First Green

Originally the plan was to paint in an apricot orchard this morning. But it was raining and snowing. Then blue skies showed up this afternoon, so I decided to meander about and see what I could find.

I went to the orchard, but couldn’t get inspired. Orchards are wonderful, but too “regimented” to get a nice painting, it seems. Too orderly! Then I saw what looked like a dog in the distance. Was he friendly? Always a worry for a cat person.

I dared getting closer. Then I realized what it was: a coyote statue! Cool! I wonder where I could get one?

Orchards in bloom are such a thrill to see — but tough to paint. A few years ago a much-respected senior member of Oil Painters of America was giving a workshop here and I asked him what his secret was to paint a good orchard picture. “I DON’T!” was his reply.

So I took off down a nearby seasonal road and ended up painting this view of the early bits of green. The raindrops held off just long enough for me to whip this one out.