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.

Les Dents du Midi {A painting from our summer hike}

As a plein air painter I am invigorated by the immediacy of painting on location, constrained by the weather, the sun, and the fleeting moment. However, that limits me to small canvases and about 2 hours of painting time. I am trying to figure out how to take those outdoor experiences and translate them to studio work where I can be more thoughtful and take more time in the creation of the painting.

This is a large painting (24×30) I created in the studio using photo reference from our hike in the alps last summer. It is a view of the Dents du Midi from the GR5 trail on the border between Switzerland and France.

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It was a glorious day.

California Art Club {The Romance of Europe & Landscapes of the West II}

I’m excited to announce that two of my paintings were juried in
to California Art Club shows this month!

les bateaux du lac Léman (above)
was accepted into The Romance of Europe show at the Altadena Town & Country Club.
January 30 – May 26

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Eucalyptus Study
was accepted into the Landscapes of the West II at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum
February 7 – April 4