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.