8in x 10in, pastel on board The atmospheric condition of sunset at day’s end creates deep blue, purple, green and black hues on rolling hills in and out of crevices and mounds. The sun dropping behind the mountain produces a sky of saturated chroma almost too intense to watch. When the two planes touch, an intriguing ridge in silhouette appears. …
Strawberry Field and Eucalyptus
11in x 14in, pastel on board, Private Collection Eucalyptus tree rows and strawberry fields give Oxnard, California its unique character and beauty. The harvester’s work is back breaking beginning each day before dawn to pick the harvest and primp the fields. The often foggy mornings in the fields are peaceful and elegantly quiet. The tiny white blossoms bring intensely sweet, …
Foothills of the West
18in x 24in, pastel on board While on a holiday with dear friends in the central coast town of Cambria, California, we drove in quest of wine tasting in the beautiful Paso Robles region. Route 46 into Paso Robles is a spectacular road with open and mountainous vistas where both vineyards and sea views are enjoyed. The hills were aglow …
Saturday Morning Ocean
11in x 14in, pastel on paper Inspiration for paintings is abundant on my favorite coastal walking path. Each day is varied and the ocean may be cool, foggy, sunny, bright, turbulent, or flat as a lake. On this spectacular spring morning the fog bank was held at sea as the inland temperatures warmed.
After the Paso Rains
11in x 14in, pastel on paper, Private Collection The rolling hills along Highway 46 in route to Paso Robles, California, are akin to the rolling green, velvety hills of Ireland, at least during the rainy season. It is a particularly wet region of land in the winter bringing dense fog and pouring rain day after day. This passageway from the …
Sunset on the Ocean
8in x 10in, pastel on board First comes the observation and then the response. The ocean is alive with intense oranges and deep grays during one of its most lively times of the day; sunset. A winter sky gives opportunity to view another dramatic dimension to what many think of as a monotone body of water. Reflections and changes in …
Ribbons of Gold
8in x 10in, pastel on board Originally this painting was named “Ribbon of Gold” after a single, beautiful patch of mustard seen cascading through two mountain ridges in the coast of central California. The little ribbon of color was all that was needed as inspiration for this work and many others. After “Ribbon” was completed and it had rested in …
Mango Path and Sherbet Sky
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The Green Flash
11in x 14in, pastel on board The green flash – an optical phenomenon, typically at sea level, in a hazy environment and only lasting a second or two at sunset if one is fortunate enough to be present to view the amazing sight. Some say it is an illusion, others complete fabrication, still others a scientific color spectrum refraction. In …