I start to paint and then I have to go do something. It's raining off and on and I'd like nothing better than to work on some paintings that need my attention. But stuff gets in the way! GRRR!

This last week was Staff Development Week at the college where I teach so it was off to the department meeting where we got the official tour of the new art studios in the new building. All I can say is: WOW! Can't wait for my first class this coming Friday:) I even have my very own storage cabinet... all brand new and ready to go.

The start of classes means plenty of paperwork as I ready the syllabus, schedule and handouts for the first class. I teach Advanced Drawing with three levels of students all in one classroom at the same time, so there is plenty to think about. Plus what with the new facility... I will have a lot of logistics to work out too.

Did finish up this miniature this week. I like it a lot so felt as though I was accomplishing something:) Here it is for your entertainment.

"Hidden Ranch Road", 6 by 8 inches, oil on stretched canvas.

This landscape painter has been painting up a storm! It's paint everywhere and all over me, which is highly irregular because I am probably the tidiest plein air painter in town. I can sit down to paint in my best outfit and come away without a spot of paint on me. I'm not one of those painters who wears special old paint stained overalls... that is so not me. But here I sit with paint all over!

The reason for paint all over is that I'm painting interior walls... no, not murals or faux finishing... Nothing that exciting. Just a new fresh color on the walls. And that kind of painting, well, it's probably better left to the experts but the price is right;) I paint for free here!

However, I can only take so much of this fat brush and roller stuff so it's back to the easel for a stretch, where I'm happiest. Here are two new miniature landscape paintings for your entertainment.

"A Walk in the Woods", 6 by 8 inches, oil on canvas.

"Spring Oaks and Fields", 6 by 8 inches, oil on canvas.

This landscape painter is really enjoying the days right now! The weather is fantastic. The recent rains followed by warm sunshine turned everything springtime green. I wake up and can't wait to see what the day looks like. Don't know how long it will last but it's great right now.

Here's a recently finished painting and the subject is a lake in the southern part of San Diego county. The Eastlake area has grown so much recently that I hardly recognize the place when I go there. Have to wonder how many more years the other shore will remain pristine wilderness.

"Lazy Lake Morning", 9 by 12 inches, oil on stretched canvas.

There's a Monster Storm at the windows beating down! It's Saturday morning and the weather guy has promised that the rain will continue dropping about 4 to 6 inches on us until mid-day Monday. The fridge is full and the dog might have to walk himself if it gets too bad:)

Nothing makes this landscape painter happier this time of year than a long heavy rain because it means a very green spring full of wildflowers! The rains actually started a bit early in the season and the fields and hillsides are already turning bright green.

The news guys are already talking about the possibilities of a big desert wildflower bloom. That is so cool and I am very excited! Three years ago when we had the 100-year desert bloom because of the heavy winter rains the area around Borrego never looked better. I remember one Sunday afternoon it was hard to find a parking spot along a certain desolate stretch of road where the verbena grow! Seriously!

So today I'm sitting here in my studio posting to my blog, listening to the rain, and Sirius Disorder channel 70, working on an experimental studio painting thinking about all the green fields laden with flowers that await.

Yesterday put the final touches on this painting below of a secluded ranch smack dab in the middle of housing developments. It's location is a closely guarded secret amongst landscape painters in these parts. You need a phone number and have to call a guy and leave a message. If you're lucky and he's in the mood he'll call you back and let you onto the ranch. If you just go paint there he'll show up on his horse looking menacing and shoo you off the property! It's a working horse ranch and I'm assuming that the horses might be pretty valuable. If you get talking to him he'll tell some pretty wild tales about rustlers and such. No comment from me about the truth of the stories;)

"Last Ranch in the Valley", 9 by 12 inches, oil on stretched canvas.

After the fun and festivities of the holidays - taking time out with family and friends, good food, and busy schedules - this landscape painter must admit that it's great to get back to work! The studio had its winter cleaning, canvases sit in their closet ready to go, brushes sorted by size stand at attention in the big ceramic pots, drawing supplies are sorted and organized in the big case ... all at the ready.

Here are two new offerings for your entertainment. The first is a miniature based on a quick sketch done last fall when we took a trip to the village of Idyllwild up in the mountains just south of Palm Springs. Our drive up took place on a cold weekday after the fall tourist rush and before the start of winter visitors from Los Angeles to see the snow, so we practically had the town to ourselves. If you've not been to Idyllwild check it out:)

 
"On The Way To Idyllwild", 6 inches by 8 inches, oil on stretched canvas.

This second painting is a larger landscape of a working cattle ranch in San Diego's beautiful back country. We've had some pretty good rains lately (and are due for about 4 more inches of it this coming weekend). We really needed it! It's amazing how quickly the fields and hills turn green when given just a bit of moisture. Sure was peaceful standing out there with the fresh air all around!

North Pasture", 11 by 14 inches, oil on stretched canvas.