Pacific Patterns

I would like to do a larger painting of this one at some point. Somewhere between Bodega and Jenner. 16x8"; Oil on Linen.

Rocky Beach

16x8", Oil on Linen.

Red Cliffs

Today's small painting, 14x11 inches, Oil on linen. 

Nicasio Ranch

Today, Ernesto and I joined the California Art Club for their quarterly Paint Out at an equestrian ranch just outside Nicasio. The weather was quite windy and chilly, as we were on the fringe of the fog line. The wonderful part of it was that we had soft broken clouds to paint instead of the ubiquitous empty Bay Area skies. We saw so many ticks today that I still feel like I have them crawling on me. Still, it was great to be out painting. Both studies are 8x6", oil on linen.

Marin Lea

From a few studies a couple of weeks ago in Marin County. 14x11", oil on linen.

Spring Patterns

The patterns of this scene were a challenging subject to attempt. 14x9 inches, oil on linen.

Lazy Early Spring Afternoon

A small herd of young Holstein heifers kept me company as I was painting this study. Some of them were posing for me as you can see, but most of them were behind me and beside me watching me paint. Some came as close as a couple of feet to get a good view; they were very curious. One of them had a cough, poor thing. This was a perfect setting for a picnic. Study 8x6, oil on linen.

Grazing At Noon

This was the first study I painted yesterday, about noon. The new green grass has not yet grown above the height of last years dead grass, so there is an assortment of mellow tawny hues mixed in with the vibrant fresh greens. The evergreen varieties of trees look like summer, but there are many deciduous varieties that have yet to bud. There is a modest sprinkling of early wildflowers, but the main show is yet to come. Study 8x6, oil on linen.

Spring Atmosphere

Ernesto and I both painted this view, but I think I prefer his composition choice. The weeping leaves of this tree with the atmospheric hills behind captured both of us. Study 8x6, oil on linen.

Late Afternoon

Ernesto and I went out painting again yesterday. It was a beautiful early spring day in Marin County. This was the last study I painted as the sun was getting low in the late afternoon. It was amazing how quickly the temperature dropped when the sun dipped below the horizon. The clouds in the sky were the early leading edge of the warm front that moved in overnight. Study 8x6, oil on linen.