The Gaviota Hot Springs was my destination. I have wanted to paint there for a long time. It was a beautiful day so I decided to go on a drive. I got to Gaviota Hot Springs at midday. It was a bit of a hike up a steep muddy trail and I was winded by the time I got to the springs. (Note to self; get some exercise dude!) Two gray-headed gentlemen were sitting in the pool when I arrived there who had already been there for a couple of hours. After a short chat, I stripped down and joined them. The temp was not hot at all — it was a bit above lukewarm. Around 80 degrees. Bubbling up from volcanic activity was the distinct odor of sulfur. The minerals are said to heal. So, I stayed in and talked about Costa Rica, art, snakes, and vanilla beans for about half an hour and noticed that the sun was about gone from the canyon. I wanted to get a painting in before I went home, so I hopped out and dried off. When I got dressed again, I headed back down the mountain. When I got to the trailhead by the parking lot, I looked back up the hill and this magnificent tree was waving goodbye to me and the sun as it went down.

I got in the car and headed south on Highway 101. While watching the sun go down, I knew it would soon be completely gone. I was compelled to do something about it before ASAP. I stopped the car and ran out to the top of the cliffs above Gaviota State Beach to capture the last of the sun before going behind the horizon.

So, there I was painting… and the quick 20-minute study you see here was sold right off the easel from a guy who saw me painting from below. He approached me and wanted it so—SOLD! I guess timing is everything, right!?

Anthony was here from Salt Lake City and visiting some friends along the coast. He told me that this painting would be a reminder of his dad whose final resting place is just about where the sun is setting there… near Prince Island in San Miguel island’s Cuyler Harbor.

I was happy to have sold this to someone so spontaneously. The bummer was this; since it was dark when I finished it, I had no clear photo. Luckily, he was heading from Santa Barbara to Orange County so I had a chance to take the shot when he stopped by my studio this morning.

I will definitely be going back there soon to do another painting. The tree on the top-right of the picture has a HUGE collection of some large long-necked birds roosting there for the night. Cormorants perhaps? I want to do another painting with the tree as the subject… soon.