COUNTING FENCE POST II

12x18, pastel, framed and museum glass

Here is another pastel I did from a smaller oil I painted a few weeks ago.  

FRESH AIR

24x26, oil, sold

Got out and did some hiking over the holidays and it was great to feel the cold fresh air against my skin.  I take lots of photos when I am hiking around in our local mountains and parks.  I am always amazed how the landscape changes throughout the year.  The terrain is very dull, dry and barren right now so it is fun as a painter to change things up.  Draw upon memory or just a change of harmony on my palette can excite a subject.  I had lots of fun with the color on this one.  I really built up layers of color to get to the final.  I love seeing the layers pop through to the surface and show off.  Lots of color.

"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.

"JUST ABOVE CIVILIZATION"

16x8 oil on canvas panel $185.00+$15.00 S/H

Not very far from where I like is a wonderful park called Peter's Canyon.  It is a hiking park and the last stretch in an ever growing housing area that connect the City of Orange to the City of Irvine.  The wonderful thing about being in the canyon is civilization seems to disappear.  Then as you reach a pinnacle point and have a clear view, there it is.  The world and all the people and things I walked away from for just a moment in time.  I am grateful for the hour or two I wander on my hikes in the canyon.  It is peaceful and refreshing.  I love the serenity.

This painting was lots of fun.  I loved the paint application and found myself using a palette knife and just feeling free as I do when I am there in the canyon.

Through My Garden Gate 8x10 oil

Got out mid to late afternoon today to paint this one.  I kept thinking I would start painting inside, but wanted to try this busy scene to see if I could simplify it.  there are several layers and I have trouble with dark foliage in the distance.  Like what color is that anyway.  So here it is..I think it is a bit busy or dotty.  To many iceberg roses, I got a little carried away.

So this is the walkway close to the house in the back yard.  I am sitting under the Crepe Myrtle tree that I painted in my last post.  I have a thing for gates and walkways as they feel hopeful and inviting.  This leads to our driveway where lots of basketball has been and still is played.  I have several broken roof tiles to prove it.  It is an area of energy and action.  With three boys and their friends, it is a place to escape, shoot a few and return to whatever.  To the right is an old Orange Tree that has been in the background of many Christmas photos.  Love to send those back to the Midwest.  So I continue with "About the House"...