Mugs Coffee Worker

This is another sketch of the interior of Mugs Coffee Shop in Commerce. I was in town for my nephew's graduation. During my off time, I roamed around the downtown area. There was a farmer's market that I also sketched. Mugs has beautiful antique furniture. It offers a nice contrast to the blue collar often eclectic customers. Graduation weekend was packed with celebrations and multiple sketching opportunities.

Exit Wounds Inspired

A few weeks ago I went to see "Exit Wounds" a production put on by Ballet Austin. I sketched the dancers when I had enough light. This image was inspired by one of those sketches. I found some Masa paper that I had treated with gesso. The underlying image was done with ink applied with a bamboo nib. I later added watercolor and gouache. I tried to maintain the same line integrity that I was able to achieve in the initial sketch.

Just Look Down

I did this painting from a thumbnail on my computer. It was one of many images I had taken over at Redbud Isles. I also used an ACEO as my surface to force me to minimize details. Water is a great surface to paint because it reflects, deflects, distorts, etc. All in all a great mystery to constantly explore.

Another face for you.

One more. I'm using artist tiles that are 3.5 squared. Easy for all kinds of sketching.

Last one. Enjoy the snow day. I am.

More Faces

Happy New Year everyone. I hope this year came in as quietly or as noisy as you wanted. This post should put me at about seven portraits. These were all done on Artist Tiles that I purchased on Amazon. These are people that were around during our recent holidays. I kept a stack of artist tiles handy to capture a face or landscape and to practice quick sketching.

Morning Chat

This is an old sketch of my brother that I finally completed. I made the sketch when he was first getting to know his most recent grandson. We were sitting in his living room and I liked the way the light was hitting his skin. Of course the colors are my added spice. I used ink on Shizen handmade paper for the initial drawing. I added the pastel this year.

Doing Aunties Hair

This is my niece doing my sister's hair. I took liberties with the colors. I did the initial drawing a few years ago. I just added color this year. I used a handmade paper by Shizen.

Shoal Creek Anderson Lane

I like this view of Shoal Creek. It is on Anderson lane close to my gallery space. This is a small watercolor exploratory study.

A page from one of many ongoing sketchbooks.

Model on Blue

This painting was started earlier this year when I was filmed painting this model in my studio. The initial sketch was in graphite on Fisher 400 pastel paper in a square format. I later added the pastel from memory.

Sketchbook page.

Three Souls

This is another piece the was initially sketched during the Art Model show this year. The sketch was done on Arches oil paper in ink. I later painted it from memory as photos were not allowed.

Pam took me into the city for lunch and a little sketching. This is a page from my Khadi sketchbook.

Outhouse With History

This old outhouse was across the street from our house. I grew up with it. The painting size is 2.5 by 2.5 inches. I love painting small because I am forced to get to the point of the painting. My work has been a bit nostalgic lately because of mother's day. I spent mothers day inside cooking, watching television and painting. The subject of my figurative work was my aunt Michelle. She passed away a little over three months ago. On the following Monday, my sister informed me that her husband had passed too. Sad times for my aunt's kids.

A page from my Khadi sketchbook. Done Friday while waiting on my car to be serviced.

Structural Challenge

This is another piece from the theater event that I was part of. The ink drawing was done during the actual event on strips of Yupo paper. I later added more ink and watercolor. I think I spent about 1 minute on the sketch. I used a Parker fountain pen.

The Tatoo

I was recently part of a production that focused on the art model as opposed to the artist. The models spoke of various issue associated with modeling as they were being painted by a group of artists. They also projected imagery of artists in solo painting/drawing sessions with models. I worked primarily in ink on small pieces of Yupo. It was an honor to be part of the production.

Birthday Man

This is a drawing of the birthday man Maurice. He was busy playing yahtzee. Its funny how distorted in size his hat is. That is the beauty of drawing from life for me. The challenge of proportions always gets me. It does make for an interesting drawing however. I'm still using the St. Armand Canal paper. This is the sabretooth version.

I did this little painting while sitting in front of the main hotel in Commerce. I used my Renior sketchbook and Daniel Smith watercolors.

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.

Card Player 2 and Bright Eyes

Pastel on Shizen Pastel paper. This is Tony a family friend that I have painted and drawn a few times. He has great features and skin. Plus he likes to dress well. My first painting of him sold through Mitchie's gallery here in Austin to a collector from South Carolina. I will do a watercolor next.

The drawing.

I sketched this little one while his grandfather (my brother) held him.

Afternoon Coffee

I made this painting in the Starbuck's at 6th and Congress last weekend. I was enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and sketching people in the shop. I liked how the people facing the window had the sun reflected on their faces.

He Likes Hats

This is my youngest nephew from my siblings. He is now getting taller than me and the voice is changing. I would call this stage the contemplative stage that I assume we all go through. I was sitting around my sister's home after Christmas dinner and Casey sat down. The initial sketch was in ink on Canson paper. I covered that sketch in pastel while on vacation in California. I took liberties with colors because I can.

Daisy Waning

I enjoy painting from life and I also like to make the most out of my money. I have been known to keep flowers for three weeks to paint. Each stage of the life of a flower or piece of fruit is interesting to me. As to background colors I am experimenting a bit with color and color theory. I guess all art is experimentation with color and color theory.

Domino Hand

My family has a competitive side. We love playing cards, dominoes...we like games. When I lose I get to sketch. I chose to leave the searching lines visible so that people could see more of the process of creating a painting

Smoke In Your Face

This is the second drawing from our Thanksgiving weekend celebration. Yes we have smokers in my family.