That California Light
Have you ever been to the Bay Area of California?Wow, is it gorgeous.
China Camp, Marin County9×12″oil on linen panelKelly Medfordclick here for purchase detailsThe rolling hills of dried grasses dotted with craggy oaks, cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and just the feeling of wide open skies are exhilarating and offer endless painting possibilities.Friend and fellow plein air painter Bruce Katz was kind enough to take me out to some prime painting locations including this one, China Camp State Park , in Marin County.This place which still has a few buildings remaining along the shoreline was a thriving Chinese shrimp fishing village of 500 people in the 1880s.The day we were here it was practically empty and freezing with a mad cold wind blowing in from off the water. Not deterred we froze and painted it anyway, not wanting to miss the opportunity of these blues, reds and bright light reflecting off the roofs below.The light in this place, while completely different from that of Rome, is soft and enticing and reflecting everywhere. Next to the ocean it can be blinding at times as well.The arrangement of the buildings along the shore line and the contrast of the bright roofs with the deep dark shadows behind instantly captured my attention and wouldn’t let me wimp out no matter the weather.You can see other recent American Landscpae Paintings here on my website