This summer has been quite delightful if you like fog. Growing up in New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania, I did get to experience fog frequently, but it’s quite different here in Morro Bay, California. All summer long as the inland valleys swelter, the Pacific Ocean cools the Central Coast of California.
Cold Pacific Ocean water and hot air over the land collide to produce vapors that hang around for at least a half a day.
It sneaks fingers of soft white over the rolling hills, the Morro Bay Estuary and two or three of the Nine Sisters Peaks within a few miles of the coastline.
It looms over Morro Rock like a halo or fluffy bonnet, but sometimes smothering it almost completely.
Looking towards Los Osos over the bay, I saw cool air and warmer water colliding in the early morning making a very mysterious floating vapor that transfixed me for quite a while. I just had to get my pastels to see if I could capture the vapors rising. In the distance, the landscape rose into more of the morning mists.
Until the next sketch…peace, Heather
A wandering illustrator 
Lovely, Heather…
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So glad you enjoyed my “marine layers.” I just had to make use of the unique weather I continue to see rolling in. Painters are always looking for sunshine. They really don’t like the whiteness and greyness. I noticed other people were bothered by the fog, but then I started to see it as something very special. It is here to enjoy as it changes shapes and creeps over the land. I rather like it because it’s different! I’ve always liked the unique and atypical! ~Heather
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Such beautiful work, Heather. You’ve captured very well some of the wispy, ethereal qualities of coastal fog.
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Thank you Anne. I do love the fog. I’m going to hang them in my studio for the Open Studios Tour, October 8-9, 15-16. It’s fun to share my artwork with visitors. Next post, I’ll tell more about this event. ~Heather
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Your sketches have captured the atmosphere of a typical summer day along the Pacific coastline. On summer days you can freeze from the marine air then drive a few miles inland from the coast and roast from the heat
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Thank you. You’re quite right about the extremes of weather within just a few miles! Exploring the coastline going north and south between Baja and Canada has shown me the best of it all. I love being out of doors to experience it all. ~Heather
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My blogging friend Susan lives at Morro Bay. Do you know her?
Your paintings are beautiful :)
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Thanks, Jo. Which blog is Susan’s? Been busy getting ready for the ArtsObispo.org “Open Studio Tour” in October… ~Heather
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Sounds great! :) I knew I should have enclosed a link. Here you are- https://onesmallwalk.com/
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