Christmas Eve after the Thomas Fire

December 4 was the beginning of the Thomas Fire, outside of Santa Paula. It raged from behind the Fillmore area, into Ventura, the Ojai area, the coastal enclaves of Faria, La Conchita and into Carpinteria. In the meantime consuming much of the Los Padres National Forest back country, Sespe, Matilija and the Santa Ynez River watershed behind Montecito and Summerland. Wind and 7 years of drought conditions, kept pushing it along through the Santa Barbara front country and the Montecito foothills. It has become the largest recorded fire in California History. As of this writing, they are looking at full containment around January 7.
Life took detours or changed forever for much of the population. I look out at a bare Montecito Peak - like a moonscape - just dirt and ash.
A lot of things were put on hold, a few carried on and life is slowly coming back to it's senses for Christmas. But a sober Christmas indeed.

Santa Paula Art Museum bravely stayed open with the "Art about Agriculture" show. I could not attend the artist's talk, as by then we were in evacuation mode. Please show local support by stopping by the museum and seeing the show.


Sullivan-Goss Gallery pushed on with a smokey First Thursday opening for the 100 Grand Invitational Exhibit. 








small fir
gouache on archival board
3"x4"

This year I had one of my paintings printed for Christmas cards:










low creek
gouache
3"x3"




The Westmont 5"x5" Invitational will include the following piece for their fund-raising online auction. This will open in January.

lake
gouache on board
5"x5"




Art is a refuge in times of hardship and uncertainty - it carries hope and beauty.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a New Year without Fire, ash and smoke.