Spring in the Eastern Sierras {Painting with Frank Serrano}

This spring I traveled to the Alabama Hills in the Eastern Sierras for a painting adventure with
master plein air painter Frank Serrano.

 

{The view of sunrise on Mt. Whitney from my hotel parking lot.}

Frank demonstrated painting the backlit mountains, horses, and hay bales,

focusing on seeing correct values–something I’m eager to learn!

{Frank finishing up his demo.}

Later he added a horse and figure in the studio.

Below is the finished piece which he will use as an idea for a larger painting. It was such a valuable experience to see his process moving from plein air sketch to studio.

 {Frank Serrano’s finished sketch.}

{My first painting of the weekend.}

{Late afternoon light on the Sierras}

 {View from my easel.}

The Alabama Hills are a beautiful, austere place and the weekend was filled with good company and great instruction. Thanks Frank!

California Impressionism: Plein Air Painting Past and Present

I’m honored to have two paintings included in this beautiful show.

The exhibition will be open through July 4th. Hope you can make it!

Click here for more info.

Huntington Beach Art Center presents California Impressionism: Plein Air Painting, Past and Present, an exhibition for art-lovers who also love Impressionist painting. The bold color, bravura brushwork, and “captured light” of this historical and contemporary artistic movement have captivated audiences on the West Coast since the turn of the twentieth century. The Southern California community will now have an opportunity to view paintings of historical masters, as well as purchase those of contemporary painters who are inspired by light, nature, climate, and creative fellowship.  The Huntington Beach Art Center will open its doors to give viewers a glimpse of a group of artists united across history through their love of subject and their passion to paint outdoors en plein air. “Our vision for this show is to present to the public an exhibition that they’ve never before seen, that is beautiful, historical, educational, and spectacular,” Director of the HBAC, Kate Hoffman notes.

This exhibition will have a dual focus. On one hand, it will feature masterworks of painters who were inspired by this area in the early decades of the 20th century; enough to move here, build here, and start a colony of artists known today as the city of Laguna Beach. Alongside those works, the exhibition will also feature the creations of a select group of artists from the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), many of whom live in California, and all of whom have painted within the State. The Art Center has invited both Signature and Artist members of LPAPA, whose works you see in galleries, magazines, competitions, exhibitions, and shows across the country.

California Impressionism: Plein Air Painting Past and Present

Wow–exciting news! I’m honored that these paintings will be included in the “California Impressionism: Plein Air Painting Past & Present” exhibition presented by the Huntington Beach Art Center in collaboration with LPAPA and the Irvine Museum.The show will feature work from some of my great artistic inspirations–William Wendt, Edgar Payne, and Guy Rose.  (Amazing!)

 

Back Bay Blues

12×9

oil on linen

(sold)

Shadow of the Rock

16×12

oil on linen

(available)

I’m humbled be a part of a show with paintings from artists (both historical and contemporary) I admire so much. Hope you can get out to see this unique display of California plein air work!

May 1st — July 4th at the Huntington Beach Art Center

Moonrise over Blackstar Canyon

(Update: finished painting above)

I was inspired to try another larger studio piece this week. This painting, “Moonrise Over Blackstar Canyon” was created using a plein air color study and photography for reference. It’s 20×30, oil on linen. I’m not quite sure if it’s finished yet.

 detail

I drove over to Blackstar Canyon a few weeks ago when the rest of the world was watching the Superbowl. After spending an hour or two painting the distant ridges, I was packing up to leave when I turned around and saw the moon rising over the ridge right behind me. This happens all the time! After hours focused in one direction, it’s when you’re packing up to leave that the rest of the world is on fire with inspiration.

The sun and shadow on the hill made such simple shapes I couldn’t resist and quickly pulled out another canvas. I had about 15 minutes to note the vibrant colors before the effect was gone completely.

detail

I was thankful to meet an encouraging walker who stopped to watch my process and offered to photograph the hill in case I wanted to work on the painting more later. Thank you, Pam, for sending me your photo! I had a lot of fun working on this one.