Lake Cleone Atmosphere 1

Usually on our last day in the Fort Bragg area we visit Mackerricher State Park. The beach is beautiful and Lake Cleone is always a distraction from it. The morning atmosphere in the forest is always engaging to me. Pam was busy collecting rocks and shells. I did this little piece standing outside the car.

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.

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.

Melting Waves

A watercolor from my recent vacation. This one was really fast with very little time between paint applications. Pam was collecting sea glass and rocks. I did this one alla prima with no time for drying.

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.

Beach Pier Skeleton

I used one of the two plein air sketches of this old pier as inspiration for this painting. The poles amaze me for some silly reason. This place has a really interesting history. You get the best of both worlds because it has a lake and the ocean. The lake has ducks etc and the ocean has the gulls.

The Flock

This painting reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. I worked from a plein air sketch for this the second exploration of this image. I was sitting on the beach when I painted the first study: this is the first copy in watercolor. It takes me back to the time and sensations when I copy a plein air sketch.

Pier Skeleton 2

Another little sketch from my recent holiday in California.

Choppy Waters

I was sitting on a nice cliff painting on Pam's birthday. I painted what was below me. Rocks and surf.

Pier Skeleton 1

This set of poles I think was associated with a pier that used to exist. I have always liked the pattern they made. I was sitting up on the hill across from the area on Pam's birthday. She picked the spot for me to paint from.

Birds of a Feather

While painting I saw these seagulls sitting together on one of the large rocks. I did a quick value sketch and a small watercolor before moving on to other subject matter. I was attracted to the back lit birds.

Bright Morning

The original plein air sketch was 8 by 8 inches and in watercolor. I chose the same size for the pastel version.

Lake Weeds

This is an attempt at painting lake weeds. The colors and patterns kept changing as the ducks were bathing themselves and hunting for food in close proximity. I will try it again because it was a fun challenge.