The weather forecasters said it ould rain all week.   They lied.   (My husband says that it's the only job he know where you can get it "wrong" half the time and still keep your job.)  Of course they only lied a little and I was happy to have a few days to get out and walk, to paint and to enjoy friends.   I'm also happy they were right about the rain being here...  We actually have had some days of rain which we in Southern California desperately need.

On Wednesday it was clear and I decided to take my almost four mile round trip down the hill and back.  I always enjoy my walk but on beautiful days it's always better.  When I got back I felt great and I still had a few hours before I needed to pick up Tyler so I grabbed some food from the fridge and headed back to
Caballero Canyon.  I had planned to paint in a spot that I've painted many times before.  There are some really interesting rocks that have been worn into balls over the years by running water.   But instead I wandered up a small canyon off the main trail and found this beautiful hidden sycamore.  I really couldn't catch it either by photo or, frankly with my little 6x8 sketch, but I just loved the way the light hit the leaves and branches.  Some of the white branches shone brightly in the sun while others were very very dark... probably still wet from Monday's drenching.

It was a nice day... I got home in time for my "blue boy" after school ... He had painted his hair blue for "Crazy Hair Day".    Ain't he cute???

I've been working hard on my urban scenes.   I think I've got some interesting paintings which I will share when I'm finished with most of them...   Six of them are pretty much finished now and I'm working on two others that I've started.  Two or three are still in my mind... LOL.

Thursday I traveled with my painting friend Annie Hoffman and my art teacher friend, Johanna Spinks, to Santa Barbara.   We drove up to see the beautiful Figurative Work at the Waterhouse Gallery.  We got there early.. did some shopping... then went to the show.  We oohhhhed and awwed and each of us tried to pick our favorites... too hard, I'm afraid.  Many had been sold and were no longer on the walls, but there was enough beauty there to keep us occupied for quite a good time.  After that we went to a few more galleries and had lunch and headed back.  We had a great day talking about life and art.

Hope you've enjoyed your week... I have!!