#19 of 30 - "Keyes Point Sunset II"

"Keyes Point Sunset II" - California, USA
- Acrylic on Canvas, approx. 12.5x16"/315x410mm

When we lived in California, we took advantage of our proximity to several national parks. This was the sunset on the first day we spent at Joshua Tree. The ranger had highly recommended Keyes Point for the sunset. We were so glad we went! I feel the stillness every time I look at these images.

This particular painting was a real challenge in acrylic, at least at this stage

#18 of 30 "Stalwart Sandstone" - Monument Valley

"Stalwart Sandstone" - Monument Valley, USA
- Soft Pastel on Paper, approx 4x6"/102x152mm
We got the chance to spend some time in Monument Valley. No matter how many pictures I'd seen of it, nothing compared to the real thing.  Here's a small look at something huge.

#17 of 30 - "Liangshan Creek 2"

I got started late today, but I still stayed with the "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge. Here's #17.
"Liangshan Creek 2" - Taiwan
- Acrylic on Canvas, approx. 22x27cm/10.6x8.7"

This was one of the first views of Liangshan Creek. Actually, it's more like what the first view would have looked like before people arrived and built stuff along the creek. My goal with this painting was to simplify shapes as much as possible and get the feel of it, more than the details of it.

#16 of 30 - "Berkeley Hills Tree"

I've been meaning to paint this tree for years. Tonight, as part of my 30 paintings in 30 days, I finally got around to doing it! Somewhere back in the hills behind UC Berkeley, you'll find these massive trees. This is only one of them. Ping and I loved wandering around the trails back there when we lived in California. It's a great place for hiking.
"Berkeley Hills Tree 1" - Berkeley, CA, USA
- Soft Pastel on Paper, approx. 4x6"/101x152mm

#15 of 30 paintings "Stone Path"

"Stone Path" - LiuDui Cultural Park, Taiwan
- Ink and Ballpoint Pen - 5.6x4.25"/140x108mm

This painting was done plein air on the same day that we hiked to the upper fall at Liangshan. Roaming through a seemingly abandoned cultural park was an odd experience. Rather than continue, I found a stone path that wound through a wooded area and sat on one of the stone blocks which were set at intervals. A number of intrepid ants explored the landscape of my pants and shirt as I painted this. I don't know how many I transported when I moved on. They all seemed to have disembarked when I stopped again later.

#14 of 30 paintings in 30 days - Selfie!

"Computer Cam Self Portrait 1/2014"
- Oil Pastel on Paper, approx. 8x10"/20x25cm
Okay, this one was a REAL stretch for me. I took a relatively low-resolution picture from my laptop camera and painted it in oil pastel on mustard yellow paper. (You know, that's kind of what I look like, after all!)

#13 of 30: "Into the Deep"

"Into the Deep" - Ninh Binh Cave, Vietnam
- Acrylic on Canvas, approx. 10.6x8.7"/27x22cm
Still working on the 30 paintings in 30 days. Here's #13: Ninh Binh Cave.

This was the first cavern I've been in where I still wanted to stay when it came time to leave! If I could have spent the whole day there, I would have. I felt like I was in some "Lord of the Rings" environment. The most amazing thing--and I still hope to capture this--was looking out toward the massive opening. The natural light coming into the cavern gave it more mystery than any garishly colored glow cast up on the walls. Just as we were reluctantly heading out, I turned and took this picture, looking back in.