Truckee and San Rafael, California, United States I work in oils and watercolors. The Sierra Nevada is the biggest inspiration for my paintings and sketches. As a fifth generation Californian, my family came to California with the Gold Rush of 1849. Wherever I travel I am inspired by nature. I enjoy sharing what catches my eye and how it evolved into my paintings. Reach me at my website, www.crystalharling.com. You you can see some of my artwork in High Camp Home, at 10191 Donner Pass Road, Truckee Ca. 530-582- 6866.
This last month after our drought any shower or rain brings out the vivid greens in the bay woods and oaks in Marin County.The creeks and streams are moving again. Moss Bay Trees VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL My interest was around this group of trees. All the shades of green are what interested me. … More Green Green Green
On July 15th 2015 Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill designating lace lichen as a state symbol. It joins the poppy, quail, and grizzly bear. Our state is the first to recognize a lichen as a state symbol. It is common throughout the coastal hills of California and up to 130 miles inland. Here it … More California State Lichen
Oscillating VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL After the painting on Asilomar Beach the day before, I wanted to concentrate on the oscillating waves near Hidden Beach. I have painted in this area before. It is sometimes easier to paint from a photo than on location. To capture the the oscillating and rotary movement is a … More Point Lobos
Asilomar Waves VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL Late in the afternoon with rain on the way. I liked the huge waves breaking over the rocks. It was the movement in the water that my eye kept focusing on. This buck was lying low in the Pacific Grove Golf Course across from where I was painting. … More Asilomar Drive
Today I walked up Blackstone Canyon in Marinwood. In the center of this beautiful carved bay tree is the study I did of this tree. The multiple colors of greens after our rains and the carved trunks of this bay tree along the creek drew me to this composition. I like mixing a color then … More Blackstone Canyon in January
Start with One VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL I have posted this rabbit before. It lives in some Manzanita bushes near the house. I watched it graze in the early mornings and evenings. The early snow seemed to surprise it, as it tried to dig down to the grass level. I cut some apple branches … More Multiplication
November 1st was the first sign of winter in Truckee and I woke up to this. Up until the snow, a White Headed woodpecker was a regular morning visitor. Good Morning VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL A morning walk and this heavy snow covered Mountain Mahogany caught my eye. I sketched in the darks. My … More First snow of season
Aspens dropping all their foliage gave me new ideas for painting some of my favorite groves. These trees dropped their leaves about a month early. This is again out in Perazzo Meadows. Here is my start with acrylic paint Moving away from the landscape that first interested me. Snowy Night oil 18x36in HCH Sold
A trip with girlfriends in October inspired this diptych of Hope Valley, California. A favorite painting area of artists in the autumn.This year many of the trees normally in bright foliage had dropped their leaves due to the drought. I was surprised to find some groves still glowing. A few salmon were running up from … More Hope Valley 2015
Spot of Color VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL Spot of Color Acrylic 48x48in
Crystal Harling 