"Pismo Beach Dunes" ©

Very early in the morning the plant life on the dunes take on a violet hue to match the cold breeze off the ocean.  It is so very quiet, even the waves seem like a hundred miles away.  Standing there painting, I felt like the only person on the earth with a strong sense of timelessness.  

14" X 18", Oil

"Pismo Dunes" © San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival

This plein air painting is a view from the Pismo Dunes looking inland towards the Monarch Grove.  The ocean is to my left across the dunes and sandy beach offering slow rolling waves sparkling in the distance.  What I wanted to capture was the morning light just grazing the distant dunes and trees, from the cool shade of the pines and cypress trees.  This was the largest painting that I created during the San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival.  

Oil on Linen, 16" X 20"

On Friday morning each artist turned in six plein air paintings from the week to the museum staff and chose three to be hung for jurying.  After the exhibition opening night the artists could hang additional artwork to their portion of the walls.  The exhibit was hung beautifully and the staff could not have been more professional in handling the artwork.  It was a real pleasure to participate in the event.

"Monarch Grove" © San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival

Early in the morning I was hunting a painting spot, turned around and spotted this view.  I ran back to my car and gathered up my gear.  Then standing with the ocean singing to me from behind I painted the distant trees where the Monarch butterfly's hang in golden clumps on their journey south.  

My original view long gone with the time passing here is an image of my little set up.  The umbrella is an addition to my standard gear.  For years I used John Cosby's advice of just turning your easel away from the sun, rather then dealing with an umbrella.  My friend Lorelle and I were discussing umbrellas and the advantages and so I thought the San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival would be a super time to try out using an umbrella.  I think from now on it will be a a permanent addition to my gear.  I purchased this one from EasyL and it was a piece of cake to adjust as the sun shifted.  The vents on top help it resist blowing away and there is even a small leash to ty to the tripod leg so if it did start to fly away it wouldn't go far.  This was very comforting painting up on cliff edge tops.  

Oil on Linen,  11" X 14"