Night Flight

I always go back to revisit old plein air paintings for additional inspiration. We made a visit to the Point Reyes National Seashore a couple of years back. I remember this visit because I sketched in the car to avoid snakes. Long story short, I encountered two snakes in one day at this location a few years back and it still haunted me. I sectioned off a number of squares on a page of mixed media Canson paper and completed about 5 little plein air sketches. I pulled that page out recently and did some pastels. I will try and post the sketches later. Of course I took liberties with the time of day or night.

Miller Knox Renovations

During my last stay in Northern California, I of course went to many marinas. The Miller Knox Marina is one of my favorites because the fishermen/women are fun to sketch, photograph etc. They are so used to me that they ignore my presence. Part of the old pier was being removed. It was quite an interesting thing to watch and film.

Afternoon Crab Special

This is a plein air piece that I completed on my most recent trip to Fort Bragg, California. We were hanging out in the afternoon and these birds were hunting crab. Pam actually "rescued" one and threw it back into the ocean.

Bulb Entrance

We went back to the "Albany Bulb" for some different scenery. This time we walked around a bit before I got this sketch in. One reason, I had a new modified full spectrum camera to play with. I really liked that the eucalyptus tree provided a natural entrance into the area. I threw down the intial lines in ink and moved on to the next sketch/photo op.

Last Haul of The Day 2

Another little painting inspired by my last visit to California. Of course it has fog and sea vessels. I like working from my sketch books and changing up the medium and color scheme. I will use photos on occasion, but I think its easier to capture the feel of a place if you sketch it. I found myself reaching more for my sketchbook than my actual camera during this most recent visit to the Bay area.

Vacation Gouaches

This a page of sketches is from my most recent trip to Fort Bragg, California. Pam indicated that I spent a lot of time with my sketchbooks this trip. I usually try to focus on individual studies on panel, paper or canvas. I like the energy I was able to capture in these. The line work was done on site and gouache was added later from memory.

Arched Water Path

I am sharing some of my oil on copper paintings. I have finally gotten around to varnishing them and now they are ready to show (some of them). This painting is of a beach in Mendocino, California. I was attracted to the arch in the ocean. I hope to be there for the new year.

Sketchbook share.

Unstable Storm

This is an older painting that was inspired by northern California. Its an oil on copper piece. I was taken with how the storm stirred up the surf and the sturdy rocks.

Sketchbook share.

Sea Rocks

I was sitting on the beach at Point Richmond and decided to paint this scene after the fishermen that I posted a while back. I liked the light reflecting on the rocks and the various reflections in the water. Looking back on this I am reminded of how the water sounded coming in and going back out.

Joy By The Water II

I posted the study for this larger version last week. The setting was a new beach (to me) on the Point Reyes National Seashore. The beach was filled with people enjoying the water. This little fellow was being watched closely by his father. This version is 20 by 20 inches. The water in this one seems more ominous that the original study which is posted below.

Perched Seabirds

I have come to appreciate the Noyo Harbor area of Fort Bragg. I went down to that area at night during my most recent visit. I got a lot of material to work with. The photo that inspired this image was taken about 7 p.m.

Approaching Wave Pastel

I used one of my plein air sketches as inspiration for this little pastel. I worked with a black surface because I'm geared that way. My pastel palette varies according to the painting. A skilled blogger once reviewed this space and encouraged me to discuss my process more. When I was younger I wrote a lot. I poured out my emotions on paper daily. As I grew older, I was less compelled to spell it out. So I, from now on I will discuss process more and also tools and medium.

Approaching Wave

This is watercolor and gouache together. I realize that painting seascapes en plein air exercises the memory in a very good way. When painting a seascape one is forced to take a quick visual snapshot for the brain and then duplicate it on whatever surface one chooses. I saw a documentary on Wolf Kahn today. I love how he approaches his work. His wife is also an artist. Emily Mason, if my memory serves me correct. I am in the process of understanding why I am drawn to his work. Hans Hoffman was his mentor.

Companion Comfort

I painted this little one on our last day at Glass beach. Pam was looking for rocks and I was painting people admiring the surf. Below is another sketch from the Shriya Patel trial.

She was sentenced to 20 years by the jury.

Guiding Light

The entrance or one of many to Noyo Harbor. The lights that blink are almost hypnotic.

About Peace

The title comes from where I go when I see a beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean. I got a new sets of Terry Ludwig Pastels for the holidays. I've been taking them for a stroll. The under painting is watercolor and the surface is print making paper.

Pacific Green

I was sitting on the captain's deck of the hotel and looking down on this beautiful ocean. I was playing with some ink and gouache too. It was the new year and inspiration was abundant.

I Like This Cloud

Anyone that follows this blog knows that I follow my partner Pam's advice on when to stop painting. I was going to add more layers and more detail in the ocean. Pam told me twice to leave it alone. Here it is. This cloud I painted as it appeared on the horizon and added it while on site to my painting. The initial cloud sketch is below.

I did my studies in gouache for this visit. I like having a color study as a road map. This cloud floated by as I was painting this seascape. I did a sketch of the cloud in my sketch pad and added it to the painting.

Sunset Colors 3

The second painting completed at sunset on the cliff. I loved the colors that I was able to see that day. Can't wait to make a larger version in multiple mediums.

The Way Out

I paint a lot of stuff related to Fort Bragg, California. Its a very inspirational place. Texas inspires me too but the landscape is too familiar at times. Anyway this is a painting of the Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. I took this photo during my most recent visit. We had just dined at Silvers.