Sunset With Cranes 2

I'm exploring this image further in pastel. I will probably work on a different surface for the next exploration. I used Uart pastel paper for this version. Earlier in the month I posted the watercolor version. This scene was on the University of Texas campus. In the foreground I tried to give the impression of a person walking to the right into the deep shadow.

View From The Window

I painted this one while looking out Pam's kitchen window.

Sunset With Cranes

My friend Tony and I were on the University of Texas campus when I snapped this shot with my camera phone. We were on our way to a performance. This is the initial study of the image; my intent is a larger pastel and watercolor.

Austin Bus Stop 3

One of my bus stop paintings. Working with trading card size paper outdoors is a good way to capture just a snapshot of the scene.

Vineyard Structure 2

I love barns I admit it. They are so key to my childhood and I can't resist them. Of course from a distance as I fear snakes etc.

A Conversation

After painting the alleyway I walked over to the area in front of Chase Bank and sat at one of the tables. These two guys were sitting on a bench to my right. I did the graphite work on site and finished it up with watercolors.

Warm Wave 2

I used the acrylic 5 by 7 inch plein air painting as inspiration for this larger version. If I remember correctly I was working with Golden Open Acrylics.

Austin Alleyway 1

I worked on this last Sunday after the gym. I was standing next to the Athenian Grill looking across at this alleyway. I worked with my aquarelle graphite block and watercolors on my 11 by 14 watercolor paper block.

Austin Bus Stop 2

Two weeks ago I sat down on a bench at 6th and Congress and painted the corner across the street. I was working with watercolor and trading cards. I'm working on painting from memory and also just trying to capture as much data as I can for larger paintings.

House On Corner

On one of my recent three nights in Commerce I sat outside and drew with my water Aquarelle graphite blocks. This is Miss Lee Vester's house from my sister's porch.

J. W. Watercolor

The finished watercolor from the sketch.

Abstract Crosby 1991

Another abstract from the archives. I have always painted them. So this is really not a new trend. I just tend to keep the abstracts to myself. I think they reveal more about the artist than realism. Just my opinion.

Doing Hair

Another hair and Commerce related painting. I have painted my mother, niece and cousin doing my sister Karen's hair. Maybe we have a pattern.

Crosby American Gothic

This is an old painting of Jeremy and Tamara my nephew and niece. I'm adding this one to the series.

Inside Diva

The larger painting completed from the study posted earlier. As with any abstract image a little poetic license to deviate from the original.

Austin Bus Stop 1

Last Sunday after my workout I sat on a bench in front of the Littlefield Building and painted the bus stop across the street. I used the watercolor ACEO trading cards.

Taniya

After I drew her grandpa J. W. Taniya said "draw me" so I did. She wiggled a lot and got distracted by other things. With her eyes I got two separate directions because she shifted her focus. The beauty of working from life.

Church Across The Street

This is the church across the street from my sisters place at night.

J W Pastel

I used the sketch completed in Commerce as the jumping off point for the pastel version. The original sketch is below.

Braids

Another in my People of Commerce series. The standing figure is my niece Elizabeth and the seated one is my baby sister Karen who hates posing for me. I did this quick study while home for the holidays this Thanksgiving. Elizabeth is a licensed beautician. I used the new Graphite Aquarelle pencils.

Iceplants and Fog

This is the pastel version inspired by the plein air painting which is below.

This study was completed on Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California on September 3, 2012.

Warm Wave

An plein air piece completed a few years back. I'm using it to complete a larger piece in pastel.

Inside Diva study

This is a study for a larger group of paintings using different mediums. I will keep you posted as I produce them.

J W

This holiday season I intend to work on my People of Commerce series. This is my brother-in-law. He sat for me for about 30 minutes this weekend.

Behind The Hotel

A slice of the landscape behind Hotel Azul in Commerce, Texas.

North Texas Bales

Since I'm visiting north east Texas, I thought I would share a painting inspired by the area

Flip That House

This painting was completed in 2005. Its funny how my palette hasn't changed that much over the years.

Fisherman And Sons 2

I'm working with the plein air trading cards still. This is the second version of this piece.

Out Of The Fog 2

I am really enjoying this exploration of a field study. The plein air sketch was completed at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California. Fog comforts me; I like its intimacy and mystery.

Mind Landscape 2

The little ACEO image has been fruitful. I worked on the Shizen Pastel Paper for this one.

Where Was I

This is a painting from 1990. I am at my core an abstract painter because I have bad eyes or I see different. The title comes from me looking back at this image and wondering were I was in my life. I know it was when I moved back to Texas from Massachusetts.

Mind Landscape

I used an ACEO trading card image as a jumping off point for this painting. I am really enjoying painting from sketches completed on site. Far better than working from a photo. One plein air painting is worth hundreds of photos.

Train Strangers

I did this painting a few years ago. A collector saw it on my site but wanted it a bit larger. So I revisited this image and enjoyed it. I worked exclusively from the painting as I couldn't find the reference photo.

Revisit Tree In Fog

Still playing with this image.

Fence Breach

I found a plein air painting from about 6 years ago and used it to inspire this painting.

Jug Handle Fog

Yet another study of this image from a plein air painting.

Oat Valley Vineyard Pastel

I worked with this one in pastel and not much larger than the plein air trading card image posted below that I used for reference.

Vineyard Structure

I used a plein air sketch trading card image as a point of reference.

On The Way Pastel

The first pastel version of this image. The original version was a watercolor trading card image painted while traveling up to Fort Bragg, CA.

Clouds From The Plane

During my many plane rides I have painted cloud formations. I usually use the ACEO trading cards or 5 by 7 Shizen Watercolor Paper. I enlarged this one to an 11 by 14 watercolor painting.

BOO

Something spooky for the upcoming hallowed ween.

Revisit Water Play 3

I worked with a plein air trading card image for this piece.

Foggy Birthday Watercolor

I used the plein air sketch for this watercolor. The sketch was completed onsite in oils.

Little City Revisited

I have painted this scene before. I enlarged an earlier painting to meet the decorative needs of a client.

Another Fireman Asleep

One to the refinery firemen on the trip back to Texas.

Hillside Vineyard

On the way up to Fort Bragg I was painting scenes as they passed by. I'm sure this is a combination of about 5 miles worth of landscape.

Can't Sit Long

I noticed this passenger early in the flight. He would stand up for about 10 minutes and sit back down for a while before standing again. He probably had a back problem. His face was interesting so I did a quick sketch.