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The view of the mountains north of San Miguel, from Vineyard Canyon Road, has enchanted me for a long time. I knew that one canvas couldn't quite capture the feeling of miles of natural California landscape - so for the first time, I designed the painting to spread over three canvases.  I had to clear out the studio & make room for this, do a special set up on my easel as well as clear my schedule so I could fully focus on this big project. This is the toned canvas, with just minimal sketching to show where things will be:

I've been planning this San Miguel mountains oil painting for months, and finally, I was able to carve out a 5-day "staycation" to bring it to fruition.  Here I'm laying in the darks and shadows first:

The inspiration for this oil painting is the drive down Vineyard Canyon Road. It's so quiet and peaceful that far from town - I love going there and just absorbing it. I look forward to sharing images of this painting with the ranch owners there when it's finished - I'm sure they must adore this country as much (or even more) than I do.  At this stage, I have "blocked in" all the main colors & values.  This gives me an overall feeling for how it will turn out:

 Here I've spent time working on refining shapes, values and colors:

Yes, this 30"x80" California landscape triptych is not quite done, so stay tuned for the finished work! It's a summer scene, at the end of the day, with vivid gold-orange light and long blue-violet shadows. In the finished painting, when you look closely, near the center on the hills there are some cattle in the distance. 

If you're in the Paso Robles or San Miguel area, it's well worth your time to take a drive up Vineyard Canyon Road - and not just for the wine tasting!

UPCOMING EVENT: ANNUAL OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR IN OCTOBER

For two weekends in October, the 11th-12th, and the 18th-19th, Arts Obispo is sponsoring an Open Studios Art Tour. 200 artists in San Luis Obispo County participate, and I am very happy to be one of them. If you'd like to come by and see my studio in person, you'll be treated to even more of my works in progress and get to ask me any questions you can think of. And, of course, you can buy my paintings! Stay up to date by "liking" the Open Studios Art Tour Facebook page.

All images are (C)Laurel Sherrie