Just You, Me and the Moon

Pastel, 12 x 6.5

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

My little bird friend always finds me along my morning walk in the hills.  

He seemed as fascinated with the moon set as I was.  

On Chetola Lake

Pastel,  12 x 7

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Another beautiful scene from Chetola Lake, Blowing Rock NC.  

Seasons

Pastel, 8 x 10  SOLD

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

A special memory for my dear friends Dave and Julie.  Dave commissioned this piece to give to Julie on her birthday as they enter a new season of life together.  Julie just retired a few months earlier.

Reds of Blowing Rock, NC

Pastel, 7.75 x 9

© 2016 Paula Somma.   All rights reserved.

Morning moon set at Blowing Rock, NC.  
Early morning mist rising from the creek created an ethereal moody light with the
subdued colors of fall.

Chetola Boathouse

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

North Carolina in the Fall is absolutely stunning.  

This is the boathouse at Chetola Lake.

Across The Lake

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

My sweet hubby whisked me away to Lake Arrowhead for my birthday. 

This was the view I painted from our little patio at sunset.

Breaking Through to Blue Skies

Pastel, 12 x16

© 2016 Paula Somma.   All rights reserved.

I love looking out at these hills. A peaceful pause along the Hermosa Trail. My grandfather spent a lot of time in the 40s riding his horse out here… I'm sure he enjoyed this same view.

Little Red Barn

Pastel, 8.5 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

No matter where I go, I have to stop for little red barns.

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Just You and Me

Pastel, 12 x 16

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Just me and this sweet egret at in the shadows of the Back Bay in Newport Beach.

Overlooking Back Bay

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

A sunset walk along the cliffs at Back Bay, I stopped to look out over the ledge and caught this view. The cliff cast a long shadow across the foreground leaving a small strip of warm light in the distance.

Patient Pursuit

Pastel,  12 x 16 - SOLD

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Walking along the Back Bay in Newport Beach, I came across this graceful egret, studying the life beneath the surface.  A lesson on patience observed.

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Beyond Borders (12x16)

Pastel, 12 x 16 - SOLD

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I sure enjoyed painting this scene at 9 x 12, that I decided to paint it again larger.

A favorite view along my hike on the Hermosa Trail.

Summer Hues

Pastel, 19 x 27

® 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Longer days, the sun sets after 8… and there's moments like this.
Summer is here.

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Keyhole, Laguna Beach

Pastel, 9x9

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Enjoyed a day in Laguna Beach with our dear friends from Kennewick, WA.

The Keyhole is always an interesting view along the coast here.

Peeking Through

Pastel, 12 x 9 - SOLD

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

After a day of thick cloud cover the sun started peeking through at sunset.

It was always there, just behind the clouds, shining bright as always.

Peaceful Perch

Pastel, 12 x 16

® 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

This sweet mourning dove didn't seem to mind me stopping to study her awhile as we both enjoyed an early morning sunrise.
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Beyond Borders

Pastel,  9 x 12 - SOLD

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Morning inspirations hiking along Hermosa Trail.

Rocky Creek Bridge

Pastel, 9x9

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

One of my favorite views along the coast of Big Sur.

Meet Me At the Top

Pastel, 9x9

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Another familiar view on my hike.  If you look close, on the left is a tall twiggy bush and perched at the top a small hummingbird.  That is how faint my view is of him as I approach the top of this hill.  He's there, just about every time like clockwork.  I can feel him cheering me on. 

Red Rocks of Black Star Canyon

Pastel, 12 x 9

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Painted plein air last Saturday morning with a wonderful group of artists.

We trekked into Black Star Canyon known for it's beautiful red rock formations. 

Under the Old Oak

Pastel,  16 x 8

©2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Last fall, my mom and I spent a few days in Ojai.  One morning we set out for an early drive to Solvang.  Lots of old oaks and farmlands along the way with an occasional morning grazer taking a rest under a tree.

Poppies and Hollyhocks...

Pastel 12 x 9

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I met my friend Janine at the mission to paint plein air the other morning.

We walked around the first hour amazed at all the color this time of year.  Such a beautiful morning.

We were both drawn to this charming old flower cart naturally framed by poppies and hollyhocks.

Morning Moon over Catalina

Pastel, 12 x 16

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

My mom and I woke at the crack of dawn to watch the full moon set over catalina.  We bundled up and took our coffee with us to walk the Summit trails and take in the beauty God has so richly blessed us with.  Catalina was just a faint silhouette midst the lavender hues.  

I love these adventures with my sweet mom.  Precious moments.

After the Storm

Pastel,  9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Painting Los Rios...

Pastel,  9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Plein air painted with my friend Janine yesterday in the Los Rios District, SJC.  

We found this historic structure that has a butterfly conservatory garden.  Monarchs were fluttering about on this warm late afternoon.  Interesting soft shadows and filtered light through the trees.

Laguna Breeze

Pastel 12 x 16

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Laguna Blues

Pastel 9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I took my mom to Laguna for her 81st birthday last week.  We went to the Cottage for breakfast, then a walk through Heisler Park and a few galleries.  Hard to believe it's still winter here when we have days like this.  The water had so many shades of blue.

Lead the way

Pastel, 12 x 16  SOLD

© 2016 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

On my morning hike through the hills I come to this narrow path and it always stops me.

I often stand there and study the light knowing I will paint it some day soon.  The morning mist lays low in the nearby mountains and the mix of warm and cool colors is captivating.

Eucalyptus View

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

It was a bit warm to be out painting today (88°F), but I got lost in this view. 

One of my favorite spots to rest along the Hermosa Trail head.

Early morning light, Catalina looked exceptionally close today.

This Morning's Moon

Pastel, 9 x 9

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I took Bob to the airport at the crack of dawn this morning.  On the way back home, I had this amazing view of the moon at sunrise.  This was over San Juan Capistrano, painted from memory.  I painted this so Bob could see what he missed.

Take Me higher

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Standing Firm

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

A Glimpse of Glory

Pastel, 9 x9 

© 2016 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.