The Coast and Crest locations I visited belong to incredible California, which has the most remarkable scenery. I have tried to capture photographs of scenes that I can paint later in studio. In a word, these are the best of my best vacation photographs. When my wife and I travel, we capture many pictures. Inspiration and reference come from these landscape photos and they will hopefully become paintings in watercolor at some point.
My apologies to professional photographers because these are mobile phone photos. I needed to capture latitude and longitude of the photographs for locating in Google Photos. When I paint outside (plein air), I study the light. Light moves and I need a moment in time. With a photo I can recall the sun angle and position. I can enter that information into mapping software like Google Earth to get an overall view of the landscape around my scene..
Coast Gallery
Lighthouses are so cool and there are nearly 50 active and historic lighthouse sites in California. About 30 of these are accessible to the public. Lighthouses are romantic because they call home our loved ones from the seas where trecherous work is done. Lighthouses are scientific because they use optical principles and serve as critical tools in navigation. Lighthouses are architectural because their design meets the needs of caretakers, government, sailors, and challenging construction. To me they are very artistic because they come in many shapes, heights, and positions in rocky dramatic coastal landscapes. They receive light and shadow on geometric surfaces as well as casting their own light!
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Mountain tops and vast ocean views are two essential experiences! Coast & Crest.
Crest Gallery
The top of a mountain is a magical place. Mountains thread their way through California as much as the coast and because of their wilderness offer a special scenic treat. The view is a reward for hard work in getting near or at the top. We are so lucky to live in this world and take in the sensations from nature.
Environments are so different. Starting the Pacific Coast Trail at the south end is quite a contrast from the north end. Crossing lines of latitude from south to north produces change in weather, climate, vegetation, geology, wildlife and so much more. Just seeing the variety of our planet Earth is the experience of a lifetime. The calling so many people feel, I believe, is from our creator, our origin, our human-ness to recognize the awesomeness of being alive.
Winter is a great time to see Yosemite Park. The lines are not long. Travel is a little difficult but if you have chains for your vehicle then you can make it. Wait for the roads to be cleared after a fresh snowfall and you will be amazed by the beauty of snow on the forest, the massive trees, the wide meadows, and crystal clear streams. If you can stay overnight then you will wake up in the middle of a winter wonderland. I was lucky with timing.
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Mountain tops and vast ocean views are two essential experiences: Coast and Crest.
