As we hiked our way down the coast yesterday, I made a lot of mental notes for today’s paintings. Yesterday was for reconnaissance and smaller, quicker paintings. Today was time to get to work on some larger vistas. This was a scene that really struck me the day before. A sweeping view, punctuated by triple exclamation points in the solitary yucca, the jutting rock by the trail, and the old lighthouse barely visible in the distance. In the strong morning wind, I set about painting this larger 20″ x 16″ on location from this steep bluff beside the trail, carefully dodging poison oak, and thoughtfully weighting down every element of my supplies to keep them from blowing over the edge. I’d seen this spot in the afternoon light the day before, but had no idea what a treat it would be to paint here now. There is something so good and right about a crisp morning light.
Punctuation Marks
Artwork Information:
Artwork Title: "Punctuation Marks"
Original Size: 20" x 16"
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Year Painted: 2019
Additional Artwork Information:
Method: Plein Air
Date Painted: 08/14/2019
Region: Northern California > The California Coast > Humboldt
Artwork Logistics:
Travel Logistics: Backpacking with Too Much Gear
Miles Hiked: Over 10 Miles
Hiking Terrain: Trudging Through Soft Sand, Deep Creek or River Crossing
Geological Hazards: Steep or Unstable Cliffs, Awkward Footing on Uneven Terrain
Biological Hazards: High Grass- Tick Country!
Weather Logistics: Painted in Heavy Winds, Painted in Stupid Strong Wind that I had No Business Trying to Paint In, Painted in Full Sun with no Shade
Temperature: Uncomfortably Warm
Tags: DRY GRASS, YUCCA, WHITECAPS, VIEWS FROM HIGHER GROUND, TRAILS, SUCCULENTS, STEEP CLIFF FACES, PLACES NOBODY MIGHT HAVE EVER STOOD AND PAINTED BEFORE, BENDING LINES OF SWELL, EVERGREENS, FOG BANKS, LIGHTHOUSES, LOOKING DOWN FROM STEEP CLIFFS, MORNING LIGHT, ROCKS, PATHS, MOUNTAIN LION COUNTRY, ON THE ROCKS