Backlit Bluffs (California Coast)

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I painted this from an image in my library. I believe it was taken in San Luis Obispo, during one of their plein air events.  I’m really enjoying a focus on large shapes where I can focus on color, value and design.  I’m also getting looser with my brushwork, which is another skill I’m honing. … Read more

Facebook Fans

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I’m leveraging my tech + marketing background to try a few more tricks on social networking site, Facebook.  I’ve written before about my Facebook Ads test.  I’ve been moderately happy with the results. My new test involves Facebook’s “Fan” pages.  Just as you can “friend” an individual, you can “fan” a brand or person you like, like the iPhone or your favorite TV show.  This allows you to get updates from that brand/person/product in your Facebook Newsfeed, just as you get updates from your friends.

Check it out, let me know what you think, oh…and “Fan me!” (click “Become a Fan” in the right-hand side bar of the page).

Painting a smoke-filled landscape

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I had all week off work, so spent it with a group of long-time friends at Alta Lake, in the Sierras. Unfortunately, the fires continue across the state, including two near the lake. The smoke was particularly heavy in the mornings, which is when I painted this. To make the most of it, painting a … Read more

Back to the figure

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I am enjoying a renewed interest in the figure after meeting David Germard at his recent Mission district open studio. David has a nice selection of male model’s, which is difficult to find as most groups focus on the female figure. Today’s model works annonymously, so I will call him “M”. “M” (Back) – Oil … Read more

More coastal ice plant

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Like the previous painting (Sunset, Buena Vista Park), I started this coastal painting by laying in the most intense colors first, and working out. I followed this approach in a previous coastal ice plant painting a few weeks ago. I think this is similar to how I’ve seen some painters–particularly figuaritve–start with the center of … Read more

Sunset, Buena Vista Park

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I remember the day I took the reference photo for this shot, while walking Gracie through Buena Vista park. The light and shadow was just at the right spot on the path. To get these colors to “sing”, after my initial wash block-in (of Alizarin Crimson + Sap Green), I started by laying down the … Read more

Napa Glow

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I remember this day so well! Mike and I went to Napa Valley for last Valentine’s day holiday for a long weekend. After visiting Copia (where we learned how to make hot chocolate and home-made marshmallows in a cooking class), we played fetch with Gracie in a field behind Copia beside what I guess is … Read more

Descending Palms, Duboce Ave

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It was 90 degrees Fahrenheit Saturday in San Francisco! This is incredibly unusual…too hot, really. I put my backpack on full of supplies, and headed out for the 1 mile walk to Golden Gate Park. Then, as I was walking down, I saw this view. I’ve painted the house on the left once before (I’ve … Read more

Playing with abstraction

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One of my top few observations from being a painter is the importance of abstraction. Although I’m primarily a representational painter, a painting ultimately succeeds or fails based on abstract qualities, especially design. I painted this study in a loose abstract manner, without my eye glasses. This helps me accurately record color and value, as … Read more

A day in the park

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I had the pleasure of painting with Brent Jensen today in Golden Gate Park. Brent and I met years ago at a plein air event, and have tried keeping in touch while he’s moved about the country. Check out his work, pretty great, right? I returned today to a couple icons of the park I’ve … Read more