Surf Roaring In (In Progress)

I'm still mulling over this one. Its the normal struggle I have with when to complete a painting. Maybe one more pass and it is done.

Workshop

These are sketches of some of the people that attended the environmental law seminar in December of last year. I have to sketch to stay in the listening frame of mind.

Of No Significance (Pastel Version)

I started this piece during the last part of a recent workshop. I have painted this scene in watercolor and in oil. I decided to try the pastel version. As you can see this is still in progress. It was inspired by a photo of a busy street scene in New York. What drew me to paint this (excuse the pun) was the lady in front with the glasses and the signage.

Bar Tendings

Bartender in the Westin hotel bar. He came over to look at my sketches of him. Nice guy and he was a good bartender. He remembered names.

After Shopping (in progress)

I thought I would work on the textured side of Canson paper. I like the mood it sets so far. Ive never really had a preference for either side I just paint on it sometimes. This was inspired by a photo taken in Monterrey, California during the Christmas 2008 holidays. We were walking away from the downtown area and I saw this person and the shadows. Had to get that shot.

Warm Reflections

The goal here was to have a variety of directional strokes. I also wanted the main image to read as a massive rock. This was on Canson paper and I must admit that I like a surface with tooth. Canson forces me to put it down and leave it be. That's something I find hard to do.

Courtroom Security

This was one of my attempts to get one of the guards as he was taking a prisoner back to his holding cell. The person in the foreground is a lawyer waiting to talk to one of the prosecutors.

This one was completed during the workshop referred to above. I'm going to do a larger version to see what I can come up with. Last night I did a 21 by 27 inch painting of the post below. The advantage was evident. I preselected the colors and went to town. I got through the darks and the mid tones. Next will be the gravy: lights.

Drawing and Values

Two weeks ago I participated in a workshop given by Desmond OHagan. This is a painting completed during that workshop. He was able to pinpoint my weaknesses which included drawing and values. I think this picture makes the point.

Westin Bar III

Another sketch from the bar in Columbus Ohio. As you can see from the exaggerated mouth this guy was talking the lady's ear off.

Students Observing Courtroom Chaos

Our judges are good about educating high school kids about the criminal justice system. These profiles are high school students that came in to observe the chaos of the courtroom and how each level works.

Nebraska landscape in progress

This is inspired by a photo taken by a friend. I make an effort to paint from my own sketches and photos. However there are some images that you cant pass up because they scream "paint me". The bottom photo is result of the first painting session. The top photo is where I am after the second painting session.

This is a small watercolor done in anticipation of a larger pastel painting. Its set in Boston, Massachusetts at the Boston Common train station. A couple of years ago I had to give a speech in Providence, Rhode Island. After finishing my work I took a bus to Boston for a little 4 day fun. It was good to be back. I love the feel of New England. I was actually sad to leave.

Hotdog Stand Boston
10" x 8" (25.4cm x 20.4cm)
Watercolor on Paper
$150 plus $9 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Another Botanical

This is another flower from the Fort Bragg, CA botanical garden. I know I know it should be loose but sometimes I have to go there. Of course I'm not finished with it. Maybe two more sessions and I'm done. I promise.

This is one of our retired judges. I was never really able to get his image while he was on the bench because I rarely had cases in his court. I wonder why that is... Recently he was sitting as a visiting judge and I got the chance to sketch him.

Botanical I

I consider this done. If I play with it again I will just mess up something. I will visit this image again as a larger pastel and maybe a watercolor. Whenever I can I go to botanical gardens to shoot. The flowers are beautiful and plentiful. As you can see I like to get up close and fill the frame as much as possible. Last year we ducked into a botanical garden in Fort Bragg, California. I was amazed. For years we have driven by that place thinking it really wasn't a "real" botanical garden. I'm glad we visited. I've never been to a botanical garden with the ocean as the backdrop. Simply amazing. We also go to this place that sell fuchsias. I always shoot there. The owners never give me grief they just let me shoot as much as I want.

Botanical I
11" x 7" (28.0cm x 17.8cm)
Pastel on Textured paper
$150 plus $9 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Unhappy Hour

Another in progress/process. I like the fluidity of the masses. The overall feel of the piece is melancholy. Dark too.

Waiting for the Judge

This is from one of our busy courts on the 9th floor. The guy with the side view is waiting for the judge to sign some papers. The guy with his back to us is a lawyer reviewing a file before he begins negotiating his case.