Stepping In

Another Blanton patron looking at one of my paintings. Its a good usage of a study for a larger piece.

Scrutiny

The Blanton Museum is a great place to sketch people scrutinizing and appreciating art. If you go they only allow for pencils that they provide. The painting within the painting is a San Francisco city scene not a part of the Blanton collection.

Orders Up

This is one of the cooks at Little Joe's Restaurant. He was preparing more pasta dishes after orders had been put up for delivery to hungry patrons.

Berkeley Marina Sail

I used my value sketches completed on site for this one. I worked again with Copic markers of three values. I did the sketch during the July 4the weekend.

Ellison Trial 4

Yesterday the defendant was sentenced to another life term in prison. Another 20 or so years added to his stay in prison. In this painting is Bryan Case the lead prosecutor. He was questioning the ballistics expert. Next to him is the court reporter documenting the proceedings.

Botanical Pond Reflections

I really need to spend more time painting water reflections. I was sitting on the edge of the pond in an uncomfortable position while painting this one. As a result this one isn't as rich as the scene was. Note to self get comfortable before I settle on a scene to paint.

Below is the value sketch from the car done with Copic markers. Above is the painting inspired by the sketch.

Drive By Extension 1

This one is from a drive by sketch I completed on the way back from Fort Bragg. I worked primarily with Copic Markers in three separate values.

Morning Commute Review

The man seated on the fire hydrant was watching people pass by on their various ways. I watched him for a while. At times he would get up and hold his cup out to ask for money. I liked the fact that he was wearing a tie and suit under his hoodie.

Botanical Garden Path

On Monday Pam and I went over to the Austin Botanical Gardens for me to paint and for her to explore the gardens and nap. This was my second painting made during the outing. The koi pond and waterfall were closed due to stage two water restrictions. It made me sad. The light was beautiful on this path that leads down to the dinosaur garden.

Anderson Valley Impression 1

During our recent birthday trip to and from Fort Bragg, California I divided a sketch book page into fourths and did sketches of the scenery as Pam drove. This weekend I took a few and painted from them. Here is the first effort. We were in the wine country when I caught the sketch which is posted below the painting.

Rythm Sweat

My philosophy is that if it isn't framed it can be reworked. I was getting ready to frame this one and saw the need to clarify the female musician. Its still unframed so stay tuned. I spotted this musician at the Pecan Street Festival.

Annie's 1

This is the sketch I did last weekend sitting across from Annie's on Congress Ave.. I used Inktense watercolor pens on Arches watercolor paper. The light was a lot cooler than conveyed in the sketch.

Ancestry Half

This is my first pastel of this set of rocks and surf. I'm working with Uart paper and Rembrandt pastels.

Ellison Trial 3

The defendant from the side. He was probably enjoying the fact that he is spending time outside the prison walls.

Ellison Trial 2

The major challenge in this case was that it happened in the eighties. Many of the witnesses had passed away or moved on. It was a trial for wizards of the rules of evidence. The lawyer in the forefront actually has hair that red. The witness was from the crime lab. CSI is so not true to life. In real cases the crime scene guys do not interview witnesses or defendants. They gather the evidence (without house music) analyze and testify if needed. In the best of situations they are not invested in the case or the law enforcement officer tied to the case.

Onion 3

I used Terry Ludwig and Rembrandt pastels on black Canson cover paper. This onion needed painting. I'm trying hard to use more bold and aggressive color. So be warned.

Ellison Trial 1

This is the lead prosecutor Bryan Case in the Ricky Ellison murder trial that occurred last week. The jury found him guilty on Friday. The crime was committed in 1981. I was two years out of high school then. He apparently went on a crime spree that left two civilians dead and a police officer paralyzed. The police officer later died. The defendant has been in prison but he has been up for parole. To prevent him from getting out we tried him on this cold case that was still pending.

Onion 1

I finally got to painting this vegetable. Its been screaming to be painted/explored. I worked with Shizen professional grade watercolor paper and Pelikan watercolor paints. Working method wet on wet to try and keep it fresh...excuse the unintended pun.

Trial Day One 5

The defendant and one of his guards. This trial did make the Sunday papers. He was sentenced to 40 years for murder.