The Cheese Factory at Dusk on the 4th of July

iPad painting, 14" x 10"

Like many dogs, my dog is terrified of fireworks, so we high-tailed it to the countryside in West Marin on the evening of July 4th to get a bit of respite from the boom booms going on in town.  We stopped at the Cheese Factory, which was nearly deserted, so we had the whole place to ourselves.  The scene was incredibly peaceful and exquisite, complete with a nearly full moon over the pond and all the various colors of foliage shown to best advantage and with a fog bank coming up over the trees.  I am itching to revisit this scene at the same time, from 7:30 - 9:00 pm, to do a plein air sketch.  

Pond Study at the Cheese Factory

iPad painting, 10" x 14"

This digital sketch was done the other day on a stopover with my dog at the Cheese Factory in rural Marin County, a favorite spot for us both.

Blue Heron at the Pond

oil on hardboard panel, 8" x 10"

Here is another rough palette knife plein air sketch from the same afternoon at the Cheese Factory.  I just had to capture the beautiful blue heron I spotted standing by the pond.  I'm currently back at the Covelo Ranch, churning out more work.  It isn't easy working outdoors in 104 degree weather, wiping sweat droplets off my palette as they fall from my face.  Wow, it's hot here!

View from the Cheese Factory, Looking West in Summer

oil on gessoboard, 8" x 10"

This simple scene was sketched looking a bit to the right of the last one I did at the Cheese Factory, along the same ridge of hills, and earlier in the day when the sun was at its height.  I may add some cows later.