Heaven's Palette

Pastel, 12 x 18

© 2015 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

Endurance

Pastel, 12 x 8

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I am fascinated with trees and thoroughly enjoy painting them.  Some stand out more than others to me symbolic of character or emotion.  This one was on the road out to Julian awhile back and looks as though it's younger years endured quite a bit of harsh winds and weather to form it's trunk this way.  What interest me most is that the roots must run deep and be anchored to solid ground in order for it to hold this posture and still flourish.  A truth in life.

Christmas Time is Here

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2014 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

For our Christmas card this year, I wanted to create something less traditional yet still bring glory to God for His amazing gift to us all.   My hope is that this peaceful image, although a tree, will still point to the birth of Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas.  The Evergreen tree has been known to represent everlasting life for it's endurance of life through the dead of winter.  The triangular shape also symbolic of the Trinity and points all to heaven.  With the sun setting behind the tree, I wanted the hints of light to decorate the tree in place of manmade lights, for it is God's handiwork and ability to shine and reveal Himself through His creation.  I placed the tree in an open field to represent that there is nothing that hinders us from freely coming to Christ, His invitation is to all and for all through His immeasurable love for us.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Eucalyptus and Grapevines

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Inspired by a walk with my mom while in Ojai last month.  Those fond memories still looming in my mind, take me back to that place and time... relaxed, spontaneous, adventurers we were... seeking out the hidden treasures there.

Ojai Lavender Field

Pastel, 9.5 x 9 - SOLD

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Nothing like the sight and scent of walking through a field of fresh lavender.

This is a field up in the quaint town of Ojai, CA.

On the Ojai Conservation Trail...

Pastel, 12 x 9

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

My mom and I took a road trip to Ojai last week for a few days.  What a beautiful time of year to explore that area, and what an adventure seeker my dear mom was.  As we entered the winding road to our B&B, we came across this conservation trail.  Those fiery orange/yellow/red trees caught our eye immediately and we just had to stop and take a stroll through the tree lined paths.  More Ojai inspired paintings to come soon.

Fall Succulent

Pastel,  16 x 12

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I enjoyed observing the shapes and shadows here with the subtle gradations of colors shifting from blues, greens and lavenders.  The warm pink tips of the petals were like putting icing on the cake for me.  This was painted on a black sanded surface allowing many layers to carve out the shapes, retaining the contrasted shadows and leaving some of the surface peeking through to add texture through out.

SC Art Association Fall Show

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2014 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

I am honored to have received 3rd Place in the Pastel Category for SC Art Association's Fall Show.

"Leaving Linda Lane"

North Beach Sunrise

Pastel, 12 x 6

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

End of August Moon - 2014

Pastel, 27 x 18.75

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

A moment captured on our early evening beach walk the other day.  

I can't quite get the color and contrast to represent the painting accurately here. 

Color of Summer...

Pastel, 12 x 9 - SOLD

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

With summer coming to a close soon, I thought I'd try to capture the lighting and colors of the season.  Fall is beautiful here too, but the light will soon shift, shadows will change and colors won't be quite as warm.  Here we have the color of summer...

Morning View at The Montage...

Pastel, 9 x 10.5

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

With misty mornings come softer hues… a peaceful view from the Montage in South Laguna, CA.

Beach Trail Pano

Pastel, 27 x 11

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

San Clemente's beach trail after the sun has set.

Cabrillo Playhouse

Pastel, 12 x 9

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

The local Playhouse in my home town of San Clemente has so much character.  On this clear sunny day, it caught my eye with all the color and contrasts.  I really enjoyed painting it and the finishing strokes were adding the telephone wires.  I almost left them out, but they were there and it added some interest to the sky by scratching them in.  The playhouse opened in 1966 and is still active today.

I'm honored to share that this painting was awarded 3rd place in the San Clemente Art Associations Members Paint San Clemente Event.

Mission Lily

Pastel and graphite, 12 x 7

© 2014 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I enjoyed working more spontaneous and loose with this one.  Allowing the terra cotta surface to peek through more and adding some graphite gestures in the end.  I might try this again with another color of lily just for fun.