June 3 - California Barn

"The Red Barn" Evening light, almost horizontal, and the shadow of a huge oak tree takes the right side of this barn into shadow. On location yet again, this California barn is still part of the Santa Rosa Plateau. This is just a wee 5 x 7 inch canvas, and was the third one from my day of painting as the evening light went golden. $100.

"Evening Road" This painting was done on location with evening light shadowing the road we drove in on, earlier in the afternoon. I love the feeling of California light and scattered sun patterns on the road and the feeling of distance as you look beyond the shadows. It is a 12 x 9 oil, $300 from the artist.

June 1 - Old Ranch Gate

"Old Rancho Gate" I had a wonderful afternoon and evening of painting on location at the Santa Rosa Ecological Preserve with my friend and artist Roxanne.  We drove in through the locked gate to the center of this usually off-limits open space and came to the ranch headquarters.  They run no livestock on this land, and it has reverted with dedicated work to the pristine California grassland of 300 years ago.  I worked on this 7 x 5 canvas as the light was changing to the goldens of evening.  Looking at the 150 year old trees near the adobe bunkhouse, I also wanted to convey the human habitation on this fantastic 8,500 acres of open space.  The larger painting I did first might need some more tweaking before becoming a daily, but this one has a signature.  $100

May 31 - Childhood Memory

"Looking Back" When I was about this kid's age, I lived in Virginia on the edge of Lake Barcroft. The forests and sunlight that came through the trees seemed magical to me, and of course there was much to be explored in the lake itself. Never one for dolls, I spent most of my kid time outdoors. This was a grand painting for me today, as it just fell off my brushes, full of the joy of the memories. Tomorrow I go on location again, this time back to the Santa Rosa Plateau. I'll be delivering the commission done on May 25, posted with the eight people in it. Check the archives! This one is sold.

May 30 - Del Mar Thoroughbred Vet Check

"Vet Check" Tomorrow I'm having my other horse vet checked for the peace of mind of the new buyers.  So I thought I'd share a quick study done today of a similar experience at Del Mar (note the turquoise green accents--really a trademark!).  It's a five by seven oil.  I spent a good part of today in the studio finishing the commission of the landscape with the eight people (are they multiplying?  I wonder...) and I signed it later.  Plus I also finished the painting of my beloved husband, and will post both of these tomorrow.  It is eleven pm now, I think I'm tottering off to check my eyes for light leaks.
  I need to get out my acrylics again, as I just got the notification from Walter Foster that the book I'm in "Acrylic References for Artists" is heading for the presses and distribution.  And an email from Nita Leland that her revised "Creative Artist" is also due for distribution.  I have work in that one, too.
  Hmmmm.  Better update the resume. $100

May 29 - Memorial Day National Cemetary Painting

"Remembering" Today is Memorial Day, and after a visit to the March Air Museum yesterday with my beloved husband--a Viet Nam Air Force Vet, and watching a movie on Viet Nam last night, and knowing my uncle and aunt are buried in the National Cemetary in Florida, and because I lost a friend whose name is on Maya Lin's wall in Washington, D. C., and because of my mother's recent passing....this painting came out of me. Original oil, 7 x 5 inches, for all of those serving so that we may remember, too. Sale Pending

May 28 - Evening Wooded Landscape

"Reworking" When you grow as an artist, it is always a good idea to look over your work and see if your new layers of knowledge can take your work to new levels. I did what's under this painting over two years ago, and came back into it tonight with more color sense. This 5 x 7 oil was originally done on location while suffering jet lag. You can see the original here. I like it much better now. $100