Long Gone Mango

I'm going through a period of painting from life. The subject matter is fruit, flowers and heirlooms that I have collected. These paintings are small because small paintings are easier to store. I did complete a large watercolor this weekend and its in that stage of contemplation. I love mangos I just hate having to slice them. Their shapes are hard to mimic for me. With practice I will get there.

Young Skeptic/Fuel Storage

This little girls mom sat next to me at one of our family functions. She found me to be very interesting as she could not stop staring at me. I drew her of course and added the color later. I painted it on one of the 4 by 4 inch Stratmore artist tiles that I tend to keep with me for small sketches on site. I drew her dad the same day. He is the subject of the "Rhasta Rules" painting that I posted recently.

I will paint anything if it has interesting light. This is a plein air sketch of fuel storage tanks in Richmond, California. I was at the Richmond pier with Pam and turned around and saw the light on the tanks. I had been painting most of the morning and this was the last one of the outing.

Botanical Vines

As I was painting this, mosquitoes were eating my lower legs up. I forgot the cardinal rule of always having bug spray. I did enjoy myself and I left with a feeling of peace that day. I spent a few hours in various places. I plan on a visit this weekend to the trail (Hike and Bike) and the garden.

Sunset Respect

Charleston was a lot like Austin. This was the sunset on the Sunday I arrived. I don't remember which lake this was but it does feed into the Atlantic ocean. This is the second of three 6 by 6 inch paintings I have in the works.

The photo that I am dicing up into many little paintings.

Vibrant Energy

Last weekend I bought these flowers and set them up on my kitchen counter. I have painted about 7 pieces so far. This one is on an 8 by 8 piece of Masa paper that had been gessoed. It makes for interesting textures and works well with watercolor. After all watercolor tends to do its on thing anyway.

I took this photo while exploring the Charleston, South Carolina Aquarium. I used my new Nikon D800 with an 50 MM lens. This is the inspiration for the next few paintings.

Lush and Sultry

This is a watercolor on a stone "paper" The surface is similar to Yupo. In my opinion the paint pools and moves a little different on this surface. The photo that inspired this study is posted below. Charleston, South Carolina is a lot like Austin. Lots of young hip business types combined with the seasoned business professionals, college students and barristers and regular folks like myself. Each day that I went out to shoot photos I had to wipe the lens down to remove the moisture. Hot and muggy but beautiful to photograph.

I only worked with 4 by 4 inches of this photo to get the painting posted above which is 8 by 8 inches.

Rhasta Rules

One of my sisters neighbors. He had long dreadlocks with his hair shaved on the sides. I drew him while hanging out with the family. Color was added later.

Old Town San Diego

A small pastel study for larger pieces in multiple mediums. Years ago I made my first trip out to San Diego for a vacation and to visit my uncles Charlie and Carl. We never adjusted to the time change so we were up and out two hours before most touristy stuff opened. I loved the cool air and scenery. I was painting a lot from photos back then. Most of my time was spent taking photos. I did enjoy good food prepared by my uncle Carl and just hanging out with with them both. I started out with a watercolor underpainting in complementary colors on Wallis paper.

Thick And Beautiful

I saw these young ladies in front of Whole Foods downtown. It was during South By Southwest so I assume they were associated with that crowd. I was sitting at the light and snapped a photo. I used Wallis paper and started out with a watercolor underpainting utilizing complementary colors. I'm going to explore this image more in watercolor. 8 by 8 inches 125.00 unframed

This is a small study for a larger watercolor painting that I have in mind. I used 4 by 4 inch Stathmore Artist Tiles and a large brush. I just let the color do what it does. 4 by 4 inches 25.00 unframed

Closing Down

Some paintings are just hard to let go of and say finished. This painting I think needs another person on the lower right as a better lead into the scene. The photo that inspired this piece was taken at dusk in downtown Chicago. The colors are a little off but this image is a good representation of the original. I will loosen up a bit on the next cityscape that I tackle.

This little girl was on my plane on the way from Atlanta. She fell asleep shortly after takeoff. I drew her mother too. This would make a nice painting.

Red Swimsuit

I took the photo that inspired this painting on my birthday last year. We were visiting the Point Reyes National Seashore. The subject was watching her son. Her son was the inspiration for "Joy By The Water". I completed this painting during our recent studio tour.

From 7th Floor

I was in Charleston, South Carolina for a few days for my day job. I gave a joint presentation on premium fraud prosecutions with an investigator that I work with quiet often. My adventure started on Sunday and ended yesterday. I must say the event was well done and I really did enjoy giving the presentation. We got great feedback from the group. Before I got to work I did this quick sketch from my room window. I was on the 7th floor and had a great view of one of the many rivers that feed into the Atlantic ocean.

After the presentation I got out with my camera and explored the area a bit. I saw this street musician playing the saxophone across the street from the hotel. I put some dollars in his case and took some photos and did this quick little sketch.

Spring Shadows

I painted this in early May. I was visiting (annoying) my youngest sister and helping cook our family feast. I sat on her back porch and painted this view of a shirt hanging on her clothes line. In my opinion, the light in small towns is somewhat spiritual. I love the city but my home is special. I can smell the earth in Commerce; not so much in the city.

The Summer Line

They changed the window display outfits out at the store next door to my gallery space. During West I stood outside and completed the sketch. I added some more definition to the sketch in the gallery. I brought it back the next day of West to add in the detail of the middle dress and called it done. When I next have gallery duty I will get the name of the store.

Snow on Sunrise

A painting from the snow in my home town a few years ago. It was cold. I didn't paint on site but I did take lots of photos and made many trips into my sisters house to warm up. I was home this past weekend. We had fun and a great feast on Sunday. My mom would have been proud.