LA QUETE
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.donaldneff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_0041.jpg?resize=1024%2C808)
The quest started as a simple idea. I didn’t even know if I would, or even could finish it. After all, it was a commitment for a year.
I didn’t know if it would turn out worthwhile, or just a stack of sticky panels for the scrap heap. I didn’t know if anything would be interesting or worth looking at.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.donaldneff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_0048.jpg?resize=1024%2C813)
I didn’t know I would eventually paint ghost towns in Silicon Valley, or haunted springs, or wild beaver sign in a metropolitan city, or the worlds largest homeless camp, or the world’s first ‘plein air selfie’.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.donaldneff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_2490.jpg?resize=1024%2C821)
I didn’t know eventually strangers would walk up to me, give me a hug, and say I brought back their fond childhood memories of days gone by in the “Valley of Hearts Delight’.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.donaldneff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/creeks/painting2.jpg?resize=620%2C349)
Little did I know it would grow with a feature on NBCTV, and other TV spots, articles by major publications, multiple showings in various venues, and a book.
![My painting with the prior day's sunset painting by the creek.](https://i0.wp.com/www.donaldneff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_3719.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Seven years ago today, I started a year-long quest to paint a different “Creek and River of Silicon Valley” each week en plein air, or on location.
At the time, even finishing the year successfully was not known, but I ended up with 60 paintings of 43 different creeks all over the South San Francisco Bay area.
![My bike with the painting equipment on the bench.](https://i0.wp.com/www.donaldneff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_4697.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
Discover about the quest, including a short documentary video, interactive map, and other information here–
http://www.donaldneff.com/creeks.html
The collection of 60 paintings is still intact and will be for the foreseeable future. I am still seeking venues both local, national, and international for showings, so ideas are welcome!
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.donaldneff.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/creeks/NeffCreeksSCCPanorama.jpg?resize=616%2C178)