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 central coast to the inland vineyards of the Salinas River is a favorite and frequent inspiration for my work. The bright orange red underpainting almost has a shimmer to it as high key pastel sap and olive greens are laid across the canvas.