Running with Deer

Great night painting under the nearly full moon in the Santa Ynez Valley. Some pictures of my experience in the field last night...

Painting in the alfalfa field (photo by Lisa Palmer)

sweet!

Hip high alfafa

My companions

Views all around

Sublime

Thank you Lisa, Steve and Mark for allowing me to play in the field!

Resolute. Why I love these trees...

Resolute, 14 x 11, oil on board, available at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum Art Walk Sept 28 - 30

Five reasons why I love these trees:
1. They survived the Tea Fire
2. They are located at the site where I painted outdoors for the very first time several years ago
3. I walk by them with my good friend, Fer, on Saturday mornings when we aren't too tired to exercise (ok, we hardly ever walk on Saturday mornings, but we think about it a lot)
4. They catch the afternoon light just right
5. The are the subject of this painting which is on view this weekend at the ArtWalk, Natural History Museum

The ArtWalk is a great opportunity to see some 

amazing art, and enjoy nature, live music, food, and wine. 

See you there!

More info:

Varmints, Critters and Rodentia

Tonight at Cold Spring Tavern: Ocean All Star Band. Awesome. Roger House and Larry Iwerks. Yay!


Here are some bits:

Bliss

Seriously gritty from a day at the beach and later traipsing about looking for the right view to paint. Hot, sweaty and dirty, but happy.  

 A beautiful day, gorgeous scenery and good start on a painting. My happy place.
The fact that I got to meet some great people that are passionately committed to growing organic veggies and bringing to the public made it all that much more interesting. And a guy suggested I paint his mangos. What?

It needs some work. 

Pelicans, Briefly

Goleta Beach is a wonderful painting spot, especially near the slough. But today, the beach belonged to the birds: a squadron of pelicans, a colony of seagulls, a gulp of cormorants.

I'll never cease to be amazed by the sight of dozens of pelicans. They were almost nonexistent in the early 70s. Growing up in California, I don't think I ever saw a pelican until I was in college. It was discovered that due to DDT poising pelican chicks were not hatching successfully due to a major thinning of their egg shells (falcons and eagles have also been affected). The public reacted quickly. Pollutants were dealt with and the pelican populations have rebounded. In 2009 the brown pelican was delisted from the endangered list.  Today the pelicans outnumbered the people on the beach. 

I was inspired today to take photos and generally harass the prehistoric looking birds. I think we all had fun.

Going Once, Going Twice! Sold!

I was asked by a good friend to participate in the fundraising effort for the Los Olivos School Foundation. I was delighted. I was given access to the Historic Montanaro Farm, met some great people and hung out with some friendly deer. 

The event was this past Saturday night and it was a great success. Money was raised to bring quality education to their students.  

And both paintings found new homes!

Thank you Lisa, for asking me to participate.    

Sold!

Equinox Sunset, 9 x 12

Its a great pleasure to receive a phone call that a painting has sold. This one just sold at the California Art Club Summer Escapes Exhibition at the Altadena Town & Country Club in Los Angeles. After spending the better part of 2012 developing my commercial art business I am inspired to get out there and create more art! I hear that Indian Summer calling my name!