A small backroad in Sonoma County on clear summer day. Golden grasses cover the rolling hills and provide a warm backdrop for the thickets of oak trees. Artist Steven Guy Bilodeau utilizes a classic painting technique called alla prima to create his scenic views of northern California. He applies layers of wet paint to previously layers of wet paint. This technique requires Steven to work relatively quickly, as the painting has to be finished before the first layers dry. Artists have been using this method since the advent of oil painting. For Steven, it is vital to truly capturing the scene. "I feel the emotional bond has been lost once you leave the scene so I paint from start to finish in one sitting in the true pure plein air tradition," explains Steven.