Ripe Peppers

This is a small plein air painting done out in Pam's garden. I was working on creating mystery in a painting by leaving things inferred but not stated. I'm working on thinking more about making a painting as opposed to copying what's in front of me. I am currently sketching every day. I want to catch a bus this weekend just to draw people.

Garden Buds

Happy new year. I hope this post finds you well and happy. I painted this piece in Pam's garden. The calla lilies were blooming as well as various other plants. Her front yard is now filled with succulents. It was fun to photograph. I liked these two buds because of the difference in their individual lines. I used a bamboo reed to do the initial sketch.

Owl Nest

I spotted this "screeching house" while Pam and I were hanging out at the botanical garden. I was attracted to the way the light kissed the leaves and the side of the structure. I completed the sketch on site and added paint later. The garden has grown even more luscious due to the drought ending in recent years.

Different Clouds Passing

Whenever I can, I get outside to sketch clouds. I work on small pieces of paper or canvas. I rarely if ever enlarge them. I like the challenge of getting them to be transparent.

Slice of Spring

I saw these daffodils growing by a tree in my hometown.

Sketchbook share. Characters from a recent trial.

Point Reyes Deer

I spent the week recovering from the two weekends of the West Austin Studio tour. Our gallery did great with sales on both weekends. On the last day I managed to sell about six pieces. That made me very happy. This little painting is from my most recent trip to the Point Reyes National Seashore. Since the drought was easing, a lot of the animals were out grazing and hanging out.

I made this sketch from the 8th floor of our parking garage downtown.

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.

Look At Me

A painting made at the Richmond marina earlier this year. I was attracted to the tree because it's structure and light said "look at me". This is one of the few oil paintings that I produce a year. A major detractor for me with oil paint is solvents. On occasion, I paint with them because I have always liked the texture of the paint.

A sketch while I waited for my haircut.

Damp Ground

I am enamored with this silly log. Plus I am trying to get that green the way I saw it on site. I love this part of the park and this is the only area where you can park your car and explore. I don't do a lot of oil painting but I got the bug for the new year so you can expect to see more.

Moss Covered

As we entered Samuel P. Taylor park we found a legal place to pull over for me to take pictures. I slid down the hill to take a few shots of the beautiful stream that flows through it. I was busy taking photos when Pam said that I would hurt myself. I ignored her and continued shooting. At one point, I took a step without looking and of course fell. I had enough and climbed back up the hill. Of course two more mishaps before I got to the car. "You jinxed me", I told her once safely in the car. This is an old moss covered redwood tree.

Playful Trio

These little ones were playing with one another so I of course had to make a little painting of them. The drawing was done on site in ink. I later added the oil. I liked the colors and language of their little forms.

Dreaming About Floating

This is an image from a working harbor in Fort Bragg, California. I sketch there when I can but often I just take a photo to work from. I made this painting from an image taken on my Ipad and from many visits to this area. Pam says that I over painted this one she has a better eye than me.

Winter's Chill

This is largely a made up composition. I saw the bare bones on a friend's Facebook post. I then added things like hay bales, live stock, etc. The photo reminded me of Edward Hopper. I added the influence of Frank Reaugh. I worked in Gamblin Oils on Arches oil paper.

Skateboard and Dog

This is the same young man from two posts ago. This time I caught him on his skateboard with a nice dog in the background. This year I want to work more with oils. So to start the year off I worked on a few plein air and studio oil paintings during my New Years trip to see Pam.

Corner Hustle and Seasonal Bloom 2

If you frequent the downtown area you will encounter many people trying to hustle money or your signature for a cause. I bet only tourists actually stop and engage with them.I was sitting on the steps of Starbuck's coffee when I snagged this sketch across the street.

Another addition to my "counter top" series. Daffodils painted from life in oil on Arches paper.

Seasonal Bloom

The daffodils were fun this season. I did a series of these right around the Easter season.

At The Registers

Pam and I went to Papadeauxs here in Austin for lunch a few weeks ago. Of course I asked her if it would bother her if I sketched. She held up her e reader and said yes. I did a number of sketches of the waiters as they were tending to customers or waiting in their area. I worked in oil for this first painting. I did consult the sketches and phone photos for inspiration.