New Art to See!

Turning to the Sun
6 x 6

Radishes
6 x 6

Flying High
9 x 12

Trees & Shadows
16 x 20

Paintings and Memories

Magnolia Memories
9 x 12
Oil on Linen Panel

Sometimes a memory creates a painting and sometimes the painting creates a memory.    These magnolias were painted as I remembered lazy days spent in the South.  The Peony brings back the pleasure of a special bouquet delivered just at the right moment.  Magnolia Memoires is traveling to Texas today.   Cheers to Memories!

Peony Memories
6 x 6
Oil on Board

New Paintings .... Greens and Blues

One of the most important things to learn and understand when painting landscapes outdoors is accurately mixing greens & blues.    A hillside covered with brush is one of the hardest images to capture when painting on-site.    The intensity of the sun can trick you into painting the greens (& blues!) more vividly than they are.    The first two paintings below were painted outdoors onsite in one sitting.   I was happy I didn't intensify the saturation beyond reality.   Keeping the greens muted and subtle was a challenge but I accomplished it here.   The last Waterlilly was painted in my studio with controlled lighting so I dove into the intense blues!  These new paintings will be at the OffTrack Gallery in Encinitas just in time for the Reception Saturday, June 1, from 4 until 9. 

Murhpy's Hills
8 x 10

Waterlily I
8 x 10

Waterlily II
16 x 20

Anemone
Oil on Canvas
12 x 16

This week we welcomed spring!    These colorful anemone got me ready for sunshine, blue skies and cut flowers.   I am not surprised to learn these flowers are related to ranunculus which grow so abundantly in Southern California.    Their feather light petals dance!   Are you ready for spring?  These will be heading down to the Off Track Gallery here in Encinitas next week - so take some time to go and see them.   They may just get you dancing.

Sunflowers are one of my favorite subjects .... and this painting is a favorite among my Sunflower paintings.   I never tire of their happy faces looking up and saying "Come out and play"!  Hope you enjoy it. 

Oil on Canvas
9 x 12

Off Track Gallery Paintings

I will be showing these paintings at Off Track Gallery in the Encinitas Lumberyard until Wednesday of next week.  By Thursday at least half of them will rotate out to make room for more art.   Stop in and take one home!

La Jolla Cove
16 x 20

Up At the Tower
12 x 16

Grapes & Pomegranates
8 x 10

Pomegranate & Spoon
8 x 10

Off Track Gallery 

LA 'Pit'

This cute pit bull mix was rescued from the streets of LA and now lives in a cool downtown LA loft.   Her name is Lu.  I love the black and white with pink color combination.    This painting will be going to its new home as soon as it dries!

LA 'Pit"
8 x 8
Oil on Canvas

Copper Kettle Roses

Painting roses is always fun.   Usually I paint them in either glass or silver.   This time the roses are in a copper kettle which creates a wonderful warm glow!

This painting is now on display at the OffTrack Gallery in the Encinitas Lumberyard.   Come by and check it out!

Copper Kettle Roses

Oil on Canvas

9 x 12

The San Dieguito Art Guild is hosting a Mother's Day Art & Garden Tour over the weekend.   These new paintings are packed up for the show and ready to delight our guests.  The florals will make a perfect Mother's Day gift .... flowers that last forever!

Thinking of Van Gogh
16 x 20
Original Oil Painting

Amalia's Roses
11 x 14
Original Oil Painting

Lifeguard Station
8 x 8
Original Oil Painting

Some Like it Hot!
9 x 12
Original Oil Painting

Golden Pear
8 x 10
Original Oil Painting

In San Diego the afternoon skies are typically clear blue.   Not in the Sierras.   There you get skies full of big puffy clouds all day.   This was one of those days where the mountains meet the clouds call your name ... 

Cloudy Day
8 x 10'
Oil on Canvas

Garlic ... makes life more interesting!

8 x 8
Oil on Board

Flowers, flowers, & flowers

This time of year it makes us appreciate all of the flowers that are so plentiful in summer and fall.   These were painted over the past summer and fall and make me ready for spring!

Flower Fields
9 x 12 Oil on Canvas

Roses in  Green
8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

Roses in Cut Glass
8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

Bird & Flowers
9 x 12 Oil on Canvas

Pink & Yellow Roses
8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

Farm to Easel

I have always tinkered with the idea of combining art, food and gardening.   When cooking, my mom taught us to gather all of your ingredients on the counter before starting.   This gives me the chance to indulge the artistic side of my brain by arranging my ingredients into a pleasing still life which is often photographed and sent to those who might be jealous of what is up for dinner.

This painting represents one of the times when you have gotten things from the garden, gathered them in the kitchen and are getting ready to chop them into something delicious.   But wait .... the green onions look better in front of the purple .... the garlic pod might be more pleasing broken apart.... back to dinner!

Oil Painting
12 x 24
"Farm to Easel"

Sunflower Study

Sunflowers are some of my favorite flowers as well as my favorite things to paint.   I started this study with a thumb nail sketch including values.  Next I tried it in watercolor then oil.  All in good fun!

Sunflower Studies

Sunset on Tom

This week the sunsets in Encinitas have been spectacular with soft pastel pinks, purples and blue over the ocean.   Another place that can get a wide spectrum of colors is a mountainside at sunrise and sunset.   I painted this small "Sunset on Tom I" from a photo taken near Bishop, CA.

Sunset on Tom I
9 x 12" Oil on Canvas

I was inspired to paint this again - but this time in a large format.   The second painting is three feet by four feet.   It is the largest painting I have attempted and I found it a very different (at times difficult) process.    The smaller painting will be on display at OffTrack Gallery in August and September.   The larger one is too large to fit in my allotted gallery space!   Enjoy the sunsets.

Sunset on Tom II
36 x 48" Oil on Canvas

Daisies

Favorite flowers are just that.  Favorite Flowers.  The meaning as unique to each of us as the flower is unique.   Special moments, special places, special people.   Whether it is a daisy, sunflower, peony or that favorite rose it brings that special memory.   I never grow tired of painting flowers because they bring so much to me.   Enjoy today's favorite.

Daisies, Oil on Canvas
9 x 12"

This bunch has traveled to a new home where they will hopefully brighten the day.

Eucalyptus

28 x 36
Oil on Canvas

This painting is an attempt to pay homage to the "Early California Painters".   Trees with Mountains in the distance ... no houses or freeways!    It was fun to live in this painting while I worked on it.  It will be in the San Diego County Fair Art Exhibit when the fair opens.   Enjoy!

Favorite Things

David Austin Roses
8 x 10"

A bunch of pink David Austin roses on silver, a beautiful day at a Cardiff beach .... clear colors and blue skies,  All things Blue!   

Cardiff Station
8 x 10"

My favorite things remind me to take a moment, look around, breathe deeply and find the peace, joy and love in God's creation!   In everything!




Tonight at Off Track Gallery in Encinitas there will be a flurry of activity.   Artist will be hanging new work.   

Blue on Blue
8 x 10"

Come to find YOUR favorite things! Mine will be there.

Favorite Places

D Street Singer
9 x 12"
Oil on Canv

It is always nice to remember and relish special moments in life.   These are two special places to me - D Street in Encinitas at sunset and a Tahoe Donner Trail in Truckee in October.   

Through art we keep these moments alive and can share them with others. Enjoy these moments!


Available from Off Track Gallery in the Lumberyard in Encinitas

Truckee Trail
9 x 12"
Oil on Canvas

Euer Valley

Euer Valley is in Truckee California near Lake Tahoe.    This was painted from a photograph taken this summer while on a hike.   The next challenge is to hike in with paints!   Enjoy.

Euer Valley
11 x 14
Oil on Board