Too Close To Power

I really like the paper I used with this painting. I'm learning to use the paper in my composition. The scene is from Fort Bragg, California last September. I included people because they are part of the scene and feel of the place.

Feathery Spectator

Another painting from Pam's garden. As I was painting the flower, a bird landed on one of Pam's bird feeders. I quickly sketched him/her in assuming it would fly away. It didn't it stayed for quite a while probably watching me sketch.

Beauty In Pollution

This painting was inspired by a sketch that I did from Pam's car on the way home from the super market. I was breaking in my new marker sketchbook from Crescent while we were waiting in traffic. I liked the smoke or hopefully steam that was in the foreground and the associated structures. I used an oil under painting on hand made St. Armand canal paper.

Barber Station 7 and Before Me

I have been taking my sketchbook with me to the barber shop just in case I have to wait for a cut. I worked on blue St Armand canal paper. I'm still getting used to the surface.

This is the guy that usually cuts my hair. The initial sketches were done in ink on site. The pastel was added later.

Life Is A Beach

The initial drawing was in ink. I also used gouache onsite to establish some of the waves. The pastel was added later.

Cloud Over Lady Bird Lake

When I returned to Texas years ago I chose Austin, Texas. 25 years later I am glad I did.

Town Lake Foliage

I started this image on site and added pastel later. I liked the reflections in the water and of course the plant life above it. I worked on a 5 by 7 piece of Uart paper and a variety of pastels.

A Commerce, Texas landscape. I think this is highway 178. I used St Armand canal paper and a variety of pastels

Queen Playing Yahtzee

Last weekend I celebrated my friend Maurice's birthday with his partner and mom. After watching a horror flick and dinner, they settled in for a game of yahtzee. I drew them while they were playing. I used St. Armand's blue canal paper. The surface is like painting on fabric and the texture actually adds to the image. His mom's name is Queen.

Morning Medicine

Pam was gassing up her car for an early trip out to Tracey, California and I saw this guy sitting on a curb at the station. He had something in his brown paper bag and he had just lit up his cigarette. I liked his grey hair and how it contrasted with his skin. I took a few photos from weird angles in the car. A Facebook friend recently posted a photo of his recent purchase of St Armand Canal Paper. I had read about the paper years ago on a blog. I bought a few sheets. Its a very nice handmade paper. It doesn't take a lot of pastel layers and has a unique texture that peeks thru if you let it.