Sometimes, instead of going to Mineral King, I stay home and paint it.

Sounds stupid, but it is my business. My mission is to represent, portray and show off the beauty of Tulare County.

As a studio painter, it helps me to be in the studio.

If I painted plein air, I’d be at work instead of on leisure time while in Mineral King. Forget that noise!

This is 3 paintings in progress, working from 2 photos. (The photos are the ones with the completed tall trees.)

This is on a 4×4″ board with a very smooth surface. The smooth surface gives me the option of putting in a ton of detail. It will look sweet sitting on a little easel.

Here are the 2 6×6″ oil paintings that should dry quickly since summer seems to have arrived. The one on the left doesn’t look anemic in real life.

Apparently I got confused as to which photo I was using. When  scene is this familiar, sometimes I forget to look at the reference and just go.

And when I see these as photos, I think they still need more work. Interesting, because I spent HOURS on these. HOURS, I tell you! (And those were hours I could have been relaxing or hiking in Mineral King out of the heat – anyone appreciate my dedication to work here?)