After choosing the regions, I also decided to focus on my favorite trees. I chose to start with the ocean and the Monterey Cypress for the first painting. I had an aunt and uncle who lived in Pebble Beach, close to the 17 Mile Drive. I loved to travel around photographing that region during various weather conditions and times of day and was fascinated by the unique shapes of each tree arching out, windswept by the ocean breeze. I wanted to include iconic elements like the Lone Cypress but not focus on them. Instead, I wanted it to be more about the overall look of the regional location. In creating these paintings in the Arts & Crafts woodcut style, I did not want them to end up looking flat. I chose to paint them in a way that gave them depth by slightly changing the technique as the elements move back in space.
