Yosemite Valley Oil Painting – Wowona tunnel view by Karen Winters


Yosemite Valley
(Wowona Tunnel view)
SOLD
12 x 16 California impressionist oil painting on canvas

See more of my Yosemite paintings here

This painting is now sold, but I have others
Click this link to write me.
See more of my paintings on my website

More Sierra Nevada paintings here

Iconic of California’s Sierra Range, the Yosemite valley is a treasure for all Californians. This painting depicts the valley in the summer, when Bridalveil falls is still putting out an immense volume from the previous year’s snowmelt.

El Capitan can be seen on the left. The Merced River (invisible) flows through the valley but is covered by the trees from this view. Half Dome is visible in the far distance, along with Cloud’s Rest. The large formations in the right foreground are the Cathedral Rocks.

Oak Tree Lighted Path Oil Painting by Karen Winters


“Along the Lighted Path”
11 x 14 oil painting on linen panel

• SOLD to a new collector from San Francisco

Interested in this painting?
Click this link to write me.
See more of my paintings on my website

See more of my landscapes here

From the shelter of an old oak tree, one sees light on the trail beyond. This painting is intended as a metaphor of protection and shelter, with the promise of bright adventures ahead. Or, you can read your own story into it! That’s fine, too. The painting is wet so there’s some glare from the light toward the top.

Speaking of oak trees, and trees in general, Descanso Gardens is now open again and the power is on at the Boddy House – it had been out until yesterday. That means that I will be at the Heritage Gallery in the Boddy House this Saturday and Sunday, if you’ve been planning a visit.

Fall at Convict Lake Eastern Sierra California oil painting by Karen Winters


“Fall at Convict Lake”
12 x 16
oil on canvas

Convict Lake is one of the most accessible High Sierra lakes – and in the fall, when the aspens turn color, it’s especially captivating. Some day I’ll spend the whole day there, just watching the light play across the faces of the granite mountains, as the clouds slowly drift, disappear and reform. I’m not sure what kind of fish were biting that day, but there were a lot of fishermen enjoying the freshness of fall.

Just this side of Paradise – Los Osos Central California plein air oil painting by Karen Winters


SOLD
“Just This Side of Paradise”
8 x 10 inch
Plein air oil painting
Exhibited in the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
during the 2011 Plein Air Festival

Interested in this painting?
Click this link to write me.
See more of my paintings on my website

See more of my California Central Coast paintings here

This painting was done along Los Osos Valley road one morning, as rain clouds were gathering (or leaving) and the sun was trying to break through. I saw this scene while driving and hurried to turn around and park and set up my easel before the effect was lost. I liked the hay bales stacked up by the eucalyptus trees, so I put them in also.

The central peak in the background is one of the 9 sisters – the volcanic plugs which include Morro Rock and Bishop Peak. I think that one is Cerro Romualdo. It’s pyramid-shaped top is swathed in clouds.

The title comes from the fact that Paradise Lane is quite close by. I seem to run into a lot of places named Paradise – like Paradise camp in the Sierra, too.

That Sunset Glow – California landscape eucalyptus oil painting – impressionist art by Karen Winters

“That Sunset Glow”
11 x 14 oil painting
Eucalyptus Trees in California Central Coast


Click this link to write me.

See more of my California Central Coast paintings here

Eucalyptuses resting in a golden field in California’s Central Coast. This is one theme that I will never tire of painting – a location that I saw this past October while painting at the San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival.

Twilight on Back Bay- Los Osos Twilight Central Coast oil painting by Karen Winters

Twilight on Back Bay
9 x 12 oil painting on canvas
SOLD

Interested in this painting?
Click this link to write me.
See more of my paintings on my website

See more of my California Central Coast paintings here

See more of my Morro Bay and Morro Rock paintings here

I’m still catching up posting some of the paintings I did during the San Luis Obispo paint out early in October. This is one of my favorite semi-nocturnes, painted while the sun was in a cloud bank and was in the process of setting. Within a few minutes the sun emerged from the clouds and the whole scene was bathed in warm rosy hues, which I captured very rapidly. Then the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness came quickly.

As you can see in the photo below, I am literally standing in the marshy estuary. The prominent mountain in the distance is Hollister Peak. This work in progress photo was taken while the sun was in the cloud bank.

California Central Coast oil painting “The Kitchen Garden” – Los Osos – by Karen Winters

“The Kitchen Garden”
9 x 12 oil painting

See more of my California Central Coast paintings here

Interested in this painting?
Click this link to write me.
See more of my paintings on my website

While I was in San Luis Obispo County for the Plein Air Festival this year, I saw this charming rural scene down a side road in Los Osos. The red barn style house provided a beautiful contrast to the vibrant green eucalyptus trees, and I liked the small vegetable garden growing nearby. It took me back to early California days, a bit of the past still thriving in the present.