view of the barn. I really enjoyed myself as you can see by the wild application of color. Maybe it was sound of gunfire closeby. I was right next to the shooting range. I kept wondering about stray bullets and without realizing it, I painted much faster than usual.

Rusty Roof

oil 10x8 inches
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Yesterday I ventured out to Yorba/Slaughter Adobe, one of the oldest standing adobe residences in San Bernardino County. Built in 1852, it was even a stage stop for Overland Mail from 1858 until the Civil War. I like rusty roofs against a blue sky. I think this is the barn. Nobody was out there but me and the bugs, of which there were plenty and very friendly at that. I emptied the last of my bug spray onto myself hoping they weren't ticks, cause they were biting. Got a good bit done, went home for a shower and finished it up today.

Arkansas, Old Place

watercolor on paper 9x12 inches
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I worked from a photo reference for this watercolor sketch. While visiting relatives in Southern Arkansas in 2008, my aunt directed us around to see and photograph scenes I might want to paint. I hadn't worked from a photo in months-- a nice change from my oil still lifes.