Eye Twinkle

I'm still working on this one. I lost that loose quality in trying to get a likeness. I think the next painting should have a time limit because I really do like that look. I have worked on this model in graphite, pastel and watercolor.

Half Moon Bay Vessels 1

This painting depicts a body of water in Half Moon Bay, California. I worked from a photo rather than on site. During the recent visit I painted most in watercolor. My normal medium...actually I enjoy them all. I miss my pastels so that will be the next phase.

Pier Skeleton 1

This set of poles I think was associated with a pier that used to exist. I have always liked the pattern they made. I was sitting up on the hill across from the area on Pam's birthday. She picked the spot for me to paint from.

Line Them Up

I love the dairy farms in the Point Reyes National Seashore the cows are beautiful as is the landscape.

Summer Ends

People playing on the beach on labor day. I painted from our balcony for the last paintings of the day. I don't get out and paint enough in Texas. I don't care for the heat so I tend to work from photos for some of my Texas landscapes. I do get out a little with Plein Air Austin during the cooler months when I don't have gallery duty. I have painted down in the Rockport/Fulton area but only for a weekend. I try and include my home state in my study of the landscape. I must admit the landscape in California inspires me to paint in just about any conditions (excluding earthquakes).

Its Distant

I wanted to explore this image in a larger format. The paper is 15 by 30 inches made by Nujabi and is 200lbs. I love this paper. Its almost cloth like. The larger format is fun too. The scene is one of the many you will see going to and from Fort Bragg, California and Pam's house. I bought some rather expensive watercolors from Old Holland years ago. I didn't want them to dry out so I'm am making myself use them. I also have started to use a nice palette that is large with a variety of wells and it has a nice cover for when you finish. I'm a hoarder when it comes to art supplies and tools.

Full Glass 1

When I look at this painting a full glass of wine comes to mind. Or maybe a nice chilled bottle of bubbles.

Glass Beach Haze

I painted this one while hanging out at Glass Beach on Pam's birthday. When I work with watercolors onsite I usually work on two paintings at a time. I don't have to waste time waiting for an area to dry. The area had changed a lot. They cut back most of the bushes along the main path to the beach. Pam also didn't find as many pieces of glass and rocks as she wanted. She came over as I was painting this one, looked at the painting and told me to stop.

Tired Waiter Drawing

We love eating at Cafe One in Fort Bragg. The food is good and clean and the atmosphere is diner like. This is the main waiter waiting on dishes to serve. Maybe a watercolor will be first in this sketch exploration.

Sky Complex

I love when the sun is reflected in the ocean. The sunsets were beautiful up in Fort Bragg this past holiday. We were treated with nice weather and beautiful cloud formations. I was able to paint on the balcony up until nightfall without a jacket. That place gives me peace.

Gulls and Surf

Another painting from my recent holiday in California.

Beach Tent

I painted this one the first day in Fort Bragg. I was on our hotel balcony looking down at the people on the beach. I worked mostly in watercolor for this trip as it was easy and what I'm into lately. I saw a flier for a paintout in Fort Bragg as I was leaving. Next year maybe I will plan our annual trip around that paintout.

No Questions

I worship the sunset so I try and paint it as much as possible. When I painted this I was on the hotel balcony enjoying warm weather for that area and season. I was glad I didn't have to have to have a scarf and gloves to paint outside. The sky was unique for that area and season.

Sky Prism

Another little plein air watercolor from my recent trip. I always have issues with the straight horizon. The sky had lots of colors that were reflected in the ocean.

Birds of a Feather

While painting I saw these seagulls sitting together on one of the large rocks. I did a quick value sketch and a small watercolor before moving on to other subject matter. I was attracted to the back lit birds.

Musical Sky

We saw some beautiful sunsets in Fort Bragg last week. The weather was great and warm enough to wear shorts. I painted on multiple beaches all day. It was the best time in a long time.

Floating Neighbors (Watercolor)

I didn't get to visit this area on my most recent visit to the Northern California area. We instead focused on Point Reyes and Fort Bragg, California. This painting is from the El Granada fishing pier. It was January so the light was cool. I tried to keep the background loose to focus in a bit on the floating vessels. I don't use a pencil drawing so I have to work with the watercolor drawing as best as I can. My corneas are a bit different so I tend to see very flat.