#79 "Portuguese Bend" 8x10 canvas

A quick plein air painting of Portuguese Bend on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern California. The natural beauty of the coast line is breathtaking. The Prickly Pear Cactus in the foreground was blooming.

The name Portuguese Bend comes from the whaling activities of Portuguese whalemen from the Azores during the 19th century.  Long gone are those hearty men but the whales remain. We see the grays as they migrtate yearly. Sometimes we are treated to rare sightings of Blue Whales. Humpbacks and Orcas are also seen. The peninsula is a remarkable place with a very rich history. I've lived on the peninsula since 1980 and I never take for granted it's awesome beauty.

The spot where I painted is on my walk...

Portuguese Bend

#78 "Indiana Drought" 5x7 oil on canvas

"Indiana Drought"

While traveling the backroads from Columbus, Indiana to Sweetwater Lake in Brown County I couldn't help but stop the car and capture a photo of a scene all too familiar. The sky was dark overhead and it looked as if we might get some much needed rain. I could see the rain falling in the distance but most of it never reached the ground as it evaporated in the hot sun. The corn was stunted and the tassels were burnt. Normally this time of year (August) the corn is high and and there are fields of green. Not in the summer of 2012.