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..

Seven Layers of Spring, painted on Mount Diablo

Seven Layers of Spring

The dark pine-covered ridge was the perfect foil for the early spring oaks and poppies.
This was painted on Mount Diablo on Northgate Road looking down from the poppy meadow and across to the western ridges of the peninsula. there's not enough elevation to see it , but the San Francisco Bay is in between the last two ridges.

Diablo Ranch

Diablo Ranch 12 x 16

Painted east of Mount Diablo during the spring burnout when the bare hills are interesting to paint.
Plein Air Watercolor

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.

LPAPA first annual Waterworks Exhibit, "Winter's Light, LaJolla Shores" and "Peak Near the Eiger" now through June 4 in Laguna Beach

Winter's Light La Jolla Shores 11 x 14

Peak Near the Eiger 11 x 14

There's something to be said for stepping out of one's comfort zone.
The San Diego Coast and a snow covered mountain in the Alps are my subjects in these two paintings.

The exhibit information
LPAPA first annual WaterWorks Exhibit
May 2 to June 4th

LPAPA in residence
Forest and Ocean Gallery
Laguna Beach

Reception  Saturday May 13th 5 to 8 pm

The entire exhibit can be seen online at daily brushwork:

http://dailybrushwork.com/grid2.aspx?OJSID=10776&OID=3&GSID=2103&pg=2

Kern County Plein Air Invitational Paintings

Tejon Ranch Greens 16 x 20

Eyes Lifted to the Hills (Painted at Bakersfield National Cemetery)12 x 16

Very Early at Wind Wolves 11 x 14

High Noon Wildflowers 12 x 12 ( painted at Wind Wolves)

Where Elk Wander  9 x 12 ( painted at Wind Wolves)

The top three paintings are available through the kern county arts council at info@kernarts.org.

The bottom two are being tweaked in my studio.
The week was wonderful, the weather cooperated, my hostess was gracious and it helped to have done this before, so I knew the lay of the land.
Tuesday I stayed at the wonderful Wind Wolves Preserve from dawn until sunset. Learn more about it at http://www.wildlandsconservancy.org/preserve_windwolves.html
It was so good to see all the living greens all around Kern County. I pushed myself to paint a 16 x 20  at Tejon Ranch and I am glad I did.

The list of participating artists and awards are here and well worth checking out:

http://kernarts.org/annual-kern-county-plein-air-painting-festival/

A big thank you to David Gordon and the Kern County Arts Council.