Lake Cleone Morning Mist

When last in Fort Bragg, California we visited one of my favorite morning spots. The morning mist and colors were beautiful. I did some small value sketches on pastel paper. I later added pastel. I used that painting as inspiration for this piece.

Lake Cleone Muse

This is Lake Cleone in Fort Bragg California. Behind you is the Pacific ocean. The atmosphere is always compelling here. We visited this month and the views did not disappoint. I did two small value studies that I later covered with pastel. I think that I'm finally beginning to see this place.

Something Imagined

I am playing around with markers, gel pens and yupo these days. This is a landscape inspired by my many visits to Lake Cleone in Northern California.

Pond Reeds

This lake has many faces. During this visit there weren't as many birds to paint. The lake was covered with what appeared to be pollen (probably wasn't). It was mid morning but the light was still nice. Pam was collecting rocks while I got in a few paintings. I focused on he reeds because of their color.

Lake Cleone Afternoon

Lake Cleone had what appeared to be fungus on its surface. I saw lots of birds but didn't include them in the painting because my focus was the lake and the colors on its surface. I like the lake and the birds that populate it. I sometimes forget that the beautiful Pacific Ocean is across the parking lot. Because of my affection for the lake, I will at times start out painting the ocean scenes and then end the day over at Lake Cleone.

Dos Ducks

I love painting water and the reflections on it. Lake Cleone calms me. It has beautiful views, birds and the beach across the small parking area. On my most recent visit I really didn't want to lug around my camera. So I relied on my camera phone and onsite sketches. This painting is a result of the onsite sketches and my trusty camera phone photos.

Three Ducks

I love this little lake and its birds. I often paint this area as opposed to the ocean across the parking lot. This was inspired by a photo taken with my phone a few years ago.

Cleone Lake Tenants

I really like the water in this one. I think it helps to work onsite. I have painted by this lake many times. I love the variety of reflections on the water and of course the birds.

Birds on Lake Cleone

On the last day of our visit in Fort Bragg I painted over at Lake Cleone in Mackerricher State Park. The birds were comfortable having a snack at my feet and playing in the lake. I painted them and took pictures with my phone. It was peaceful and the atmosphere was amazing. This place definitely needs more attention as there is so much more to explore and paint.

I loved the way the light fell on the grass.

This is one of my camera phone images of the area.