California Rancho Sisquoc Vineyard Oil Painting Memories of Foxen Canyon by Laurel Sherrie

Original California Rancho Sisquoc Vineyard Oil Painting Memories of Foxen Canyon by Laurel Sherrie, Dated 2005

An original signed American landscape oil painting by Californian artist Laurel Sherrie, entitled Memories of Foxen Canyon, depicting the vineyard countryside associated with Rancho Sisquoc in Santa Barbara County, California.

Painted in December 2005, this panoramic oil on canvas captures the rural beauty of California's Central Coast through a harmonious landscape palette of natural greens, golden ochres and warm earth tones.

The painting benefits from direct correspondence with Laurel Sherrie dated 7–8 October 2026, confirming its creation, exhibition history and important supporting evidence for the Rancho Sisquoc identification.

Presented in a substantial decorative gilt frame measuring 97 cm wide.

Highlights

• Original American landscape oil painting on canvas

• Artist: Laurel Sherrie

• Title: Memories of Foxen Canyon

• Painted December 2005

• Signed “L. Sherrie” lower left

• Californian vineyard landscape

• Rancho Sisquoc identification supported by the artist's recollections

• Original composition painted from the artist's own photographs

• Exhibited at Firestone Vineyard Tasting Room, Los Olivos, California

• Direct artist correspondence dated 7–8 October 2026

• Research into the historic Flood Family Vineyard

• Panoramic composition with natural greens and warm earth colours

• Original artist's studio card and handwritten inscriptions verso

• Decorative gilt frame

• Canvas dimensions: 76 × 38 cm

• Framed dimensions: 97 × 59 × 3 cm

• Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution included

Introduction

An attractive original Californian vineyard landscape by American artist Laurel Sherrie, painted in December 2005.

Memories of Foxen Canyon depicts a real vineyard setting within the wine-growing countryside of Santa Barbara County, a region celebrated for its historic ranches, cultivated valleys and picturesque rural landscapes.

The work combines the decorative appeal of a panoramic landscape with an unusually well-documented artistic history.

In October 2026, Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® contacted Laurel Sherrie directly to establish further information about the painting.

The artist confirmed its creation in December 2005, explained that it was painted in her studio from photographs she personally took of the vineyard, and confirmed its exhibition at Firestone Vineyard Tasting Room in Los Olivos.

Further correspondence provided important support for the identification of the location with Rancho Sisquoc.

Catalogue Details

Artist: Laurel Sherrie

Title: Memories of Foxen Canyon

Origin: California, United States

Date: December 2005

Period: Early 21st century

Medium: Oil on canvas

Signature: Signed “L. Sherrie” lower left

Subject: Californian vineyard landscape associated with Rancho Sisquoc

Canvas Dimensions: 76 cm W × 38 cm H

Framed Dimensions: 97 cm W × 59 cm H × 3 cm D

Frame: Decorative gilt frame

Catalogue Note

The painting presents a panoramic interpretation of California's cultivated vineyard landscape.

Its broad horizontal composition emphasises the open character of the countryside, creating a sense of continuity across the rural setting.

The subject combines the agricultural identity of the vineyard with the natural landscape of California's Central Coast.

The painting was not created from an imaginary scene.

Laurel Sherrie personally confirmed that she visited and photographed the actual vineyard before completing the work in her studio.

The composition therefore preserves her individual interpretation of a real location during the period surrounding December 2005.

The panoramic format and decorative gilt frame give the painting considerable visual presence, making it suitable for display in a drawing room, dining room, study or carefully curated collection of American landscapes.

Colour, Light and Composition

The painting's naturalistic palette is an important part of its visual character.

Olive and sage-green tones, warm golden ochres and earthy browns combine to suggest the cultivated vineyard and surrounding Californian countryside.

The relationship between the greens and warmer earth colours introduces contrast, helping to distinguish the agricultural landscape from the wider rural environment.

Softer blue and cream tones provide lighter passages within the composition, balancing the richer colours and contributing to its atmospheric quality.

The elongated horizontal arrangement encourages the viewer's eye to travel across the landscape.

Variations in tone help establish a sense of depth and openness, reinforcing the impression of an expansive countryside setting.

The overall palette is harmonious and restrained, giving the painting a peaceful quality associated with California's Central Coast wine country.

The substantial gilt frame complements the warmer colours and provides an attractive traditional presentation.

These colour observations should be considered alongside the accompanying photographs, which provide the primary visual record of the artwork.

The Artist – Laurel Sherrie

Laurel Sherrie is an American landscape painter whose artistic interests include the natural and cultivated countryside of California.

Her paintings reflect a personal appreciation of rural landscapes, including the vineyard scenery of the Central Coast.

Her artistic practice incorporates direct observation and photographic reference, allowing her to develop compositions based on places she has personally experienced.

For Memories of Foxen Canyon, Sherrie confirmed that she photographed the actual vineyard before completing the painting in her studio.

This connection between artist and location contributes significantly to the painting's documentary history.

Historical Context – Foxen Canyon and California Wine Country

Foxen Canyon forms part of the established agricultural and wine-growing landscape of Santa Barbara County.

The region has a longstanding history of ranching, farming and vineyard cultivation.

Its agricultural estates and cultivated valleys contribute to the distinctive character of California's Central Coast.

During the later 20th century, the development of commercial winemaking brought increasing recognition to the vineyards of Santa Barbara County.

The painting records part of this landscape at the beginning of the 21st century, preserving the artist's interpretation of the rural environment.

Rancho Sisquoc Winery – Artist-Supported Identification

An important development in the painting's research occurred in October 2026 when Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® investigated the precise location depicted.

Historical and geographical research suggested that the landscape might be associated with Rancho Sisquoc Winery.

On 8 October 2026, Laurel Sherrie was asked whether Rancho Sisquoc was the vineyard represented.

She replied:

“I believe you are correct as Sisquoc was in the title of the commissioned painting.”

This first-hand statement provides significant corroboration of the proposed Rancho Sisquoc identification.

The commissioned painting mentioned by Sherrie was a separate work depicting the same vineyard from a slightly different viewpoint.

The artist recalled that this other painting included a small historic chapel on the hillside.

The chapel is not depicted in Memories of Foxen Canyon.

The artist's recollection supports the Rancho Sisquoc association, although the precise vineyard parcel and viewpoint have not been independently established.

The Historic Flood Family Vineyard

Further research has considered the Flood Family Vineyard in connection with the wider Rancho Sisquoc landscape.

The proposed association arises from geographical and historical research into the area's agricultural heritage.

However, Laurel Sherrie has not specifically confirmed that the painting depicts the Flood Family Vineyard.

The broader Rancho Sisquoc identification is supported by her recollections, while the more precise Flood Family Vineyard identification remains a research-based proposal.

Direct Correspondence with Laurel Sherrie – 7 October 2026

On 7 October 2026, Laurel Sherrie personally responded to an enquiry from Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® concerning Memories of Foxen Canyon.

She confirmed that she painted the work in December 2005.

She explained that it was created in her studio using photographs she had personally taken of the real vineyard.

The artist also confirmed that the painting had been exhibited at Firestone Vineyard Tasting Room in Los Olivos, California.

These statements provide valuable first-hand documentation concerning the painting's date, creation and exhibition history.

Further Artist Correspondence – 8 October 2026

Following the initial exchange, further research was undertaken into the vineyard's identity.

Rancho Sisquoc Winery was proposed to Laurel Sherrie as the possible location.

Her response indicated that she believed this identification was correct, recalling that Sisquoc had appeared in the title of the related commissioned painting.

This correspondence strengthens the geographical association and forms an important part of the dealer's research records.

Exhibition History – Firestone Vineyard Tasting Room

Laurel Sherrie confirmed that Memories of Foxen Canyon was exhibited at Firestone Vineyard Tasting Room in Los Olivos, California.

The exhibition connects the painting with the Californian wine-growing region that inspired its creation.

This information was supplied directly by the artist on 7 October 2026.

The precise exhibition dates have not been independently established.

Provenance

Original artist's studio documentation, Arroyo Grande, California.

Intervening ownership history not fully established.

Later acquired by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Direct correspondence with Laurel Sherrie dated 7–8 October 2026 retained within the dealer's research archive.

Signature and Original Artist Documentation

The painting is signed “L. Sherrie” lower left.

The reverse retains original artist-related inscriptions and labels, including:

• Handwritten title Memories of Foxen Canyon

• Copyright inscription identifying Laurel Sherrie

• Original artist's studio card from Arroyo Grande, California

• Reference to “Final Varnish: Gamvar”

• Original canvas-size label

• Former retail price label of $999

These surviving details contribute to the painting's documentary history and support its identification.

Dimensions

Overall Framed Dimensions

Height: 59 cm

Width: 97 cm

Depth: 3 cm

Canvas Dimensions

Height: 38 cm

Width: 76 cm

Condition Report

Good decorative condition, with minor surface and frame wear consistent with previous display and handling.

Canvas and Painted Surface

The original canvas appears well tensioned.

The painted surface retains strong colour and visual impact.

Minor surface and handling marks are visible on close examination.

Signature

The artist's signature remains present at the lower-left corner.

Reverse and Original Documentation

The reverse retains original artist-related inscriptions and labels, including the title, copyright information, studio card and varnish reference.

Frame

The substantial decorative gilt frame displays rubbing, scuffs and age-related wear associated with previous handling and display.

Overall Assessment

The painting presents attractively as a substantial original Californian vineyard landscape.

The condition observations are based upon visual examination and do not constitute a full technical conservation report.

Prospective purchasers are encouraged to study all accompanying photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description.

Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available.

Owing to the historic framed presentation of the artwork, it will be professionally packaged using appropriate protective materials and dispatched fully insured.

International buyers are welcome. Please contact us for a destination-specific delivery quotation or to discuss any particular shipping requirements.

Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, exhibition history and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis, dating and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available physical evidence, historic inscriptions, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

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Additional photographs and further information are available upon request.