Three Florals

Seeing Stars
8x10 oil on Panel

I have not been posting as regularly lately, and I have some catching up to do!

Living in Southern California this spring was a marvelous experience. Thanks to generous winter rains, spring burst forth like never before. Our gardens and parks produced beautiful displays that we hadn't seen in the long years of drought, but the true magic happened in our wild lands. Seeds long dormant drank just enough to rise up in all their glory transforming our arid hills and valleys into broad reaches of color. Many of the blossoming plants were ones I had never seen in my lifetime of wandering and watching.

Flora or Fauna?
8x10 oil on panel

This collection of little paintings, inspired by our explosive spring inspects the wild beauty of individual plants. As always, I am deeply moved by the extraordinary effort nature puts into reproduction. Each plant has developed unique pistils, stamen and petals in its drive to germinate. Endless shapes, colors and textures invite bees and birds to do their devine work of pollination. 

Ablaze
8x10 oil on panel

Spring's profusion of color and beautifully articulated shapes fills my heart. A fleeting display of such delicacy is a magic expression of both the fragility and relentless power of life. These beautiful little flowers plant wonder, hope and humility in my chest. 

Spring in Julian

Spring in Julian
11x14
oil on panel

I have gone missing, I know. I've been living a technological nightmare. A computer melt down has stopped all forward motion for a couple of months now. Rising from the debris, I'm forging ahead with a shaky smile, and a deep seated drive to properly organize and back up...

This is another in my series of paintings done for the Volcan Mountain Foundation who were lovely enough to select me as their first Artist in Residence. Volcan Mountain sits above the town of Julian in Northern San Diego County which is famous for it's apples. Orchards create a patchwork around the town, and the trail to the top of Volcan Mountain starts by cutting directly through rows of well tended trees.

I love begining and ending each hike among the apple trees. They mark the season so vividly. Gnarled grey branches well up with bright red and pink buds, which in a blink burst into tender white and pink blossoms. Small green fruit is revealed as petals drift to the ground like snow.  Buried in tender new leaves, the shiny new apples grow as the days warm. Their color and flavor brighten and insects, birds, rodents and larger mammals enjoy the bounty. The town of Julian fills with pies, cider and happy tourists.