I received a nice email today. A newspaper in Marin has asked permission to reprint my painting below in an article they’re doing on Angel Island. Cheers! Angel Island Harbor (Marin) – Oil on Canvas – 8×10″

Here’s the second of the two studies I painted Saturday at Crystal Springs. I’m happy with the subtle colors of the background hills–in particular the variation between trees in shado (violet) and those in sun (orange-violet). I played around with the shadows cast by the trees on the foreground hill quite a bit. Do you … Read more

I painted two good plein air studies yesterday, this is the first, “Crystal Springs, Toward the Sun”. I’m currently reading Emille Grupe’s text on painting, and in it he writes about the color of the sky. Art teachers will tell you about the color of the sky and how it changes from horizon (light blue-gree) … Read more

I was browsing through my favorite artists (see right side bar) and came across this painting by Charles Movalli. Wow! This is how I want to paint, with abandon: free brush work, inventive color, you can see the excitement in this piece. Movalli studied with Emille Gruppe, who I’m currently reading. I found an out-of-print … Read more

Here’s my second painting from yesterday, from Pescadero Point on the 17-Mile Drive in Carmel. The photograph is a bit washed-out compared to the original. I wish I lived close by so I could study furtrher the ice plant and water colors, which are so incredible in this area. Pescadero Point – Oil on Linen … Read more

I paid my dues yesterday with mixed weather–today was fantastic! I completed two paintings and met several other local artists, including renowned portrait artist Bart Lindstrom, a really nice guy. I’ll post one today, the other tomorrow. This is from Pescadero Point, on the “17 Mile Drive“. I actually painted this smaller study second, after … Read more

I guess I’m an optimist, because once again I believed the weather man when “clear skys” was forecast for Carmel. It ended up being mostly cloudy, but I did find a nice spot at Garrapata State Park, just south of Point Lobos. I painted this 11×14 first. Once the clouds came in, I painted the … Read more

This was painted the same day as my last post.  This was a really inspirational spot.  I don’t know what they were exactly, but these red/orange winter bushes were on fire.  That, contrasted with the reflected water made it easy to push color and have some fun!   Button Willow Creek – Oil on Linen … Read more

Wow, a great beautiful day today on the Sonoma coast! I did this study and another I’ll post tomorrow. I hope to drive down to Monterey county to paint the next couple of days. I spent a lot of time getting accurate color and value so I can make a larger version. I don’t think … Read more