Clouds Of Spring 16x12 pastel

 

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lately I've done more plein air painting and It's been very rewarding. It's always an added bonus when the painting itself turns out and for the most part, they have been lately. Recently I find that I've missed connecting with my surroundings and nature. For me this also means our creator. I can speak about it in words but that would take forever in a misguided and clumsy attempt at articulating many strong feelings about our world. Painting is my attempt at saying what I feel. At times my attempt will fall short but the intention and practice are what is important and this is what grounds me and keeps me connected and whole. 

October Morning At The Lower Corral 14x11 pastel

Price On Request

A cool morning painted on location at one of my favorite locations in The Eastern Sierra.

Flowing The Trough The Fields 11x14 pastel

Available. Price On Request.

Autumn In The High Country 24x18 pastel

Price On Request

Little Lakes Valley is an amazing high elevation section of the Eastern Sierra above Rock Creek Canyon. For years my family has spent time hiking and fishing in this area. It was and continues to be these experiences and that fuel my desire to express the beauty and majesty of this land. 

Carmel Shoreline 14x11 pastel

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This pastel was one of several I worked on for the 2018 Carmel Art Festival. I was unable to finish it on location so I added the finishing touched here in the studio. The importance is to hold on to the spontaneity and freshness that is created while working on location and not overdevelop the work into a studio painting. Always a challenge. 

Pebble Beach Glare 14x11 pastel

Price On Request

This pastel captures a brief moment of sunlight on an mostly cloudy afternoon. I painted this during the 2018 Carmel Art Festival.

Morning Light In Spring 18x24

 

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This pastel is a portrait of the California countryside. I like to emphasize light and atmosphere in my work to help create a stronger sense of place. In this particular situation the morning fog has just recently lifted leaving the air cool and the ground still wet. 

"Point Lobos" 18x24 pastel

Price on request 

I have spent quite a bit of time on the trail that passes by this scene and it never gets old. On one of my latest visits the fog had just lifted and the light was filtering through the trees. The gnarled branches, twisting and turning each finding there own way to catch the suns rays.  I am always interested in atmosphere and the different ways the light shows through fog and moist air. The combination of shapes and light are unforgettable for this painter. This pastel will be on display and for sale at the San Dimas Festival Of Arts. April 27th - 29th 2018.

"Morning At Garrapata" 18x24 pastel

Price On Request

This piece is just off the easel. We are getting some much needed rain here so it's a good time to work in the studio.

"Radiance And Rythm" 12x18 pastel

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Available through The Garden Gallery In Half Moon Bay, Ca. (650) 712-7777

Capturing a special moment in time can be a challenge when painting landscapes or seascapes. When painting waves, especially while painting on location, this is even more challenging due to the ever changing shapes, light and color. I find that when I paint waves it becomes more of an expression of how I feel about light and less a copy of a scene and this is always my goal regardless of what subject I am painting. 

"The Edge Of The Forest" 12x9 pastel

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This plein air pastel was completed last summer during a visit to the Eastern Sierra. The small cabin was used by my brother when he worked at Rock Creek Lodge back in the day.

Autumn Storm Eastern Sierra 18 x24 pastel

Price On Request

Autumn is certainly a favorite time of the year for me. The location is near mammoth Lakes California. If I am lucky, and my painting trip is timed just right, a storm will blow through creating these special scenes. This pastel is available through Del Monte Fine Art,
Carmel, California. 813-626-1100

Autumn Morning Owens Valley 18x24 pastel

Price On Request

This pastel painting is available through Del Monte Fine Art, Carmel Ca. 831-626-1100

"Upper Gem Lake" 8x10 Pastel

Price on Request

On my latest trip to the High Sierra I hiked into Little Lakes Valley to paint. It has been years since I have seen the gems and it was as beautiful as I remembered. This was my attempt to capture it. 

"Summer Evening In Bishop" 18x24 pastel

Price On Request

This pastel painting is available through Del Monte Fine Art, Carmel Ca. 831-626-1100

For those that know me, it is no secret that I love the Eastern High Sierra. Much of my work is derived from or painted directly in this area. This love comes from years of traveling up highway 395 on my way to one of my favorite locations of which there are many. 

"Falling Into Winter" 18x24 Pastel

2400. Sold

This pastel was one of the paintings displayed at the Mono Arts Council Labor Day Arts Festival

in Mammoth Lakes.

I am happy to say it found a new home there.

"Bright Summer Morning At Rock Creek" 14x11 pastel

1200.

This pastel was the first demonstration at my recent plein air workshop I taught in the eastern sierra. The location is the Lower Corral near the Rock Creek Lodge. I am already looking forward to getting back up there this Fall. 

"Riverbend At Rock Creek" 11x14 pastel

1200.

I recently taught a plein air pastel painting workshop at a long time favorite location in the Eastern Sierra. This pastel was the second of two demos for the group. Although I have painted in this area many times before, I continue to find new compositions to show the beauty of Rock Creek and surrounding areas.

"What Are They Growing In There?" 12x16 pastel

1400

I've driven through the Pacheco Pass many times on my way to and from Southern California and I've always wanted to stop and paint there. It is mostly agricultural farmlands with barns and a variety of out buildings.  I was in the area participating in a plein air event so I decided to finally go check it out and I'm so pleased I did. This scene with the green houses caught my attention. This pastel received an honorable mention at the Los Gatos Plein Air Festival.

"Evening Calm Vasona Park" 16x12 pastel

 1400.

I recently participated in The Los Gatos Plein Air Festival. This painting was one of several created during the event. Thank you to the Los Gatos Morning Rotary for an outstanding and successful event once again.

"Afternoon At Whaler's Cove" 11x14 pastel

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This pastel was another completed at the Carmel Plein Air Festival. I was on my way to another scene until I turned around and saw this. I stayed at Point Lobos to paint for most of the event and saw many other painting possibilities. It really is an amazing place.

"Point Lobos Paradise" 11x14 pastel

1200. Sold

This pastel was the second painting of the morning at Point Lobos during the recent Carmel Plein Air Festival. After completing "Path Of Light" my previous post, I switched directions to the north east and painted this scene. It sure is nice when a place has so many options that you can find a potential painting everywhere you look. That is, if you have had a good nights sleep the night before.

"Path Of Light" 16x12 pastel and Getting Enough Sleep

2200. Sold

A couple of weeks ago. I participated in The Carmel Art Festival. This was my fifth year participating in this plein air juried event. The weather was pretty amazing as it was sunny the entire time. After checking in on Wednesday evening, I met my good friend and talented watercolorist Rolf Lygren at Sobranes Point to paint for a couple of hours. When we arrived, it was of course beautiful. There was no shortage of opportunity for making something happen, so we both found our spots and proceeded to paint. Immediately I began wrestling with the composition feeling I had bitten off more than I could manage. I found it very difficult to concentrate and remain focused and the more I pressed on, the worse I was feeling. Blocking in my painting seemed to be impossible. "What was wrong?" I couldn't see values and my drawing was off. After an hour or so of this battle I decided to change things up. Why not? I could do that. I then wiped off my board and began to work on a different scene. I needed to pick something simple and proceeded on my next attempt. This ended up being another battle. I struggled to draw the shapes to block in. After a couple of attempts I stepped back and realized something else was interfering. I was exhausted. That was all it was. The night before arriving in Carmel was at best six hours of sleep, followed by a six and a half hour drive but I have made this drive before and painted afterwards with no problems. I never before realized and was able to identify the importance of sleep as much a this. Sure it happened before but not like this. That evening I was in bed pretty early and I got a good solid night sleep.

The following morning I was firing on all cylinders. I was alert and ready to paint and I felt good. The painting above was my first painting of the day created at Point Lobos. After about two hours of working on this piece, I shifted my attention to the left and painted another scene in about an hour and a half. I was tired after this but it was different now. I knew that I just needed a break and lunch and I would be good to go in the afternoon. Everything went well that day and I owe it all to getting a good night sleep.

"Path Of Light" received three awards. "Best Pastel," "People's Choice" award and "Artist's Choice" Award." I am thrilled and honored. On to the next painting.

"Golden Cove" 14x18 pastel

 "Golden Cove" 14x18 pastel  was juried into the California Art Club Exhibition titled "Quintessential California."

Update: This pastel is now available through The Garden Gallery In Half Moon Bay,

California. 650-712-7777

"Snow Showers" 18x24 pastel

2400. Sold

This pastel was a finalist In the BoldBrush Painting Competition. It is on display at the San Dimas Festival Of Art On April 28th -30th.

http://sandimasarts.org/

"Spring Morning" 8x10 pastel

500. framed + tx. Available Through Judith Hale Fine Art 805-686-2322

I have had the pleasure of painting on location lately. Maybe I should say that differently because although I have enjoyed being out of the studio, the painting experience is not always fun. Ok, it is difficult most of the time, at least for this artist. Being outside and enjoying the beauty around me makes up for any difficult painting experience and whether or not the painting is successful, it is always good practice.

"Terranea Morning" 8x10 pastel

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500. framed + tx. Available Through Judith Hale Fine Art 805-686-2322

3-10-17 - Wednesday morning I painted at Terranea Resort along the Palos Verdes coast here in

Southern California. It's a great location to spend some time. I'm going back soon.

"Signs Of Spring" 6x8 pastel

350. + tx. framed - Sold

Another recently painted plein air piece done at Madrona Marsh. It's raining today but I have a feeling I'll be heading back again this week for more. stay tuned.

I will be teaching pastel workshop on Saturday, April 15th  from 9:30a.m. to 3:00p.m. at Destination Art In Torrance, California. for more information please click here. https://mancusofineart.com/workshops

"Morning Breeze Madrona Marsh" 6x8 pastel

350. + tx. framed

This is another small plein air piece painted at Madrona Marsh in Torrance. Spring is a wonderful time to paint there because there is an abundance of water everywhere attracting the birds and wildlife. Never a dull moment when painting on location.

"After The Morning Rain" 6x8 pastel

350. + tx. framed

I have been spending some time painting at Madrona Marsh Wildlife Preserve lately and after  time working in the studio, I was happy to get outside and work directly from nature.  On this particular morning, it was raining and the rain stopped long enough for me to work on this small piece.

"Meandering Through Autumn Fields" 8x6 pastel

350. + tx.framed Sold

It was cold, the sun was setting and the moon was rising as I came across a creek that was hiding in the field. I happened to be at the right place at the right time.

"Morning Fields" 6x8 pastel

350. + tx framed       Sold

While on an autumn painting trip in the eastern sierra, I awoke early enough to watch a storm develop over the mountains. I photographed enough of the area to compose this small piece. It is actually a study for a larger pastel I am currently finishing.  This scene is located just outside of the town of Bishop, California.

"Evening On Rock Creek" 8"x6" pastel

 

350. + tx.framed

This is a small study for a larger piece that is currently being worked on. At this point I really like this one and I'm hoping the larger piece will be as successful. The location is Rock Creek in The Eastern High Sierra.

Offshore Breeze Palos Verdes 18x14 pastel

1600. Sold

I have been fascinated by waves since my days back in elementary school at American Martyrs. Back then I remember drawing them on my folders and notebooks, on all paper and even on the formica desktop. I guess it should come as no surprise that I am still amazed by them all these years later.

"Portuguese Point And Abalone Cove" 14x11 pastel

1200. Sold

Available through The Garden Gallery In Half Moon Bay

http://artonmain.com/

The recent rains have cleared the air and it has been great to leave the studio and paint on location. I painted this at Palos Verdes. Contact me directly for purchase information.

"The Tide And Tempest" 24x18 pastel

Price upon Request.

Available through Del Monte Fin Art. 

831-626-1100

"Rushing In" 12x18 pastel

1600. Sold

Available through The Garden Gallery

http://artonmain.com/

This pastel was selected to be part of the "Rejoice In Art" exhibit In Redondo Beach California.

The reception is from 5pm - 7pm on October 14th At Riviera United Methodist Church In Redondo Beach California. 375 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90277.

"Mayflies and Mosquitoes" 16x12 pastel

1200. Sold

This scene caught my attention on a walk last summer in the high sierra. After dinner my wife and i took the pond loop, as it's known near Rock Creek Lodge. A short hike that takes you through forest and meadows around a small lake in the Eastern Sierra. As i checked to see if there were any trout in the water I became aware of a mayfly hatch and of course from a flyfishing perspective, it was an entertaining little display with an occasional mosquito interruption. It was a wonderful little bit of slowing down just enough to appreciate natures simple beauty.

"October In Round Valley" 20x16 pastel

1800. Sold
Available through my studio.

Last October I spent some time painting in the Eastern Sierra. The time is always well spent but never long enough. I once again experienced perfect weather. For me that means partly cloudy blustery weather with dramatic skies. I love this time of the year because the of the complimentary color palette and longer shadows. It is also a time of transition between summer and winter. It seems that time slows just a bit and that is comforting to me. A time to take stock and be thankful for the simple things that bring joy.

"Springtime At The Pacific" 20x16 Oil

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A Departing Storm.

"December Light" 11x14 pastel

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Available through

The Garden Gallery In Half Moon Bay

http://artonmain.com/

 As a youngster I was always drawing waves. In school I was the artist in the class and was continually called upon to help with drawing something and when it was a wave as often was the case, I was delighted. Growing up close to the ocean has had a profound effect on my ideas for paintings.

"River Of Fire" 6x6 Oil

 350.

This is a view of the upper Owens River in The Eastern Sierra. A new small painting for the Small Works Show at Judith Hale Gallery in Solvang Antiques, Solvang, California. 805-686-2322.

I will be demonstrating on Saturday, December 3, 2016.

"Color Of Autumn" 14x11 Pastel

800. framed -Sold

I recently taught a workshop in Bishop California. A fun time with great folks! 

This was the demonstration painting. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this.

"Golden Morning" 11x14 pastel

1200

This is a scene located in Rock Creek Canyon in the Eastern Sierra. 

"Sunrise On Mount Whitney" 14x11 Oil

800. Sold

I travel up highway 395 a few times or more each year and if my timing is right, I manage to pass through the town of Lone Pine at sunrise. It's amazing to witness the High Sierra waking up.