Soka University Overlook

Soka Valley View

6" X 6" Pastel on Panel

available: bobbi@bobbibina.com

6" X 6"  format paintings have become a fun new challenge for a lot of painters lately. This is my first attempt at this size and I found the format a bit difficult to design a good composition. I'll definitely do more though as it's a quick way to capture an outdoor moment. This was painted on the beautiful grounds of the Soka University in Orange County, CA. Will definitely go back here for more painting opps.

Crystal Cove Cottage

Beach Days Bygone

oil on panel, 12 X 9

Available: bobbi@bobbibina.com

I'm so in love with this beach area of Crystal Cove. Loving the beach activity around me, the views of the distant cliff and all  the old cottages in various states of run down. Scenes of past wild parties in the 20's - 50's. I'll be posting a couple more from this beach soon.

Newport Island Boats

Newport Island Boats

12" x 9" Pastel on board

available: bobbi@bobbibina.com 

Well, I'm considering naming this one "Mast-ectomy" because it's a sailboat with a missing mast. I assume it's in for repairs? Not a boat person so I could use some comment on this. This scene was overwhelming to me. I really had to reduce the detail and focus on the big things. I think I may still have too much detail but I'm still pretty satisfied with the result.

Willow Tree Pastel

Backlit Willow

12" x 9"

available: bobbi@bobbibina.com  

 

seriously late in updating paintings lately. I've been painting but also working and doing quite a bit of figure drawing. Another love of mine! This was a morning paint out at an obscure location in Orange County. I don't think I could find it again! This was actually done in May. Time flies!

Laguna from Treasure Island Park

12" X 9" Watercolor on Arches CP

Available: bobbi@bobbibina.com

Quickly painted in Treasure Island Park in front of the Montage Resort. What a gorgeous find this place is!! The lighting was so magical - overcast but luminous. I returned a few days later to do an oil that is still in process.

Niguel Preserve Overlook

12" X 9" oil on canvas board

available: bobbi@bobbibina.com

Learning the best spots for plein air painting is always a challenge in a new area. I've found that joining up with a class or organized painting groups is key to getting going. I've met a lot of really talented and just plain great people already here in Orange  County. I'm loving this new location!

Strauss Ranch Sycamore

9" X 12" Oil on panel

available: bobbi@bobibina.com

Late in posting this one. Not sure why but I kept looking at it and altering little things.  That's not usually a good thing! I was attracted to the little stream in front of the tree. Most of the water in these parts is all dried up from the scorching summer heat. But this was earlier in the summer after the late, for the season, rains.

Mission Creek Pastel

View to the Mission

pastel on panel, 12" X 16"

available: bobbi@bobbibina.com

This pastel was done in the studio using a combination of photos from Mission Creek, Santa Barbara and Placerita Canyon, closer to home. The lighting and vegetation were remarkably similar. My photos from Mission Creek were a bit too dark and the foliage was too dense to see much in the distance. I took artist license here and "voila"! You can see the Mission in the distance. Actually, I did see it from where I took the real photo but it wasn't working for me in this size and format.

Carpinteria

Carpinteria, Floral Carpet
Oil on panel, 9" X 12"
Available: bobbi@bobbibina.com

Another SCAPE paint-out painting. I started this one and discovered that I was standing in the midst of a tar pit. The infamous Carpinteria Tar Pits are nearby but the tar also seems to ooze out in lots of unsuspecting places. Count one pair of old tennis shoes as victims of this phenomenon! I also visited the nearby Harbor Seal Rookery - fascinating! Hundreds of seals were beached here to give birth to their cubs. Volunteers from the Sea Watch group were there to gave us a lot of information about the seals and their behaviors. Another reason to be in love with this whole area!

Botanical Garden Plein Air

Spring Garden Bloom
Oil on panel, 12" X 9"
Sold

Painted this on a workshop day at the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden with guidance and help of Lynn Gertenbach. Lynn is an awesome professional artist and teacher as well as a super nice person! I met her one day while painting at the King Gillette Ranch on my own. I look forward to many more workshop and casual painting sessions with Lynn as she lives not too far from me. She is a signature member of The California Art Club; Plein-Air Painters Of America; and Oil Painters Of America. Check out Lynn's web site to see her beautiful works.

Santa Barbara-Plein air

Goleta Slough Mustard

Oil on canvas, 10" X 8"

Available: bobbi@bobbibina.com for details.

I have been so lucky to find and participate with the SCAPE painting group. It encompasses two things I am passionate about. Painting and preserving our precious environment. SCAPE = Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment. I've had the pleasure of meeting many new friends and painting companions. It has been a link to several other art opportunities and I am SO grateful for all the new experiences. These people REALLY know where to find inspirational painting spots and it's always beneficial to chat and share with everyone. Thank you SCAPE!

King Gillette Oak

Sunlit Oak
Oil on canvas, 10" X 8"
available, contact: bobbi@bobbibina.com

I've been doing a fair amount of plein air painting in oil recently. This was painted several weeks ago at the King Gillette Ranch. Central California is a great inspiration for this land locked, mid-west born painter. I'm drawn to the coastal areas in particular but living in Valencia and about an hours drive from the coast, I am getting more practice inland. That's not exactly a hardship as the variety and beauty between here and the ocean is phenomenal! I am still finding my way with oil and landscapes but have had some breakthroughs due to watching others with such great skill and just plain "sticking with it" at times. This is one of my earlier attempts. I'll post a few more in the next days.

Countryside near Apt, France

Vineyard Guardian

9 x 12 Pastel
Sold

I've really missed painting in pastel and a painting session in Ojai, CA a couple of weeks ago made realize I just had to return to this medium. It was a great experience with new friends I met after a search for plein air groups in this area. The subject is from a photo taken on a trip to Provance in 2007. This was one of several heart stopping scenes I tried to document with my camera for later interpretation in paint. This painting is now an entry for the Santa Paula Art Show, March 17- April, 7. Anxious to see all the other entries at the opening reception on Saturday, March 27.

Painting is available by contacting me at bstegora@mac.com

San Diego - January

Sunset Cliffs

Watercolor on Arches  12" X 9"
SOLD 

Still find it hard to believe that this is a January scene of the gorgeous coastline area known as Sunset Cliffs. Painted outside for a SDWS event on Saturday morning. And, what a beautiful morning it was to share an outdoor paint out with other San Diego Watercolor Society members. No bugs, No sun screen needed, No wind, No curious tourists, NO SNOW! Perfection.

Sorry, Minnesota friends and family. Wish you were here.  

Watercolor available for sale by contacting me at bstegora@mac.com

New Year, New Moon

New Moon Solitude

8.75 X 6.75

Watercolor on Arches HP

I'm an early riser these days. Never have a problem getting up in the dark since I discovered my favorite morning ritual. Here it is: 20 -30 minutes of meditation, a bit of reading and a pre-dawn walk with my four legged alarm clock, Maddie. This painting attempts to show the beauty of this peaceful time of day. I also thought it an appropriate posting for the new year. Wishing you all peace and beauty in 2009!

This watercolor is available for purchase. Contact me by email at bstegora@mac.com

Road to Vegas

Mohave Joshua Tree

10.75" X 8"

We traveled through this gorgeous desert country on our journey to Las Vegas in early June. As it turned out, that was the most memorable and enjoyable part of the trip. These trees were sprinkled all over the desert landscape. So awesome and foreign a landscape it was that the heat and the desolation sort of scared me. One feels quite vulnerable out here. Pretty opposite the more familiar Minnesota pine forest views. I have several more photos from this area that beg to be done in pastels.

This painting is available for sale. Please contact me at bstegora@mac.com

Beachside Palms

Beachside Palms

10.75" X 8

I don't think this is officially a beach. Maybe more like a picturesque little bay. Painted near the Model Yacht Pond on Vacation Island near Mission Bay, San Diego.  This scene reminds me of old postcards of California in 50's. All that's missing is the "Wish you were here!" swooshed across it. 

This watercolor is available for purchase. Contact me by email at btegora@mac.com 

Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines June

 In Moleskine Sketchbook (5X8)

This is a scene in Torrey Pines State Reserve which is only 20 minutes from our house. I walked several trails looking for the best spot again and got very overheated. Having all my painting gear in a black backpack didn't help. Note to self: Need to simplify my essential painting tools for more remote areas. 

I love these trees. They have loads of character in their twisted trunks and arm-like branches.

This watercolor is available to purchase. Contact me by email at bstegora@mac.com 

Waterfall and Koi pond

Japanese Friendship Garden

Watercolor, 8" X 5"

Well, I'm now seriously behind but will try my best to catch up this week. I am not very happy with this one. Guess I just took this painting beyond the fresh stage. There's always that danger when I finish it up at home. It's always so tempting to try to improve on things but then I loose some of the wonderful spontaneous things that happen on site. Always disappointed later. Note to self - STOP that!

This garden is the most peaceful spot in Balboa Park. Very few visitors possibly because there is an extra admission fee. I just love the meditative atmosphere in here. The Koi are beautiful and the waterfall and landscape are so soothing to all of your senses.

This painting is available. Email me at bstegora@mac.com

Balboa Park Tower

"View from Alkazar Garden"

Watercolor

5" X 8"

Good grief this is harder to to do than I expected, and I did know I'd be time challenged! This was done yesterday from inside Alkazar Garden. Another clear bright sunny day in a gorgeous place.

I'm rushing out with a late start for another painting session. Hope to post it tonight.

The painting is available for sale. Please email me at bstegora@mac.com