End of May Paintings

Painting #1 “Mendocino Skies” – 11 x 14 inches – remembered landscape

I had this view in mind not really thinking of the Mendocino area, I realized that most definitely my trip to the coast influenced this painting.

As we drove over the mountains from the Anderson Valley area to Fort Bragg, the beauty was breath taking and I feel that most of what I paint is an accumulation of my experiences. Maybe this is pretty evident to a lot of people but slowly I have been understanding this. I always thought that I had to have a reference photo in front of me to paint a view that I have seen, no!

Painting #2 “Fire” – 11 x 14 inches – remembered landscape

I think that all the stormy skies left an impression on me. Though once I finished this painting, it reminded me of a forest fire.

Painting #3 – untitled – 9 x 14 inches – imaginescape

I slowly allowed this to develop. I am an allaprima painter but I know that there are times that I need to work on a painting in layers rather than working it with gusto. It all depends on the painting or my approach on a particular day.

Painting #4 “Another Day at Bullards” – 11 x 14 inches

Nowadays my favorite brush is a 2 inch Chinese hake. It allows me to remain loose and carefree, my favorite way to paint. I often paint fast, I like to get in there and get out. I suppose I am impatient or perhaps afraid to think about it too much, which always gets me in trouble!

Painting #5 “Discovery” – 11 x 14 inches – semi-abstract

I almost abandoned this painting so I set it aside for a few days. Today I decided to turn it horizontally to work on it. I turned it around to the original orientation and now I like it, go figure! I am open to the adventures that seem to crop up as I create. Well, that’s all for now, have a wonderful Memorial Day.

See you in June!

Springs of Joy

Photo of a coastal Redwood at Hendy Woods State Park

My husband and I were planning on a motorcycle camping trip to Hendy Woods State Park. Due to a change of weather, we decided to take our car. After our initial disappointment, we decided to make the most of it, all in all it was worth it.

After receiving 3.5 inches of rain the largest redwood grove in the park was magical. I will be painting from my reference photos and memory in upcoming weeks.

Painting #1 “Bullards Bar Dreaming” – 11 x 14 inches

This past week spent I focused on painting my local haunt, Bullards Bar Reservoir.

Painting #2 untitled – 11 x 14 inches

Another view of Bullards. I hike there at least three times a week, it never gets old.

Painting #3 “Evening Glow” – 11 x 14 inches

I wasn’t sure if this one work, I kept at it until I got the feeling and look that satisfied me. I am after more than merely painting a subject.

Photo of the main redwoods grove at Hendy Woods State Park

Lucky me, I have been thoroughly enjoining our extended spring. So much inspiration everywhere I look, be looking for new paintings of redwoods!

May Beginnings

Painting #1 “Light Within the Shadows” – imaginescape – 11 x 14 inches

I have been so busy lately that I haven’t painted as much as I would like. The above painting is from last year and I decided to crop it and I feel that it has a stronger composition.

Painting #2 “Cleansing” – 11 x 14 inches

Based on a photo that I took of the North Yuba river. I will be having more time for the next week or so to plein air paint.

In about two weeks I will be going to Mendocino county for a motorcycle camping trip with my husband. Be looking for a post about our adventures. There is nothing like motorcycle camping, some of the best experiences I have ever had, oh yes!

Painting #3 “Somewhere Lies Strength” – 9 x 14 inches inches

This is the other section of the cropped painting #1.

My 95 year old father-in-law is doing as well as he can manage. I think that it is hitting him that his health is failing and he is slowly coming to terms with it, though reluctantly. I had the wonderful privilege of being with him in a local restaurant where he had two people thank him for his service. He was a radioman in the Navy in Guadalcanal during WW2.

The photo above is a favorite view along a hiking trail that I frequent. It has been such a beautiful spring this year. Unfortunately it appears that we are working up to an active fire season. I am not looking forward to that fact.

I have several paintings in progress but usually I don’t like to show anything but finished paintings. Until next week, enjoy life to the fullest!