Festival Preview XI

Still staying at the Newport Back Bay, here are two pieces about the mood at the beginning and then the end of the day. The light in the morning on these limestone cliffs is amazing, and in the evening I love how the last glow of the sun reflects back from all the windows ringed round the cliffs...a sundown necklace to grace the end of day.

Galaxy Point Moonset  12 x 24 inches

Sunset Reflections 8 x 10 inches

Festival Preview X

Still at Newport Back Bay, this time my favorite cliff to paint. There are so many angles and moods...I could paint this and nothing else.

Shadow Flight   8 x 10 inches

Morning Light  8 x 10 inches

Festival Preview IX

Still at the Back Bay for today's post, but farther up on Back Bay Drive for this early morning view of the East Bluffs.

Misty Morning  8 x 10 inches

Festival Preview VIII

Returning to the Newport Back Bay again. This is a view that I painted last year, but I liked it so much I wanted to try it again to see if I could emphasize some different aspects of this scene, specifically the foreground. I really like the reflections in the water of the reeds and grasses...it adds to the peaceful feel of the whole scene.

Afternoon Kayaking 11 x 14

Festival Preview VII

Moving north with this next one. This is a view of the beach in northern California almost to the Oregon Border. The scenery there is as beautiful as it is here, but less developed and with a wilder feel.


Coastal Morning  8 x 10 inches

Festival Preview VI

Back down to the beach for this one...a foggy morning at the south end of Crystal Cove looking south. Lots of joggers were out this morning when the tide was low enough to even be there. That last big storm, about a year and a half ago, I'm not sure, swept so much of the beach away. It's maybe halfway back to where it was.

Foggy Morning Run  11 x 14 inches

ART FESTIVAL PREVIEW V

Switching locations now to one of my favorite places to paint, the Newport Back Bay Estuary. In 8th grade I lived across the street and a block away, west of this beautiful place. Back then, there were no housing developments at the edge of the cliffs, nor on the east side of the bay, which is now home to many beautiful neighborhoods.
Also, at that time, there was no road to skirt the bay, providing beautiful views to visitors as there is now, nor a conservancy dedicated to protecting this wonderful local resource and nature preserve. How lucky we are today, for those foresightful people who knew that this treasure needed protection. Thanks to them this is a refuge not only for wildlife but for anyone wishing for a breath of solitude in the midst of a busy life.

Just Before Dawn  16x20

Art Festival Preview IV

Here is yet another morning view in Laguna Beach. This time it's Fisherman's Cove. The rocks at first light absolutely glow as if they are on fire. It only lasts for a very few minutes, and is so amazing!

Fisherman's Cove Morning  8 x 10 inches

Art Festival Preview III

Here is another little piece from Laguna Beach...and another backlit one looking toward Main Beach from below Heisler Park. I love the silhouettes of the cliffs and gazebo against the coastal mountains of Laguna...adding the birds is my fancy.

Morning Flight 8 X 10 inches

Art Festival Preview II

I had meant of course to be posting regularly as I kept painting, aiming to reach my goal by mid May. Well I've finally finished the number of paintings I set out for myself and feel more ready to start this up again. We are still behind in photographing, but I hope to take care of that this weekend. I've 3 more paintings properly catalogued though so I'll post those for now.
This first one is a little dawn photo at Shaw's Cove in Laguna Beach looking south.