California Poppy Reserve

"Poppy's Forever" 11 x 14 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

We headed out to the Reserve Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR early Sat. morning, meeting up with another plein air artist Barbara Parish. Pat Ford, Lilli Miles and myself packed our gear into the car and we were on our way. We thought the best thing would be to have breakfast before going out to the Reserve to paint, that way we wouldn't have to stop to come back to town to eat. Barbara met us at the restaurant. After eating we all went out in one car and once we took the road off the freeway we could see the color, which was 11 miles away. At first we were thinking our eyes were wanting to see the poppies so bad that we were seeing things, but indeed as we drove closer it was more and more clear that the poppies were in full bloom.

We drove around trying to find the best place to set up and paint, away from all the visitors to the park. We took a side road up the mountain side which overlooked the valley below and had a beautiful vista of the San Gabriel mountain range with snow capped peaks. What a view.

Terry getting set up to start a painting!

I finished my painting just in time. The wind started blowing, you can see the death grip I have on my umbrella.

"Tres Amigos" Finished paintings from the first site, Terry, Barbara and Pat, Lilli is taking the photo.

Packing up the car to move onto another spot. (Lilli, Pat and Terry, Barbara taking photo)

On our way out to the Reserve we spotted a previous spot that looked inviting for a painting session which had the beautiful purple/blue flowers that gradated into the poppy fields with the beautiful poppies on the rolling hills in front of the distant mountains. We drove back to the spot and it was even more beautiful as the sun had moved west and the shimmer was on those rolling hills. As we got out of the car we could not believe how hard the wind was blowing now. We set up behind the car trying to shelter ourselves, but still had to anchor our easels and could not use our umbrellas. I even had to take my hat off as the wind kept catching the brim and covering my eyes.

Photo by Patricia Rose Ford, boy was it ever windy!

2nd painting of the day -"Poppy Covered Rolling Hills" 8 x 10 oil on canvas by Terry d. Chacon

Lilli getting up close and personal with the poppies.

What a wonderful day at the Poppy Reserve. Hoping we can return before the blossoms are all gone.

Until next time, ENJOY THE ART! Terry d. Chacon