Kernville River Park - Plein Air River Painting by Marian Fortunati

Kernville River Park © Marian Fortunati 8"x10" Oil on Canvas
Click on the above line for additional details about this painting.

Running through the town of Kernville, CA, the Kern River takes on a lively but less wild demeanor.   The water moves swiftly, but seems to spread out and enjoy its visit through the town, stopping here and there to chat with a boulder, a clump of weeds or to rest in a placid inlet.  During the busy season, children and their families can be seen fishing near the bridge and all year-long, people enjoy a walk along the river, listening to its chatter as it heads toward the steep and deep wild rapids section further south.

	Sunshine across the trees
	Looking north toward the bridge

On the last day of our all girls painting trip, we woke up early and went to the park a short distance from the Sierra Gateway Cottages where we were staying.   Our plan was to paint in the morning and return to the cottages for lunch before heading home.   We hoped to be able to stop to paint somewhere on the way home as well.

I think the sunlight which touched the tops of the trees first thing that morning stole the breath from all of us.  It was a crisp, clear and beautiful morning.   The distant mountains were just touched by the sunlight and even seemed to glow a bit right at the point where the light first touched.   Three of us painted looking south along the river toward the gentle curve at the end of the park.  Sharon Weaver and Laura Wambsgans were painting from the river bank beach while I painted from a bench higher up in the park.   Diane Nelson-Gold painted looking north toward the mountains that were glowing with morning sun.

We broke for our last lunch in Kern and headed out past lake Isabella (we vowed we would return to paint the lake at sunset) and across Walker Pass.  

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Several followers of the blog have made suggestions that will help me revise the rabbitbush painting posted in the last post.   Thanks so much.  When I finish my trip log (one more painting to go) and then revise that rabbitbush painting, I will repost it and let you know what I did and what everyone had suggested.  In the meantime... thank you all for being my "critical friends".   That is such an important part of any type of growth!

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