Landscape sketches from Idaho

Here are two Plein Air landscapes I painted during my Idaho vacation (see previous post). They are painted with a limited palette, something I'm trying to get used to. I realized earlier this year, as I began painting outside more and more, that it's best if I have a limited palette. I think it saves time and frustration (!) if you pull from only a handful of colors.  So, for the time being I am using Cad Lemon Yellow, Cad Red, Alizarin Crimson, Transparent Oxide Red, Cerulean, French Ultramarine and Titanium White (all Winsor Newton, except for Transparent Oxide Red which is Rembrandt.) I miss using Viridian, Cad Yellow Pale, Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber and Black (when mixed with Lemon Yellow makes a great green). We'll see how it goes! It's always a learning lesson.

"Aspen Sketch," oil on linen, 8"x10"

"Stillness of a River," Oil on wood panel,  6"x12"

Plein Air Still Life

I painted these lemons outside in the summer sun while on my vacation in the Sawtooth Valley, Idaho. I had fun with these lemons, using thicker paint on my brush, making quicker but more deliberate strokes.

"Lemons Plein Air," oil on wood panel, 6"x8"

Lawer Art Gallery - Artist Reception for "Summer Days" exhibit.

Thursday, August 12th, 6:00-8:00pm & Friday, August 13th, 6:00-8:00pm, Artist Reception at the Lawler Art Gallery. 2705 W. Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA. (949) 922-7632 for additional information. Exhibit through September 10th.

New Socalpapa Art Gallery Exhibit

Socalpapa Art Gallery presents a new show. The exhibit features paintings done of locations that were favored by the Early California Impressionists. In partnership with Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 600 East Bay Ave, at the Fun Zone, Balboa Peninsula.

My painting, "Sycamore Meadow" has been juried into the show by Jean Stern, Irvine Museum Director, the judge for "California Impressionism, Then & Now" exhibit. (Please see previous post regarding this painting which I did Plein Air at Casper's Wilderness Park.)

Idaho Vacation

There have been more local art shows and events this year than in the past. It seems it's been non-stop for the past 3 months....all good...I say!  There have been juried gallery shows at the Socalpapa Gallery, the Balboa Island Art Walk, Art in the Park with Newport Beach, the Center Club Event, and two shows at the Lawler Art Gallery. I would like to thank those of you who have stopped by one (even more) of the shows I have participated in.  After the very successful Back Bay Show in Newport Beach a few weeks ago (with socalpapa), I took off on a vacation!

 I had a great trip to the Sawtooth Valley in Idaho. I brought my painting gear and went out painting plein air a few times, in between some relaxation and hiking. (I will post the paintings soon, need to photograph them.) In the mean time, here are some pictures from my trip. The weather was glorious, and the landscape was lush and green with lots of wildflowers. That's not usually the case this time of year. But, they have had a lot of rain the summer, which also made for mosquitoes. Not the best when painting by the rivers and lakes!

Rainbow after a storm.

I have painted on this road during previous trips. With the pastures being so green this year, and the beautiful aspen trees,  it's a perfect spot to setup. I love the peaceful feeling painting here and listening to the wind rustle through the aspen leaves.

My sister Linda.

After a storm passed, early evening sunset over the Sawtooth Mountains.

I took this picture during a hike. I did not have my painting gear with me. Maybe next time.

One more Back Bay landscape before the show this weekend.

"Back Bay Wetlands" oil on linen, 8"x10" (Sold at the Back Bay Show)

"Sycamore Meadow" oil on linen, 11"x14"

My finished painting from my day at Caspers Wilderness Park. See my last post.

Painting at Caspers Wilderness Park

A new favorite place to paint! A few weeks ago I joined fellow artists from SOCALPAPA to paint at Caspers Wilderness Park. Located off Ortega Hwy, in San Juan Capistrano, the park is 8,000 acres. It's filled with huge California Oaks and Sycamore trees, a beautiful place. The area reminds me of paintings done by early California Impressionists. I had such a good time, and found many varied scenes to paint, I went back this past Friday to paint again.

My painting of a sycamore (along with an oak tree growing behind it, or in it?) was begun about 3:00pm.  I found that the shadows and color did not change too much over the few hours I stood painting it.  Not sure if it was due to my location in the park, or the high summer sun.  I felt as if I did not have to rush through the painting, which was most enjoyable.  I can't wait to paint here come autumn, or spring. There is a large creek which passes through Caspers Park...many great painting opportunties.

Small Works Still Life

"Daisies in Silver" oil on linen, 8"x6"

"Daisy Mix" oil on wood panel, 8"x6"

"Summer Eggplant" oil on wood panel, 6"x8"

I chose to paint the eggplant on a smooth gessoed wood panel. (I buy veneer board at the lumber yard, a 5-layer panel, then prime it with two layers of acrylic gesso, then sand). I wanted the smoothness of the board to show off the glossy feel of  the eggplant. It think it worked well, and you can also see the transparency of the varied warm tones near the highlight.

Back Bay Painting

"Summer Reflection" oil on linen, 9"x12" $485 framed.

I'm still painting scenes of the Back Bay in Newport Beach for the upcoming show. I went out early evening to capture the setting sun. Painting directly into the sun had its challenges. I painted this between 6:45-8:00pm....I think the sun finally went behind the dover hills about 8:15pm. A lucky night, not many bugs and no mosquitoes. (This painting was selected for Opening Night Reception July 23rd, a juried show, for the Back Bay Show.)

More painting Plein Air in the Back Bay

A few days ago I joined friends from So Cal Plein Air Painters in Newport's Back Bay. We set up about 4:00 and painted until after 6:30pm. The light was beautiful giving us options for atmospheric (and scenic) painting. Here are a few pictures of us...you can see some of our paintings, a work in progess.

Wendy

Larry, Wendy and Allyson enjoying our afternoon.

Amanda painting into the late afternoon sun.

Newport Beach Scenes

"Crab Cooker," oil on linen, 6"x8" and "Back Bay Field" oil on board, 6"x8"

 (Both paintings sold at the Back Bay Show.)

Grapes

"Grape Cluster," oil on wood panel, 6"x8"

I painted this small painting last week for the Lawler Art Gallery, "Vines and Wine" exhibit. I think the grapes in this painting turned out to have a nice luminescence quality. I painted it on a wood panel. I did a few other grape paintings (green and red), each of them took on a different quality when painted on different surfaces; linen, canvas or wood panel.

Balboa Island Candy Shop

"Balboa Candy Shop" oil on linen, 8"x10" (Sold)

My painting of a delightful candy store (great homemade fudge and carmels) on Balboa Island in Newport Beach has been chosen for the "Islands" exhibit at the SOCALPAPA Art Gallery. It received an Honorable Mention Award from the shows judge, artist Frank Serrano. Additional information  http://www.socalpapa.com/ Exhibit closes August 8th.

Painting Grapes, Wine and Cheese

"Gabbiano" oil on canvas, 8"x16"

Here are new paintings for the exhibit, "Vines and Wine" at the Lawler Gallery, June 4-July 31. I have been enjoying the challenge of painting new things, like cheese! It's been a fun show to paint for.

"Brie and Grapes" oil on wood panel, 8"x10"

"French Corks" oil on wood panel, 6"x6"