Lalapalooza Muse

It was a few years ago when our family took a vacation in Chicago. We have three grown boys, four if I include my husband that love music and play various instruments. So we decided that the inclusion of a music festival would be quite the ticket for all. I am delighted to tag along wherever those four guy are headed.

I was tickled with the colorful crowds of people in this wonderful park in the middle of my favorite city, Chicago.

I have poured over these photos for sometime hoping that I would grow to paint them. So time has come and here is the first one.

18x18 oil on canvas

Low Horizon

It feels so playful.  Lots of color.  This was late in the day on another trip to San Jose.  Driving and looking out the window at natures artwork.  This was a wonderful place to start exploring color.  I enjoyed mixing it up and laying it down.

18x18 pastel on Uart sanded paper

Trees On A Hill

Continuing the "Out The Window" landscapes.  I did this a while ago as a 6x6 in oil and decided to try it again larger at 18x18 in pastel on Uart Paper mounted on foam core.  I did do an under painting, with water based pigments, that shows through in places, but for the most part it is pastel.  

I love working with a square format.  It seems to keep me on the page.  I need to think about that more, so I will get back to you on that.  Right now it just feels right to me.

18x18 pastel

Open Sky

Working in pastel and experimenting with stroke application.  This is another scene from my car window between L.A. and San Jose.  I love the visual space.

18x18, pastel, "Open Sky"

A Special Place

SOLD

This is a 18x18 oil on stretched canvas painted as a commission.  On my trip to Santa Barbara last month I  had the opportunity to see a part of the coast that I would never have known about without my friend Connie's help.  She recently moved to the Santa Barbara area.  Connie is a realtor and covers the Santa Barbara vicinity with properties in the Orange County area as well.  

Hope Ranch is one of the areas she is developing clientele.  This is an amazing area of country life with sprawling ranch homes on acres of land sitting beautifully on the bluffs over looking an amazing stretch of beach.  The area includes a fabulous golf course and country club.  As you drive through the rambling hills you can catch a glimpse of horse back riders on the trails throughout Hope Ranch.

This painting depicts the private pathway to the cabanas and beach.  It is a forested path that takes you to the edge of the Pacific Ocean.