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This painting is a 24x24 oil that I did several years ago. I thought it was appropriate to this story.

I just returned from a trip to southern California – mostly to visit family, but also to spend a little quality time with my husband. We stayed at a cute little hotel right on the water in Laguna Beach.  We had anticipated cocktails on our deck overlooking the ocean, romantic sunsets, maybe a little dip into the Pacific. What we got was the marine layer. For those of you unfamiliar with this effect, it is a thick blanket of fog that descends on the coast at night, but then burns off by mid-to-late morning. Normally. But the days we stayed in Laguna, the marine layer clung stubbornly, allowing us one 20 minute glimpse of the sun. Tank tops and bathing suits never unpacked… we were glad we had the foresight to bring sweat shirts and long pants!

But the beach did offer a consolation prize; we had the place to ourselves, and I spent time wandering the beach looking for – and finding – sea shells, coral and rocks. All of which I had to leave, because you aren’t allowed to take any of these things from the beach. The water was relatively calm. During one brief lifting of the layer, we could see waves breaking far out on the horizon; a brilliant stripe of white contrasting against the dark gray of the sky and water.

I brought my painting gear with me, hoping to get in some plein air painting on the beach. I did try on Tuesday, painting the view of thick gray from our deck.  I have to admit, I was not inspired to paint what I saw – no color, no contrast, no shapes. The vision of the brief moment when we could see the horizon still dances in my head, and I’m thinking I may try to paint it.

I did spend a lot of time walking through the many wonderful galleries in town (by myself – my hubby gets bored after two galleries – and so he headed up to the music store in town!) – one of my favorites was Studio 7 Gallery  - a co-op gallery of 14 Laguna plein air artists. The work was fresh and well-done. I met Dorothy Cavanagh - and enjoyed talking with her for quite some time. Another favorite was the Sue Greenwood Fine Art Gallery – there were a few artists represented that paint in a very intuitive style.

One thing I noticed – a lot of very sophisticated, somewhat avant garde artwork. Yes, there were galleries with landscapes, and galleries with quasi European art (think Lavender fields and red tile roofs…) but – LOTS of galleries with more abstract, cutting edge art. I didn’t see a lot of wild life art, but did find this: 

Hmmm, the bison reminds me a little of… me!  It is a painting by Brenda K. Bredvik, and I saw it in Pacific Edge Gallery.

So, despite the uninspiring weather, the art in the galleries was very inspiring and I returned home raring to paint! The Owl below was one I started before leaving for California, and I was pleased when I saw it sitting on my easel in my studio. With a few minor additions, it seems finished. I also started a new Bison painting, which has a little ways to go. I’m hoping one or both will be done in time to enter into the Western Spirit Art show. I’ve got one more week before the deadline!

"The Gift", 18x24 Acrylic WIP                       "Untitled" 20x20 Acrylic WIP