"Painting McVicker - Laguna Canyon" - Oil on Linen

I painted this painting at Willow park (Laguna Canyon) a couple of months ago during the LAPAPA invitational.I had not been happy with something about it and decided it might be the path so I changed it a bit.  I am happy with it now.  The artist in the painting is Jim McVicker.

"Lake Barbara - Laguna Canyon" - 6" x 12" Oil on board

Had a wonderful day painting in Laguna Canyon at the Nix Center.  A little walk away is this hidden lake. 

"Heisler Park - Laguna Beach" 8" x 16" oil on Board

Painted En Plein Air during the Laguna Beach Invitational.

"Treasure Island and Montage" 8" x 10", 6" x 12" oil on Board

Plein Air paintings

"Fruit of our Labors" - 9" x 12" oil on Board

Today's painting.  I don't know what to call.  Any suggestions?  I still may work on the face a bit.  Still trying to get in creative brush strokes.

"CF 9500 and the Balboa Bridge" - 12 x 9" oil on Board

I finally decided I would join the group at Balboa.  My scare before was the parking.  I left early and made it by 8:00 am and found one spot.  Walked over to this spot and stopped.  I was drawn to the lamp posts and flags on the railing.  I was happy with the outcome.  I had left my phone in the car so I was not able to take photos of the original scene.  A seal stopped by and posed for me for about 15 minutes.  I decided to leave him out.

"Historic El Toro Grammar School - Plein Air" - 9 x 12" oil on Board

 What a hidden gem!  I have lived in Orange County for 30 years and have never heard of Heritage Hill tucked at the bottom of the Ralph's parking lot on the corner of Trabuco and Lake Forrest.  Go visit!  It is free.

I will paint there once again and hope to see my nearby family again as well.

Third Place and Honorable Mention at the OC Fair!

Peter's Canyon - End of Trail 
8" x 10"
3rd Place at the OC Fair - 

Plein Air Division

Santiago Oaks - Historic Dam 9" x 16"  Honorable Mention at OC Fair

Professional Oil Painting
Division

Feeling Blessed -  Two paintings sold today and it is raining! 
Back Bay Show and Sale - July 18, 19

Come join us in our Back Bay Plein Air Show.

First time involved in this type of sale and painting style.  I hope to learn a lot from this great experience!

Orange County Fair Acceptance!

Yeah!  Just delivered the 4 paintings that have been accepted into the Orange County Fair.  This is exciting because they accepted my old traditional style paintings and the new impressionistic style I have been trying.  The use of the palette knife has been helpful.

"Treasure Cove Waterfalls - Laguna" - 11 x 14" oil on Board

This painting was juried into the OC Fair 2015.

Wanted to go paint outdoors today but RAIN!  I was planning tomorrow but rain is scheduled for tomorrow as well.  So.... I decided to paint from a photo I had from a walk with my husband along the shores of Treasure Cove in Laguna.  Such a beautiful place.  Again this is with a pallet knife.

"Aquatic Center - Back Bay" - 9x12" oil on canvas

SOLD


Another pallet knife painting.  It was a very overcast day, and when I decided to stop at 1:30, well after the other painters left, it started to rain when I hit the car.  Good thing I stopped.  I did not have an umbrella set up.  I think I am getting close to where I want to be for my Plein Air paintings.  I hope to start selling soon, but wish I had an expert to tell me if they are at that level.  I think we sometimes think our work is better than it is.  HELP!


Sold

"Nature's Surprises - Peter's Canyon" - 9x12" & 10 x 16  oil on Board

One is fall, one is spring.  One is impressionistic, one is realistic.  Painted on site, the realistic one took 3 different days to paint.  Impressionistic paintings are much faster.

"Statue of Mary - Roger's Gardens" - 8x10" oil on Board

50 artists painted at Roger's Gardens on their annual Paint Day.  This is the painting I painted while there for this day.  I had so much fun and nervous about so many people watching.  But thought I did well for the first time painting in this environment.  They even put a photo of me painting on their blog about the event.

Take a look!

https://www.facebook.com/rogersgardens/photos/pcb.10153300419524533/10153300418254533/?type=1&theater

"Muth Interpretive Center - Back Bay" - 9x12" oil on canvas

SOLD

Overcast day.  Tried the pallet knife again.  I really enjoyed and happy with the turnout.  Finished on site.

Pallet knife puts the paint on faster, thicker and less detail.  I love the look and the texture.  The shadows you obtain from the thick paint can be amazing.

Sold

"Open Space - San Jaun Capistrano" - 9x12" oil on canvas

Never knew this place existed.  It is near Ortega Hwy and known as "Open Space".  It is a hiking area and during the winter you can walk to a water fall.  Driving in the driveway, you pass a winery where you can sample some wine.

"Heart of Irvine Park" - 8x10" oil on Hardboard

Started painting this for a friends daughter's wedding but when I went back to finish it, the limb above the heart was gone.  The painting was still wet for the wedding so I ended up giving the new couple a different gift.  Their last name is Hart :)

"Foggy Day - Peter's Canyon" - 8x16" oil on Hardboard

On one of my hiking days, my hiking partner told me to turn around.  This is the view we had that morning.  A low hanging fog in the Canyon.  This is painted from a photo but I tried to capture what I remembered from that day.

"Roger's Goddess - 10x16" oil on Board

 SOLD
This painting was in an exhibit at Roger's Gardens.  This is in a more realistic style. The flowers are much more vibrant in the real painting.

"Cherub" - 8x10" oil on Hardboard

I loved this cherub statue.  So..... I painted it.