Donated and sold at auction to benefit GM1 Gangliosidosis research. 14x24"; Oil on Linen

Sonoma Coast

A small study painted yesterday along the northern Sonoma County coastline. When I started painting, the fog bank in the distance was a nice touch, but it quickly enveloped the scene and I spent most of the time painting and shivering in dense fog. The fog lifted as I was finishing it though.  I then attempted to paint another study a little farther up the coast, but decided to go home when I felt several ticks crawling on me. There is Lyme disease on the northern Sonoma County coast, remember your insect repellant!  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen. The wild irises are blooming in abundance right now at the coast:

Pacific Dusk

 

17x10", Oil on Linen. Available at Holton Studio Gallery.

Crashing Wave

 

Another beautiful winter day at the Ocean. 14x11, Oil on Linen. 

Timber Cove

A second painting for the Holton Studios Gallery All-Gallery Show this spring. 14x11"; Oil on Linen. I painted the study for this on a gorgeous January afternoon, it was almost hot. A couple of guys were boogie boarding from the beach and having a great time. 

Sea Spray

This is a small commission piece that I just finished. 16x8" Oil on Linen. 

Stillwater Cove

This is the first of a few new paintings that will be part of an All-Gallery Spring Show at Holton Studios in Emeryville California. It will be available for purchase. The drought this year is very bad in California, but the silver lining is that it makes for excellent painting weather at the coast.  It is everything I can do to not go out painting every day, but I don't think my employer would be too thrilled about that. This particular little cove is well sheltered from the northwest swell, it was very calm on a big wave day. But the name is still rather deceptive since there was a large sign predominately displayed alerting people that it is one of the most dangerous beaches. In spite of the warning, there were scuba divers packing up their equipment at the end of the day. I have often painted in the Jenner area, but decided to make a trip further north into new territory. It was nice to have trees near to the waterline instead of the more barren areas further south. 14x11"; Oil on Linen.

Leo Carrillo State Beach

A few miles north of Malibu. 16x8"; Oil on Linen.

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. 

Rocky Shore

What a great way to spend a Thanksgiving weekend, I feel very thankful for gorgeous weather and time to paint. This little beach was difficult to scramble down to; I wouldn't have attempted it without sturdy hiking boots, it was worth it though for the solitary reverie. Study 10x8", Oil on Linen. 

On The Ebb

Standing this close to the water's edge, all I could think about was "rogue wave".  The tide was ebbing though, only one wave got my boots wet.  This study is a bit rough and unfinished, but I was growing hungry and fatigued so I bailed since I was starting to thrash it. Study 10x8", Oil on Linen. 

Afternoon Shadow

My favorite time of the year to paint at the beach is on a sunny winter day.  It has been calm, warm and absolutely glorious at the ocean.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen. 

China Camp

I painted this study at China Camp State Park a couple of weekends ago, mostly as a demo.  It was a gorgeous day on the bay.  Study 10x7.5", Oil on Linen. 

Mountain Stream

Another view of the Lostine River on a smoky autumn afternoon.  Study 8x10", Oil on Linen.  

Lostine Afternoon

I was attracted to a small rock island in the middle of the Lostine river, it reminded me of a sailing ship.  Study 12x9", Oil on Linen.  

Liquid Tranquility

I'm not wild about the composition of this one, but I like it as a lighting study and the fact that I'm starting to shake the rust off and feel more comfortable painting.  If only it didn't take so long for me to get into a groove.  I'm really excited about what I plan to paint next, I was hoping it would be today, but it is very overcast at the moment so it might have to wait for another day.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.  

Lodgepole & Aspen

Lodgepole pine and quaking aspen on a pond at the end of the day.  Lodgepole pines are challenging for me to paint because they seem to be more branches than needles, it is a lot of busy, fiddly stuff.  There was some nice early autumn color and the weather was serene.  Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.  

Kokanee Heaven

There were large numbers of Kokanee fish spawning in the river yesterday evening as I was painting this study. Kokanee are a landlocked type of sockeye salmon common to the inland Pacific Northwest lakes and streams; a favorite with the eagles and osprey, and of course the anglers. The fish have bright red bodies and are very beautiful swimming in the shallow water. Again, this was a bit ambitions to try to tackle as a study in a very limited time window, but it sure was fun to try to paint. The temperature is very chilly right now and the foliage is turning rapidly especially on the underbrush. This morning it didn't get above freezing until the sun was up for over an hour; meanwhile, the sunshine sparkled beautifully on all of the ice caused by frozen overnight irrigation sprinkling. Study 10x8", Oil on Linen.