My Play Foo

This is a color study from my sketchbook. I like using gouache in my toned tan sketchbooks. Its also great for quick onsite color sketches. When my parents were alive and together our house was party central for the community. We usually had a game of dominoes going. When playing dominoes one has to leave your ego at the door because it involves trash talking.

The Woods

Years ago I persuaded a friend of mine in the New England area to get out and take photos of the foliage for me. He sent me two disposable cameras worth of images (thank you Jim). I still revisit those images for inspiration.

First Garden Shadows

I painted this image first. I posted the second study before this one. I like both for different reasons. I love painting on a dark surface in pastels. The scene is from the Fort Bragg Botanical Gardens which is a wonderful place. I haven't done any plein air work there yet but I fully intend to.

This is a color study from one of my tan toned sketch books. I used Copic markers for the value study and watercolors to play.

North Texas Snow

I rarely get to see real snow where I currently live. This snow scene is from where I grew up in Commerce, Texas. A year or so ago we were treated with a really nice snow storm during Christmas. I of course went out with my camera to get some images. While I was shooting I was amazed at how peaceful it was to walk around my hometown while it was snowing.

Wild Ones

Another study of my friend Kim's flowers. When she officed next to me I would almost always photograph the flowers her husband sent her. He has great taste in flowers for a guy.

Approaching Wave

This is watercolor and gouache together. I realize that painting seascapes en plein air exercises the memory in a very good way. When painting a seascape one is forced to take a quick visual snapshot for the brain and then duplicate it on whatever surface one chooses. I saw a documentary on Wolf Kahn today. I love how he approaches his work. His wife is also an artist. Emily Mason, if my memory serves me correct. I am in the process of understanding why I am drawn to his work. Hans Hoffman was his mentor.

Beach Rock Shadows

One of my favorite beach coves near the hotel. I am enjoying painting on the Strathmore Artist Tiles. The format is fun and a great size for studies.

Companion Comfort

I painted this little one on our last day at Glass beach. Pam was looking for rocks and I was painting people admiring the surf. Below is another sketch from the Shriya Patel trial.

She was sentenced to 20 years by the jury.

Expressive Flowers

I must be ready for spring; that's the only explanation for these flower paintings. Below is a very colorful painting of my Uncle with a different palette. I must admit that the larger painting is turning out to be a lot more conservative with the color.

A Flower

This little study was inspired by the photo posted below that I took in 2008. We were visiting the Fort Bragg Botanical Gardens. On the edge is the beautiful coastline and inside are amazing flowers.

Spring Forward

I must admit that the time change was unexpected this year and also a bit unwelcome. As I write this post I am behind on my morning schedule. This little painting is a bit overworked in my opinion but it is what it is. Happy spring forward day everyone.

Tulip Tangle

I worked on this painting last night. I bought a bunch of tulips last weekend to paint. I did a number of small *art tile* paintings before they began to wilt, This one is watercolor of a recent batch of flowers. Of course 50.00 unframed.

Blue Vase Red Flowers

I have a habit of taking a photo of the flowers that my office mates get from their spouses. Sigmond who is married to Kim sent these flowers to her. I always photographed the flowers that he sent her until she was transferred to another division in the office. He has a good eye and loves his wife. I have painted from this photo many times. The first paintings were in acrylic.

Dos Ducks

I love painting water and the reflections on it. Lake Cleone calms me. It has beautiful views, birds and the beach across the small parking area. On my most recent visit I really didn't want to lug around my camera. So I relied on my camera phone and onsite sketches. This painting is a result of the onsite sketches and my trusty camera phone photos.

Maroon Bush

This small painting was inspired by a photo I took at the Fort Bragg, California botanical gardens a few years ago. My goal was to render the image in an abstract manner. I painted on the artist tiles recently introduced by Strathmore. It can be yours for 45.00 unframed.

Say Uncle

Years ago I visited my uncles in San Diego. This is my uncle Carl. As you can see he was and is quite a character. I love that about my family. This is a sketch for a larger painting I think in pastel. Stay tuned. The photo is below.