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The third week of April, I participated in the Fourth Annual Plein Air Convention and Expo in Monterey, California. As I gave an on-presentation last year, this year I was a field instructor doing demos of my pastel landscapes and assisting artists around me who had questions or problems with their own paintings. Much more fun!

The first mass paintout was at Asilomar State Beach, Pacific Grove, CA. Though it was a clear sunny day, the wind was some of the strongest I’ve ever painted in. Made me think of the artist, can’t remember who, that strapped his easel to his leg to keep it from blowing away. My glasses got so salt caked, I had to take them off… a first. (And possibly a clue to future painting outdoors!) I had to hold onto my easel every minute it was set up and could never get back to see what I had going on. I was so cold that my strokes were short and choppy. Terrific surf.

Wild Windy  pastel  10 x 10

The second paintout was at Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove and the afternoon was warm and only slightly breezy. Perfect for painting.

Third paintout was anywhere in the picturesque town of Carmel. It was a warm wonderful afternoon with the ocean sparkling under the lowering sun. I chose to paint looking east from the tidal basin and then head to the beach to assist others.

Carmel Wetlands  pastel  10.25 x 15.5

The last day everyone painted at Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. This was a fun challenge as boats are rarely something I draw. And of course an avid new pastelist watched my demo from start to… well, not finish. He was full of questions and reminded me why I paint in public and do demos. This pastel had a bright red Chinese junk moored in the harbor with sailboats and pier buildings in the background.

After three days home to recharge and replenish art supplies,  I was off to the first Kern County Plein Air Invitational. Having only driven through Bakersfield over the years, I was skeptical of what we’d find to paint. Very ably orchestrated by David Gordon, newly elected executive director, this was a fundraiser for the Arts Council of Kern County. The fifteen participants had been given an extensive list of possible painting sites all over this huge county, and honestly I was only able to get to a handful.  Because we only had to turn in three paintings at the end of the four days of painting, I did larger pastels than I usually do at these plein air events. Sales were brisk at the opening reception, and every painting done Sunday morning at the Quick Draw sold at auction!

A highlight was painting on Tejon Ranch, not open to the public. We were escorted through the gates and shown a wide variety of terrain we could paint. I finally settled on a scene depicting early morning sun streaming below lifting clouds and highlighting a broad sloping pasture.

Tejon Ranch  pastel  12 x 24

I was also drawn by the name to Wind Wolves Nature Preserve, run by the Wildlands Conservancy for educational and recreational uses. There were exciting views back up into the canyon above, with hints of green still coloring the hillsides, or dramatic views out over the valley rich with an agricultural patchwork below.

The Kern River was surprisingly full and with gloriously verdant banks.

Peacocks and Bullfrogs  pastel  11 x 24

One afternoon I painted at the National Cemetery in the foothills leading up to Tehachapi Pass east of town.  This is a glorious site looking up to the oak-studded hills. In the distance was a wild thunderstorm, which finally got close enough to shed drops on my paper and urge me to get in my car and head away from the lightning.

Rain in the Mountains  pastel  9.5 x 15.5