Three In The Weeds

This painting was a bit rushed because my painting time was short. I like to watch and painting birds. I was very comfortable sitting on the ground with my supplies spread about in the shade. I worked on a black 8 by 8 panel in casein. I was peaceful that entire vacation. I cant wait to retire.

Beach People Below

I painted this piece on my birthday which we spent part of on Point Reyes. It was a huge mistake to go there as everybody else decided to go there too. Most parking areas were full so even getting to this area above the beach took quite a hike to get to. I needed the exercise anyway. Pam not so much. We did have a bench to sit on at least.

Soaking Friends

During a visit to McKinney Fall State Park I saw this group of people soaking in the water. I took a quick photo and this is the first painting. I liked the way the water distorted the shapes of their bodies.

Woodward Trial Sketch 1

Last month I got to watch parts of the Lynn Woodward trial here in Austin, Texas. The allegations were that she drove under the influence of drugs and killed one person and injured another when she ran over them. She had been released from the hospital that morning and told not to drive for six months. Later that afternoon she hit a car and two people. The jury convicted her and she received a sentence of 20 years. In this painting you have the various players: prosecutor, witness, court reporter and the victim's best friend (the person that died).

The defendant and one of her attorneys. Her expression rarely changed.

Melting Waves

A watercolor from my recent vacation. This one was really fast with very little time between paint applications. Pam was collecting sea glass and rocks. I did this one alla prima with no time for drying.

Beach Path

Another painting done from the captain's deck of the hotel. I like the way the grasses on the sides of the trail varied in color. I have never before painted this part of the area. I guess that is the beauty of plein air painting for me. Even if I have been to a place many times, it can still be new to me with regard to painting and photography. My intent was for the painting to vibrate with energy.

After having lunch in Dublin, California with Pam and her sister at Casa Orozco I got in this quick sketch of the restaurant bartender and a guy drinking at the bar. I added watercolor later.

Cliff Bush and Waves Below

Another painting from the balcony. The sun was setting and the paints were melting onto the surface for me. One of those zen paintings done with my eyes half closed.

Construction Site

I work in downtown Austin and we are undergoing yet another building boom that we don't have the infrastructure for. Ok off the soapbox. I have watched this building go up outside my office. I find it amazing. I wish I had the ability to construct a building. Anyway another path we could pursue later. I have done other sketches of these guys and the building is purple now. That is another painting.

Captain's Deck Morning

I painted this view of the field from the "Captain' Deck" of the hotel. I plan on some nocturnes on my next visit. This is one of the looser paintings of the holiday. I think my eye has changed a bit. The paintings from this trip represent a shift for me. As I look at each one I see study and improvement. This series had a few good ones.

Morning Shadows Through Branches

I have always admired the morning light in the field across the street from the hotel. I have often thought of painting it. This trip I finally did. I painted from the hotel balcony. Casein was what I worked with most on this trip. I had heard about it and seen some of the paintings and decided to give it a go. I found it easy to work with.

Pond Birds Point Richmond

I painted this piece while sitting under a shade tree at Point Richond. I started out with a value sketch in my sketchbook and then painted this image using the sketch and what was in front of me. I liked the birds that were playing in the pond and the trees in the background. I painted it on a piece of 8 by 10 gator board that had been coated with about three layers of gesso.

A page from my travelogue sketchbook that I took with me during my recent trip to Northern California. I painted this from the hotel balcony.

Lake Cleone Afternoon

Lake Cleone had what appeared to be fungus on its surface. I saw lots of birds but didn't include them in the painting because my focus was the lake and the colors on its surface. I like the lake and the birds that populate it. I sometimes forget that the beautiful Pacific Ocean is across the parking lot. Because of my affection for the lake, I will at times start out painting the ocean scenes and then end the day over at Lake Cleone.

Red and Lavender and Berkeley Fishers

On Pam's birthday we went to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. I stopped to paint within a few feet of the entrance. Mind you I have been to this garden on many occasions to photograph flowers and the grounds. This is the first time that I have painted there. I have 47 acres to cover. I worked with Casein paints and I stood while I painted holding the surface in my hand.

I purchased a small panoramic sketchbook as a travel log. This was an image I captured at the Berkeley Pier on Sunday of last week. I added the paint later on the plane ride home.

Low Heat Flowers 1

This is the first version. It is larger than the first post of this image. We got some rare cool fronts earlier in August. That little cool snap allowed these flowers to open. I got out and painted them. It was something painted in the yard.

Something At Peace

I was sitting on the balcony of our room watching the waves and of course painting. I decided to use the balcony fencing to divide up the picture space for paintings. I was able to get in about four pieces using this method. I was working with casein paints which remind me of gouache in many ways. My goal was 20 paintings that day. I came close to that goal. It was Pam's birthday and the day was her's as far as places to visit. I must say that most of the paintings I did deserve to be further explored as larger paintings.

I took the time to relax and sketch before putting paint to paper. I think that calmed my minds eye too.

A Building I Liked

I was walking around Charleston after I had finished my work. I took many photos of the buildings. The outside lighting, fence work etc. were beautiful. This is an 18 by 24 watercolor. As always I will revisit this image again. The perspective is off but that's not unusual for me. I didn't venture too far away from the hotel. I will return for more time to explore and paint the area.