Behind the Scenes of My Dana Point Collection
Dana Point has become one of my most painted locations. I didn’t plan it that way—it just happened over time. Every time I go, I end up seeing something new I want to capture. The views are great, the town has a good energy, and I always come back with more reference photos than I planned to take.
I’ve painted the harbor, the cliffs, the bluff trail, the trolley downtown, the yacht club, Strands Beach—you name it. Some of these were commissions, some were for my collaboration with The Art Sea, and others I painted just because I wanted to. I don’t overthink it. If I like the scene, I paint it.
Why Dana Point?
For me, it’s the combination of calm and structure. The marina layout, the architecture, the way the cliffs drop off into the water—it all works visually. And there’s a lot of variety packed into a small area. You can walk five minutes and go from quiet ocean views to busy restaurants to wide-open beach. That kind of mix gives me a lot to work with.
Plus, it just feels familiar. I’ve spent enough time there now that I know the streets and views without needing a map. That helps me simplify the scenes and focus on the things that stand out to me—shapes, color, composition, and mood.
Want to See the Full Collection?
I’ve put all my Dana Point artwork in one place on my website so it’s easy to browse.