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"

Sunset Storm on Central Valley

 A few times a year my husband and I travel up to San Jose to pick up or drop off our son Spencer at SJSU.  When I am not in the drivers seat, I love looking out the window at this vast landscape of California.  It is our farm land.  From raisins to garlic the land has purpose.  These mountains divide the valley from the coast.  The otherwise flat land seems to rise up to the sky like hands reaching for God.  This is a gift to see, as much of the days travels seem visually similar.  Looking out the window and watching as the land and it's occasional landmark flash by is a quiet meditation for me.  There in that valley is something that fills me with life and purpose and the feeling of being.  

So to the snicker-doodle king, Spencer, thank you, xoxox m

12x12 pastel on ampersand pastel board. 

Accepted Into the 5th Annual United Society of Pastel Artists (USPA) Juried Exhibit And Sale - April 30 Through May 5 At Chemer's Gallery in Tustin

 Metabolic Rush, Framed 12x12 pastel

Golden Hours, Framed 9x6 pastel

Santiago Creek Trail, Framed16x12 pastel

SOLD

3rd Place USPA, Chemers Gallery Exhibit

LOCAL CANYON

6x6, pastel

I am finding it tricky to work 6x6 in pastel, at least for landscapes...  And at the same time it is a really good way to work out compositions in a shorter time and work as a study for a larger painting.  Anytime spent painting is the best way to becoming a better painter.  

Landscapes present so many great composition issues.  They are full of shapes connecting to one another.   It is quite the puzzle to put together with a sense of order, atmosphere and flow.  I want to keep the viewer on the path with places to rest and take in the surroundings.  The challenge for me, is creating a world interesting enough to visit, enjoy or inspire.

"LONG RIDE HOME"

6x6, oil on gesso panel, $75.00

Interstate 5 can be a very long ride home through the Central Valley, from the Bay Area to So Cal.  The view is field after field of farm land with distant hills and mountains.  Depending on the season and crop it goes from green to brown.  I am always drawn beyond the fields to the hills and mountains low on the picture plane.  The sky becomes a big open canvas.  So when a storm comes rolling in, it paints a vision for all eyes to behold.  As a passenger I can sit back and enjoy the gallery of changing light, color and form.

"DREAMY AFTERNOON"

6x8 oil on canvas panel, $85.00 + $10.00 s&h

This painting started from a walk I took through a local park where there are houses that are built right up to it's borders.  The vision is that these houses have land that goes on forever.  The truth is that it is only a dream.

The Cove 8x8 oil on canvas board

sold

Crystal Cove is a wonderful place to spend the day or rent a bungalow and stay a week.  It is the Southern California coastline of years gone by, beautifully preserved.  Click on California Beach Cottages and check it out.

Lots of info to edit.   Not an easy task.  I tried to remember shapes and not lose them to detail, which came and went along the way.