Monday, March 28, 2011

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco


Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
11x14 original oil painting SOLD

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco was originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in order to exhibit works of art.  Bernard Maybeck designed the Palace of Fine Arts and was inspired by Greek and Roman architecture. The 1100 foot pergola and central rotunda were built around a lagoon which provides a mirrored surface to reflect the grand buildings.

The painting above was painted plein air at the Palace of Fine Arts.  I painted with my friend Camilla, on an unusually sunny day, with clear blue skies.  Capturing the perspective of the corinthian columns was a challenge, as well as the gold color of the rotunda dome.  This 11x14" painting is available framed.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Cattle Grazing in the Stanford Hills


Cattle Grazing in the Stanford Hills
8x10 original oil painting, SOLD

For many years I've admired the paintings of the "Society of Six." They were a group of plein air painters who worked in the Oakland area when it was still rural.  In 1917 the artists formed an association called the Society of Six.  I especially like the paintings by Selden Gile of cows in pastures.  Take a look at the paintings by the Society of Six, I've added a link under "websites and blogs."

For the painting above, I took photos of the cattle grazing as I was walking along the Alpine trail. The cattle seem to roam pretty freely in the Stanford Hills.  They are out in the winter when the grass is green, but then in the summer when the grass is golden, they seem to disappear, off to other pastures.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Morning Light on the Alpine Trail


Morning Light on the Alpine Trail
8x10 original oil painting
SOLD

Hiking the Dish (an old radio telescope) in the Stanford Hills is a popular way to exercise. There are amazing views of the Stanford Hills and the Bay.  From the highest points you can see all the way across the San Mateo bridge or into the City.

My painting shows a view along the Alpine trail, as you walk up through a grove of trees, with the Santa Cruz mountains in the background.  You can see part of an old fence that might have been used for the cattle grazing on the land. As you turn the corner and come out of the trees you start the steep climb to the Dish.