Autumn Leaves: Black Oak

Up until today the woods has been beautiful with the golden splashes of color from the black oaks amongst the pines. Today the wind is howling and leaves are flying through the air, so it will remain to be seen what will be left after this passes. This watercolor sketch is from a photo I took on a hike a few days ago.

Valley Morning

Here is a watercolor sketch of the view down the valley the other day. The rabbitbrush is still in bloom, giving spots of gold amongst the sage.

Outlook

Here is a small watercolor sketch of the outlook on the way up the mountain. Layers and layers of pine and oak and the distant mountains are faintly purple.

Completed Red Pears

Well, at last here it is. I've had a tough time getting enough studio time lately but today was the day for getting this one finished up.

Red Pears

Here is the red pear still life after I was able to put some time into it. Hopefully it will come together in the next couple of days.

Short eared owl

Here is a study of a short eared owl, done in watercolor. These little guys are mostly quiet at night and don't spend much time this far south except in winter, so the hooting I hear at night in the woods is probably the resident great horned owl. I met this one in Idaho and snapped his picture at the fish and game event he was attending. I like the alert and serious expression on his face. Such an elegant creature. Sold.

Red Pears

OK, I agree that a blog that sits for 2 whole weeks without a new post is duller than dirt. So ready or not here is an image of a new still life I've started. I'll be working on it around other projects and will post updates as it progresses.

Mono Lake Landscape

Well, it's done, or at least very close. I'll look at it for awhile and see if it wants anything else before I begin the varnishing process.

Pear Tree

These ripening pears are just beautiful out in the orchard. The dappled sunlight and the way the edges of the leaves picked up the light convinced me to paint them. SOLD

Satsuma Tangerine

Last fall I found a batch of the most gorgeous tangerines in the local market, complete with glossy, intact leaves. I got them arranged on my favorite hemstitched linen cloth and did a major photo shoot and several drawings before the leaves dried out. This is my second watercolor study before beginning the large painting.

This painting is available for purchase. Email me for details.

Mt Pinos Landscape

Here's the landscape from the hike up Mt Pinos last month. It got stalled with all the work on the Mono Lake piece but seems to be done. I'll let it alone for awhile and see if it needs anything further later on. This is my last post for a while as I will be gone all next week visiting with my daughter and enjoying some fog and even rain (!) in the northwest.

New Mono Lake Update

I got busy and put some work into the landscape and it is beginning to come together. Tufa towers are blocked in and the mountain range and the far beach are done. Working on this piece takes me there in memory. It is such a magnificent place!

Mono Lake Landscape Update

Here's an update on the landscape. It's been on the back burner of late and it deserves better. Mono Lake, for those who haven't had the pleasure of knowing it, is a truly unique place. Situated in the high sierras it is a saline lake surrounded by snowy mountains and volcanic cones. Creating its own climate, there is little snow on its shores during winter and with the smell of brine shrimp and the sound of seagulls it has a distinctly beachy feel for a winter-weary soul.

Blue Willow

Here's a new still life I finished today. It is a simple set-up which works well with the blue willow design. SOLD.

Landscape Progressing

More work on the sky to do but it is coming right along. I love this stage of a painting, when it is full of promise and exciting to work on. I'll keep posting updates.

New Landscapes

The last few days have been pretty busy but what I've been working on is a couple of new landscapes. One (above) is a scene from the eastern sierra of Mono Lake, a beautiful and mysterious place I have always loved. The other is a spot on top of Mt Pinos where I was hiking a couple of weeks ago. Pine trees against a brilliant blue sky and it was getting that blue on both these pieces that I spent days getting just right with glaze after glaze. I think the word for it is pellucid (new favorite word). Anyway, this Mono Lake one is going to be a big job as the clouds have a long way to go, not to mention everything else, plus it's larger than I'm used to. The Mt Pinos one should move right along and will be good to have to turn to when I get burned out on the larger one. It's exciting to work on both of these as they are both places special to me and I know them well. Stay tuned, and I'll try to post pictures as they progress.

Coffee Percolator

I rescued this old relic from bygone days from its quiet retirement in a dusty attic box. It's as sturdy and serviceable as ever, though now its job is a still life prop. I like its clean, practical lines and shiny surface. Mostly, though, I like the memories it brings. SOLD.

Wild Irises in Bloom

Starting up a blog of my daily work is both intimidating and exciting. I hope to make several entries a week and maybe it will provide a nudge when I am feeling unproductive.

Last week I went up on the mountain to check the wildflowers in the meadow. Late June is always the time for the wild irises and there they were. Not as many this year as in 2006 (first photo) but as lovely as ever.

I completed the painting below within a couple of days of being there surrounded by the blooms. I haven't done a lot of florals lately and really enjoyed it. SOLD.