Fisherfolk, Eckley Pier

This breezy spot along the Carquinez shoreline is a favorite with fisherfolk and plein air painters. So refreshing on a hot August day!

"Fisherfolk, Eckley Pier," Acrylic on Panel, 12" x 9", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Available from the Artist collection. Prints are available in my shop on Fine Art America.

Shipyard Cove

Another Benicia glimpse of Diablo, this time from Matthew Turner Shipyard Park. I love this beautiful area!

"Shipyard Cove," acrylic on wood panel, 6" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Available from the Artist collection. Prints are available in my shop on Fine Art America.

Round Valley Strata

I'm fascinated by the topography of the Contra Costa hills, dipping and soaring, forming a huge ruffled skirt around Mt. Diablo. Tawny grasslands and silvery oaks climb the slopes and mysterious rocky outcroppings hint at ancient layers beneath. If I'm quiet, I can start to feel the landforms flowing through my brush. What a joy to be at this place, on this day.

"Round Valley Strata," Acrylic on Panel, 12" x 9", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Available from the Artist collection. Prints are available in my shop on Fine Art America.

Diablo from Glen Cove

I love catching glimpses of Mt. Diablo from points all over the Bay Area. Its slopes are an ever-changing rainbow of light, color and atmosphere, and its familiar silhouette is a guidepost leading home. It was a joy painting this view from Glen Cove with friends on a sparkling mid-summer day.

"Diablo from Glen Cove," Acrylic on Panel, 9" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Available from the Artist collection. Prints are available in my shop on Fine Art America.

Summer Glow, Lafayette Reservoir

 

The "Rez" is always a cool, refreshing escape on a hot summer day. Plein air heaven!

"Summer Glow, Lafayette Reservoir," Acrylic on Panel, 12" x 12", © Nancy Roberts

Click here to view this painting in my Available from the Artist collection. Prints are also available in my shop on Fine Art America.

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