Update, September 2017. Huasna Valley (pronounced 'waazna') is very close to me, both in location and in spirit. I've been going there to paint for many years. It's history lies deep in the Mexican land grant era, and it's name is from the Chumash Indians. If you haven't explored here, you really need to add it to your list! It's near Arroyo Grande, CA. I've heard it used to be an official town and had it's own post office, and you can still see the old school house from 1907. For an in-depth history of the region, see www.southcountyhistory.org/huasna
Encantado de Huasna 30" x 60" oils (custom painting, sold)
For its proximity to the coast, it has an entirely different climate than my own mild ocean-influenced weather, and it has oak tree varieties not normally found in the South County area, but like those north of the Cuesta Grade. It's a magical valley, narrow and long, and you wind for miles through thick oak forests and up and down hills with long valley views and intriguing humpback hills.
Here are some of earlier paintings I've done of Huasna Valley.
I have been known to jump in the truck with painting gear & my 2 big black dogs for early morning painting trips, catching the morning shadows, often using a palette knife instead of brush on small 6" x 8" canvases, which have been very popular with clients. (Update: My dear Princess went over the rainbow in May 2017 - I miss her every day. But Jett is stepping up and being the Only Dog very well.)
Huasna Morning Oak, 6" x 8" oil (sold)
Huasna, Easter Colors, 6" x 8" oil (available)
September 20, 2017, I returned to Huasna Valley this morning to PAINT! with my artist friend, Mark Mertens. We ended up along Huasna River Road paralleling Huasna River and found that winter storms created a whole new landscape in the river bed, a gorgeous subject for a painting! I got a good start and plan to go back tomorrow morning! Okay! I did go back, even earlier. It was gorgeous, saw lots of deer and heard the wild turkeys.
Early Morning, Huasna River Road, 9" x 12" oil (available)
Sign up for my email newsletter to see what I paint next in Huasna Valley.
