California Painting

Davenport Beach

Golden Gate

Panther Bay

Hi all, just wanted to put these paintings up quickly to give you some idea of what I've been doing over here in California. Right now the plein air convention is still going and this year it's even bigger with what looks to me like over a thousand painters here in beautiful Monterey and again it's such a treat to just see us all together like this but mostly to meet everyone and share stories and to share our passion for plein air painting.

The scenery along the coast here is just outstanding as is the light which is very atmospheric and different from anything in New Zealand. I'm so looking forward to painting Big Sur in the next week and then Yosemite after that, despite the stories of hungry grisly bears, rattlers and cougars I keep hearing :-)

I'll post more later when I have time and probably put another ebook together like the one from Hawaii last year. I'm currently checking out galleries to represent me over here in Carmel to take all my California paintings (which I'm sure there will be many more of) so if you think you know one that might be a good fit please do let me know.

One thing that really stuck with me from the conference was what one speaker said in that we (painters) are all 'artists of our time'. This is our time, right now. We look to the great artists of the past and we look around and wonder who might be the next big thing, but each of us speaks for our time here now and what we have to say about our time as plein air painters is that there is beauty here, there is beauty everywhere and we need to cherish it, to honour it, to share it. We are keepers of beauty and we are givers of beauty and that's a awesome tradition that we are paving the road for painting by painting.

:-) I must be getting tired - starting to philosophise. I'll quit while I'm ahead. Good night all.

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Comment by Jean Sullivan on April 16, 2013 at 11:25: Great philosophy; you can't be that tired. Thanks for all this beauty.

Yosemite will blow you mind as well. We are blessed to live on such a beautiful planet that has places like Yosemite and Monterey and New Zealand and be able to be the painters of our time. If you get a chance and are in the SF Bay area be sure to check out Bodega Bay. It is one of my favorite places when we visit California.

Enjoy.

Comment by David DEntremont on April 15, 2013 at 23:15: Beautiful Paintings Richard! California Dreaming...

Comment by Jennifer Beaudet Zondervan on April 15, 2013 at 16:29: Beautiful thought and beautiful paintings! I was actually just recently thinking about the painters of today's time, and how much an impact they are making. It's a great time to be an artist. Enjoy Big Sur; one of my absolute favorite places. You have to paint the beautiful trees along the rugged coast! I love those trees. I wouldn't worry about the bears! haha They're harmless black bears, but watch out for the mountain lions! Can't wait to see what you beauty you will create.

Comment by Montalvo on April 15, 2013 at 11:44: LOL....and the squirrels.

Comment by Jim Haycock on April 15, 2013 at 4:59: Fantastic paintings, Richard! You've done a brilliant job in capturing the FEELING of those areas as well as the beauty. Good luck in Yosemite! (By the way, the most dangerous critters there are HUMANS -- and their vehicles.)

Comment by Dorian Aronson on April 14, 2013 at 11:34: Spectacular!

Comment by Jessica Futerman on April 14, 2013 at 8:27: Spectacular paintings! The Golden Gate looks amazing - I've only seen it once, but I don't remember it being quite that beautiful!

Comment by Silvana M Albano on April 14, 2013 at 4:45: I think it is. An alternative would be through the email. Good LUCK I hope you get to see and meet all the virtual artists!!!!

Comment by Laura Xu on April 14, 2013 at 4:08: Abosolutely Silvana. Do you know if this is only way to contact Richard through this blog. I hope he has time to read and reply this.

Comment by Silvana M Albano on April 14, 2013 at 3:54: If you get to do so, say Hi to everybody!!!! I'm too far away... but my spirit will be with you!!!! By the way... If you DO MEET... HAPPY PAINTING!