Model Day 10x8 oil on sanded paper

This was a very fun paint day.  I had more fun with the paint and the sanded surface.  I think I need days like this every once and a while.  The subject did not get the attention she really required as an art study.  I put this more in the area of a mental health day.  I do require them and playing in paint is a like squeezing playdoh through my fingers.  I am still a very tactil child at heart.

Hazy Day at 37th and Balboa 11x14 oil

The weather seems to be changing as we get into the fall months.  It was very overcast with a bright glow in the late afternoon in Newport Beach.  It got down right cold by 6 o'clock.  

Architecture is always a challenge.  There is a lot to see and perspective to take into a count.  Just the prep drawing and value studies take a long time to work out.  The main thing is learning to simplify what is there so not to distract from or compete with, let say all the cars.  The cars were my challenge.  To suggest cars lined up on the street without overstating is hard.  The mood was also important.  It was a cold quiet day with the sun light fighting to come through the misty haze.

Autumn Sunlight 14x11 oil

A hot day down in the creek bed.  

Turning Leaves 11x14 oil

I returned to Santiago Creek again to work on trees, branches, leaves and light.  The layers of things going on is really amazing.  There is so much to see.  

Morning Light 12x9 oil

Another day in Santiago Creek.  It was really pretty and hard to decide what to paint.  I wish I had taken pictures as I went along today because this painting turned out very different than I thought it was going to mid stream.  I sort of forgot what inspired me to paint it.  Finally I saw the light peeking in and out of the leaves and then after remembering the light as it came around the tree trunk.  These thoughts are as fleeting as the day.  The light that was there disappears as the sun moves and I forget what got me there.

Almost Fall 8x10 oil

Another day out in Santiago Creek.  There is so much to see and an amazing amount of paintings just waiting to hit the canvas.  Sooooo thankful!

Boat Service 10 x 8 oil

It was an over cast morning at the boat service station next to the Pavillion in Newport Beach.  Had a nice morning listening to the comings and goings of people at work while painting away.  

After I had a chance to see art work for sale at the old Fun Zone by the artists of SOCALPAPA.  This passed week they sponsored a paint out called SOCALPAPA Paints the Peninsula.  It was a very art filled day...thank you very much!

Tree in Santiago Creek 9x12 oil (sold)

I have had a few nice days outside painting.  There is this wonderful creek not far from my home which was shown to me on a walk with my friend Judy.  I did a pastel sometime back of a tree not far from this one.  In that one I worked from a photo.  Today I got to go back and work in plein air.  It is wonderful to be outside with just the sounds of critters (which can freak me out).  I am fortunate to have Kim VanDerHoek along to paint too.  We can kinda watch out for each other, which I so appreciate...thanks Kim.  
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Pastels

This is a juried exhibit that will be up from the 5th through the 19th of  September.  This Saturday, September 6 is the art walk at the Artist Village in Santa Ana.  The SAC Gallery will be included on the walk.  I am pleased to have 3 landscapes on exhibit.  Click on the card to enlarge the type and get location. 
Gallery Hours : Thursday - Saturday, noon to 4:00PM except 9/6

Art Walk: Saturday September 6,  7:00- 10:00PM