Samuel P. Taylor Stream

Years ago we visited Samuel P. Taylor State Park during the salmon run. I was testing out new camera equipment and playing with the light. This image is mixed media. I started out with fountain pen lines, watercolor, gouache and finally Posca pens for highlights. I used the mixed media blue toned paper from Strathmore as the surface. The goal was to capture the feel of the wet cool air and the nuance of light on the landscape.

Building Facade

A few years ago I decided to start a series of buildings from around Austin. This building is on 6th street. Of course I took liberties with color and perspective. This weekend is the second weekend of the Austin Studio Tour. I will be at Austin Artspace both Saturday abd Sunday. Come by and safely view and perhaps acquire some great local art.

Woods Abstract

In many ways the woods are the best depiction of a naturally occurring abstract. We have started this years Austin Studio tour. Im at Austin ArtSpace come by if you are in town.

Grill Warm Up

This was a typical scene before a huge party. Early morning grill light up and friends to lie to what more can one ask for. I often photographed my step father with his friends around the pit. He would drink his beer and chat with friends while grilling. John L was always around and the hangers on were always dapper.

Pecan Street Festival 90s

Years ago and still Austin celebrates the Pecan Street Festival twice a year. I havent been in quite a while. For years I would go to sketch and take photos of the interesting people milling about. The food and music were great too. I keep a stash of old photos and I frequently revist them for painting ideas. These are festival attendees and sixth street regulars in this painting.

Childs Play 1

The photo that inspired this painting was taken at a family event. I was inspired by the fact that these kids were playing together in the digital age. This was a game of hide and seek with two seekers. No phones attached, just kids playing and running around together.

Basil's

Mendocino Overlook

I really miss going places just to be there. I can't wait for us to get back to something we call normal. This overlook always puts me into perspective. Find some peace everyone it's out there.

My Sierras

This is an image from my 2019 visit to the Eastern Sierra. I find mountain ranges similar to portrait work. This was done in gouache. Of course, numerous sketchbook studies preceded this painting. Some artists that I follow on Instagram capture this area far better than me.

Sierra Aspens

We were on that part of the trip just after we were at Yosemite National Park. We pulled over in this parking area for a break and found these aspen trees. Need I say more.

Barton Springs Viewpoint

On occasion I walk around town and randomly sketch downtown views from the surrounding neighborhoods. This drawing was done while standing in the Green Mesquite restaurant parking lot. The initial drawing was rendered in ink on Strathmore Blue Toned paper. I finished up with markers and gouache.

Room With A View

This is a painting inspired by a trip to Charleston, South Carolina. I really fell in love with the buildings and the mixture of cultures. Anyone that knows my style, knows that perspective will always be off even when I don't try. I was attracted to the decorative metal on the building and the tree.

American Justice?

This painting was my response to the trial and verdict of the person that killed Mr. Floyd. I drew the portion on the right after the verdict. The left side and background were done the night before the verdict. The eyes and faces to the left are his coconspirators and the middle is the guilty party pleading the fifth. The constitution should apply to all.

Eastern Sierras Snow

About a year before the pandemic hit we traveled to the Eastern Sierras. Just like the ocean, these enormous mountains make me feel oh so insignificant. This was done on Saint Armand paper using a variety of pastels in a square format.

From South Congress

This is from South Congress looking towards the Capitol. I just wanted to have fun with color and mediums. I used the blue toned paper and played with paint, markers, pens, watercolor etc.

Hot Deals

I remember taking the photo that led to this painting. We were in the car and Pam told me to look back and to my left. This was the scene. The light and figure drew me in. This woman appeared to be simply waiting at the bus stop and taking in her surroundings. She almost seemed defensive in her posture.

Three Aspens

I don't know which lake this was but I do remeber these aspens and the light on them. We were exploring the Eastern Sierras three years ago and we pulled over to this wonderful patch of trees. This is the intitial study in pastel. I first started out with small 2 by 2 sketches of this area in my sketchbook. This painting is small but I think it packs a little bit of a punch.

Hide And Seek

I remember playing hide and seek as a child. These children are family. The image was taken on the day that we laid my sister Tammie to rest. We tend to keep the children away from funerals. Those that can be spared are. These guys were playing hide and seek. They are cousins both blood and not. It's hard being the older sibling when you have to bury a younger one. Its the protective hawk that feels permanently disarmed. Anyhow, I was drawn to the joy of the children that afternoon.

Losing My Religion

I hope the title doesn't turn you off as its a song from my past. It was the first thought I had when I opened the image in my computer. I grew up in a small town in Texas. Like a lot of places, we had an abundance of churches. This one is around the corner from where I was raised. The painting is not true to form of course. This church is one of my many muses around my home town. Prior to the pandemic, there were rumors that it was set for demolition. Anyway, I hope you all are well and comfortable with our experimental new normal.

Family Ping Pong

This is a scene from pre pandemic Austin on a typical weekend day. The photo that inspired this painting was taken on 6th street downtown. This is an outdoor venue with ping pong tables. When I opened the photo up on my computer and was able to zoom in on the people in their various groups. This appeared to be a sweet little family.

Kohlrabi Muse

This is a plant from my garden of course. I have always loved painting and drawing what I grow and eat. This is a Kohlrabi. I like it raw and cooked in stir fries. It reminds me of both turnips and broccoli. I like that it grows above ground and the leaves are just other world like.

This is my rendition of the Grove Building in downtown Austin. I have never been good with perspective so I have embraced my fallacy and started to paint more structures. I think that is what art is about: creating and embracing your own vision and spirit.

Study Long Study Wrong

If you have ever played a game of dominoes in the south, you have heard the term "study long study wrong". Or that is what my stepfather used to say to me when I played dominoes with him and his buddies. Of course I would slow the game down because I was and am a rookie at the gane. This painting was inspired by a photo taken during a family gathering. My brother referred to this as the grown up table. Even he was smart enough not to compete.

Music With A Side

The photo that inspired this painting was taken during the first Urban Music Festival here in Austin. I believe the year was 2006. The festival had a host of acts including The Brothers Johnson, Adina Howard, etc. I had both cameras and sketchbooks to document the event. I have not been back to that festival since then. Maybe when we opoen back up to our new normal, I will attend and document it again.

Waters Troubled

Happy New Year everyone. My new year was spent alone and safe. No need for parties for me. Been there done that. I think most people my age spent the new year in a similar fashion. Normally, I'm in Northern California this time of year. We try to visit an ocean spot during our holidays. Due to covid, my last visit to California was my birthday month. I truly miss this beautiful place. Hopefully, I will return in the coming year for more inspiration.