Late Waiter

This is my second visit with this image. The first version is a pastel image. I was at a stop light one Friday afternoon and saw this guy running down the sidewalk with his waiter's uniform on. He was probably headed to the Headliners Club for work.

After Court Swagger SOLD

One day while leaving the courthouse I noticed this guy ahead of me. He had this swagger that said freedom. It was like he had avoided incarceration for yet another day and it was obvious in the way that he walked away from the building. I also liked the shadows on the building.

Last Pose 1

Another from my recent visit to an AVAA life drawing session. I used black Canson paper and Conte Crayons. The model liked the ones done on black paper.

First Pose 2

Another from my recent session with AVAA life drawing. I need to slim down her back a little and darken my darks.

First Pose 1

A couple of weeks ago I attended a life drawing session sponsored by Austin Visual Arts Association. The session involved two one hour poses with two breaks. I worked in conte crayon and watercolor. This is one of the first poses after 10 quick draws.

Fresh

This is a New York cityscape that I did a few years ago. My cousin Carmen Michael took the photos for me. What attracted me to the image were the interactions between the couples and the guy walking out of the frame unconcerned about what holds their attention.

Fresh
30" x 22" (76.2cm x 55.9cm)
Watercolor on Arches
$800 plus $25 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Peanut Bug

One of the few abstracts that I complete each year. Abstracts are hard in the sense that you have to produce from your mind as opposed to external stimulation.

403rd II

Another painting from a sketch executed in the 403rd. I don't like the red in the hair and plan on removing it. I really wish my eyes were better. If they were, my images would have more of a likeness. One advantage: I don't have to squint to blur and image down to values. That's my real eyesight.

From the Sktechbook

These are sketches of people that are in my family or connected to it. Everyone always assumes that I am drawing them so they sit still for about five minutes and them marvel at the sketch. Some get offended that I don't sketch them. Its fun and good to do.

And the Rain Came

I used to work in the old post office which is located at 205 West 9th in Austin. This is the view as you exit the building and look to the right. This piece was done on Masa paper. To prepare it you drench it with water, ball it up and carefully undo the ball. After the paper is stretched out let it dry and the surface is ready for paint. I will at times gesso both sides for a different look.

Icon (in progress)

I'm still working on this one. This image represents my second session with this piece. I snapped this photo in downtown San Francisco after the Richard Avedon show. I liked it because the guy was looking back at another woman. I also liked the Avedon flag on the pole above.

The Sketch

This is the sketch that I worked from. I worked with ink.

Hearing Motions

This is where I currently am with this piece. As you can see, I have clarified a few areas but I still have a bit more to do maybe. I painted on a Dick Blick canvas panel using Golden Open Acrylics.

I recently spent some time in the 331st District Court. The judge was in the middle of a pretrial motion. I got a quick sketch of him in before I left. This painting is from that sketch. The guard was standing in front of the holding cell but I moved him over closer to the judge. This is the initial block in.

Pryor Pondering

This is a painting done from one of my court room sketches. This guy is pondering an offer extended to him by a defense lawyer. As lawyers we all have to weigh going to trial over pleading out a case. My mantra for years has been its better to have a great plea than a bad trial. This prosecutor always accuses me of making his nose too big. My response is always stop moving around so much.

Smoke Break

This is the version that I liked the most. I clarified it a bit more and called it done. Painted on a 6 by 6 inch canvas panel.

This represents where I was after about an evening of painting. I saw these two people smoking outside the courthouse. They were under a small awning and it was a cold day. I liked their body langauage and the lights.

Good Service SOLD

I think I'm done. I will look away for a while and make a decision.

This is another in the Texas Honey Ham series. This young lady is always nice and remembers my name. Golden Open acrylics on a 6 by 8 Raymar panel. This is the first visit with this piece.

Almost a Pie

Last year I did a series of still life paintings inspired by some pears I had purchased and the egg. I worked on Canson paper (the textured side). I used Rembrandt and Unison pastels. This was painted entirely from life.

Morning Closet

This the second try with this image. The first one was posted as "Morning Sun". I used regular acrylic with the first version and open acrylics on this one. I like painting a series using different

mediums. I did draw it in pen before the first attempt at painting.

Fellow Passengers

This one is part of my subway series. In reviewing the photo I noticed these two guys in the background and decided they were more interesting than what I was originally sketching in prep for the painting. I panel on a 6 by 6 canvas panel using my current favorites: Golden Open Acrylics.

Reflected

Another one in the series focusing on looking down. I liked the reflections in the car window plus the large shadow mass in the upper portion of the painting. A little more work and I'm going to call it finished.

Honey Ham III SOLD

Another piece from my Texas Honey Ham series.

After Sentencing

I first noticed this guy during my walk to the courthouse. He was walking in front of me wearing baggy jeans and an over sized black jacket with a hood. We ended up walking into the same courtroom and he was later sentenced on a case. I sketched him while he was facing the judge and when the probation officer was explaining his obligations to him. I used the sketch as a reference for the painting.

Long Stride

Another in the series of paintings inspired from looking down from my office window. I used Golden Open Acrylics on a canvas panel. I like when the shadows are long. They tend to add another character to the piece.