Journey Series - #5

It's been awhile since I've completed another addition to my "Journey" series. As my family traveled by car to California, we were delighted to see snow on the approaching mountain range and I snapped a photo of Interstate 15 on the way into Barstow. Historically, Barstow is known as "a jumping off point for immigrants entering the state" during the Great Depression and was made famous by John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath.

As I painted, it brought to mind a painting done by my father (posted here and one of my very favorites) - his interpretation of what was either Interstate 10 (most likely) or I-40 on the way to California. The cars represent our family's multiple moves to and from California along with a plane in the sky which I like to think symbolizes the many miles he logged on airplanes in between moves. He always preferred travel by car.

Lots of good memories were made traveling back and forth on those highways. I hope my own children will treasure similar memories from our travels. To my delight, my son recognized my painting right away and said he could recall that exact point on the road. I hope he meant it, but maybe he just wanted more money so he could go get a hamburger at McDonalds :0) !

"Road Through Barstow"

24"x36" oil on canvas

Point Lobos State Reserve - California

I have great memories of this day as our California family hiked the trails around Point Lobos Nature Reserve in Monterey County, California. From the youngest (5 years old) to the oldest (70's), we all thoroughly enjoyed the easy hike on this beautiful December day.

Landscape artist, Francis McComas, was quoted as calling this "the greatest meeting of land and water in the world." It's certainly one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, but I don't know that I've traveled extensively enough to confirm that opinion with my own. How about you? Have you been to Point Lobos? Are there other impressive "meetings of land and water" that come to your mind?

Point Lobos State Reserve

18"x24" oil on canvas, private collection

John 14:27 - Peace

Calla lilies are another one of my special favorites when it comes to flowers. I snapped a photo of this one in my sister's garden on my last trip to California. As a youth, we had six or seven very large calla lily plants and it was not unusual to cut a bouquet of 20-30 to place in a vase for the house. I was always impressed by their fragile beauty.

As I painted this calla, I ended up with an empty space in the lower right hand corner of the composition and wasn't sure what to do about it. Happily, I thought this might finally be my opportunity to incorporate scripture into my artwork. I thought about the graceful, fragile calla lily and what scripture would be a suitable companion for it. "Peace" was the word that came into my mind and John 14:27 was the match. I think that it's important to remember that the kind of peace the world offers may be a fragile kind of peace whereas the peace that Christ offers is strong and lasting, as noted by the continuation of verse 27: "I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

"California Calla," 36"x36" oil on gallery-wrapped canvas, now available on www.artbymj.com

Train Station at San Juan Capistrano

I happened upon this back street view of the train station at San Juan Capistrano, California. Our family has many good memories of taking the Amtrak from Anaheim down to Del Mar to go to the horse races (no traffic!!!) We would stop to eat at the San Juan Capistrano train station. This is such a picturesque area of Southern California. I spent a morning taking pictures in and around the mission here and hope to eventually have a collection of California mission paintings.

This 6"x6" oil on canvas will eventually make its way for sale at a little fountain shop nearby the train station. (More details later) Contact me at fineartbymj@aol.com if you are interested in purchasing it before it finds a California home.