Mike has a few weeks off between jobs, so we headed to Napa Valley for Valentine’s. We stayed a couple nights at Beazley House in Napa, a great B&B that accepts–no, loves–dogs! Gracie had a great time, running through vineyards and just hanging out with us. We spent a lot of money on wine, but … Read more
Still working on a new series of seascapes based on rocks/surf. Enjoying it, especially after a couple of weeks of no painting. My next painting trip at the end of the month is a workshop with Camille Przwodeck in Kauai, Hawaii. I’ll try to blog regularly from there as Camille is a great teacher. Near … Read more
This is another painting part of my seascape “rocks & surf” series. I’m trying to keep it simple, bold and fresh. There’s a line I don’t want to cross between a fresh work and one that’s over-worked. I hate crossing that line! I think I may define the sandstone on the right a bit more, … Read more
Dusk is my favorite time to paint–I’d like early morning too, but I’m not a “morning person”. This was done from a photo I took during the Golden Hour in Telluride, Colorado. Telluride at Dusk – Oil on Linen – 10×8
I was in Santa Paula Christmas day, and painted this the day after. These trees were in the distance, I’m pretty sure they were not Sycamore’s (due to the dark bark), so something else. Does it matter? They’re subjects of color and form for us to use to create art. This is largely a study … Read more
Two more seascape studies, each with their own lessons. In this painting of bluffs, I’m focusing on my grays and aerial perspective (distance). I tend to paint too dark, so I need to paint more studies like these. I focused on including very subtle warm/cool color variations, and show just a hint of light on … Read more
Here’s another “rocks & surf” painting in my new seascape series. I’m having a blast, playing with color and value, brushwork. I’m loosening up, which feels great. If it sells, it sells, right? Art should be about joy (don’t tell the IRS 🙂 ). Carmel Bluffs – Oil on Linen – 9×12
I’m having a great time painting right now. I feel a break-through is either here or about to come! I’ve always loved the California coast, and so while this week I am forced inside my studio by near constant rain, I have lots of great photographs on my Mac to choose from. Here are three … Read more
Camille Przewodek teaches a regular Monday class at her studio in Petaluma. She’s one of my favorite teachers (her new series of marsh paintings are incredible), and she has a nice group of regular students. We started by Camille offering a crtique to see what everyone had accomplished since she’d seen them last. I happened … Read more
I thought I may have met my “end” yesterday, ironically while painting at Lands End beach in San Francisco. Like many of you, I often hike to remote places to paint the perfect spot and find myself in the middle of nowhere. There are Mountain Lions to think about, snakes, made-up sadistic hatchet-yielding crazies–and then, … Read more