Newport Beach has a special place in my heart. I lived there for some time, and have taken my family to the beaches countless times. Balboa Peninsula, Balboa Island, Ruby’s on the pier, walking boardwalk, the cliffs of Corona Del Mar, the list goes on. This place is beautifully magical, and there’s no place like it on earth.
As a resident of coastal Orange County, I’ve painted Newport Beach countless times, with the Back Bay and Corona Del Mar as my favorite places to paint en plein air or to take pictures back to the studio for larger paintings. The Back Bay is a peaceful estuary, a place of solace among the hustle and bustle of metro Orange County. While it’s in the jet path of Orange County airport, it feels worlds away. I often exhibit at the Back Bay art show and other painting shows in Newport Beach throughout the year. Newport Beach is a perfect slice of heaven in Orange County – to both live full time, to have a vacation home, or to visit in the summer (or any time of year).
Here are a few of my favorite paintings of Newport Beach that are available, I do have more so please reach out if you’re interested in a specific scene!
“Back Bay Mustard” 30×40″
“Back Bay Mustard” 30×40″ original oil $2800
This oil painting of the Back Bay has rich gold colors and moody blues and gray violets. I have painted the Back Bay many times and in this piece I exaggerated the wild mustard-ish looking foliage that was there at the time. I loved the mood of the marine-layered skies and the early evening light which hovered over the distant bluffs.
“Crystal Cove Beach Day” 16×20
“Crystal Cove Beach Day” 16×20 original oil $895
“Crystal Cove Beach Day” depicts a bright, busy, sun drenched day at this state beach in California. With loose impressionistic brush strokes I painted the gist of the busy scene. If you have been here before you know how crowded it gets. I love the way the cliffs at this beach create a unique and protected beach spot.
“Newport Back Bay Bluff” 16×20
“Newport Back Bay Bluff” 16×20 original oil $895
The bluffs at the Back Bay have different lighting throughout the day. On this day it was slightly breezy with clouds drifting. The yellows, ochre, and golds contrast the muted pastels in the sky and bluffs. This painting has a calm and relaxing feeling.
“Crystal Cove Cottages” 20×24 original oil $1,800
This one is a very impressionistic portrayal of the Crystal Cove Beach cottages. These cottages are not for rent like the regular cottages you can rent above on the bluffs. But I thought they looked so beautifully scruffy and dilapidated I had to paint them. I added some “wood” and “structure” to hold them up. (You can rent cottages through Reserveamerica.com)
“Shredding” 12×16
“Shredding” 12×16 original oil $695
While watching surfers from the shore I was inspired to paint this scene. It’s fun to try to capture the movement of the waves while getting the right gesture of the surfer on the board. This dude is “shredding the nar nar.”
Bluffs and Cactus 12×16″
This painting of back bay in Newport Beach, CA captures the majestic colors and natural vegetation of the area. The back bay is one of the most painted regions of Newport Beach. The coastal chapparel meets the natural estuary for a beautiful combination of vegetation and sea life. Many locals walk and hike the Back Bay to get their daily dose of vitamin sea.
Kathleenmrobison@yahoo.com
