Plein Air May 2026

Low Tide Nantasket 9 x 12

 Swampscott Dory 10 x 121/2

Windmill Point, Hull ( the Hull Gut) 9 x12

On the Rocks (Brant Rock Beach) 11x13

Plein Air Watercolor from Dana Point

 12 x 12 watercolor painted in Lantern Bay park overlooking Doheny Beach

“White-Hot” high key desert Plein air

 This is the Santa Rosas in full on sun in Borrego Springs. I wanted to try a high key image and work with a very light value range. The foreground is empty because I want the mountains to float as if they are a shimmering mirage in the distance. The painting in person ha a wonderful glow I can’t get with my camera.

Borrego Springs Plein Air Invitational

 I was able to complete 9 paintings because of the nearly perfect weather conditions and the painting at the top of this post was awarded second prize by juror Patty McGeeney. Thank you to the jurors , the Borrego Art Institute, sponsors , hosts , volunteers and art appreciators who all made this event possible. The exhibit is on display through April 3rd and is well worth a trip.

October Golds of Newport back bay

October Golds
During the Laguna Plein Air Invitational I was able to go Newport Back Bay and paint in the early morning light A bucket list place on my list of places to paint!

San Elijo lagoon study

San Elijo Lagoon Study 11 x 14 Plein Air Watercolor

Above the Shores

Above the Shores 14 x17 plein air watercolor painted from the Torrey Pines Gliderport

Plein air of my backyard view over Batiquitos Lagoon

12 x 16 Plein Air "Backyard over Batiquitos" watercolor on paper some process and set up shots

Two spring plein air paintings from Carlsbad

Batiquitos Lagoon Trail 12 x 16

Spring Meadow 12 x 16

The lingering effects of the rains made spring in South Carlsbad a colorful place. "Batiquitos Lagoon Trail" was painted just off Batiquitos Drive and "Spring Meadow" was painted along 101 with drivers in their cars cheering me on.

Outdoorpainter.com article on advice for beginning plein air painters

Here are a few screen shots from the recent article from Outdoorpainter.com They asked previous plein air salon winners for their advice.

The other painters giving advice are: Kathleen Hudson, Joseph Gyurcsak, Michael Situ, Shelby Keefe, Dave Santillers, Carl Bretzke, Marilyn Wear, Ned Mueller and Eileene Basa

Annual Juried Exhibit Front Porch Gallery,Carlsbad Opens April 28th

Above Black's Beach 12 x 12 $1250

Exhibition Details:

Annual Juried Exhibit
Opening April 28th
12 to 2 pm

4/28 to 6/15

open W to F 12 - 6
S S 11 - 5

2903 Carlsbad Blvd

Juried by Nancy Hills

Superbloom 2019: Series from the California desert and Walker Canyon

Desert Garden 16 x 21

Lupine of the Storm 14 x 18

Coachella Valley Verbena 11 x 14

The Hills Are Alive 16 x 20

March was a wonderful month for plein air painting in the desert.
 Incredible first spring here in Southern California.
The first three were all painted with a mile of each other in Coachella Valley. The fourth is Walker Canyon.

San Diego Maritime Museum, Sea and Shore Exhibit

Dusk Point Loma 11 x 14

About the exhibits:

Arthur Beaumont “Art of the Sea” and “Sea & Shore” Plein Air Paintings On Display for a Limited Time at Maritime Museum of San Diego

Showing February 23 – September 30, 2019

Open concurrently with the Beaumont art exhibit, the Museum is proud to introduce “Sea and Shore” on display in the Compass Gallery located on the main level of the Berkeley. This art exhibit features submissions from members of the Plein Air Painters Association of San Diego (PAPASAN). The artists of the Plein Air Painters Association of San Diego have been on the plein air scene since 1999, painting the essence of San Diego, whose very identity is uniquely defined by the sea. PAPASAN members paint San Diego’s beautiful beaches, tidepools, estuaries, harbors and marinas. The art of painting en plein air, or painting outdoors, is an essential endeavor for an artist. Plein air painting is perhaps one of the most difficult genres to master. 

This group of professional fine artists are regionally and nationally known, have independently exhibited their works in museums and galleries throughout the country, and are members of national professional art organizations. Many of their works appear in national art publications, and some are included in recently published books such as California Light: Seascapes and Beach Towns. They continue to contribute to the artistic record of San Diego, especially documenting its vibrant maritime scene.

Book now! General Admission.

Sonoma Plein Air Art Festival Sept 10 to 16th

I will be on the square in Sonoma on Saturday September 16th from 10 to 4 as a part of the annual plein air event . Now in it's 15th year, the festival has raised over 1 million dollars for Art Education in Sonoma County.

Here are a few paintings from years past:

A Thirsty Hill

Windbreak Chileno Valley

Pacific Promontory



More information and the complete schedule of events is at http://sonomapleinair.com

Nice mention in Plein Air Magazine July 2017 Barns Portfolio

Plein Air Magazine recently featured a portfolio of barn paintings and included my painting "Sunny Day Petaluma", one of only a handful of barn paintings I have painted. In this one the adorable tractor caught my eye.

Here is a larger photo so you can see it.

Going Softly to Gold Plein Air Watercolor painted on Mount Diablo

Going Softly to Gold 14 x 14

I took advantage of an afternoon with no wind and continued my exploration of the scenery on Northgate Road on Mount Diablo. This meadow had the barest tone of green under the grasses going to gold that made interesting patterns..

Best Watercolor Award for "Carmel Valley Evening Glow" from Mian Situ at the Carmel Art Festival

The thrilling moment with Mian Situ.

Carmel Valley Evening Glow 12 x 12
Best Watercolor Award Carmel Art Festival 2017
Judge Mian Situ

The light in Carmel Valley is different, so close to the Ocean, it seems brighter, clearer there, the air is so clean. The land seems to glow at every time of day, but especially in the evening.

Here are the other paintings:

Monarch of Carmel Valley 16 x 20

I pushed myself to paint this subject at the largest size I can paint in these plein air events, it is such a monumental hill, it reminds me of a Henry Moore Sculpture.

A Morning Hike 12 x 12

I painted framed and parked during the Quick draw in 2 hours on Sunday
morning.
 I drove to Carmel River Beach Lagoon because the energy is so positive and there are lovely wildflowers in case the fog blocks the views. I concentrated my focus on the point of land and painted everything else in soft focus.

Lagoon Morning 9 x 12 Quick Draw

Quick Draw Framed
I like how it glows inside the black frame.

Spring training for the first time in years!

With the drought over and a genuine rainy season, I found myself very rusty after a season of slow methodical studio paintings. Here are the three plein air I've completed so far this month.

Eastern View Curry Point 9 x 12

My favorite place to paint on Mount Diablo, I thought was a good place to start.

Green Going 9 x 12

I was energized by finding this view of Mount Diablo near my house and wanted to paint the green before it went completely, we had a few 70 degree days and it is surprising how much the grass faded. I got this done in time for Saint Patricks Day.

Poppy Pastures 11 x 14

Nothing gets my paintbrushes dancing like the poppies on Mt Diablo. Going back as soon as it's sunny because the poppies don't open without sun.