Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Foxen Canyon 18x12 - sold

  Summer is just about here.  The mustard, thistle and grasses are starting to turn, but a little water leaking from this tank is helping them last a bit longer.  I tucked a hereford bull in there to add a little color and interest.
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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Pelican at Port San Luis 7x5

  I found several brown pelicans milling around the pilings at this harbor.  This background provided some interest and contrast which helped highlight the subject.
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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Monday, May 21, 2012

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Monday, May 14, 2012

Ticaboo String 10 x 22.5 - sold

  I liked the colors and shadows of this scene.  This is early morning near Ticaboo, Utah.
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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Rest Stop 9x12

  According to several historical accounts, mustard was introduced to California by the Mission Fathers who spread the seeds to mark the trail between the Missions with a band of yellow flowers. This spot is not far from that historic route, and as you can see, the wild mustard is still doing quite well.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Sweetwater 11x14 - sold

  These cows have come in to water at the end of a hot summer day.
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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Woodland Gem 10x15 - sold

 Wood Ducks are one of the most attractive birds in North America.
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Friday, May 4, 2012

Alaska Cache 9x12

  These little cabins on stilts are food caches.  Most of them you see these days are novelties but in some very remote areas, they are still used for storing food and other items.  My Website

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Sunday, April 29, 2012

What's Up? 5x7

  I was out looking at chickens and noticed this little goat watching me through the fence.  I decided to paint him too.
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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Loon in the Lillies 20x30

  This started out as a painting of lilly pads.  A loon seemed like a fitting subject to give the scene some life.
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Monday, April 23, 2012

Friday, April 20, 2012

Fuchsias 16x7 - sold

  I like the colors of this fuchsia.  It hangs on the front porch of my studio and the hummingbirds seem to like it as well.
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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Cheers 9x12

  I thought this was a great, eye-catching billboard for a vineyard.  It's April and the local vines are showing new growth.
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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

On the Run - pheasant 5x7

  This Ring-necked Pheasant is making a fast getaway over a harvested wheat field.
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Monday, April 16, 2012

Sitting Tight - Valley Quail 7x5

  When threatened, Valley Quail will sometimes hide in an attempt to elude their pursuer.  This behavior is common with game birds that live on the ground, especially quail and pheasants.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Claret Cup Cactus 9x12 - sold

  The Claret Cup Cactus is found at surprisingly high elevations in the southwestern United States; between 4000 - 9000 feet.  It grows in rocky areas and gets about 6 inches tall.  I chose to paint this one late in the day so I could use some cool blues in the shadows to contrast with an otherwise very warm scene.
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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Springtime - Santa Ynez 12x16

  This is a spot close to home. We've been having some good spring rains lately.
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

American Wigeon 5x7

  This puddle duck's common name, baldpate comes from the drake's prominent white forehead. When in flight, they are easily recognized by their white shoulder patches. 
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Friday, April 6, 2012

Agave Study 5x7

  I like to paint these plants for their interesting shapes and shadows, using light to create dimension.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Turtle Pond 5x7


  I spotted this turtle resting by a small lily pad.  He had just come up for air and didn't seem bothered by my presence.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Summer Wheat 9x12

  I liked this barn and the assortment of outbuildings, but when I noticed the swing set next to the barn, it told a story and added that little bit of extra interest that I look for.
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Monday, April 2, 2012

Wind Machines 7x5 - sold

  Wind machines are used by citrus and avocado growers to circulate air during cold nights to help prevent leaf damage caused by freezing temperatures.  This painting shows lemon and avocado trees in the late afternoon near Ventura, CA.
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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Lakeside Refuge - Gadwall 13x18

  This is a pair of Gadwall ducks. They are good-sized puddle ducks and are common in most parts of the United States.  They prefer prairie wetlands, salt and freshwater marshes and rivers.  They are easily identified by their white, black and brown feathers on the wing.  I chose to paint the male with its wing exposed for this reason.
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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Tom 10x8

  This is a study of a male wild turkey's head.  The males are called "toms".
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Along the Bank 13x18 - sold

  This is a pair of Valley Quail.  The scene seemed a bit cool so I added some fall-colored poison oak to warm things up.
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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Antler Wagon 9x12

  Some friends of mine owned a ranch in northern Arizona.  When they were out checking their cows in the winter, they would pick up shed mule deer antlers and as they rode back into the yard they would toss them onto this old wagon.  Occasionally they sold some to knife makers who would make handles out of them.
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Sunday, March 25, 2012

Ruddy 7x10 - sold

  This is a male Ruddy Duck in breeding plumage.  In the winter they look more like the females.
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Saturday, March 24, 2012

Palomas 16x12 - White-winged Doves

  White-winged Doves are found in the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.  They are named for the white patch on their wings which is most visible when in flight.  They like warm climates are larger than other doves found in the United States. My Website

Thursday, March 22, 2012