Backyard Magic

Backyard Magic Oil 8 x 6
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I've spent a lot of time this year painting in different parts of the country. Its one of the many blessings of being a landscape painter. These were all beautiful spots- oceans, mountains, deserts, you name it. The 19th century English landscape painter John Constable (one of the fathers of plein air painting) said "I should paint my own places best, for they made me a painter." So, that's what I did today.

Zig Zag

Zig Zag Oil 6 x 8
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This is another piece done from memory. I am intrigued with the patterns and marks on the land made by agriculture.

Almost Home

Almost Home Oil 6 x 7
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Its a two day drive from Laguna Beach. I stayed with friends in Placitas, NM Monday night -where we lived until about 5 months ago. It felt a little odd to be there and I thought a lot about just where "home" is as I drove toward Texas the second day. With just about 50 miles to go on Tuesday it was dusk when I saw this field. I painted this from memory today.

Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational- Day 7

Sorry folks- no images today. I forgot to get a pic of my quick draw from yesterday- oh well. Saturday began with grey skies and light rain - a real surprise after the perfect weather we had all week. I set up on the south end of Heisler Park and was soon joined by Ken Auster, with William Scott Jennings set up just a few steps behind us. I knew Ken would draw a crowd so I told him he could be my "blocker" for the event. Its a two hour event but we both managed to finish in an hour and a half, which was good because that's when the rain started up again. A quick trip to my car to frame and then I turned my piece in at the museum. There was a brief preview period then the auction started. Happily my piece sold quickly - off to a good start!

The Gala dinner and Preview sale started at 6 last night. Joe Paquet won both Artist and Collectors Choice! Michael Obermeyer and Glenna Hartmann both won awards sponsored by two art publications. Sales seemed slower than in past years and there was a fair amount of artist anxiety in the room. However, traffic and sales picked up considerably at the public sale today. I was very happy with my sales and only had two small pieces left at the end of the day.

The long drive home starts tomorrow morning at 5 AM so it may be a few days before I post again!

Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational - Day 5

Sunset from The Top of the World 18 x 18 Oil
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The Top of the World is up above Laguna Beach- a public park overlooking the canyon and the town, and of course the Pacific. Its a great place to catch the sunset. This is another not so great pic unfortunately- just can't seem to get rid of that glare! Its a moody tonal piece-I think I got what I was going for here. Our three paintings from the week have to be turned in at the Museum tomorrow morning. After that, I'll head down to the area where the Quick Draw will be held Saturdaymorning. It is usually held in Heisler Park, but this year the Park is under renovation so the Quick Draw has been moved to the Main Beach area. I've never painted there so I'll spend some time scouting it out tomorrow. Then the Artists Party tomorrow night- a little time from R&R!

Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational- Day 4

Newport Back Bay 12 x 24 Oil
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Here is another piece- this one from the Back Bay area in Newport. I couldn't get a very good pic of this one either- too much glare. Two more days to go before work must be turned in at the Museum Friday morning Tonight is a backyard buffet for the artists at the home of Jay and Mary Linda Strotkamp, who are long time supporters of LPAPA, the Museum and this event.
Crunch time!

Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational- Day 3

Laguna Canyon Morning 14 x 15 Oil
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Well, the painting has started in earnest! After dropping my two pieces off at the Museum yesterday I headed out to Laguna Canyon. Sorry about the poor quality of this image. I scumbled some cool color over the top of the hills and I just can't seem to get a good photo of it. I also started a nocturne of a house on a cliff at Woods Cove which I hope to finish tonight. I scouted a couple of locations I had not been to before like Crescent Beach- the small public park there has nice views to both the north and south. I hope to get up to the Newport Back Bay area today. Back to the easel...

Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational -Day 2

Midday at the Montage 8 x 10 Oil
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Yesterday was the beginning of the Laguna event activities. A welcome brunch and orientation was held at the beautiful Montage Resort followed by a paint out at the public park and beach adjoining the resort. The crowds watching the artists were steady all afternoon. This is a pretty bad image of the painting I did- keeping it small to warm up. This formation of rocks is called the Wedding Ring Arch and is a popular motif with artists although its the first time I have painted it. I have to say, setting up my easel next to people like Ken Auster and Ray Roberts is still a bit daunting. This morning this painting and the "Masterpiece" piece we were asked to bring from home ( see previous post for that image) have to be turned in at the Laguna Art Museum. Those two pieces will hang through out the week in the Museum and be for sale next weekend along with the other work done during the week. So, I'm off to the Museum and then to paint.

Afternoon Surf Laguna

Oil 12 x 16 Private Collection

Well, tomorrow I am off to California for the Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational. I am driving- I like road trips- I'm like a kid in a candy store watching the landscape change as I drive west. The event starts Sunday the 7th with a paint out then ends the following weekend with the Quick Draw and auction and then the Exhibition & Sale Saturday and Sunday October 13-14 at the Laguna Art Museum. There is more about the event here. I hope to post through out the event so stay tuned!

Afternoon Light

Oil 5" x 7.5" unframed
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I am working on a 24 x 36 version of this for the Florida gallery. The large one has been sitting on the floor of my studio for several weeks now- the lay in done and a first pass on the sky- but a long way from finished. I often do small studies before starting a larger piece to work out ideas about composition and color harmony. My first teacher- Ned Jacob- always said "if it doesn't work small, it won't work large." He was right, of course, but what I have also found over the years is just because it works small doesn't mean it will work large. I hope this isn't one of those!