The Plea for Help

This was inspired by a sketch that I did while sitting yet again in the 403rd District Court. This guy was being sentenced and the person to the left of him is the lawyer.

Industryscape (in progress)

When we were traveling by train to Dublin, California, I noticed a ton of industrial landscapes that were very intriguing to me. The signage, recycling plants, rail yards etc were amazing. Of course I took a few photos to work with in this series. I first sketched it out in my sketchbook, did a small pastel study and then tackled the watercolor version. I haven't finished yet. I will post the finished version soon

Painting accepted into the 2010 Juried Austin Pastel Society show

This painting was selected by Claudia Seymour juror for the show. The painting was inspired by a photo I took from my office window on a rainy day. It will hang in the building I took the photo from. Last year I took a workshop taught by Desmond O'Hagan. This painting demonstrates his influence on my style which I think was similar to his.

The 403rd

This is the presiding judge of the 403rd Travis County Judicial district court. Some of my cases have landed in her court. This was done from one of my sketches of her while waiting on lawyers. I like the ink drawing under the watercolor. Its cartoonish but it appeals to me.

Courtroom Spectators

I was sitting in the courtroom audience because the judge was finishing up a hearing. I sat on the back row. These two were to my right on the aisle. I usually sketch in the attorney section of the courtroom. The view from the audience is nice because you have people sitting around you that could be accused murderers, rapists, frauds, etc. They usually have interesting faces and attire

Down the Mountain VII

I'm still playing with this series. For my next birthday trip to Fort Bragg I want to do a lot more plein air work. Especially in areas like this. I remember us driving thru this area and just pulling over in awe. Everywhere you looked was a painting and the air was awesome. I'm going to rein this one in a bit before I call it finished. Right now its a bit wild.

Honey Ham II SOLD

This is the second painting. This one shows why I was late getting to work. The place was packed with people waiting for breakfast. Of course I know now to call in ahead of time when I have a large order. The guy in the green is a super cook and he does it all very calmly. The ground is a Raymar panel and I used Golden Open Acrylics.

Honey Ham I SOLD

Texas Honey Ham is one of my favorite places to get tacos for morning breakfast or a salad (made to my order) for dinner. One morning I ordered a bunch of tacos for the office and this was the scene that greeted me. I was later than I wanted to be but the tacos were well appreciated. These are just two of the many employees that make this place run well. I used a Raymar panel and Golden Open Acrylics.

Above Ground (in Pro)

This one of the subway series. We took BART into San Francisco and of course I had to take some pictures for this series. My gaol was to get unusual perspectives. This is in watercolor. I need to tie up a few things with this one before I say fini. For the folks at Texas Honey Ham, I will post your images as soon as I process the images.

Cabing It (contemplation period)

The cityscapes take a lot more time to get right. This one is marinating in my visual brain. I think one more visit and done. This is a pastel on Richeson's Premium Pastel Surface. It takes a lot of pastel to fill the tooth and the grit is very fine. This piece is New York inspired.

Down the Beach

I worked from a sketch completed on site which is the first post. This was the ocean that faces Abbott's Lagoon. I used a Raymar panel and Golden Open Acrylics. For the sketch I used Pitt Artist pens. They come in sets of four different values of the same color.

The sketch was my only resource for the painting above. He was engaged in a conversation with a man that he got on the train with (to sketch to the right). I liked his hair and skin complexion . I don't think I have a photo of him but the sketch gives me enough to work with. This sketch was done on our recent excursion on BART to Dublin, CA.

Down to the Train

This Christmas Pam bought me a nice supply of Raymar panels. I have to tell you I love this surface. This is another in my subway series. I was standing at the top of the stairs as fellow passengers were going down to catch the train. I worked on this one with Golden Open Acrylics. Fun acrylics to work with and they don't dry out as fast. I sketched it out first to get rid of unnecessary details. This one is available for purchase if you are interested.

Wyoming Color Study

This is a small study in pastel for a larger painting. My friend Beverly took photos for me when she visited Wyoming last year. I had cut down some Canson paper for another painting and had a few scraps remaining. I'm doing small pastels for an upcoming show and I hate throwing away art supplies. I used Unison and Rembrandt pastels.

Color Sketch Down the Mountain

I had a few scraps of Canson paper lying around that I didn't want to waste. So, I did this small study for another in the Down the Mountain series. The painting is about 3 by 5 inches long and is available. Contact me if interested.

Abbotts Lagoon II

This is the version of Abbott's Lagoon done with Golden Open Acrylics. I did a value sketch on site and completed this one at the same time as the watercolor posted below.

Bodega Bay

I'm an ardent fan of Alfred Hitchcock movies. The movie The Birds was filmed around Bodega Bay and San Francisco. We took a trip to the area and of course I took photos and later painted one of the buildings in the downtown area. The church across the street was a beautiful building too. I can certainly see the Edward Hopper/Winslow Homer influence in this one. This painting is not available for purchase.

Looking Back Abbotts Lagoon

I spent a little time in the Abbott's Lagoon portion of Point Reyes. I worked on a value sketch while sitting on the beach looking back. When I got home I first did a watercolor from the sketch without consulting photographic references. Working from the sketch I could see the scene as if I was there. Value sketches are tha bomb.

Organic Diner

On the main drag in Fort Bragg we found this new diner called "Organic Diner". We stopped in for lunch and were very pleased with the result. I noticed this little girl sitting at a table next to us with I think a parent. I thought the image of her reaching for her food was adorable. This one is available for purchase. 12 by 9 inches $200.00.

Wave 27 (almost there)

This I need to punch up the shadows on the far left and call it a painting.

AFG ACEO Nude II

Another ACEO trading card nude that was done from life drawing sketches at Austin Figurative Gallery a couple of years ago.

ACEO Nude I

I recently revisited a few sketches from my AFG (Austin Figurative Gallery) days. As a result, I am working on a series of trading card nudes inspired by my life drawing sessions with AFG. That was a fun time. I had to go each Saturday to the shows. It was fun and it kept me engaged with the art community.

Rock Steady in Progress

This where I am with this one. Its fun and a real challenge to get the look of water flowing as you look down on it. I should be finished soon because these can easily be over worked.

Stage 4

Rock Steady in Progress

The second visit with this piece. It was inspired by a photo from the coast of Mendocino in California. Closer to town you can find these rocks sticking up out of the ocean. Its pretty cool to look down on them from a cliff which is usually how close I can get to them.

The first session.

Pastel On Display

As you can see I have refined this one a bit. I'm being patient with this because I think the scene does well by being a split between tight and loose. It's a balancing act as always. The surface is Richeson and the pastels: Unison and Terry Ludwig.