Afternoon Harbor

On my last painting day in Fulton, Texas the last two paintings came from my Inktense pencil drawings. I was with Robin Cheers who painted in oil and Terri Wells who was working with watercolor. I did one more drawing after this one. I was exhausted. Two days in the wind and sun was exhilarating but tiring. I'm glad I went it was great painting, dining and just being with other painters. I think we all came away wanting another trip. I'm in.

Fulton Palms

This is the last painting from my trip to the Texas coast this weekend. I was painting with Robin Cheers and Terri Wells when I completed/started this painting with my Inktense pencils. I was sitting on concrete and very tired from a day of painting. I managed two more sketches before dinner.

On Our Way

I did this sketch from the passenger seat of the car as we drove to Fort Bragg, California. I think the key is to assume that one picture can be built using multiple scenes. This image is a composite of about 10 miles worth of landscape and highway.

To My Left

This was the second painting outing of the day. We traveled back to Mackerricher State Park to paint the lake. When we got there the light was wrong and the lake waters had risen to the area I normally paint from. So on to the ocean side. I painted this onsite with Inktense pencils. Pam was hunting for rocks and shells.

Drive By Extension 4

This is from one of my car sketches. The coastal highways in California are hilly and curvy. Two things that freak me out while driving as well as riding. It seems as if the road disappears.

Annie's 1

This is the sketch I did last weekend sitting across from Annie's on Congress Ave.. I used Inktense watercolor pens on Arches watercolor paper. The light was a lot cooler than conveyed in the sketch.

Ellison Trial 2

The major challenge in this case was that it happened in the eighties. Many of the witnesses had passed away or moved on. It was a trial for wizards of the rules of evidence. The lawyer in the forefront actually has hair that red. The witness was from the crime lab. CSI is so not true to life. In real cases the crime scene guys do not interview witnesses or defendants. They gather the evidence (without house music) analyze and testify if needed. In the best of situations they are not invested in the case or the law enforcement officer tied to the case.

Ellison Trial 1

This is the lead prosecutor Bryan Case in the Ricky Ellison murder trial that occurred last week. The jury found him guilty on Friday. The crime was committed in 1981. I was two years out of high school then. He apparently went on a crime spree that left two civilians dead and a police officer paralyzed. The police officer later died. The defendant has been in prison but he has been up for parole. To prevent him from getting out we tried him on this cold case that was still pending.

Trial Day One 5

The defendant and one of his guards. This trial did make the Sunday papers. He was sentenced to 40 years for murder.

Impending Down Pour

I worked on another piece from my friend Judy's trip to West Texas. I drew it out with Inktense pencils and later added water. I want to do another in pastel. I like the drama with the watercolor but I think it will translate well in pastel.

Leggett Bound 1

An Inktense watercolor sketch made on our trip up to Leggett, California. I really liked this beach I think I have raved about the rock formations before on another post.

Leggett Bound 2

Inktense sketch from our trip to Leggett, CA.

Drive By 33

I haven't posted as I have been on vacation. This year I chose to ignore the Internet and news for a few days ( OK I did post pictures but I just couldn't help sharing). It was very relaxing. We took many walks along the beach, drove through a tree in Leggett, California and rediscovered a beach that was just gorgeous. I painted a lot. I tend to work small so I was able to complete about 17 pieces mostly painted en plein air. I worked primarily with pastel, watercolors and Inktense watercolor pencils. I wanted to try drawing from the car. I did about 5 drawings in the car using Inktense watercolor pencils on Shizen watercolor paper. This painting is the first in what I will call "drive by paintings".