This is a place, hidden away, and not easy to get down to with my paints and gear. A rocky beach, unspoiled and spectacular. The rock in the right foreground was giving me grief so I added lots of water and brushed the image until it blended, then dabbed in some darks, It came out beautifully. Here, in this place, there is no time, and no thought.
Carmel Beach "Glory"
Walking on Scenic, above the beach, the waves. In my studio, trying to get the feeling of the moment. Painting quickly, several layers, and later finishing the work. It has a simplicity to it.
Leaves
December leaves, carrying bright color, their last great act.
The sun’s descendants.
Scattered yet connected, families.
A Carmel Valley trail littered with shapes to paint.
Peace on the cliffs of Big Sur
A day of peace in Big Sur. Painting and listening. The chance to get out , rare these days. Waves, sound, power, ease of earth breathing.
Ward Lake with the HACK
Ward Lake, once again. This last August, when Dick and I hiked to Ward, it was beautifully still silence. The second day, clouds descended over the mountain. We were prepared with tents but not for hours of hail and rain. The Red Mountain, a familiar backdrop to the lake, stayed lit with sun while grey slowly took over the rest of Ward. This painting was the calm before the storm.
The Beyond
The Beyond is a watercolor inspired by the hike I took on Friday to Timber Top. Straight up from Hwy 1, there are commanding views down the Big Sur Coast. On the ridge I sketched the scene. Lying on my pack, I listened to the wind in the pines. To the sound of the Earth breathing.
Rock Forms --Big Sur
I am mesmerized by this spot. I like painting it. The rock has a language, and the water moves incessantly— ever-changing patterns and arrangements. It is very peaceful and fulfilling, something very primeval about it.
Camping with Dave on the Smith River
My brother Dave and I went camping near the Smith River. Wild and free, the emerald river is clarity, energy and sustenance. We hiked into areas of massive old-growth trees along the Smith. In awe!!
Trinity Alps Backpacking
Back to the Trinity Alps after years. A lighter backpack and gear (for me, not necessarily Hackbert). Stark, Granite, Quiet, Huge trees, Rugged clarity. Two days to the lake. Arrived to our favorite campsite under the trees. We swam and got settled—wood, water, fishing gear, sites for sleeping, tents. Lake to ourselves that night, gourmet dinner. The next day opened gloriously, and little did we know !!!!! Ominous clouds hung on granite peaks and darkened until only in the distance could we see a lighter sky. By 3:30 it was raining, then hail and that night we were treated and threatened by Nature’s fury— hours of thunder, lightning and rain. So a number of paintings have been born out of this. The one here is titled: Go get more wood, a storm is coming!!!!!
Dale Laitinen and Gordon Mayfield painting Big Sur
For 3 days Dale and I painted down the Coast. The first day was very windy and on the cliffs we fought the tendency for the paper to dry out too quickly. Dale painted a beautiful painting . The next day we traveled south past Nepenthe and painted in a small grove of trees on the edge of the cliff. Looking down to the sand and rock lost and found in the fog. A fantastic spot, we were surrounded by wave sound and timelessness. Here the fog kept my paints wet and while I waited and waited, I enjoyed my treats from the Big Sur Bakery. I like my painting and as we headed back we thought — a great return spot sometime. The third day was spent at the Ranch, this time down closer to the water, A beautiful day beginning with sun and ending with overcast. I liked the seeming simplicity of Dale’s rocks and rough impressions of water and surf. I was inspired by my Coastal jaunts and weeks later and still painting in the Studio with the water, rock and cliff edges imbedding in my being.
