The value of simplifying

I wrote last year about the importance of working in abstractions, and in looking at some of my work lately, I feel I am trying to put too much in, explaining too much. These little detail bits of paintings below I think emphasize the importance of simplifying, and the kind of dramatic results you can … Read more

Verde Artist Guild Paint-out Saturday

We are painting this Sat (tomorrow) at Golden Gate Park at Stowe Lake/Strawberry Hill, starting at 9:30AM. I will paint either the rock stone bridge or the Chinese pavillion. The next one is Sat, April 26th at Pescadero State Beach (~30 miles south of Half Moon Bay). If you attend and would like a demo … Read more

Mark Kerckhoff Workshop, Day 3

While the high winds continued today in the desert, the class went on and Mark continued to help us focus on his tonal method. He starts by blocking in a single, middle value for each plane in the landscape (sky, ground, slanted, upright). Here’s a quick video that shows two of my studies today in … Read more

Mark Kerckhoff Workshop, Day 2

The “Sausage Fest” continued today (did I mention that all the students are men? I guess Mark’s warning to “watch out for rattlesnakes” scared some people off–not you, Camille! :-). High winds cut today’s painting day short, but we hung in there as long as we could. Even while sitting in the back of my … Read more

Mark Kerckhoff Workshop, Day 1

Mark Kerckhoff choose a great location for today’s first day of class, Indian Canyons. These studies were done in Palm Canyon, at the bottom of the hill from the Trading Post. Mark’s technique is interesting–very different from Camille Przewodek’s. He first draws with Indian Ink and water. You’d think such a drawing would be erased … Read more

Murry’s Canyon, Palm Springs

Arrived in Palm Springs today. Wow, great weather–85 degrees! The color and landscape here are such a nice change of pace from the Bay Area. Murry Canyon (Palm Springs), Oil on Linen, 10×8

More palms

Palm trees were made to paint–the palms a perfect brush stroke. I’m on my way to Palm Springs for a workshop with Mark Kerckhoff, stopping to paint where it strikes me. This morning I stopped at Refugio State Beach, between Buelton and Santa Barbara. I wanted to paint there all morning, but needed to time … Read more