The Old Orange Grove

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I took a Workshop last saturday with Molly Lipsher.  What fun!
The painting above was finished in my home studio after doing some color studies and exploration on different surfaces.

Here are a few quick color studies done in 15 min ea, exploring painting the scene as is, then doing one with a unique color palette.  I changed the sky color to a warm pink/yellow then responded to that.

Eucalyptus Moonrise

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I'm fascinated with the various phases of the moon.
One of my favorites is when the full moon is rising as the sunsets.  It's appearance is almost translucent.

Mission Blooms

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I took a stroll through the Mission in San Juan Capistrano a few days ago and all is in full bloom.  

What a gorgeous mix of old architecture and new life.