...coastal harvest 2014.

Fort-seven miles south of San Francisco along the coast are fields of strawberries. Farther south are more. Swanton Berry Farms and Coastway Farms grow berry varieties from there to Santa Cruz. This spot is close yet remote. I've chosen this location to interpret because of what I find to be an uncanny juxtaposition between the toil of field labor and a glorious ocean view. This charcoal drawing is a compositional study for the painting that will follow and will be my first harvest painting of 2014. 

I intend to create two versions but of different sizes. One is a commission which will hang above the fireplace below. For them I had my small paint study blown up to see how it might impact the space. 

Now it's time to proceed with the painting itself.

fragrant cloud rose

The scent given by the Fragrant Cloud rose is one of the most pleasing to experience. The flower itself is a fantastic visual treat and it's beauty is matched by its own perfume. It's impossible to capture the rare aroma it exudes through my art. It's not a rose. It's paint. Still I was compelled to honor this flower just the same. I've reworked this painting several times and finally it is complete as the composition above. Fragrant Cloud, 24"x24" oil on canvas.