Chimineas Ranch Paintings & History

I recently participated in The San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment show "Open Range: Painting the Chimineas" at Castoro Winery. This piece, entitled 'Chimineas Ranch in Fall' (15" x 30") and those displayed below this post were painted at the Ranch and featured in the SLOPE exhibit.

The Chimineas Ranch is 31,000-acre property in eastern San Luis Obispo County. The rich cultural and historical legacy and profound ecological significance of the Ranch cement its prominence as a site for enduring public interest and involvement. The modern history of the Ranch begins in California’s post gold rush cattle-drive system. Prior to the opening of a coast route, the Carrizo Plains Trail from the Cuyama Valley across Chimineas was an important cattle-driving corridor. The name “Chimineas” reportedly was given by early vaqueros who found the remains of an old hearth and chimney on the property when camping there for a night. The ranch went through a series of private owners throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, but at the start of millennium was sold to the Department of Fish and Game, The Nature Conservancy and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Now under full public ownership, the Ranch facility provides extraordinary opportunity outreach and education on natural history, hunting, the role of ranching and other resource related concerns.

Article on "Open Range" in Times Press Recorder

Follow the link to a write-up on what to expect at the "Open Range: Painting the Chimineas" exhibit at Castoro Winery on May 1st. http://www.timespressrecorder.com/articles/2010/05/20/ae/ae11.txt

Nancy's Story

Nancy Becker was born in San Diego, California and grew up in Pasadena, California. Her experiences horseback riding through the Los Angeles National Forest allowed her to explore and enhance her innate passion for nature and animals. This zeal for the outdoors spills over into Nancy’s creative expression and is echoed in her work today. Nancy left Pasadena To attend the University of Colorado and graduated with a B.A. in Art. She returned to California and taught at the elementary and middle school level for eight years and went on to receive her B.F.A. from California College of the Arts in Oakland, California in Graphic Design.

Nancy began painting with watercolors in the early 1990s. While exploring painting and its mediums she transitioned to oil painting for its ability to more deeply communicate with her audience. Consequentially, Nancy’s expressive landscapes reveal her intimate love of the outdoors and lifelong devotion to art and painting. Nancy has consistently studied with respected living and deceased artists such as wildldlife artist Bob Kuhn and landscape painters Clyde Aspevig, Skip Whitcomb, Ann Templeton, Scott Christensen and Michael Workman.