Next Thursday, May 15th, my knee will get some surgical attention and I'm really looking forward to that. This left knee is cramping my style!! I can't stand to paint outside, I can't hike into scenic locations, it's difficult getting in and out of the car, etc. Can't wait to get back to work, as I once knew it.

Meanwhile I continue to paint in the studio, and that's OK but I miss the freedom of the great outdoors, being with my painting buddies, breathing in the fresh air, and especially above all, watching the light change the mood of a scene.

Here's the latest painting from my easel (the indoors one). One morning a couple of weeks ago I was driving down El Monte Road that runs next to El Cajon mountain hoping to get a better view of the mountain. It was overcast and I didn't really think the trip would yield much of anything usable. Then the clouds broke for a little while and the wind really picked up moving the grasses all around. It was a very dramatic moment and lasted for only a short while. Luckily I was able to grab up a painting panel and sketch the structure of the composition and then take a couple of photos for reference in case I needed them. Here's the result for your amusement.

"Spring Grasses, El Monte Road," 6 by 8 inches, oil on canvas mounted to panel.