Sunlit House

The spring flowers this year were breathtaking. This painting is my attempt at blue bonnets and blackeyed susans. I did a series of value studies and generateed the paintngs from the value studies. This is a patch of flowers in South Austin.

Downtown Hat Lady

This hat lady lives on yet again. This is a small oil. The subject was photographed by me in the 90s. She was entering a bank and dressed to the nines. I located the photo again this year and noticed that she had a cigarette in her hand. I then began to wonder if she was a bank teller or banker returning from lunch. Her story lives on in my imagination.

Here she is again.

Stream And Dream

This painting is from our 2019 trip to the Eastern Sierra. I've been slowly building up this body of work. I really liked the light and reflections in this scene. Water reflections are the latest challenge revisited.

Mesa Bus Stop

I'm old enough to remember actually having conversations while waiting for the bus or train. Now we can self isolate and not even acknowledge anyone. This is a new part of Austin for me. I still visit my old hood out of habit. The economy and feel of Austin changed as we "emerged" again from the pandemic. The cost of living almost tripled for most of us and we had to move our homes in a very short time. I feel as if wolves have taken over our economy. It's unpleasant to witness and be victimized by. This will pass in time. I took the photo that inspired this painting during a walk. Of course the light attracted me but also the distance we create between us with technology.

All Glory Fades?

I try to paint each stage of the florals life. This includes the eventual wilting, falling off the stem and ending up in my kitchen sink. The shapes become more complex and the colors change. I posed the question in the title because of our societies obsession with youth and beauty. I try to find beauty in all stages of aging because I was raised that way. That translates into my approach to painting florals. Lately I've been frustrated with the quality of flowers that are available for purchase. This year more flowers will be added to my garden.

This is an Agave that grew in my old hood prior to the February freeze last year.

Sierra Trees On Top

I know the title is silly but its what I casme up with. This is a mixed media image that started out as an ink rendering. At times, the ink drawing speaks for itself and others demand a little watercolor, etc. The photo that inspired this piece was taken during my last real vacation in 2019. The last time I traveled without fear of infection and maskless. Now I feel naked and vulnerable without a mask. My how we have changed as a world.

My passion for gardening strenthened even more over the past three years. Of course I paint, draw and eat what I grow.

SOCO Coffee Buzz

South Congress in my opinion is more like an inner city vibe than anything else. The pace is fast and the people are young and unique. That is unusual for a small Texas town like Austin. Even though it has grown in population and density, it is still a small Texas town. This is the companion piece to "SOCO Boots On The Ground ."

SOCO Boots OnThe Ground

This is a little slice of bustling South Congress (SOCO) Avenue. Its a very popular spot as its where you will find coffee and the "I Love You So Much" sign.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is another version of the Driskoll Hotel in downtown Austin. With this painting, I chose Khadi paper which is made in India. It has a nice rough texture. I like subject because its complex and forces me to play with perspective. Plus its a pretty building. Pre pandemic I would see this building a lot. Its across the street from the gym. I havent been to the gym since March. I'm not sure if I will return to the gym. Things have really changed. I continue to feel optomistic about our future even now.

Grove Building

This building is on 6th street here in Austin. With this series, color usage is intentionally unconventional as well as perspective. Stay safe and healthy out there.

ATX Musing During Walks

I've been walking a lot in the mornings before working. During these walks I have been sketching. The subject matter varies. I've sketched people walking their dogs, vice versa, construction equipment, construction workers, etc. I've also been attracted to the morning atmosphere and how it affects the greens and sky. Transformers and telephone poles are showing up in a lot of my musings. They demonstrate connectivity.

Corner Music

I love revisiting old photos especially those taken during SXSW here in Austin. During the festival I keep my camera with me because of scenes like these. I remember these two young men were performing outside the Whole Foods on 6th street. I was in my car heading home and caught a few shots of them. They saw my camera and posed for me. It will be nice to see what happen next year for the festival. I'm optimistic.