It’s another clear and cold winter day, about 4 degrees outside . It’s visibly beautiful with the crisp and sparkling snow clinging to the pine boughs. The contrast between what I see out the window of the studio and what I am seeing in my mind is often hugely different. This new painting is such an example.
It’s a 36″ by 36″ canvas that I am calling California Dreaming. It was not done with intention but as I was finishing it I couldn’t shake the feeling that this large piece reminded me of California, at least in some microcosmic way. The mountains in the rear remind me of the Sierras rising from the Central Valley and even the two smaller hillocks in the foreground felt a small bit like the coastal hills. When you added in the warmth of the colors, it just felt very California to me.
Having this on the easel then turning my head 90 ° to look out the window is quite the contrast. Both make me happy but they are worlds apart. At least, a continent and several temperate zones apart.
The title is, of course, a reference to the famous The Mamas & The Papas song, although my favorite version, out of the many done of this song, is from Jose Feliciano. Here’s a really nice instrumental version done by an exceptional guitarist, Michael Chapdelaine. Enjoy and have a great day, whether you’re warm or just dreaming.
Redtree Times 