Plein Air Paintings of Serendipity in the Sierra

SIERRANDIPITY

of California’s Central and Southern Sierra. Each piece around Sonora Pass, Yosemite and King’s Canyon takes you on a hike or extended backcountry trip far from the distractions of modern life and into the peace of presence.

There is an ECSTATIC SERENITY that radiates from mountains and forests which is at once energizing, reassuring and blissful. It’s the same feeling as when gazing at stars: We are but a tiny part of an ineffable, interconnected expansiveness.

I call this

Saunter through IMPRESSIONISTIC LANDSCAPE paintings

Sierrandpity.

I am an oil painter INTENSELY IN LOVE with the Sierra.

photo by robwaterman.com

Working on location (en plein air) gives me a special way to connect with Nature’s glory. I hike my gear to the wildest places I can reach, whether on a day hike or backpack trip, and wander until I feel especially drawn to a composition.

Painting directly from the landscape is a meditation on letting go of myself and allowing a sense of presence, impermanence, beauty and peace to fill my awareness. It invites me into a conversation with Nature where I listen, then respond with paint.

My work is about the essence and personality of what I’m painting instead of a direct representation. It’s about grabbing your shoulder to say, “My gosh, do you see that?” so you can remember your own moments of peace and bliss.

More About Andrea

PIECE

find your

New Work

Last Snow / Kennedy Meadow

$450.00

Original plein air painting | 11×14” | oil on panel

Kennedy Meadow, California

I snuck up to the meadow the day before Kennedy Meadows opened for the season, which was almost a month early this year. It was splendid to be there while all was still quiet and hushed under a last snow.

Unframed | Continental US shipping included

Hover to zoom in | Click to view the full image

Windy Hemlocks

$400.00

Original plein air painting | 9×12” | oil on panel

Emigrant Wilderness, California

My son accompanied me on this hike, and he painted as well. In early May, most of the trail was still under a foot or two of snow but we found enough exposed granite on the edge of the canyon that we could comfortably paint together. We were working happily when we heard a lion call in the unmistakable half-cat, half-bird chirping sound. Since it was already late afternoon, I painted faster than ever so we could finish hiking out before dusk. We made it back with no other sign of the lion.

Unframed | Continental US shipping included

Hover to zoom in | Click to view the full image

Watching the Melt

$400.00

Original plein air painting | 12×9” | oil on panel

South Fork Stanislaus River, Strawberry, California

Watching river patters is hypnotic and soothing, and challenging to translate into something still. And there are so many colors waiting to be discovered in the eddies! The longer you look, the more you see.

Unframed | Continental US shipping included

Hover to zoom in | Click to view the full image