Diablo December

I started this during a paint-out with friends in September and went back in October to try and finish. Once I got the painting home, though, I felt there was something missing, something not expressed, so I put it away for a while. This week I looked at it with fresh eyes and was finally able to pull it together in the studio. Mt. Diablo has such a beautiful, inspiring presence, I wanted to do her justice.

"Diablo December," acrylic on canvas, 12" x 24", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Landscapes collection. Prints are also available in my shop on Fine Art America.

Acrylic Landscape Demonstration December 10, 2022

You're invited! I'll be doing a free demonstration this Saturday, December 10th, 11 am - 12:20 pm at the Harrington Gallery in Pleasanton CA. While my passion is plein air, in this indoor demo I'll be creating an acrylic landscape painting from photos, sketches, memory and imagination. This will be a fun, interactive session -- all questions welcome! 

My demo is hosted by the Pleasanton Art League in conjunction with their current show in the Firehouse Arts Center's Harrington Gallery. I'm proud that my painting "Autumn Glow, Lake Del Valle" is part of the mix. This is a beautiful gallery, well worth a visit if you're in the San Francisco Bay Area this month. Learn more at https://www.pal-art.com/exhibits-events/

Afternoon Glow, Round Valley

 

The westering sun was catching the ridgetops and picking out glints of gold in the landscape on a quiet November day. Magical!

"Afternoon Glow, Round Valley," acrylic on panel 9" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Landscapes collection. The original painting is already sold, but prints are available in my shop on Fine Art America. 

Serenity, Lafayette Reservoir

This beautiful lake is a peaceful retreat, quiet and serene. It was a joy painting here with friends on a shimmering fall afternoon.

 

"Serenity, Lafayette Reservoir," acrylic on panel 11" x 14", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Waterscapes collection. The original painting has already been sold, but prints are available in my shop on Fine Art America.

Markley Canyon, Black Diamond

This deep ravine was carved by long-ago mining operations and is still eroding, melting back into the landscape. I love the serpentine trail that clings to its contours and winds its way up toward hills and sky. This is Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Northern California, one of my favorite places on the planet.

"Markley Canyon,  Black Diamond," acrylic on panel 16" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

 Click here to view this painting in my Landscapes collection.

Sky Song, Lafayette Reservoir

It was a joy painting with friends at the Lafayette Reservoir on a sparkling October afternoon. This beautiful, peaceful lake always refreshes my spirit.

"Sky Song, Lafayette Reservoir," acrylic on panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Waterscapes collection.

Mangini Ranch, October

This beautiful, unspoiled ranchland has been protected from encroaching development by Save Mount Diablo and is now a haven for hikers and artists. It was a joy painting there with friends on a silvery fall day.

"Mangini Ranch, October," acrylic on panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Landscapes collection.

Autumn Glow, Lake Del Valle

Lake Del Valle is one of my favorite places to paint. On this calm, quiet October morning the reflections were crystal clear and fall color sparkled along the shoreline. Joy!

"Autumn Glow, Lake Del Valle," acrylic on panel 12" x 16", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Waterscapes collection.

Found Off Road Dead

Couldn't resist this vintage Ford tractor with its jaunty red and blue paint job! It was fun painting with friends at the East Contra Costa Historical Museum in Brentwood, near my home in Northern California.

 "Found Off Road Dead," acrylic on 8" x 6" cradled wood panel, © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Town and Country collection. The original painting is already sold but prints are available in my shop on Fine Art America.

Preserve Trail, Pleasanton

The Preserve Trail is a hidden treasure tucked into the hills above Pleasanton in Northern California. Just minutes away from the bustling urban scene, it's a peaceful escape into nature. It was a joy painting here during this year's Paint Pleasanton plein air event. 

"Preserve Trail, Pleasanton," acrylic on panel 12" x 9", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Landscapes collection. The original painting is already sold, but you can shop for prints in my shop on Fine Art America.

First and Ceres, Crockett

 

Started en plein air, finished at home en plein air conditioning (we're havin' a heat wave!) I always love painting in this old-timey factory town tucked into the steep hills beneath the Carquinez Bridge.

"First and Ceres, Crockett," Acrylic on Canvas 10" x 10", © Nancy Roberts.

Click here to view this painting in my Town and Country collection.

Martinez from Benicia

It was a joy painting with friends at the historic Clock Tower in Benicia, with spectacular views across the Carquinez Strait toward Martinez and Mt. Diablo beyond. My mom was an artist and my dad a cabinetmaker, so painting on wood feels like coming home to me.

"Benicia from Martinez," Acrylic on Cradled Wood Panel, 8" x 8", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Waterscapes collection.

Beach Path, Glen Cove

This path leads down to a little beach much loved by locals who come to stroll, walk their dogs, launch kayaks, swim, play with the kids and hunt for sea glass. A glorious grove of agaves frames the view of the Carquinez Strait beyond. Painted with friends on a lovely summer day at Glen Cove Waterfront Park in Vallejo CA.

Click here to view this painting in my Waterscapes collection.

"Beach Path, Glen Cove," Acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord Panel, 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts.

Summer Color, Blake Garden

 

This wild and colorful jumble of flowers was impossible to resist -- plein air happiness!

Blake Garden is one of my favorite places to paint with friends. It's a hidden gem tucked into a wooded hillside in Kensington just north of Berkeley. Owned by the University of California, the garden is lovingly tended by students and volunteers. Always beautiful, peaceful and inspiring.

Click here to view this painting in my Gardens and Orchards collection.

"Summer Color, Blake Garden," Acrylic on Ampersand Gessobord Panel, 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Crockett from Glen Cove

 

I love this awesome view of Crockett and the old C & H Sugar plant nestled beneath the Carquinez Bridge. Painted with friends at Glen Cove Waterfront Park in Vallejo, CA.

Click here to view this painting in my Waterscapes collection. 

"Crockett from Glen Cove," Acrylic on Panel, 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Martinez Shoreline, July

 

I love the magnificent dome-shaped palms that dot the terrain along the Martinez shoreline. Instead of growing taller they seem to grow fuller and rounder, hunkering down against the wind. It was a joy painting with friends along this peaceful marshland trail on a sparkling summer day.

"Martinez Shoreline, July," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 9", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Ninth Street Beach, Benicia

 

This pretty little beach disappeared before our eyes as the tide came rolling in. My plein air friends and I had to work fast! 

"Ninth Street Beach, Benicia," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 9", © Nancy Roberts.

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Alhambra Creek

 

I love this view of Alhambra Creek winding its way through marshy terrain toward the Carquinez Strait. This beautiful shoreline area in Martinez, CA, has an ever-changing personality, shifting with the rhythms of the tide. So refreshing painting there with friends on a breezy July day!

"Alhambra Creek," Acrylic on Panel 9" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Plein Air Acrylic Workshop, July 30, 2022

I'm excited to be teaching a plein air acrylic painting workshop for the Pleasanton Art League, Saturday, July 30th at Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore. Here's the flyer with workshop details, and below it is my list of suggested supplies.

For more information and to register online visit Workshops and Classes in the Pleasanton Area (pal-art.com)   Feel free to email me if you have any questions, nancy@nancyrobertsstudio.com. I hope to see you at the workshop!

Quiet Corner, Blake Garden

 

Blake Garden is a cool, shady oasis tucked into the East Bay hills near U.C. Berkeley. So refreshing to paint there on a summer day when temps inland were near triple digits!

"Quiet Corner, Blake Garden," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Brick Beach

 

I love this stretch of the Carquinez Strait shoreline where battered old bricks jumble along the water's edge. So refreshing painting there with my plein air buddies on a sparkling summer day!

"Brick Beach," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Sycamore Spirit

 

I love how sycamores grow in a big, circular family radiating out from a sheltered core, and it's amazing how far their huge, sinuous branches can cantilever out over the landscape. Sycamore Grove in Livermore CA feels like Mother Nature's sculpture garden!

"Sycamore Spirit," Acrylic on Panel, 11" x 14", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Diablo Tapestry

 

It was a joy painting beautiful Mt. Diablo with friends on a perfect May day. Felt great to be back in action with my new bionic eyes!

"Diablo Tapestry," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Brentwood Gold

Brentwood farm country is a patchwork of orchards and corn fields with Mt. Diablo framing the horizon. I started this on a quiet backroad just before the bustle of Brentwood's popular U-pick season kicked in. I never get tired of painting this beautiful area near my home in Northern California!

"Brentwood Gold," acrylic on panel 9" x 12", © Nancy Roberts.

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Mother's Day Garden

 

Started while painting with friends at the beautiful Ruth Bancroft Garden, finished in my studio while recovering from cataract surgery. Lovin' my zippy new eyeballs!

"Mother's Day Garden," Acrylic on Panel 16" x 12", © Nancy Roberts.

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Jeep on Main Street, Locke

 

I'd started painting these shops when a vintage Jeep suddenly appeared and parked right in front. The driver politely asked if he was blocking my view and of course I said "Not at all -- I'll paint your beautiful Jeep!" This one was fast and loose, working transparently like watercolor and drawing with the brush. Feels like the start of an exciting new series, Sketching with Paint.

"Jeep on Main Street, Locke," Acrylic on Panel 16" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Marsh Ranch Relic

This weather-beaten old barn is part of a working ranch surrounding the historic John Marsh House in Brentwood, California. I loved the staccato pattern of holes weaving through broken boards and rafters, with sky and land peeking through. It was a joy painting here on a special plein air day hosted by the John Marsh Historic Trust.

"Marsh Ranch Relic," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Easter Garden

 

A glorious, blooming day in the Ruth Bancroft Garden! I used my X-ray vision to see Ruth's beautiful irises dancing on the other side of the fence. Happiness!

"Easter Garden," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 9", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com

Sakura

 

It was a magical feeling to be sheltered within the soft glow of these magnificent flowering cherries. This lovely Japanese garden is part of the Markham Nature Park and Arboretum in Concord, CA.

"Sakura," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Brentwood Heartland

 

Every Spring my friends and I go out and paint in Brentwood's beautiful orchard country. Always a delight!

"Brentwood Heartland," Acrylic on Panel 9" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com

Jubilation

 

Painted this during the Borrego Art Institute's Plein Air Invitational in 2019 at a spot within steps of the casita where I was staying. It was such a joy painting in the sun-drenched desert for an entire week -- a dream come true!

"Jubilation," Acrylic on Canvas 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, www.NancyRobertsStudio.com

Poppies and Manzanita

 

A glorious Spring day at the Ruth Bancroft Garden! It was a joy painting there with my plein air buddies.

"Poppies and Manzanita," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, NancyRobertsStudio.com

Spring Orchard

Back to my favorite little orchard! I loved how fresh spring sunlight was glowing through the fluffy canopy of blossoms.

"Spring Orchard," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 16", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Oakley Orchard in Bloom

I love how these twisty, gnarly old trees come to life every Spring with clouds of white blossoms. This pretty little orchard grows along Marsh Creek near my home in Northern California.

"Oakley Orchard in Bloom," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 16", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Nortonville

 

This remnant of ranch life is tucked away in a valley just north of Mt. Diablo in Northern California. On a sunny February day, the hills were aglow with mustard and the old almond trees were sporting fresh new blossoms. It was a joy painting there with friends!

"Nortonville," Acrylic on Canvas 8" x 24", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, NancyRobertsStudio.com.

Early Spring, Round Valley

 

Spring has come early here in the Bay Area! It was a delight painting with friends at beautiful Round Valley Regional Preserve on a sunny, green February day.

"Early Spring, Round Valley," Acrylic on Panel 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Now available on my website, NancyRobertsStudio.com.