Two guys sitting in a quiet corner of the bar caught my attention. Something about the glasses and the way they were held screamed out to be painted.
This is another painting inspired by my friends birthday party. I'm into the bar scenes obviously. I like the darks and lights plus the people. I'm off for another trip in a day or so. Happy New Year to all and safe travels.
This was inspired by a photo taken of three people that were having cocktails before a birthday dinner. I liked the shadows and the apparent intimacy between this group of friends.
For those of you that follow this blog, I have "finished" this painting many times. I recently posted it for a critique on another blog that I follow. I subsequently made some of the suggested changes. I agree with the critiques that said the background was too light. In the earlier painting the background was cerulian blue. As I write this post I can see changes I want to make. You know me I have to frame it to leave it alone.
The fourth in the most recent courtroom series.
The judge as he is entering his courtroom the bailiff is behind him. 
These are two friends engrossed in a conversation. I was standing off in the distance and observing various bar patrons and how they interact. I liked the composition and the body language between the figures.
This is the birthday boy. He is an entertainer thus the name for this painting. I liked the lighting in the bar it made nice drama filled shadows.
This is another painting inspired by a friends party. I like painting events. A painting is a nice way to memorialize a happening. The angle here intrigued me. The wine glass was my focus.
I recently attended the 50th birtday party of a dear friend. This was a party that celebrated his friendship with all of us and the blessing of turning 50. The atmosphere, food and drinks were wonderful. This was inspired by a photo taken during that party.
I like difference in the size of the defense lawyer as opposed to his client. It's not correct anatomically but it still works for me. Maybe its a metaphor for the crime that was alleged to have been committed.
This image was inspired by a pre trial hearing associated with one of our capitol murder cases. As you can see the guard is up to his task.
This is my middle nephew Cortez when he was a little tyke. He is now taller than me and his voice is changing. I'm going to play with this one a bit more before I post a price. He is now in high school. This was one of our many Thanksgiving gatherings and he wanted a treat since the adults were already munching on turkey and pie. That is our family ritual that we hope to continue this Thanksgiving.
I'm still working with this one. This is my oldest nephew when he was about 11 years old. He is probably sulking because his mom won't let him go hang out with his buddies. He is about 24 now. When my mom passed away earlier this year I went back through some my old photos and found a number that I wanted to paint. I noticed that he liked those baggy clothes even then.
This one is called Keeper II. I really like the storefront in the background and the guy sitting on his version of a stoop. Austin is full of little surprises like this place on Congress Ave where many types like to congregate.
This guy was sitting and minding his business on 6th Street. It appeared that he had just finished a hard day of work and was waiting to go home. I liked how dark his skin was.
This year Ive spent my fair share of time sitting and waiting in airports. This lady was doing some last minute work before her flight. I know she knew that I was sketching her. I have pages upon pages of airport scenes in my most recently completed sketchbook. 
This is the finished painting. This guy was playing for money near out state capitol. 
"Keepers" refers to the store at 6th and Congress that deals in mens clothing. Since the store plays a part in this picture I included the name of the store for grins. I guess I am in the process of painting a series based upon Austin bus stops.
I was walking around downtown Austin and saw this intimate setting. I call it table for one and a half. The area was filled with people enjoying a festival and this little space represented quiet amongst the people storm.
I photographed this lady from across the street at Sixth and Congress in front of Starbucks. I liked the hand on the hip and the sense of confidence she exuded. This is a study. I plan on doing a large format pastel for an upcoming show.
This is a "visiting judge". A visiting judge is one that used to have a dedicated bench but no longer presides over it. They tend to hear cases in many jurisdiction. This particular judge I believe retired from one of our "upper courts". I have tried a case in front of him. He is very fair and nice to work with.
I hope I'm never in this position. A judge looking down at you and having the ability to totally make or break your life is not a pleasant place to be. This is one of the more difficult judges to sketch. He is always moving and multitasking. Truly a challenge artistically and legally.
This is a painting inspired by my courtroom sketches. Running a courtroom takes a lot of work. You have to get the lawyers corralled and you also have to transport prisoners in and out of court. The transportation officers in this piece are one person. I was able to get two sketches of him while he was minding his prisoners. He liked the sketches.
This was inspired by a photo taken during our Pecan Street Festival. Its a festival that happens twice a year here in Austin. This bus stop always has a cast of characters. In fact that describes Sixth Street in general.
During one of our many trips up to Point Reyes, California we stopped for me to capture images like this one. My partner found it unbelievable that I could name the various livestock. I always remind her that I was a Future Farmers of America member while in high school. These were Holstein dairy calves. They were curiouse about me and my camera I must say.
This guy was accused of raping a homeless woman. His lawyer had an interesting defense that included many things that a female jurist would have held him in contempt for. I think this guy got a few years on this one.
Another Fort Bragg painting. 
I did this painting from a photo taken during my trip to La Jolla. California. It was taken from a weird angle and I thought it would be hard to paint. I started out using just black and white to establish my value scale. I added the color last with the goal of maintaining the values that I established in black and white. This area was truly amazing. I understand what La Jolla means "the jewel" in English. 
Over the years I've contemplated these rocks from our balcony many times. I have painted it on numerous occasions. This was done on site with a very vigorous grouping of waves. I finished it in about an hour. Working on site I get the opportunity to actually see whats in the shadows.
Normally I focus on the ocean when painting on the coast. The sun was too bright reflecting off of the ocean so I went to the tree for a break. The high sun gives the ocean an almost grey appearance-something similar to a mirror. During this visit I learned to focus on the small things and paint something different.
More from my trip to the coast of Northern California.
This is as abstract as it gets. The sun was setting and my goal was to capture the very active waves, the sunlight reflected in between the waves and to get the feel of movement. I must admit that I am tempted to go back in and work more towards a finished painting. But that is always my struggle with painting: Knowing when to step away from the painting.
This is my second post of the paintings completed while in Fort Bragg, California. I liked the sun peeking through the crest of this wave. I finished about 15 pieces. I plan to post more of them.
I spent three days in the Fort Bragg, California area last week. I took advantage of the scenery and did a little outdoor painting. This is one of the many breathtaking overlooks that we had the chance to enjoy. I primarily worked in acrylics and pastel as they are easier to transport home.
This is inspired by a photo that I found on a coworkers desk. I liked the body language and colors so I decided to paint it. This was my first nights work. I sliced the body on the left because I like odd numbers. My desire with the tallest person and the guy to the right is to keep you in the picture.
This is the study for my second painting of an old family friend named Willie K. I'm inspired by the Charles Reid style of watercolor paint application. I try and let the paint do what it was meant to do. I'm debating about what medium to use in the final piece. Maybe oil.
This is not finished I still have to work on the skin tones for the boy and the fur on the cat. It was inspired by a photo of a young boy at an adult party. He clearly had found better company than the adults. It gives me a sense of the sweetness that only young children have.
The study for this painting and its progress were posted earlier. I am in the nit picking phase with this one. The best lesson an artist can learn is when to stop. This was a scene from the inner city of San Francisco. I was drawn to the image by the steam rising from the ground and the colors of the warning jackets.
Waves are fun. What can I say. 5 by 7 inches $70.00 unframed pastel.
Years ago I had the opportunity to visit Vista, CA. It was filled with valleys and fruit trees. Ive painted this scene before and I guess I'm going back for more. 5 by 7 inches, Vista Again. $70.00 unframed.
This is called "Piney Woods Study" 5 by 7 inches pastel. $70.00 unframed. When I was San Diego we took a ride up to Julian. This is a part of the piney woods before the desert.
This one is called "Willie K". This was an older gentleman that I grew up around. He had a penchant for younger women. This painting was based upon a photograph that I took of him many years ago. I found this group of photos recently and started working with them. The original negative is black and white. I still cant find the negative. I own the colors. It 18 by 24 inches. Watercolor $500.00
