Lake Cleone Morning Mist

When last in Fort Bragg, California we visited one of my favorite morning spots. The morning mist and colors were beautiful. I did some small value sketches on pastel paper. I later added pastel. I used that painting as inspiration for this piece.

Beginning Dahlia

Painting these dahlias have become a ritual.

Self Portrait 2022 #4

I have started doing self portraits on my birthday again. This was the fourth one from last year. This years portraits were done using the blind contour drawing method. They were fun to do and the results were interesting. Once completed, I will share them.

The Patch

The plein air sketch that inspired this pastel was done on the Point Reyes National Seashore. I have since completed paintings in pastel, watercolor and oil. I find plein air sketches far more useful than just using a photo. Its almost as if the sketch done on site etches the scene in your brain. That is what it does for me at least.

Miller/Knox Regulars

This was fun to sketch. I was standing in a corner drawing these characters. They have gotten used to me drawing and photographing them. As with all figuratives done on site you have to mix and match the bodies because of the constant movement.

Carolina Street Serenade

This street musician has appeared in many of my paintings from South Carolina. On my final day in town he was playing in the park across the street from my hotel. I put some money in his case and did a sketch of him and took a few photos. After I printed a photo of him I saw that his shirt had a "Crosby's Seafood" insignia on it. I was meant to paint him.

Lakeside Shadows 1

This painting is part of the Eastern Sierra series that I'm currently working on. The photo that inspired this piece was taken on my birthday in 2019. The trip that keeps giving. Hopefully we can get back this year for more inspiration.