Elkhorn
After the California coast and the majestic Sierra Nevada, one of my favorite places to paint is Elkhorn Slough. Just a short drive from home, this winding tidal estuary along Monterey Bay is one of California’s largest coastal wetlands, with quiet waters, salt marshes, mudflats, and grasslands that provide a home to an incredible variety of wildlife. But for me, it’s the ever-changing abstract patterns of water, marsh, distant hills, and sky that make it so compelling.
The Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters had a paint-out there Wednesday, and I couldn’t resist joining them. It’s a little over half an hour from my home in Marina to Kirby Park, where we gathered for a 10:00 a.m. start.
Here are a few pictures of the group out painting and enjoying the morning.
The morning began rather dreary, with a heavy overcast sky, but around 11:00 the sun finally began to peek through. I had painted from this particular viewpoint several times before, and it didn’t disappoint. Other than the occasional train gliding by, the morning was so quiet, peaceful, and serene.
I especially enjoy trying to capture the seemingly abstract mix of water and marshland. There are so many interesting shapes, subtle colors, and reflections that it’s easy to get lost in the scene. After a couple of hours, this is what I ended up with.
A little studio touch-up, and I think this one may be a keeper!