These two desert plant paintings, Family of Five (24" x 8" ); Barrels and Fenceposts (48" x 48"), have been juried into an exhibition at the Long Beach Museum of Art which opens today, Friday, September 4, and culminates on Sunday, September 20 with a silent and live auction, beginning at 4:00 PM. Considered one of the best auctions of contemporary art on the West Coast, this biennial draws hundreds of discriminating art patrons and collectors from throughout the greater Los Angeles area to bid on works by some of the most sought-after artists working today.Each of these paintings will be available for purchase with opening bid at half the value of the work. Those of you who live in or near Long Beach might enjoy stopping by the museum to see over 150 original works of art. You can also see the works at www.artauctionlbma.org

If you have not been to Lake Tahoe, you may find it difficult to imagine the rocks and water as I paint them. Lake Tahoe is a masterpiece of nature, formed 5 - 10 million years ago by geologic faults, volcanic activity and glaciers. The spectacular blue of Tahoe comes from the thin, clear, mountain air that allows the lake's pure, crystalline water to reflect the blue sky above. The water truly is clear. If you drop a quarter off the side of a boat you can watch it sinking and see it to depths of 75'. The lake's blues range from transparent through aquas to deep royal.

I create compositions inspired by the massive granite boulders that are piled, stacked, and balanced around the lake's edge and paint them in stylized expressionism. Last week I delivered three new Tahoe Rock paintings to Pablo's Gallery in Tahoe City. The largest, 48" x 30", is pictured here.

Art is one of those things we simply must do so our spirit will continue to grow.

Ryrie & Me is presenting Art In The Tahoe Garden, this Saturday. Several artists will exhibit in a lake side garden in Tahoe Vista. I will show jewelry, paintings, prints and note cards. Contact me for more information.

My brother has a huge vegetable garden this year, and I have been the lucky recipient of tasty squash, peppers, eggplant, and more. Not only have these delicious veggies ended up on our table, but I have used them for painting inspiration as you can see in these two eggplant paintings. You can see more Produce Paintings on my web site: www.pamelahuntlee.com

While out for my morning row, I watched a bald eagle and then lingered in the rocks that inspire so many of my paintings. I was reminded of the quiet permanence, power and strength these immense boulders represent. Here is a photo of the actual rock area that inspired 'Caught Rock' the painting. This painting is currently exhibited at Spirit Gallery in Truckee, CA.