"Hansen Dam Colors"
9" x 12"
Oil on RayMar Linen Panel
I tried to get a friend to paint with me on Tuesday, but got no takers, so I decided to drive out to Hansen Dam in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley by myself. When I was a kid, my mom used to take me horseback riding out there. I also remember joyfully hopping from bog to bog while hunting for pollywogs. I haven't been back to the area in years and years, but my friend, Laura Wambsgans, told me that the trees were turning and I wanted to paint there before the trees shed their fall colors. Actually, I'm not sure they were really that spectacular - there are areas with more color a lot closer to home -, but I did enjoy the outing just the same.
Just as I set up, a man came over to chat. It turned out he was a lifeguard in the area... Apparently there are THREE lake areas.. I was at the wildlife preserve area. His first question was, "Are you any good?"........ Hmmmm... I really wondered what he expected me to say to that question. At the same time I was happy I really hadn't painted anything yet. Apparently he realized how insensitive the question was, and the conversation turned out to be rather nice as we had some things in common.
It was a nice morning except for the curious black ants that kept crawling up my legs, arms and easel. Happily they weren't in the mood to bite, being content just to tickle me, and the more aggressive red ants stayed away. As it began to heat up, I finished up and headed home in time to eat some lunch then pick up Tyler for his Tuesday "early out".
via marianfortunati.com
I especially like your water and reflections--It is a nice painting!
faye