Calistoga Plein Air Paint Out -2021

"Autumn Sidewalk in Calistoga", 8 x 10"; Oil on Panel

 

"Napa-Calistoga Valley", 8 x 10"; Oil on Panel

Ducks in a Row

"Ducks in a Row - Benicia Boatyard" - 8" x 16" - Oil on wood panel

Last month (August 24, 2019) I participated in the 4th Annual Benicia Plein Air Paint-Out. This year I painted another view of the Benicia Boatyard, however, I set up my easel in a slightly different location from the spot I have worked from previously.  While painting, a number of ducks were working the shoreline with some other waterfowl. I decided to incorporate them into my painting since they seemed to add some "life" and interest to the overall scene.

Pioneer Street Mansard

This is one of the paintings I did in March for the 2019 Calistoga Plein Air Paint-Out Competition.

"Pioneer Street Mansard" - Oil on Panel - 10 x 8 inches

Benicia Boatyard - 2nd Version

"Carquinez Strait Morning" - 8 x 16 inches; Oil on wood panel

Here's the painting I did over this past weekend for the Benicia Plein Air Gallery 2018 Paint Out Competition.  For this entry I received the "People's Choice Award."  I really enjoyed this event and met some new artists and got better acquainted with ones whom I had met before.

This painting is another version of the boatyard scene that I painted during last year's event.  Though this time around I was able to anticipate some of the light changes and tidal inflows that occur as the morning progresses.

Benicia Boatyard

A plein air painting I did of the Benicia Boatyard showing the Carquinez Strait in the background.

Oil on wooden panel; 8 x 16 inches

Calistoga Art Show

"Bell Tower", Oil on Panel, 10 x 8 inches

Currently, I'm showing four recent plein air paintings in a group show at the Bank of America in Calistoga CA from December through February, 2013.

See link for more details: 
   
http://calistogaartcenter.org/firstthursdayartwalk.html 

Last Light, Bodega Bay

"Last Light" - Oil on panel,  8 x 10 inches

A quick painting I did over the weekend.  A view overlooking Bodega Bay during the last moments of a summer day.  This one was sold directly off the easel to the property owner next door who sees this view from their house.

Another view of Mount Taylor

Here is a painting I did this afternoon at Crane Creek Regional Park.  I have done several paintings and sketches of this view in the last few years.  I keep coming back to it from time to time.

"Mount Taylor", Oil on Panel, 9 x 12 inches

Mount St. Helena

This morning I did a plein air oil painting of Mount St. Helena, as it appears looking across Lake Benoist.

View of Mount St. Helena, Oil on board

I have been planning to do this painting since last May, when I did a preliminary watercolor sketch at the same spot.

Mount St. Helena, Watercolor and pencil on paper, 9 x 12 inches

Note:  Since setting up at this particular spot on the lake shore requires carrying all my paint gear for a twenty minute hike from the parking lot, (and back again with a wet painting in hand), I probably wont be re-visiting this spot again in the near future.

A Day at the Fair...painting

Last Saturday I took part in the Marin Fair Plein Air Painting Competition.

I found a good spot under some pine trees to set up my easel.

Some stilt-walkers came by,

and the band came by too...

 

...while I concentrated on my painting...

 

...until it was completed.

At the end of the day, I won a merit award and got to meet some new artists who are very talented.

Clearing Up

Oil on Paper, 8 x 10 inches

This a small painting that I did last spring when the sun finally came out after several dark, rainy days.  I tried to show some of the interesting cloud shapes that were moving around when the cloud cover was clearing up.

In Full Sun

"In Full Sun"

Oil on panel

8x10 inches

This is a plein air study that I did during a walk along the west edge of Annadel State Park.  It shows a mound of brush catching the warm  rays of afternoon sunlight.  I will be glad to see some warmer days like this again.

Picnic Table

Oil on canvas, 8x10 inches

Here is a small painting I did last spring of a picnic table and trees at Spring Lake Regional Park.  In this piece I concentrated on using strong colors and thick paint with minimal detail to show the effect of afternoon light coming through the trees.  (Click on the image to get a closer view of the heavy paint texture).

Calistoga Plein Air

This is really old news but...back in October (when I was not keeping up with this blog), I participated in the 1st Annual Calistoga Plein Air Paint Out competition.  The weather was perfect, I had a great time painting and met some really talented artists.  I look forward to taking part again next October.

"City of Calistoga", Oil on Panel, 9x12 inches

On the first day of the two-day event I painted this view of the Calistoga City Hall building.  I spent more time trying to "fix" the palm tree behind the bell tower than on the rest of the painting.

Third Place ribbon

I won third place for this painting.  I was very excited to receive the award.

"Pioneer Park", Oil on Panel, 11x14 inches

On the second day I painted this gazebo in a city park, not far from the City Hall building.

Quarry Rocks and Pool at Spring Lake

Oil on Panel, 8 x 10"

Here is a small oil study that I did of a small pool of rainwater, found along an out-of-the-way path inside Spring Lake Park.  I chose this subject because of its interesting combination of colors, shapes and textures found in the water, rocks, uprooted tree stumps and wildflowers.  I managed to include the sky in this close-up view by showing it in the reflection of the pool.

Tomales Bay

A page from my sketchbook, Size 8x10-7/8", Pencil and watercolor.

Doyle Park Corner

Sold

8"x10"

Oil on Canvas

A study of trees in the neighborhood park.

A Rainy Afternoon on My Street

Medium:  Oil on Panel,  

Size:  10 x 8"  Sold

Here is another view from my studio.  The day was too wet for outdoor painting, so I did the next best thing from the comfort of my studio, standing at my easel looking out the window. This painting was recently purchased by a local art collector.

Plein air painting of boulders at Spring Lake

"Spring Lake Boulders"
Oil on panel, 11"x14"

Mount Olive Tower

"Tower on Mount Olive Drive"
12x9" Oil on Panel

This is a recent painting of an old water tower just up the hill from where I live.  It is one of those interesting buildings that I see every day and think what a good subject it would be to paint.  At the end of April I finally decided to do just that.  I worked from the tailgate of my truck, standing with my easel out in the road. This was the result.