Thursday, December 13, 2012

"Surf Study at Sunset" 

You cannot beat the California Coast for some great
painting.  Mild weather makes it ideal to paint year 
round. 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

"San Francisco Street Study"

I painted this during a summer trip to paint urban scenes
of the iconic city of San Francisco.  In all,  I painted close
to a dozen paintings depicting the light and mood of this
beautiful city.  

It was a challenge painting here, of course traffic is scary
and you have to find a parking spot that you can stay in 
for at least 2 hours without it costing you an arm and a 
leg.  It didn't matter how tough though,  I was determined
to get some work done!



Sunday, October 28, 2012


Just recently painted in Big Sur,  California after
exhibiting in Laguna Beach at the 14th Annual
Plein Air Invitational.
 
 I've been on the road for almost 2 months
painting outdoors in Wyoming, Utah, Arizona
and California,  so now it's time to concentrate on 
some large scale works in the studio.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

"Mid Day Light"  9"x12"
 
I was honored to receive Best of Show in
the Quick Draw at 14th Annual Laguna Beach 
Plein Air Invitational taking place this week 
October 14 - 21, 2012.


Monday, October 1, 2012

Back from teaching in Vermont  last week and 
traveling to Wyoming,  Utah and Arizona for the 
past month.  It was a fantastic trip with stunning 
scenery and good times!  I will be posting new
paintings soon! 


Grand Canyon North Rim

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Dear friends I will be on the road painting 
this month and also heading to Vermont to
teach a workshop.   I hope to post new work next
month in October!  Happy painting!!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Painting on the Pacific Coast near my home and
the painting above from that day!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

 "Pine Creek Lake Study #1"  6"x8" NFS

After a good nights sleep under the stars it was
time to venture around the lake to find a good
spot to paint.  There were so many,  but this 
captured my attention almost right away.

Sierra high country lakes are heavenly. God's art
is nature to me and I feel blessed that he gave
 me this ability to share it with others.


Henry David Thoreau said,  "My profession is to 
always find God in Nature." 



Tuesday, August 14, 2012


Just recently returned from my annual painting
trip in the Eastern Sierra.  It's a tough 5 hour hike
up granite cliffs to Pine Creek Lake, but worth
every sore muscle when you arrive.  Kirby our
trusted guide made it look easy of course,  he 
was always ahead of us by 30 yards or more.

More to come...

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

3 day plein-air workshop with Frank Serrano in Putney, Vermont for 3 days in September. Dates are- Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sept. 26, 27, 28, 2012. If your interested get in touch with Deborah Lazar
  at  d@artworking.com

Minimum of 10 people.  Scholarships available.
I hope you will watch...Have a great day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=choOYBFZBVA

Monday, August 6, 2012

Thanks to Everyone who came to my Studio
Open House.  It turned out to be the best in 
10 Years! 
 
Also,  Thanks to those of you who helped
out and to Wonderland Custom Cakes for
their generosity in providing their delicious
cupcakes for everyone to try!  
 
By the way they won Cup Cake Wars on the
Food Network!!!
 
 

- Frank Serrano

Friday, August 3, 2012

"I paint, not to paint a pretty picture that sells, but because I was inspired by my subject. I fell in love and wanted everyone to know."

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

"High Mountain Aspen"  8"x8"

SOLD

Available at my Studio Sale August 4th, 2012
If you would like to attend please email
frankserrano@sbcglobal.net

Friday, July 27, 2012


Available at my Studio Sale August 4th, 2012
If you would like to attend please email
frankserrano@sbcglobal.net

Above,  "Hyde Street"  SOLD

"Colorado Blvd. 7am" 8"x8" HOLD

Thursday, July 26, 2012

After working in the studio for the past few days I 
decided to break it up with a trip down to Laguna 
Beach to get a couple field studies done.  I often 
give myself a break when painting larger works
in the studio to keep those paintings from 
looking too labored.  They  take  much longer
to create,  sometimes weeks,  so a fresh eye is
important!
Above: "Laguna Rock Pile" 8"x8"
"Mid Day Sun" 8"x10"
Copyright F. Serrano 2012



Monday, July 23, 2012



Recent on location field studies from my trip up the California
coast.  I recommend this trip to anyone,  but especially if you
paint or love to sketch it's spectacular. and if you bring
 a partner you can stop along the way picnic at sights like
these and paint!

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to
play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give
 strength to body and soul." John Muir

Above: Pigeon Pt Light House 10"x14"


Copyright,  F. Serrano 2012

Thursday, July 19, 2012


"Sunrise at Leo Carrillo",  7"x10" Field Study
Copyright F. Serrano 2012

SOLD

I couldn't believe how lucky I was to drive an hour
to the beach and find this scene just starting 
 to unfold.  With my hot coffee in hand and 
easel on my back I hiked down to the sand to
find my spot.  I could feel the warmth of the sun
on my face and at the same time a cool breeze
coming off of the water.  So peaceful,  I had to 
say a quick prayer before setting up my easel to 
thank God for such a beautiful day!
 


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Back to the studio to work on enlarging some of my 
San Francisco and Central Coast paintings!

Sometimes it's hard to get back into painting in the
studio after such a beautiful experience painting
outdoors,  but it's something that must be done.  I
will often surround myself with all the studies of
the area and meditate or visualize being there again.
Slowly the sights,  smells and sounds drift back
and I feel i can begin to start my work. I want the
viewer to feel in my larger works what I felt
on the spot in my field studies.  

Sunday, July 15, 2012

"Hyde Street"  8"x8"  oil on panel

SOLD

I recently had the best painting trip to to the 
great city of San Francisco.  My friend Andre and
I painted  scenes from the Golden Gate to 
the streets that make this city a unique place.

Although I painted at least a dozen Plein Air
paintings,  I can't wait to go back when I can 
spend more time exploring and painting
all the places I may have missed.

Copyright F. Serrano 2012

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

"Treasure Island Coast" 7"x10"

SOLD


Monday, June 18, 2012

When I'm in the studio and start to feel like I 
need to get out and paint,  the coast is the first 
place I think of.  It has all the elements I look
for in order to create a good painting. 
 
This particular scene as set up for me.  A great
design with beautiful color and light.  This was 
painted right in the middle of the day,  but there 
were still some great blue shadows on the cliff
which complimented its golden tone.
 
I think this summer is going to be grand!
 



 


Thursday, June 7, 2012

"Sunshine" 10"x12" Oil on linen

Private Collection

"Head of the Trail" Field Study 8"x10".

 Painted in the 
mountains near my home that had been burned 
by the Station Fire. Mother nature has sprinkled
 her love and everything is coming back!

SOLD 

Saturday, May 26, 2012

"June in the High Country" 8"x10" Field Study

SOLD

Friday, May 25, 2012

"Raking Light" 9"x12"

California has light that is just amazing.  The 
variety of light, from hazy near the coast, to sharp
in the foothills and mountains,  keeps me excited 
and ready to paint any day of the year.  

This piece was painted near my home in the
foothills as the sun was approaching sunset.
The warm glow on the grass and reflected light
on the tree trunks literally stopped me in my 
tracks.

This is available for sale.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012


"Crashing Waves" 6"x8"  Field Study
SOLD
I love the California Coast and as you can tell one 
of my favorite places to paint.  Ever changing,
there is so much excitement with the surf crashing
over the rocks and sand to watching dolphins
frolic just off shore.  This particular painting is 
one I did recently in Malibu at what is called
the "Channels."  The tide was starting to build
and the waves were crashing  spectacularly.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

"Early Summer" 7"x10" This was painted near
the town of Bishop,  CA in the Eastern Sierra.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

"Crazy Mountains" Field Study

SOLD

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

"Surf at Pt. Fermin" Field Study
Nothing like driving down to the coast to paint.

SOLD

Monday, February 6, 2012

"Dog Beach" 8"x8" Oil on Linen