Blue Tin Roof

Pastel, 5 x 7

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Back Bay Waterways

Pastel, 9 x 12 - SOLD

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

After taking Bob to the airport, I decided to take a walk along the Back Bay in Newport Beach.  The path is just off a busy street, but quickly takes you down into the marsh and foliage away from the hustle bustle and into nature’s peaceful embrace.   What stopped me here was the horizontal layers of color in the grasses with the walking trails and waterways that lead the eye through the painting.

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Spontaneous Bouquet

Pastel  5 x 7

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Just had to paint something loose and fun.  

No reference, just memory and colors I like then dove in and had a lot of fun with

movement and marks.

Beach House

Pastel,  8.5 x 12

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

This house always captures my attention when we stop at North Beach (San Clemente).  It’s the first house in the line up of homes along the coast line.  They always have a USA flag posted and at all times of the day, it maintains a peaceful presence and has become a very recognizable landmark to the locals here.  

Twilight Shore

Pastel, 9 x 12

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

North Beach Moon

Pastel, 8.5 x 12

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

On our walk this evening, this view of the moon hanging in the subdued gradient of color, framed by the tall palm trees stopped me.  Thankfully I had my faithful reference photographer (and supportive husband) with me.  What a fun composition to paint.

Lead me...

Pastel, 12 x 8 - SOLD

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

Sunset Waltz II

Pastel 12 x 16

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

I actually painted the first Sunset Waltz (9 x 12) a few years back and it has since sold.  I really enjoyed painting the first and thought I’d paint it larger this time.  This one took on a life of it’s own as I used the first painting as a spring board to paint from.  They have their similarities, however the clouds took off and showed me where to go as they lead me in this dance called painting.  

Always Remembered. (Flag at Poche Beach, CA)

Pastel, 9 x 12 - SOLD

© 2015 Paula Somma. All rights reserved.

Tea Tree Bay

Pastel 12 x 6.5

© 2015 Paula Somma.  All rights reserved.

It couldn't have been a more perfect day last week when Bob and I explored Noosa National Park in Australia.  This was a view off the Coastal Trail looking through Tea Tree Bay at Dolphin Point.

I kept looking up for the Koalas that are usually seen grazing along the tree lined path,

but no sightings for us this day. 

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.