No Hands Morning 9x12

American River #9 8x10

near Euchre Bar 8x10

When I was painting this I heard a large body crashing through the gully to my right. At first I didn't see anything but the noise persisted and as I looked again I saw a large bear come lumbering out into the gully bottom. It looked pretty big to me and I was glad that for once I was painting near my car. I figured I would have enough time to load my gear and make my escape should I hear it approaching up the hill. I ended up not hearing or seeing it again.

No Hands Bridge #16 12x9

Giant Gap 12x9

I painted this looking downstream from near the Euchre Bar trail head on the north fork,

Lake Natoma #11 8x5

I ended up not having any time to paint while I was in Santa Barbara on my little vacation. It's probably a good thing. I think I needed a little break. I'm going to be concentrating on landscapes for most of the summer.

No Hands Bridge #15 8x10

I started this one yesterday afternoon. I went down to the confluence with Frank Ordaz and his friend Mick McGinty. Unfortunately I could only stay for about an hour and a half. It was perfect weather painting in the shade of the highway 49 bridge with a couple of great guys. I wish I could have stayed longer!
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American River rain 10x8

I did this one for the Fair Oaks paint out. It was raining pretty hard so I stood under a bridge.

under Sunrise 8x10

No Hands Bridge #14 12x9

It was a fantastic day at the river. Just cool enough to keep the crowds at bay.

American River #8 8x6

Clementine Dam #3 10x8

I met my friend Frank Ordaz in Auburn and we went out to Clementine. The vantage point that I selected was a lot closer than what I usually choose. It was a pretty challenging view to paint from. I'm going to have to try it again some time.

rainbow Bridge #6 9x7

No Hands Bridge #13 8x10

No Hands Bridge #12

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No Hands Bridge #11

I met my friend Frank down at the confluence today. Painting is usually a solitary activity for me so it's a rare treat when there's company. The light was good as was the conversation. Franks is a nice guy and a fine painter. His blog is well worth checking out.

rock study #2 10x8

Some more rocks near the Rainbow Bridge.

rock study 8x6

These rocks are just below the old Rainbow Bridge in Folsom. I've seen them a thousand times. The other day I was returning from painting in a different spot when I saw them with the late afternoon sun hitting them from the side.

No Hands Bridge #10 8x10

I was hiking around looking for another vantage point on this subject and I came up with this. At some point I want to get here in the morning so I can paint this under different lighting conditions.
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American River #7 6x8

I've painted from this spot before but this is the first time I've done it with the sun at my back. The light made it more challenging and I find that I'm struggling a bit with landscapes in general right now. I know it's because I haven't been out regularly. There are a couple of plein air events that I want to do in the next couple of months so I'll be making a point of painting outside as often as possible in the near future.