After the rain in LA is a most wondrous time. So clear. Been down on Redondo Beach quite a bit. Here's "After the Storm."

Tomato Grapes and a new vintage is born.

At last! My experiments have paid off after years of grafting. I have created a Chardonnay flavoured tomato that grows on a merlot grape vine. This now gives a multi harvest abundant crop ready to ferment. And the natural yeast is outstanding. I now have 72 acres of Los Angeles freeway embankments (all south and west facing) ready for cultivation next Spring.

I'd like to call it Chardomato, but I'm open to suggestion for other names for this latest appellation. Please feel free to give me your thoughts.

Crabs - ugh

Came across some crabs on Redondo Pier last week. The effect on me is almost the same as spiders, except crabs hold more fascination

Back from a 5-day painting trip a few weeks ago. It was organized by Dave Gallup and a bunch of us got to see an extraordinary aspect of California. Here's a couple of oils that I completed. A freshly caught Whitefish and a dramatic aspect of East Anacapa Island at the sea lion colony. We were anchored and painting the views while others were diving, snorkeling or kayaking, when the sea mist enveloped everything. Quite eery. The photos show our boat the "Conception" at anchor with a diver and kayak; and the sea lions lazing about.

Plein Air pastels

I've been working with pastels over the Summer. I like to start with medium ones to start with, to establish the big shapes. Get the drawing and basic design done first. Then it's time to apply the thicker , more painterly layers to establish what is important for the viewer to absorb. attached are a couple from Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. The other is a wine country barn near Paso Robles that fills the heart with warmth.