Too Close To Power

I really like the paper I used with this painting. I'm learning to use the paper in my composition. The scene is from Fort Bragg, California last September. I included people because they are part of the scene and feel of the place.

Feathery Spectator

Another painting from Pam's garden. As I was painting the flower, a bird landed on one of Pam's bird feeders. I quickly sketched him/her in assuming it would fly away. It didn't it stayed for quite a while probably watching me sketch.

Night Lights

This is a scene from my home town. During one of my recent visits I drew the back of the restaurant in front of the hotel. I was of course attracted to the light and dark patterns made my mother nature and by man. I used my Daniel Smith palette of watercolors on watercolor paper.

Late Summer Field

This is a study from my sketchbook for a larger painting. I was going through some old photos and found a few that I want to revisit or tackle for the first time. I think this was inspired by a photo from the nineties. My photography skills were not that good and they tended to be blurred. In my opinion now, that is a good photo to paint from or use as a starting point.

Road Through Trees

My first color study for this image. I took the photo that inspired this painting on the forest floor of Samuel P. Taylor park in northern California. Through the trees you can see the road. I was attracted to the various lines in the composition and the challenge of green variations. The park always has beautiful light because of the redwoods and how the sun filters down.

Just A Little Curious

Painting this owl was like creating a black and white photo. The color splashes are my added accents. The photo that inspired this painting was taken by my bosses daughter. She has quite an eye and loves animals. I had this felt pastel paper lying around so I gave it a go again. I really liked how the surface almost grabbed the pastel off the stick.

Pam Grown Onion

This onion is from Pamela's garden. It was started as a drawing in ink that I later added watercolor to. The drawing was done from life. Given her garden, I always have fresh veggies and fruit to study and paint. I was attracted to the new growth and the outer skin of the onion.