Commissioned Painting - Penngrove California

I was quite thrilled when a friend purchased this painting, spontaneously, a few years back. I was even more excited (and honored) when this same friend commissioned me to paint his family ranch. He is the proud son of Italian immigrants and cherishes this property, dearly. Although I could not get photo resources to help me paint the ranch from the perspective I wished (due to trees and the fact that I'd have to be in a raised angle above a busy road), but I did my best to piece together elements to turn my visual hope into a completed painting.

Here is the final result and detail shots:

Tarca Family Ranch ©2014       36" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas

Once the painting was complete, my handy hubby was kind enough to create this beautiful custom frame made with vintage barn wood. My customer/dear friend and his family were delighted with the result and I am elated to have such savvy "repeat customers!" Win, win one and all!

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. I sure appreciate it!

Plein Air Ranch Painting Fail

 A few years back a girlfriend of mine came over to paint, plein air in my back field. I've never done that before and I'm sorry to say, I spent at least eight times the amount of effort back in the studio, so I don't think I can really have credit for this being a true in the open air piece. Oh well - I had a lot of fun and loved the completed painting SO much, I got over it. 

Painting, like so many things we do in life, is like exercise. You have to work at it routinely. One of these days I'm going to try to create more spontaneous "muscles" in my work...  But for now, I'm grateful for the painting muscles I do have!  

 Springtime at Rancho Durenberger © 2013              9 x 12" Acrylic on Canvas

Happily for me, a dear friend saw this painting in my kitchen and bought it on the spot. Shortly after that he commissioned me to paint his family's ranch! I wonder if "ranch painting" could be my thing? 

(I like it!)

Petaluma California Ranch Painting

A few years ago I painted this lovely ranch that I would see each morning on the drive to take my kids to school in Petaluma, California. I was constantly surprised by how different it could look in various light and nature conditions. I intend to paint it again, and again in the future, but for now I am grateful it was completed and suited the vision I set out to capture. Last year I had the good fortune of meeting the wonderful family who live on this incredible property - and THEY BOUGHT the painting! Yay!

 

Jewel of the Backroads ©2014 by Elise Durenberger                   9 x 12" Acrylic on Canvas