Mysterious Duo

I'm obsessed with mono prints. I've been playing and experimenting with the geli plate. This print was derived from one of my repurposed plein air sketches and multiple print applications in charcoal and pastel. The pastel and charcoal paint transfers were lifted with acrylic medium and paint.

Albany Bug Cove

I follow painting groups online and that is how I found this fine painting spot. I was attracted to the atmosphere which for me is the fog. Depicting fog for me is a fun atruggle.

Emeryville Marina View

It was cold and very windy. The Emeryville Marina was a beautiful place to sketch.

Mountains And Active Clouds

I was able to complete a ton of sketches during the ride up to the Eastern Sierra and while riding around it. I would work with cameras,foutain pens, markers, etc. to get the line work and values down. I added color later.

Serene Beauty

This year we visited the Eastern Sierra. It was the second time for me. I skectched from the car and onsite. To say the least I was in awe and inspired the entire time. The beauty of this area has to be experienced. We visited Lake Lundy etc. I did this pastel on site.

Weeds And Bales

I try to find beauty even in the most mundane appearing places. This scene is from the parking lot of the Dollar Store in my home town. I have painted this scene many times as I cannot pass up hay bales. I'm sure the staff is used to that wierd lady hanging out in their parking lot taking photos and sketching. For those of you in town this weekend, we are hosting the Austin Studio Tour at Austin Art Space. Stop by and see us. We will be open 12-6 Saturday and Sunday this weekend and next.

Lake Cleone Morning Mist

When last in Fort Bragg, California we visited one of my favorite morning spots. The morning mist and colors were beautiful. I did some small value sketches on pastel paper. I later added pastel. I used that painting as inspiration for this piece.

Beginning Dahlia

Painting these dahlias have become a ritual.

Self Portrait 2022 #4

I have started doing self portraits on my birthday again. This was the fourth one from last year. This years portraits were done using the blind contour drawing method. They were fun to do and the results were interesting. Once completed, I will share them.

The Patch

The plein air sketch that inspired this pastel was done on the Point Reyes National Seashore. I have since completed paintings in pastel, watercolor and oil. I find plein air sketches far more useful than just using a photo. Its almost as if the sketch done on site etches the scene in your brain. That is what it does for me at least.

Miller/Knox Regulars

This was fun to sketch. I was standing in a corner drawing these characters. They have gotten used to me drawing and photographing them. As with all figuratives done on site you have to mix and match the bodies because of the constant movement.

Carolina Street Serenade

This street musician has appeared in many of my paintings from South Carolina. On my final day in town he was playing in the park across the street from my hotel. I put some money in his case and did a sketch of him and took a few photos. After I printed a photo of him I saw that his shirt had a "Crosby's Seafood" insignia on it. I was meant to paint him.

Lakeside Shadows 1

This painting is part of the Eastern Sierra series that I'm currently working on. The photo that inspired this piece was taken on my birthday in 2019. The trip that keeps giving. Hopefully we can get back this year for more inspiration.

Eastern Sierra Grazing

We were sightseeing and came across this group of animals grazing on the side of the road. I never miss an opportunity to photograph livestock. The structure of the mountain was obviously the main draw for me as it was and continues to be a challenge to paint. This is a study in gouache for a larger piece. The photo was taken on my birthday in 2019.

Right Lane Must Turn Right

I must give my cousin Karmen credit for the photo that inspired this painting. In the past I have sent cameras to friends and family. My request was that they just fill the cameras (disposable's) up and send them back to me. This was when we used film cameras. Karmen sent me a number of images from in and around New York. I liked the signage and the street music scene.

Harvest Portrait

I have been a gardener for years. It's one of my solutions to high vegtable prices and its good to know what is in your food. The entire process from seed to fruit or vegetable is a miracle in many ways. One of the many benefits is the built in still life. I wanted the image to have a graphic feel to it.

Coastal Fog and Waves

I recently had the pleasure of moving (not) and found a lot of paintings that had not been shared or posted on my websites. This painting was completed a number of years ago. Its from Fort Bragg, California. I think the scene is near the Beachcomber Hotel. Its painted on a copper panel and was inpired by a previous plein air painting completed on one of our many birthdays celebrated there.

Hol Up

The title refers to a situation involving two friends one of which senses a sketchy situation that the other doesn't. Its a person that has your back. This image is associated with the "False Bravado or Self Care" painting posted earlier. I recently saw it framed in a collection (Pam's) and really liked the design from a distance.

Car Butt

Those of you that follow my social media know that I have been doing a series of abstract car paintings. They are abstract because I'm learning how to draw them. I've always had issues with perspective etc. due in large part to my relatively flat corneas. I saw this vehicle during one of my many walks around Richmond, California. I have also added some of the images to my Fine Art America website where one can order prints, t-shirts, etc.

Stink Eye

This was a scene before my cousin Fred's wedding years ago. I like to capture images before, during and after a wedding.

Future Fisher

This image was captured at the Richmond Marina. I like the diversity of people and they don't mind being painted and photographed.

Off Kilter

The first title is the one you see. I painted this on site and must have gotten crossed eyes during the process. Sometimes the petals can be confusing. That's the beauty of plein air painting for me.

A Delicate Balance

One of the kitchen counter flower series.

Tired Reflection

Years ago we were tooling around San Francisco in a car and I of course was doing a little street photography from the passenger window. This guy appeared to be just getting off work. I later grabbed a shot of him at what appeared to be a bus stop. During the holidays, I found this set of pictures and decided to paint him again. The signage and reflections also presented a nice challenge.

Afternoon Crab Special

This is a plein air piece that I completed on my most recent trip to Fort Bragg, California. We were hanging out in the afternoon and these birds were hunting crab. Pam actually "rescued" one and threw it back into the ocean.

Downtown Hopland

Great food served here especially on New Years Day on the way home from the Mendocino coast. I hope everyone has a fruitful and happy new year.