On our way to Carmel by the Sea, we drive up the narrow road by Oristimba Creek to see what is new in the grand old stand of sycamores that line the creekbed running under Interstate 5. There is always something worth painting here. This time it was a broken limb – almost half the tree was laying on the ground. The ragged tear created unusual shadow patterns in the morning light that inspired another session at the easel.