Santa Cruz, California
Paul Fortis
Soft pastel and plein air paintings shaped by more than forty years of observing the California landscape.
Santa Cruz Coast
About the artist
Painting the places that define home.
Paul Fortis is a Santa Cruz–based fine artist working primarily in soft pastel and oil. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and educated at UC Santa Cruz, he has spent his life capturing the natural beauty of Northern California and the American West.
For availability, commissions, studio visits, or exhibition questions, contact Paul directly.
From the studio
Recent Work
Sedona Vista
Antonelli Spring Day
Altadena Sundown
Capitola Plein Air
Cambria Coast
Mather Point, Grand Canyon
In the landscape
Plein air, painted on location.
Paul’s plein air paintings begin outdoors, responding directly to the light, weather, color, and character of a particular place.
Color and light
Pastel, layered by hand.
Paul has worked in soft pastel for more than forty years, using layered color to capture coastlines, gardens, and the changing California light.
Open studios & exhibitions
See the work in person.
Paul participates in Santa Cruz County Open Studios and regional plein air events. Visit the events page for announcements and an archive of recent exhibitions.