Tuesday, September 20, 2011


Pescadero Creek
oil on panel
12" x 24"



Yesterday the coastal fog cleared and I headed down our coast to Pescadero beach which is a beautiful 40 minute drive from my house.  I was hoping to paint a few studies of the rock formations and breaking surf, however there was still a bank of fog hanging right on the beach so any hopes of painting there were soon dashed.  Across the highway, looking east and toward the little town of Pescadero, the fog was thinning over the marshland and the morning sun was just filtering through.  Pescadero Creek was absolutely shimmering sliver against the dark foreground like molten platinum and the effect was magical.  I felt the same exhilaration that  Church, Cole or Bierstadt may have felt more than a century ago as the landscape dances with the perfect light and creates magic.  I made a few quick studies, took notes and absorbed the land.  I finished the painting late last night in the studio, not wanting to let it rest and lose my momentum on the experience.  



9 comments:

  1. And the result is a sublime piece of visual poetry! Beautiful painting Denny.

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  2. I got to see this in person the last two days and it is beautiful. I love these moody coastal scenes.

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  3. Thanks, DLG, did you help hang the show? We're heading over there in a few minutes for the opening.

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  4. I like seeing your new work and seeing the 50 paintings together of the sweets. You are very versatile

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  5. I didn't help hang the show. Michael Risenhoover and Nancy Russell spent a couple days on that huge job. Congratulations for having "BY FAR THE BEST PIECE IN THE SHOW".

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  6. Douglas, thank you, I appreciate you checking in.

    Donna, they did an awesome job hanging this show and I beg to differ with the juror, there's far more exciting work up than mine. But I'm grateful for the award, nonetheless.

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