Plein air painting allows the spirit of place to literarily take hold of my brush. The Presidio is one of San Francisco's oldest districts, dating from the Spanish occupation in 1776. The region, with its nearly five hundred historic buildings, splendid hiking trails, and spectacular natural vistas has been a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1994.

As I worked, it seemed that the ghosts of history swirled around and my brush was charged with a special energy that was equal measure history, inspiration, and the golden morning sun.