The Topa Topa mountains sit above the Upper Ojai Valley and are part of the transverse (east-west) ranges of southern California. Some winters they are graced with snow on their highest peaks.
Between the years of 2015-2018 I was fortunate enough, through the generosity of others, to be able to "camp" in the barn pictured here and set up my mobile art studio for a few days at a time. I would pull my truck right in the structure, lay down my tarps, set up my supplies, assemble my easels and go for it. Occasionally it would rain on the metal roof of the barn while I was painting and the cacophony produced was frenetically soothing. One year it got COLD and the rain turned to snow. The noise slowly faded away until the silence was almost as loud. It was amazing.
When I woke up in the morning the Topa Topas were covered in snow. The Pixie Tangerine and Walnut trees that surrounded the barn had been well watered and glistened in the morning light. What a magical place. Thx to CB and SG for those times. P.S. This also began my infatuation with Pixie Tangerines. WOW.
Between the years of 2015-2018 I was fortunate enough, through the generosity of others, to be able to "camp" in the barn pictured here and set up my mobile art studio for a few days at a time. I would pull my truck right in the structure, lay down my tarps, set up my supplies, assemble my easels and go for it. Occasionally it would rain on the metal roof of the barn while I was painting and the cacophony produced was frenetically soothing. One year it got COLD and the rain turned to snow. The noise slowly faded away until the silence was almost as loud. It was amazing.
When I woke up in the morning the Topa Topas were covered in snow. The Pixie Tangerine and Walnut trees that surrounded the barn had been well watered and glistened in the morning light. What a magical place. Thx to CB and SG for those times. P.S. This also began my infatuation with Pixie Tangerines. WOW.