Commerce Country Roads

My mother loved riding around in the country and so did/do I. As and adult I photographed those same roads and used those photos to inspire paintings like this post. I did the initial drawing in ink. I dissolved the ink to create a grey scale under painting. I used Daniel Smith watercolors and a few inks to finish it off. I used to run by this scene a lot as a kid and young adult. The barn is long gone.

Something from my sketchbook.

Drive By Barn

This painting is called drive by barn because its sits somewhere along interstate highway 35. I take photos from a car and get pretty good photos to paint with. I read recently that its best to paint from inferior photos because it allows you to take liberties with the actual painting. The resulting photos will have the blur that an artist utilizes to simplify shapes.

I tend towards abstraction in some of my photography. I have always liked the concept and practice of multiple exposures. With today's digital camera technology we tend to take photos rather than explore and get to know an area. Multiple exposure photography forces you to slow down and contemplate the image and place.

Once again construction is booming in Austin. This construction site is the view outside my office window.

The Stone Muse

I really don't know why I like to paint this rock. Its on Glass beach and I have noticed that I frequently include it in my paintings. I think its the waves that crash against it.

Romance

The sketch below inspired this little watercolor. I saw this couple walking on the beach and I automatically thought of romance and contemplation. The ocean puts me in perspective and being with the one I love brings the romance.