Asilomar – Monterey seascape plein air oil painting – California impressionist art

Asilomar Waves (Near Pacific Grove, Monterey Peninsula, California)
8 x 10 inches, plein air oil painting

In the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to travel up and down California’s west coast, enjoying the spring wildflowers and the clear skies over the oceans. One of my favorite painting spots is Asilomar, near Pacific Grove, on the Monterey Peninsula. My little Strada mini easel set up so quickly I was painting in no time. Whenever I paint ocean scenes, it takes more time to get into the rhythm of the scene. With other landscapes there’s little movement except for perhaps cloud shadows. The ocean is a whole different challenge and its dynamic nature takes more concentration.

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Bishop poplars – California eastern sierra Mt. Tom autumn oil painting

“Bishop Poplars, 2014”
14 x 18 oil on canvas

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We try to visit the eastern Sierra every fall/winter … sometimes several times if we can. One of the highlights is seeing the cottonwoods and poplars turning gold in the area near Swall Meadow/ Round Valley, just to the north and west of Bishop. In this painting, the iconic triangular Mt. Tom can be seen in the distance.

Batiquitos Mist – miniature California lagoon landscape oil painting

Batiquitos Mist
5 x 7 inch oil painting on plein air panel

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This miniature oil painting features a part of the Batiquitos lagoon near Carlsbad, California. The mist was hanging around the water on this cool day, and I loved the atmosphere it created. Miniatures make great Christmas presents.
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Gold Rush Country Ranch California landscape oil painting

Gold Rush Country Ranch
20 x 24 inches
oil on canvas

SOLD, but I have more paintings of California’s rolling hills at karenwinters.com

This new painting depicts a ranch on highway 49, not far from Murphys, California. There was something about the sculptural mass of the big oak tree that really spoke to me. Although I most commonly paint eucalyptus, I find live oak trees irresistible as well. I haven’t spent as much time painting Gold Rush country as I have the eastern Sierra and California’s Central Coast, but it’s really starting to grow on me. Maybe it’s all that gold?

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California impressionist landscape “Oaks Guarding Oranges” backroad oil painting

“Oaks Guarding Oranges”
9 x 12 oil painting
California Central Coast, near Cayucos
Available

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Through the years, some of our most enjoyable travels have been along the many backroads that criss cross California. This small road goes inland from Cayucos, just a little north of Morro Bay. Closer to the water, the marine layer softens all the edges. The fog is soft and gray. As we drive inland, the fog burns off and takes on other colors. There are many orange and avocado groves along these country roads, which proves that the area does not often get frost. But it is hot as blazes in the summer. We will commonly see eucalyptus trees used as windbreaks to protect orange groves, but along this road the California live oak trees were doing the job.

Maui Hawaii oil painting, Napili Bay Waves

Napili Beach Waves, Maui, Hawaii
16 x 20 inches
oil on canvas
Available

This painting comes from our vacation in Hawaii last year, where we enjoyed some time on Maui as well as Kauai. Napili Bay is a lovely lagoon on West Maui, a little north of Lahaina. It features a beautiful soft sandy beach, tide pools, shallow water for wading and excellent snorkeling. Across the bay you can see the island of Molokai, which I featured in this painting. I’m guessing that this is a popular wedding destination, it’s so beautiful.

What attracted me to this scene, other than the gorgeous turquoise water, was the huge thunderhead which was building up over Molokai.

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California eucalyptus sunset lagoon oil painting – Golden Master

“Golden Master” (study)
8 x 10 inches, oil in plein air panel

A stately eucalyptus tree towers over a quiet lagoon in San Diego County (Batiquitos Lagoon)
The master of all it surveys. Golden sunset colors are reflected in sky and distant waters.

This painting is available for sale.

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Spirit of the Sunset – California landscape lagoon oil painting sunset tree reflections

Spirit of the Sunset
18 x 24 inch original oil painting
California Central Coast
Available for sale

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I’m getting a lot of enjoyment from painting reflected trees in still water, like this scene from a California slough. Only a heron stands by to watch the enchantment.

California landscape eucalyptus painting with poppies Scent of Springtime

The Scent of Springtime
8 x 10 oil painting
California Central Coast

I love the contrast of dark green eucalyptus trees and bright wildflowers. This California Central coast scene gave me the opportunity to paint both.

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Pt. Vicente Lighthouse – Palos Verdes California Seascape Oil Painting

“Pt. Vicente Lighthouse – Palos Verdes”
11 x 14 oil painting

The lighthouse at Pt. Vicente is a Southern California landmark in Palos Verdes, just north of San Pedro Harbor. It was constructed in the 1920s, and has served faithfully since that time, guiding boats and ships as they make their passage up and down the coast. The lighthouse was automated in the 1970s, but the original lens still magnifies the beam of light. The Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center, nearby, is a beautiful location for weddings and receptions, with the dramatic lighthouse near by.

There are a multitude of tide pools near by – great for exploring.

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