The Stone Muse

I really don't know why I like to paint this rock. Its on Glass beach and I have noticed that I frequently include it in my paintings. I think its the waves that crash against it.

Too Close

I was sitting up on one of the cliffs at Glass beach painting this rock and the waves crashing into it. People were a little too close to the waves with their kids in my opinion. That didn't keep me from painting them into the scene. I love painting people from a distance it forces me to leave out distracting details.

Study Upturned Glass

I love having my camera around at family gatherings. Everyone knows I love photographing people. I can sit back and take image after image of very interesting people. This young lady is a friend of my nephew Jeremy.

Garden Shadows

A little painting inspired by the botanical garden in Fort Bragg. A truly beautiful place along a beautiful coastline. I like working in the 6 by 6 format on the Strathmore Artist Tiles. I need to spend less time with them but whatever.

Xmas 2013 Commerce

It snows in my hometown too. In 2013 we had a big snow and ice event in my hometown. It was a combination of snow and ice on Christmas day. I had a flight out to California on the 27th so I had to drive home the day after. Small towns like Commerce don't plow the highways or much else. So I had to "white knuckle" it home. It was a scary ride for sure at least until Dallas. I lost a dear friend today. She was Roberta Harney and I will miss her light. We attended high school together. Small communities don't have mobile dialysis units which is what she needed during a recent snow and ice storm in Commerce. She couldn't go to dialysis because of weather and that led to high levels of potassium and a heart attack. I am sad today because this should have been prevented. Her death deeply saddens me. As I said she had light.

The Process Begins

I painted this little study over at the harbor area of Richmond. The sun was still up but it was beginning its descent. I first did a gouache study in my sketchpad and next did this small watercolor. Lots of vessels, people, doges and birds walking around.

The gouache study.

Melted Rock

The original intent with this piece was to do this watercolor underpainting and then cover it with pastel. The boss (Pam) liked this and said leave it alone. This is my interpretation of the sun setting over the ocean. The title is based upon the rock in the foreground that seemed to melt away each time I laid paint on paper.

Swept Away

I spent a lot of time playing with the waves during my last visit to Fort Bragg. I'm trying to improve my memory by painting waves as I remember them. Its an ongoing process because its art and exploration. It works best when I can sketch out what I see in a sketch pad using gouache.

Watch Him

On New Years day we decided to stay in Fort Bragg for an extra day. We of course spent some time on Glass Beach. I sat in a good spot to draw and paint and Pam went exploring for rocks and glass. I did a few paintings of people hanging out on the beach. I always get concerned when I see kids walking away from their parents because those waves can be aggressive.

Giving Direction

This is an old fishing buddy of my Stepfather's. He loved moonshine, gin (always had a bottle), beer and fishing. He was always at our family functions and would frequently just hang out at our house. He was very old school. I seem to remember him playing dominoes with my father and his friends and talking plenty of trash. That is customary when one plays dominoes. The two kids are one of my nephews and one of the neighborhood kids. His nick name was John L.

Noyo Night

This little harbor is obviously my latest muse. I'm exploring night scenes too. I love the colors of the night they tend to be more intense. Plus I just bought some new pastels from Terry Ludwig. The most requested violets are just delicious. But I digress. This is watercolor not pastel. I do intend to explore this scene in pastel too.

Grilled

This is the pastel version of Grill Tending. I used the 6 by 6 Art Tiles for the surface and various brands of pastel. I am so glad that I take pictures of the family as they take me back to times when my Mother and Stepfather were alive. My stepfather passed away a few years ago. I still miss him and how generous he was. He loved to party and cook. Our house was always filled with family and friends; I really miss that.

Smile Makers

I was sick for a few days and we had snow days added on. During that time I cleaned and cleared out a lot of clutter including my photos. (My doctor had me on steroids for lung issues) Well during my purge I found this photo of a friends flowers from her husband. It makes me smile enjoy.

Grill Tending

This is a painting of my stepfather tending his grill/smoker. He loved cooking and entertaining. The photo that inspired this painting was taken on my birthday in 1996. (Back then I had a camera that put the date taken on the photo.) He was probably cooking for my birthday. He did that for his kids, loved ones and friends. I also did a pastel version which I will post soon.

Three Ducks

I love this little lake and its birds. I often paint this area as opposed to the ocean across the parking lot. This was inspired by a photo taken with my phone a few years ago.

Guiding Light

The entrance or one of many to Noyo Harbor. The lights that blink are almost hypnotic.