Grove Building

This building is on 6th street here in Austin. With this series, color usage is intentionally unconventional as well as perspective. Stay safe and healthy out there.

Stream

I'm obsessed with painting the surface of water. I'm not good yet but the struggle is worth it. You have to look deep and come forward with the image. The photo that inspired the painting was taken at Samuel P. Taylor Park in Northern California.

ATX Musing During Walks

I've been walking a lot in the mornings before working. During these walks I have been sketching. The subject matter varies. I've sketched people walking their dogs, vice versa, construction equipment, construction workers, etc. I've also been attracted to the morning atmosphere and how it affects the greens and sky. Transformers and telephone poles are showing up in a lot of my musings. They demonstrate connectivity.

Corner Music

I love revisiting old photos especially those taken during SXSW here in Austin. During the festival I keep my camera with me because of scenes like these. I remember these two young men were performing outside the Whole Foods on 6th street. I was in my car heading home and caught a few shots of them. They saw my camera and posed for me. It will be nice to see what happen next year for the festival. I'm optimistic.

Cutting Avenue

I painted this image because I like the color of the building and of course the light. Cutting Avenue is in Richmond, California. I would have to say that it's one of my many muses (that would include the entire state). We have passed this building many times going here and there. I have always wanted to paint it. Last year I challenged myself to paint more buildings. One thing I have learned thus far is that structure to me does not matter. I still go for the feels.

Last Haul Noyo Harbor

About three years ago we were hanging out right at dusk near Noyo harbor. I was concentrating on photographing people fishing and the boats coming in for the night. What struck me most about this image was the lone fisherman on the top near the light and the red lobster traps in the back of the vessel.

Tide Pool Buddies

When I can, I want to get to California. The place inspires me and I get to see Pamela. A few years ago, we were out and about on the Point Reyes National Seashore and I was busy sketching people. I was working on 8 by 6 pieces of Khadi watercolor paper. I liked how their bodies reflected in the tide pools. I used quick gesture work to get the overall form down and added watercolor later. I moved a few years ago. I threw away about a third of what I was hoarding and did a lot of reorganizing. I found an old sketchbook with value studies from 2007. Yesterday I did a small pastel from one of those studies. I was amazed at how much of the actual scene came flooding back into my mind.

In 2007 I spent the weekend in Fulton, Texas painting and sketching with a painting group. This pastel put me back in that place by the water watching the shrimpers coming in and going out. The birds of course were feeding.