Morning Stroll

During the quarantine I've been trying several ways of showing the arboretum. For a couple months I have painted all over the paths that wind through the beautiful plants and trees. I do not want a realistic painting of them. What first calls to me are the shadows and the lights created by all of the vegetation, so that is what I emphasize in this painting.

Gilligan's Return

The morning plain air painting was again at the arboretum on the UCDavis Campus. Davis has had black bear sightings on two consecutive days and named the bear(s) Gilligan. Not sure he was here today but was on my mind. There is so much material on the campus for painters. We have a huge Veterinary school and hospital next to the arboretum at one end. They ofter have exotic animals in the yard. I really don't have an excuse for putting the bear in the painting. It does strengthen the value and depth.