Moody Sunrise was painted on the second morning of my plein air residency in Julian, California, at the very moment when night released the landscape to early light. I prepared for this sunrise in advance — the composition was already established on the canvas, the paints were laid out, and the alarm was set. In the early hours, all that was left was to put on a jacket, take a quick sip of coffee, step onto the veranda, and catch the atmosphere before it disappeared. This painting is about timing and intention — working fast, fully present, and responsive to changing light. I wasn’t chasing details; I was holding a unified visual impression of the morning as it emerged. This became my favorite piece from the Julian series. It feels whole and fresh, carrying a distinct mood — the beginning of a beautiful day, clear and full of potential. Oil on canvas, 10 × 10 in, 2026