"Cloud Peak" is a painting inspired from my two trips to the Big Horn Mountains in northern Wyoming. This is a 6"x 6" canvas and one of four for the Brinton Museum Show in September.
What I love is the rock and snow covered peaks so I stick with what excites me. Ever do a painting and it bored you? Its not the painting but your interest in the subject matter. Keep painting what you love!

Pierce Point, Pt Reyes, CA

Come paint at Pr Reyes, June 6 & 7th classes on Impressionist's Palette and Perspective. The glow in this painting is the element Impressionism adds to a painting. Come learn the palette!

Petaluma Weeping Willow, oil 11"x14"

Spring Weeping willow tree in Petaluma-color will symbolize the time of year!

"Sentinel Rock" oil 12" x 16" was selected for Yosemite museum"s permanent collection, I am thrilled.  Perhaps because it was painted on location, it captured the imagination of the staff? It is the view from Yosemite Lodge's front entrance, perhaps that is why? What do you think?
If we were to ask a scientist: a color specialist in what attracts the human eye, what would they say? They would say it is the warm yellow orange color!
What is your answer now? Do you believe science? Painters can paint outside of the box, but can viewers see outside the box?

"orchard" 11"x14" oil

Get ready for Spring! It's not too early to practice Spring colors in the studio and how you want to scale the image on canvas or paper. Try out warm reds and cool reds to understand the range of pinks that you can make. All this practice makes painting in the field easier!

I am back from Pierce Point where I enjoyed a day with Pt Reyes painters and teaching at the Field Institute-outdoors of course. Outdoor painters encounter some of the toughest conditions-wind, clouds, cold, rain in the forecast. But when I arrived it was beautiful with a light breeze and sun and intermittent fog-a normal day at Pt Reyes Seashore.
Those that chose to "show up" as my friend Jennifer points out were winners! We painted.
Even if your painting isn't fabulous the experience of practicing, showing up and getting in the right frame of mind is well worth your time. Next time you will be more prepared!

January day and the ice is thick and the sky feels heavy. Who wants to paint such a cold scene? I was out x-country skiing and saw this and immediately wanted to capture the cold.
I tell my students, make it warm enough to want to look at the painting! It was warm enough for me to be skiing and this means that the filtered light and low light of winter is still light and still inviting, just as is the atmosphere of this January day.