Painting the Lavender Fields once again

Yesterday (6/24/12) I enjoyed painting again at the Lavender Festival in Banning, CA.  This is always a fun event to be at, as they have fun live music, interesting booths and of course, lavender everywhere.  It is always so nice to paint with the lovely aroma of lavender in the wind.  We got there quite early and were able to get a painting completed before the crowds arrived.  Then off to paint some more, have a great relaxing lunch and one more painting in the afternoon.

Our morning view.

Afternoon shade, and lavender vista, painting with Terry d Chacon and Sandra Charlebois.

"Lavender and Olives" 12x16 plein air pastel.  

This is bigger than I usually paint in plein air, but I had decided I wanted to paint bigger this day.  I had most of it completed, when the festival was starting and shortly they had hay wagons parked in front of me.  Well, one good reason to paint fast. 

" Lavender fields visitors" 6x12 plein air pastel.

After I finished the first painting, I walked around a bit, and was not sure if I would do another one before lunch.  Terry was still working on her second painting, so I decided to do a very quick painting.  People were walking around in the fields. so I decided to paint this one quickly.  I painted this one in about 30 minutes.  It was fun to get quick movements of the people as they walked around in the fields.  

"Lavender fields rows" 8x10 plein air pastel.

After lunch, it was quite hot, but we found a very nice spot under the shad of a tree.  I was interested in the long vista with the mountains in the distance.  I also liked the view of the rows that curved around in a circle form.  So much fun, this is always a great location for plein air painting.