Side Eye

This is from my ongoing abstract series. At the end of each painting session I like to use the left over pigment. So each abstract represents the last energy spurt for at least 8 paintings. I hate to waste paint.

Down The Mountain IV

This is the fourth in the "down the mountain" series. I worked on Richeson's premium pastel surface. As you can see this surface really does grab the pastels. The others have been painted on Canson paper. I like both surfaces but I like the jewel like feel on the strokes that one can lay on the Canson surface.

Surfing Fort Bragg

In 2008 the bridge between the Beachcomber motel and some condominiums was opened. It enabled us to watch the waves from a cliff as opposed to a hotel balcony. We spent the afternoon photographing the surfers from the cliffs above them. This is the first "surfer painting" in a series. Its on Canson paper.

Umbrella Series III

I was standing outside in the rain and this lady walked up covering herself and her notebook. I liked her posture and the weight that this character had. I tried to get the feel of wet streets and persistent rain. Trading card by the way.

Down Below

Yes I do paint abstracts just not a lot of them. I find them harder to do because you create the subject matter from internally as opposed to externally from photos or plein air painting. This one is mixed media both watercolor and acrylic paints. I get the sense when looking at it that I am looking down from a window.

Scared Pigeons

After the Avedon, Okeefe and Ansel Adams show at the San Francisco MOMA we walked around downtown. I was looking down this side street and saw this older man out walking his dog and the pigeons flying about. What attracted me to this was the dog and the pigeons. I painted it on Canson paper but with a twist. I placed stacks of paper on my painting surface to make the strokes a little smoother. I saw Desmond OHagan do that during a workshop and read an article in International Artist by another pastelist who uses the same technique.

Jesus Coming Soon

I was on my way home from work on Barton Springs Road and this guy was standing on the median holding this sign. Of course I had my camera and snagged a shot before the light changes. It was a cold brisk day but this guy was bound and determined to get his point across.

Jesus Coming Soon
12" x 9" (30.5cm x 22.9cm)
Watercolor on Arches paper
$150 plus $9 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Umbrella Series II

I was sitting at an intersection and noticed this guy stepping into the crosswalk. Of course it was raining. I like the line of his body.

Umbrella Series II
2 1/2" x 3 1/2" (6.4cm x 8.9cm)
Pastel on ACEO trading card
$25 plus $1.5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Umbrella Series I

I did a number of small studies of people walking about with their umbrellas during our recent deluge of rain. This person was headed to the county parking garage. I had just finished with court so I was able to take video of people walking around the courthouse. Some guy probably a defendant snuck up on me and wanted to know what I was filming. I told him people walking in the rain and scurried away.

Umbrella Series I
2 1/2" x 3 1/2" (6.4cm x 8.9cm)
Pastel on ACEO trading card
$25 plus $1.5 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Busy Shore

This is one of my favorite subject matters. I love painting seascapes. The wave and rock are a constant and welcome challenge to paint. This one was competed a few years ago.

Busy Shore
12" x 9" (30.5cm x 22.9cm)
Pastel on Paper
$150 plus $9 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Richmond Station

This one needs a bit more work. It is part of my BART subway series. I'm trying to limit my palette to black, white, blue and sienna. Its always a challenge for me to get the perspective correct. Flat corneas tend to make it harder to see perspective. But alas I solider on.

Second ACEO Down the Mountain Study

This is the second study for Down the Mountain. It was done on an art spectrum artist trading card.

ACEO Down the Mountain I

This is one of two studies done for Down the Mountain I. This is the first impression done in pastel. Its funny at times I like the study more than the final paintings.

Down the Mountain III

The third in a series of paintings of the mountains in the Fort Bragg California area. I loved that lone tree sitting amongst the grass.

Down the Mountain II

This is further down the mountain. We always find something new on our annual birthday trip. This area needs to be revisited again and again. The fog was amazing and of course the colors were intense. I also completed studies on ACEO trading cards. I will post those soon. Working in the smaller format does force you to make your point immediately.

Down The Mountain I

When we were leaving Fort Bragg, California on our annual birthday trip we pulled over to take a few pictures of the fog laden mountains and overall landscape. This is one of the first paintings from that scenery. The area begged to be painted. In fact I should have done a few sketches but this was a fast windy road. Not a good thing for a painter.

Cloud II

Another cloud study. One thing about painting clouds, is that its like painting people. The clouds don't stay still so you have to catch it and lay it down on the paper. I worked on about 5 that day because of that.

Cloud III

A few weeks ago we were treated to some beautiful afternoon clouds. So I sat outside and paint a few. This is the first post. As you can see its hard to get the right level of darkness on the shadow side of the clouds. It was fun trying however.

Squash Series

As it get colder I like to cook and when doing so I will take photos. The photos that I used were taken over three years ago. I was going through my photo collection recently and decided to work from the images. The pastel piece is a trading card image in pastel. The two acrylic pieces are 12 by 12 inches.

From My Window

My office is located on the 11th floor. I look down at people a lot when I need a break from working. Its confusing to draw these images but that doesn't stop me from attempting to paint from that perspective. Drawing this perspective forces me to stop and analyze the way shadows fall from their subject.

Curious Puppy

On the lower right you can see a puppy with red and blue eyes his nose and the mess he made of some items found in a closet. Another one of the abstract series.