Bodega Bay

We had great weather last weekend and I was able to go paint at the ocean. I just finished the last touches of this painting yesterday at the studio.

Painting in Progress

I had a wonderful day at the studio yesterday. I did a warm up painting of the view from my studio and started a large tractor painting for my series. Usually I carefully sketch large paintings before then grid and transfer. I feel sometimes the composition looses some of its magic as it gets overworked. Lately I have been sketching onto the black canvas then rearranging lines on it until it feels right. Here is the one I started yesterday. I am trying to capture some of the great clouds I have been seeing.

More Amazing Sunsets

There was another amazing sunset this evening. I spent six hours painting at the studio working on the edges of the commission piece. It rained off and on. The clouds would occasionally break to reveal golden edges and glimpses of blue beyond. Just like magic the hills have already began to turn green. I have the best view from my studio doorway. My studio sits on a hill and looks across smaller hills towards the Sonoma Mountains.

Purple Cow

I am in the process of finishing a commission I earned over the summer. It was a large painting divided into four canvases. I am going to finish the last details today and spend the rest of the day organizing my much neglected studio. This month I will start offering classes to small groups in my rural Petaluma Studio. I am also preparing for a show at Stanford University this January. I am hoping to create one very large piece to include in that show.

Amazing Sunsets

The last few rainy days have brought the most inspiring sunsets. There is something magical about this time of year. The air feels so clean after the rain and I wait with anticipation for the brown Sonoma Hills to become green.