Tennis Player

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The Tennis Player, Oil on Linen, 10x8

I’m thinking of Summer, which is why I suppose I selected this reference photo to paint.  I wanted to depict a sun-filled day (just as we had in San Francisco, today). Speaking of sunny weather, I’m headed to San Miguel de Allende this Friday, where the forecast is low 80’s all week.  Although Mike can’t … Read more

Reminds me of Greg

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Reminds me of Greg, Oil on Linen, 14x11"

I enjoy alternating between painting the figure and landscape.  Painting the figure hones my drawing skills, and landscapes allow me to play a bit more with form, color and brushwork.  I’d love to bring that same fluidity to my figure work (and I have achieved that occasionally), but I have trouble being too loose in … Read more

Avila Cove

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Avila Cove, Oil on Linen, 6x8

I think this is the longest period of time I’ve gone without blogging!  Feels weird.  I’ve a a busy couple months: started a remodel at home; and was hospitalized for kidney stones.  No fun!  Remember to drink lots of water…apparently, that’s how you can help avoid them. This is my first painting after being out … Read more

Looking forward to 2012

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San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)

As this year winds down, I’m starting to think about painting adventures next year, which currently include a week-long workshop in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico) with Frank Gardner (Mike is coming, too!) and the first Plein Air Conversion in Las Vegas, where I’ll be speaking about marketing + art. I have arranged for my friends and colleagues to receive a special $100 discount on registration using the code PACET.

I think I will continue to mix watercolor and oil (not in the same painting!) as I continue to learn from both.   I hope your 2012 is filled with art and adventures to your liking.  Happy New Year, everyone!

San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)
San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)

Studying watercolor

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Painting in watercolor is SO different from oil.  It’s a real challenge, but I’m enjoying it.  I decided to take a short break from oil painting to learn a new medium.  I’m sure I’ll return to oil soon, but enjoying the immediacy and delicacy required to paint watercolor.  Enjoy! [shashin type=”albumphotos” id=”2″ size=”large” crop=”n” columns=”max” … Read more

Cloud studies

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Cloud Study, Oil on Canvas, 8x10

We’ve had some dramatic skies in San Francisco this week, as we transition to Winter.  I hiked to the top of Corona Hieghts for 360-degree views of the city, which also gave me different perspectives on the clouds to paint.  This study is looking into the sun, so you get that bright halo around the … Read more

Sydney Watercolors

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Had a short–but wonderful–trip to Sydney last week.  Here are some plein air watercolors. This is a really new medium for me–I feel like I’m learning to paint all over again 🙂 [shashin type=”albumphotos” id=”1″ size=”large” columns=”max” caption=”y” order=”date” position=”center”]

San Luis Obispo Plein Air 2011

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It has been an exhausting but inspiring and productive week preparing for the San Luis Obispo Plein Air show at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. The show opened today and runs throughout Sunday. Here are some of my works in the show. It was a week of dramatic weather, so I focused on … Read more

San Luis Obispo Plein Air show coming up

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Avila Beach Bluffs, Oil on Linen, 12x16"

The San Luis Obispo Plein Air show is coming up! This is a great event. The artists have an wonderful variety of subjects to paint, from seascapes, cityscapes, vineyards and of course the town itself. I plan to paint all seascapes, but who knows, I’ve got to paint what inspires me! I’m staying most of … Read more

Big Sur foggy day, 2

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Big Sur Foggy Day #2, Oil on Canvas, 8x10

One more Big Sur painting as I prepare to paint the central California coast for San Luis Obispo Plein Air next month. It was fun in this painting to abstract the distance obscured by fog. Let’s hope it’s not foggy when I’m there (although, hey, I’m getting lots of practice). I’m headed to The Sierras … Read more