Happy New Year 2011

Thanks to all of you who have viewed my blog and artwork in 2010. Hopefully, you will return to visit me this coming year. Our family is thankful for all that we have and we look forward to having a great 2011.

May all of you be successful in sticking to your resolutions for this coming year.

Meadow Near The Dome

A golden tree sits in a meadow surrounded by pine trees with "Half Dome" in the background at Yosemite National Park in California. I saw a photo of this spectacular view and it was too nice to pass up. There are so many great views in Yosemite and I think this is one of the best. This view sparkles in part because of the great color in the foreground tree whose leaves are probably gone by now. Ink and watercolor.

Mission San Antonio de Padua

 Located on the sprawling Hearst Ranch, Mission San Antonio de Padua sits within the “Valley of the Oaks” on California’s scenic Central Coast. The Santa Lucia mountains backdrop this historic mission where ancient oak trees frame the fully restored adobe buildings which include the Church, museum, cloister, a garden and outbuildings. It was founded as California’s third mission in 1771. Ink and watercolor.

Hillside Village

A little village sits peacefully on a hillside where there appears to be no roads or vehicles. While this setting looks pleasant, it could be dangerous if people lose their footing and go tumbling to who-knows-where. Ink and watercolor.

Mountain Slopes

These Sierra Nevada mountain 
slopes look very peaceful in this painting unlike how they are looking currently. As I post this image, the mountains are receiving very heavy snow with strong winds. We are receiving lots of rain with gusty winds on the valley floor. Winter is here!

Once the storms pass, we will be able to see the mountains as brilliant white patches above the greenery of the foothills--pretty to view and exciting for skiers. Watercolor.

Vermont Red

This painting was done as a demonstration for one of my classes in October. I had intended to sketch in the image only so I could do my initial washes in class. But, I got carried away and did the entire painting. I had to do another painting for my class demonstration. I am pleased with this one. Ink and watercolor. SOLD

Snow Field

The phenomenon of the passing of the seasons is everlasting. In this scene, winter has set in. The snow has stopped falling, the snow on the ground has muffled most sounds and the home in the background is a lonesome sign of life in the area.

Chinook At Home

This painting was done from a photo on Flickr posted on http://www.flickr.com/photos/frostylime/. I received permission to show this on my blog so here it is. Check out other photos on this Flickr site. This is Chinook who seems very happy at the San Diego Zoo. Check out the polar cam at the zoo. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/polarcam/index.html

Relaxation

This art was done while referring to several photographs to make a new outdoor restaurant scene. This sketchy painting was done over four to five days in my garage this summer. Each day as I walked by the painting I would stop and add a few pen lines and some more color. Between mowing my lawns and trimming bushes, this is what I came up with. Ink and watercolor.

Mission Santa Ysabel Asistencia

This facility is located in southern California east of San Diego. It was built as a sister mission to one of the California major missions. This one is named Santa Ysabel Asistencia. In the many years I lived in San Diego, I never knew this existed. Now that I have moved, I can only draw it from a beautiful photo. Ink and watercolor.