"Lancaster Poppies"6 x 8 inches, oil painting of California poppies on plein air panel

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of going out to the Antelope Valley to paint the California poppies during their short bloom season. I used my Strada Easel, which sets up quickly and efficiently, not wasting any of the precious late afternoon light.  The California poppy fields were very colorful although not the best year on record. The Lancaster Poppy Reserve had relatively few blooms compared to some of the areas outside, where I set up to paint. 

This painting is available now, please write for purchase information.  See more of my work on my website,   KarenWinters.com.   Click here to see only my other wildflower paintings.

Pasadena Colorado Street Bridge Arroyo Seco Painting - by California impressionist Karen Winters

Arroyo Panorama
12 x 24 inches
oil on canvas

Last week I had the pleasure of painting this panorama of the Arroyo Seco from a vantage point high above the canyon. I wanted the late afternoon look, so I had to work fast. As it turned out, I left the painting of the sky and foreground for later, concentrating on the trees, grasses, mountains and architecture as the sun relentlessly continued its course. It's an interesting time of year. Not all of the deciduous trees have leaves yet - but the grass is thick and abundant, and bright yellow green. In a few months the vivid green will turn straw brown and there will be a solid canopy of leafy trees below. Every season brings its own beauties to enjoy. I'm guessing that I could look at a plein air painting of an early California impressionist and pretty well guess the month it was painted if I knew the location.

My husband shot a little bit of video as I painted, which I've included here:



I've spoken to several people recently about painting the view from a favorite spot of theirs - their back yard, a favorite camping spot, and other locations. I am happy to do plein air paintings on commission and welcome your inquiry. Write karen@karenwinters.com

California Plein Air Oil Painting - Temecula Vineyard - Falkner Winery

"A Very Good Year"
8 x 10 oil on linen panel
by California plein air impressionist Karen Winters

Plein air California impressionist oil painting painted on location in Temecula California in November 2009. Golden afternoon light touches the vines which were turning fall colors. Not far away, down in the vineyard, a wedding was taking place. What a beautiful setting for romance. I hope to paint a scene like that soon.

More about this painting at My primary art blog

Rialto Theater paint out - South Pasadena Plein Air painting with the California Art Club

"The Rialto"
9 x 12
plein air oil painting on panel

SOLD

Last Sunday, a group of 30 or more plein air painters affiliated with the California Art Club gathered together in South Pasadena for a paint-out at the venerable Rialto Theater, which has fallen into disrepair in the past few years. The paintings which we created will be sold and a portion of the proceeds will go to restoring The Rialto to its former glory. Some of us also painted other scenes of South Pasadena, which I will be posting here and on My Gallery website.

Paintings can be seen tomorrow night at the Collectors' Preview in the Community Room of the So. Pasdena Library, on El Centro Street.

I arrived at the event in the afternoon and caught the building in partial shade from across the street.

Although there were promos on the marquee for movies and theater rentals, I opted to leave it empty so that a potential purchaser could always imagine their favorite flick playing there, and relive some fond memories.

Some of the paintings presented will be chosen to be in a show in the SoPas gallery. Details are here.