Round Valley Reimagined

"Round Valley Reimagined", acrylic on linen 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Painted the day after Thanksgiving with friends at Round Valley Regional Preserve in Northern California.   On this crisp, sunny day the rolling hills were draped in soft greens and golds, and a pop of Autumn red glowed in the distant grape vines.

Black Diamond Terraforms

"Black Diamond Terraforms", acrylic on linen 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

I started this while painting with friends at Black Diamond a few weeks ago.  As I continued to develop it in my studio the terrain transformed into this colorful, terraced tapestry and a luminous ribbon appeared in the sky. Happiness!

Benicia Spirit

"Benicia Spirit", acrylic on canvas 16" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Here's my personal spin on a classic Benicia vista, painted near the historic Clock Tower. With its bustle of bridges and industry, Carquinez Strait panoramas and views toward Mt. Diablo and the Contra Costa hills, this beautiful location always inspires me.

Black Diamond Gold

"Black Diamond Gold", acrylic on canvas 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Here's one of my favorite spots, Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Northern California. This time of year the hills are a rich patchwork of flaxen gold and dusty greens. Pure joy!

Gourd Arbor

"Gourd Arbor", Acrylic on Gessobord 14" x 11", © Nancy Roberts

I painted this inside a gourd arbor -- a tunnel-shaped trellis covered with vines -- at the historic Hagemann Ranch in Livermore, CA. Gourds of every size and shape hung overhead and created a magical space. I felt like I'd fallen through the rabbit hole and discovered Wonderland!

Inside the secret garden!

Filoli Unknotted

"Filoli Unknotted", acrylic on linen 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

I painted this at Filoli, a beautiful historic estate in the woodlands south of San Francisco. My spot was the Knot Garden where mounds of herbs are planted in complex, intertwining designs, but I decided to untangle the knots and create this serpentine hedge in their place.