Figurative Watercolors

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Mike and I have planned a trip to Maui! It’s been a long time since we’ve enjoyed a vacation together, so I’m really looking forward to it. Since I don’t plan to travel with my full oil setup, I will paint watercolors plein air. I think there’s something about Hawaii and the tropics that lends … Read more

The Whimsy of San Gregorio

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San Gregorio State Beach CA (Sunny Day), Oil on Linen, 10x8

Recently, I’ve found a new muse in San Gregorio State Beach (CA).  It’s a wonderful, unique stretch of beach on the northern coast of California.  It’s a site full of whimsy: high art castles and lowly shacks, all made of driftwood from the sea.  A great past time there is to build all kinds of … Read more

Plein Air Convention & Expo, 2013

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2nd Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo
2nd Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo
2nd Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo

It was a pleasure presenting today at the 2nd Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo!  If you were not able to attend, here are my slides.  In the presentation, I show how social media can either be a distraction or  help you reach fine art collectors and build your career.  Enjoy!

 2/16/2014 Update: I’m now conducting my own research about how digital marketing helps artists succeed. Here are related slides presented at the California Art Club Winter Symposium.  You can contribute to this research by taking a short survey.  Thanks!

Download slides – Microsoft Powerpoint, or Adobe PDF.

 

Presented at the 2nd Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo, 2013, Monterey, CA
Presented at the 2nd Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo, 2013, Monterey, CA

 

San Gregorio State Beach

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San Gregorio State Beach (Foggy Day), Oil on Linen, 9x12

Sunday was foggy along the coast, but I was able to find something interesting to paint at San Gregorio State Beach.  This beach is known for having plenty of driftwood, and beach-goers build really interesting huts and other structures there.  It’s well worth a visit.  This painting received a lot of comments on my Facebook … Read more

Baker Beach (San Francisco, CA)

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Baker Beach (San Francisco), Oil on Linen, 8x10

We’re having kind of an odd Spring storm in San Francisco this Easter week, so I’m posting a study I painted a couple weeks ago at Baker Beach. By the way, next week will be quite busy, as I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the 2nd Annual Plein Air Convention & Expo in … Read more

Testing Solvent-Free Oil Paint

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Monterey Cypress (Lands End, San Francisco), Oil on Linen, 8x10

What I love about being an artist is the opportunity to continually learn and explore.  My focus recently is learning to use new and different materials. Royal Talens sent me a set of Cobra solvent-free oil paints to try, and these are my first results.  The benefit is I don’t have to use solvents, which even though labeled “odor … Read more

True Blue Sky

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Real Blue Sky Fitzgerald Marine Preserve, Oil on Linen, 12x9

Yesterday, I finally had the combination of opportunity and weather I need to paint.  It’s been a busy few months, having started a full time job in October.  Since I’ll be traveling a lot more, I’m starting to carry a small watercolor kit to take advantage of any opportunities that arise then.  I have to … Read more

Montana de Oro (Last Light)

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Montana de Oro (Last Light), Oil on Linen, 9x12

Just recovered from a 5 day illness.  It’s nice to have some energy to paint after being sick so long.  This is from a reference photo of Montana De Oro, in San Luis Obisipo County.  I paint this location for the annual plein air show at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.  For this … Read more

Balboa Park (San Diego, CA)

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Balboa Park (golden light), oil on linen, 12x9

Balboa Park in San Diego is a painter’s paradise.  According to Wikipedia, the park is “Named for the Spanish maritime explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the park hosted the 1915 Panama–California Exposition and 1935 California Pacific International Exposition, both of which left architectural landmarks.”  The architecture is great, and the park is surrounded by beautiful gardens.  I had some fun … Read more