Scattered Showers

I try and take advantage of painting clouds when we have them around. I was painting in my studio and walked up to the front and saw these beautiful clouds rushing by. I had to set up another painting station.

Trial Day One 2

In this image we have a defense lawyer, part of the defendant's head and a courtroom guard. I don't know the outcome but I will find out what happened. I was only able to catch a few minutes . This case like a majority of the cases that get pled out or tried in our courts go unnoticed by the press.

Street Music 2

For this version I used Pan Pastels. One of the many musicians in and around the Pecan Street Festival. Its fun to go down with my camera and sketch pad. Plenty of colorful people that get even more colorful after dark.

Ancestry Study 1

Another study in the ancestry series. As to my prior posts of the 'birch trees", a friend informed me that they are actually aspen trees. For a country girl like me that's not good. Live and learn. I worked with the Pan Pastels on this one.

Ancestry 2 study

The rock formations on this beach reminded me of our ancestors. I thought that perhaps they were around when the dinosaurs roamed the world. They were certainly large enough. I worked with Pan Pastels.

Birch Trees

Another image of the birch trees surrounded by tall redwoods. If I have given the wrong name for the trees let me know. What drew me to this scene was the light hitting the trees. Pam and I frequently stop during our trips to allow me to sketch, paint or make pictures with my camera. She likes to make pictures herself and has a better eye than I.

A Glimmer of Light

The photo that inspired this painting was taken during our trip up to Leggett, CA. There were patches of birch trees amongst the redwoods. The light was limited and delicate.

Butcher Trial Prosecution

This drawing is from the Butcher trial which is currently in its sentencing phase in the 403rd Judicial District Court. In the foreground you have the prosecution team and the background left is the victim. The court reporter is on the right back. The defendant was convicted of kidnapping this young lady when she was 9 years old. This is the retrial after a hung jury.

Street Music

I went through old photos to find this image. A street musician during the Pecan Street Festival.

Access to the Bridge at Night

When I was setting up to paint Moon Over Ocean Pam commented about the lights across the bridge. It reminded her of an Alfred Hitchcock scene. I always take her advice on scenes to paint. The fog made the edges blurry for the most part. The street lights and stop sign were my area of focus. I used Pan Pastels on Canson paper.

Familiar in Fog

Familiar cliffs in the fog.

Drive by 35

I really shouldn't call this one a drive by. Pam had pulled over to stretch her back. I did the sketch in about five minutes and we were back on the road. This barn was in the middle of a vineyard in the Anderson Valley.

Singing Cypress 2

Another image from Wimberly, Texas.

Storm 1

This is the first painting after completing a value study and two color studies. I used Uart 800 grit paper. The next painting has a watercolor underpainting using complimentary colors. Scenery is Fort Davis, Texas area. I need to go back there for a painting holiday.

Large Floral Interior (WIP)

I found something that I wanted to clean up after photographing this piece. So one more session and its done.

The Visit

I'm revisiting some older family photos and painting some . This is my grandmother walking up to the door during a holiday gathering. She loved being photographed or maybe she just tolerated me taking the photos.

Distant Storms 1

Another exploratory sketch using Terry Ludwig and Rembrandt pastels.

The Children

This painting was inspired by a photo of African children in a shanty town. A coworker traveled to Africa with her church and shared the photo with me..

Available

I worked on this little study during my shifts at the gallery this past weekend. I paint while standing there and it does make it easier to problem solve. The lighting is also better. Berkeley Pier in Berkeley CA. My shapes don't read yet but of course that is the purpose of the study.

Abstract Pier

I limited my focus in this one. I first approached it as an abstract image. Second I wanted to make it readable as a dock scene. I also worked on site for about 3 hours. I think I will next work with the study done on site as my "photograph".