"Calm after the summer storm"

I was just thinking that I haven't seen a work of yours lately. Love the atmosphere you have created here. You are very fortunate to live within such a beautiful landscape. Dave

You've used the creamy nature of oil paint to great effect here - is this Spain? The only thing I'm not completely sure about is the church and buildings to the left of the rocky outcrop and castle; I speak of course without having seen the area at all, but I'd be inclined to just define some of those buildings A LITTLE; they seem a little formless when compared with the building on the hill; the sun is quite strong where it catches them, so although there is a danger of having two focal points I think they need to be at least as defined as the castle. You have a lovely atmosphere going here, though, and some beautiful colour.

Hi Dave, I'm still breathing, so still around! Thank you for stopping by to comment, very much appreciated. Yes I do live in a lovely valley, well more on the slopes of the mountain on one side rather than in. And I look down on this village and up and down the valley. Right now the temp is going into the mid 40's, so it's not quite so nice! Sitting on the patio with friends a couple of nights ago a thunder storm was brewing and there was low cloud over the village. The lights reflected up into the cloud making them a soft grey into stunning red, which was then reflected back onto the village, turning the village red. The scene is in my head, I hope I can hang onto it until I can paint it. The view is always different but I have never seen that before. :~))

Hi Robert, thank you as always for your valued comments. Yes it is Spain, the Valencia province but a good hour inland in the mountains. I have the painting in my little sitting room and have been mulling and nagging over your comments since you made them, and you are right, I have two focal points which is not what I wanted. In reality the village was very bright in the sunlight, but artistically the castle is the focal point. So rather than define the village buildings a bit more, I'm going to take them back a fraction to bring the castle more into the focal point. I hope it works, I think it should. I do appreciate everyone's' comments, and yours are always very constructive, thank you. :~))