Wildflower Abstract Study I
In the apple country above Yucaipa is a small community called Oak Glenn. It is a fall tradition to head up to the hills and enjoy the fresh apples and cider.
We have always started our visit at a family farm called Los Rios Rancho. They are southern California's largest apple farm and have been in operation since 1906. They recently were struck by a fire in which they lost their main store location, just after having survived the major fire that threatened Oak Glenn. I was sad to hear this.
Los Rios Rancho is adjacent to the Oak Glenn Preserve which is a beautiful place to hike. I have based more than a few of my paintings on this area.
My first painting I made of the area is Wildflower Abstract Study I, which depicts the native California sunflowers that grow tangled along the hillside.
The painting is 11"high by 14" wide and .5" deep. The composition is abstract with blues and greens making up the forms of the flowers and plants. The surrounding sky is a mixture of black white and gold with some of the blues and greens visible through the layers. The gold reflects the light differently from various angles changing the colors and creating an iridescence.
