Sunday Morning Painting

Went out painting last Sunday morning on Monte Rio beach. My friend Steve joined me with his guitar. A magical morning!

Painting with my niece

My niece Sophia just started college at USF. She came and spent a weekend with my wife and me. Sophia's been an artist all her life. She & I went out painting along the Russian River one morning.

Landscape Studies

There is a gorgeous road in Sonoma County called Coleman Valley. It runs from the town of Occidental to the coast, and there are many stretches which have sweeping views. Several days ago I had the opportunity to paint there. I did these two 5"x7" studies which I will use as inspiration for a larger studio piece. Staring at this view was a beautiful way to spend a morning!

Painting at Flowers Winery

My friend Dar works at Flowers Winery in Cazadero. Yesterday, I joined her for lunch (unbelievably delicious wild Alaskan salmon grilled on a cedar plank) and after lunch I painted. The landscape everywhere you look around this winery is breathtaking! While I painted, I got to watch a big hare hopping along through the vines.

Two views of the Russian River

Lately, I've been going down to the river to make quick studies. I like this practice as it helps me to avoid overworking the paintings. The first photo shows a study done on the riverbank close to my house. The second photo shows a study I did on Johnson's beach, looking west. The pillars are the first part of the summer dam to go in.