Colorful Cove

I have painted this cove many times. With this attempt I wanted to play with color a bit. I also tried not to blend in the area that I wanted the viewer to focus on.

Two weekends ago I was downtown sketching. One of my favorite places to do that is at 6th and Congress. All types hang out on that corner.

City Energy (In Progress)

I'm still working on this scene. I'm trying to tone done most of the detail that I put into my drawing. Its too busy with stuff. I also want to use more greys in the foreground to give it more of a quiet feeling. I painted this one a few years ago in watercolor. I think the earlier version was a lot looser. When I work on a larger piece of paper my normal response is to put in a lot of detail.

Matrimony

This is the wedding painting that I referred to in an earlier post. I loved drawing the ceremony and everyone stood still. The colors and outfits were amazing. One of the men in waiting (I don't know much about weddings) bought the painting for the groom. I also took a few photos that I should paint too. I used my graphite water soluble pencil to make the initial drawing. Before I left the garden I put in the darker greens. I finished it later at home.

2 Poppies

To get the textured surface I wet the Masa paper first and balled it up. I then spread it out to dry. Once dry I added Gesso to both sides to solidify the texture. I chose to use the long format because a Facebook friend mentioned that the original plein air sketch reminded him of Oriental paintings. I need to get back to the garden before it gets too hot here.

Welcome Spring

Pam and I were visiting the botanical gardens last Sunday. This is one of the last paintings I was able to get in before we had to leave. I was actually sitting in the parking lot and had to move a couple of times to let cars pass. I used one of my Strathmore Artist tiles and a variety of pastel brands.

This is a sketch I did while waiting in court. I called it "Impatiently Waiting". I don't think that anyone in court patiently waits.

Whimsical Journey

Music really affects the way I paint. I didn't really realize it until I had let this painting simmer a bit. I was at the gallery when this one was called done and of course I was listening and dancing to house music. The different format was fun.

Cannery Row Color Sketch

The photo that inspired this painting study is from Cannery Row in Monterey, California. I love the photograph too because of the light and of course the hat. I did this little study in gouache in my toned tan sketchbook to play with the color scheme. Monterey reminds me of my law school and Massachusetts years. It is close to the feeling of Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Bench Conference

This painting was inspired by a photo that I took of my Aunt Mary Lou and Cousin Brenda during a family reunion weekend. It was a weekend long celebration of food, music, games, dancing and even church for those who wanted to attend. I have always been a photog at these events. My cameras are better now and the subject matter is even richer as we age. I did an underpainting in watercolor utilizing the color complements of the eventual top layer in pastel.

Yesterday Pam and I went over to visit the Austin Botanical Gardens like everyone else in the city. We had to do remote parking because the parking lot was full. Once inside it was beautiful with the first good blooms of spring. I enjoyed the poppies and the different greens. While there a wedding happened on the grounds. I had a medium sized piece of watercolor paper with me and made a quick sketch of the wedding with a water soluble graphite pencil. I laid down some dark greens while on site and finished it up at home. I'm thinking of adding pastel to the images of the bride and groom to make them stand out.

Bountiful Vineyard

My painting would really benefit from some plein air work in the actual wine country. I've been able to get in a painting or two onsite while traveling but never really spent some concentrated time onsite. I do however take lots of vineyard photos.

Iceplant Impression

I was sitting over at Lake Cleone painting the birds for the morning. Before I finished for the morning I looked behind me to see these beautiful iceplants. I did a quick color study in my Kona Classic Toned Artist Paper pad using gouache. I then did a little 5 by 7 watercolor. I used those images as inspiration for this pastel.

Perched Seabirds

I have come to appreciate the Noyo Harbor area of Fort Bragg. I went down to that area at night during my most recent visit. I got a lot of material to work with. The photo that inspired this image was taken about 7 p.m.

Photogenic Friend

I used a photo from the nineties for this one. This is a family friend and distant cousin. She has always had striking features.

Just A Sip

We were celebrating something at one of my sister's houses and I caught this shot of a family friend sipping on her drink. Of course she caught me taking the photo too. Hence the knowing glance. I just wanted to have fun with both gesture and color with this one.

Mr. Smooth

This is the first larger watercolor of the "Say Uncle" series. I will post the studies below. I think the studies are a little more animated that this version. I think I will do a pastel of one of the studies as opposed to using the photograph. This is my Uncle Carl in front of his home in San Diego, California. I was out for a visit.

Approaching Wave Pastel

I used one of my plein air sketches as inspiration for this little pastel. I worked with a black surface because I'm geared that way. My pastel palette varies according to the painting. A skilled blogger once reviewed this space and encouraged me to discuss my process more. When I was younger I wrote a lot. I poured out my emotions on paper daily. As I grew older, I was less compelled to spell it out. So I, from now on I will discuss process more and also tools and medium.

North Texas Snow II

I love painting snow scenes. This is another painting of the snow we had in Commerce last Christmas. I thought about painting outside for only a second and opted for my camera. It was very cold. I'm working with the Strathmore artist tiles again. I also broke out my new set of Terry Ludwig True Lights to paint the snow. They are very soft and a joy to paint with.

I will use this little plein air sketch for a larger painting. It was nice just painting these little fleeting moments in gouache in one of my tan toned sketchbooks.