Sycamore Quartet – California landscape painting at the Tejon Ranch
Sycamore Quartet”
12 x 12 inches
Oil on linen plein air panel
Between outdoor shows, travel, commissions and paint outs, I haven’t been taking the time to update my blog, but I’m going to try to get back on top of that. This was painted last week at the Tejon Ranch on a paint out with the Kern County chapter of the California Art Club.
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This grove of sycamores was growing along side a stream bed. I set up my easel near by, taking care to keep a lookout for rattlesnakes. When an artist is concentrating and working in one area for a long time, a snake can quietly move in – even next to your easel, and you wouldn’t know it. The tall grasses are a perfect hiding spot. Fortunately, this was only a broken tree limb (below). But it sure gave me a start for a moment!
When you look at the picture below you might notice that there is no dazzling light. That’s because the ending photo was taken after the moment of light was long gone. When painting outdoors you often have to hold the image in your memory because the light is constantly shifting.
If you’re in the LA area, you are invited to attend the reception for my solo show at Gale’s Restaurant in Pasadena, from 4-6 pm. Gale’s is at 452 S. Fairoaks Avenue, just south of Del Mar. More about the event tomorrow.
Terry Banderas
May 15, 2012
Sycamore Quartet is beautiful. Your use of “light” is amazing. You won’t have much trouble selling this one.
Karen
May 15, 2012
Thank you so much, Terry. It was a real challenge painting the fleeting light (you know how that can be). The silvery bark changed by the minute as the sun lowered. At some point you just have to take a stand and go with it, no matter what the sun’s doing. The painting gets to make some of the decisions.