Before the Storm

There is a big storm brewing and whether it will land or go out to sea is a risk for this swimmer. The man in the water gives the painting an estimate of how big the storm clouds are. It also is a focal point because of the color.I had fun playing with lost edges and muted color. I couldn't decide whether to place a swimmer or boater to create the enormity of the clouds.

This is a farm scene which I witnessed many times. It is from my imagination. The weather this week in Northern California has been smoky from all the fires. We did take a chance on Wednesday and painted but it was tough going. It is the first time I am anxious to have some wind to blow this smoke away. The town is quiet with few people out and most wearing masks. The schools are closed. I am an out door person. Where I live I can be in shorts most of the year. We don't expect these setbacks. We are Californians and worry about the people suffering from fire. It was horrible to imagine being stuck in traffic trying to escape and the fire closing in as the traffic stalled. My painting is on a bright fall day and has all my favorite things like barns, broken down trucks and chickens. I would much prefer to be on the scene painting it.

Davis Farmers Market

You will find me here on Saturday morning. It can be a very busy place. I always wondered how to paint the scene, so I took a few pictures and put a composition together. It is difficult to keep to value changes with all of the whites and shadows. The background of trees is very dark. This was fun and I will try a different approach next time, maybe, even find a place to setup for plein air.

A Quiet Place

We have been here before but there is much to see and paint. This is the Old Sacramento Cemetery. The sun is out and the shadows abound. The challenge is in getting the lots correct in perspective. The place is well maintained and it seems that every variety of plant and tree that can be grown in Sacramento is here. Some of the gravestone inscriptions are very humorous.