Ridgecrest View on a Sunny Afternoon

oil on cradled panel, 9" x 12"

This plein air piece was painted the other day along Ridgecrest Road in Marin County.  It is a spectacular road that wends its way along a ridge of undulating hills, with incredible views in all directions.  This is quintessential California to me.  It was a warm, sunny, windless day, perfect for painting at this spot, made even more perfect by the companionship of my dear friend and fellow artist Joyce Creswell, who painted alongside me.  There is truly something special about the practice of outdoor painting with friends.  The act of being fully present in the moment while painting with friends infuses the moment with deep meaning.  A memorable day.

California Gold

oil on canvasboard, 6" x 8"

This is an imaginary landscape done with a palette knife, essentially amounting to a color study using a palette that is somewhat unfamiliar to me.  The "new" colors here are phthalo blue, cad red medium, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre, in addition to the familiar colors of ultramarine blue, Indian yellow, and cad yellow light.  I'm just trying to get more familiar with the mixing capabilities of this palette.