Let's Go Coastal! 17 of 50

Painting #17 – Snowy Plover

6" x 6" oil on panel

sold

It is always a treat to find this endangered little bird that lays its eggs in depressions in the sand.

Let's Go Coastal! 16 of 50

Painting #16 – Alien Invasion

6" x 6" oil on panel

Let's Go Coastal! 15 of 50

Painting #15 - Blue Shadow

6" x 6" oil on panel

Let's Go Coastal! 14 of 50

Painting #14 – Ceanothus and Nasturtium

6" x 6" oil on panel

Let's Go Coastal! 13 of 50

Painting #13 – Sweeny Ridge

6" x 6" oil on panel

Let's Go Coastal! 12 of 50

Painting #12 – Rockaway Drama

6" x 6" oil on panel

Let's Go Coastal! 11 of 50

Painting #11 – Calera Creek mouth

6" x 6" oil on panel

Lets's Go Coastal! 10 of 50

Painting #10 – Surf Fishing

6" x 6" oil on panel

Let's Go Coastal! 9 of 50

Painting #9 – Chaparral

6" x 6" oil on panel

Let's Go Coastal! 8 of 50

Painting #8 – Willow Trail

6" x 6" oil on panel

Let's Go Coastal! 7 of 50

Painting #7 – Pygmy Nuthatches

6" x 6" oil on panel
In Private Collection of Artist Friend

This is the view I have at breakfast each morning.

Let's Go Coastal! 6 of 50

Painting #6 – Quarry Trail

6" x 6" oil on panel
sold

Let's Go Coastal! 5 of 50

Painting #5 – California Quail

6" x 6" oil on panel

It was especially fun painting poison oak!

Let's Go Coastal! 4 of 50

Painting #4 – Cheerful Ravens

6" x 6" oil on panel

These ravens seem to be having a marvelous time.

Let's Go Coastal! 3 of 50

Painting #3 – Ocean Beach

6" x 6" oil on panel

50 Paintings in 50 Days: #2 Sharp Park Sunset

Painting #2 – Sharp Park Sunset

6" x 6" oil on panel

How could I resist painting this for day 2?

You must see this in person to get a true color representation of this.

50 Paintings in 50 Days: #1 San Pedro Park

Painting #1 – San Pedro Park

6" x 6" oil on panel

All the paintings in this series will be for sale at Sanchez Art Center at the 50-50 2011 show.

Ticketed Preview: August 25, 7 – 9 pm

Grand Opening Reception: August 26, 6 – 9 pm

Grand Closing: October 2, 1 – 5 pm

50-50 is here

I just picked up my stack of 50 - six inch square panels to prime. Painting is to begin on Monday and I am to do one painting per day for 50 days. I will be posting images as they are completed. All the paintings will be available for sale at a reasonable cost.

Peru Series #8

This is a 6" x 6" oil painting on a panel of a Quechua boy sitting on a dog near the train station. I was testing painting directly on a wood panel for the first time. I was also experimenting by adding cold wax to my paint, and I am happy with the results. I am testing methods in preparation for beginning the 50 paintings in 50 days project, so there will be lots of work posted in the near future.

The Inca Trail - Peru Series #7

This is the latest in my Peru Series. It is the seventh painting called "The Inca Trail". I love the oriental feel of this piece. It is a 12" x 16" oil painting on canvas board. I am still working on the fourth and largest of this series, "The Hiram Bingham Train" as well as the sixth of the series called "Ollantaytambo".

Disfrute - Peru Series #4

This painting is a 12" x 12" oil on canvas called "Disfrute". This Quechua woman is of a food vendor outside the Hiram Bingham Train. it is currently going through revisions.

The Cocha - Peru Series #3

"The Cocha", a 20" x 16" oil on canvas painting, is finished on May 29th after some experimentation. I now feel the life of the murky waters and the majestic skies toward the end of day.

Above: a work in progress

This painting, the third in my Peru series, has been on my mind for awhile. After finishing "Swift Flight" yesterday, I decided to rework "The Cocha" with a new method I am exploring. The bottom photo shows the original version that is too pristine. "The Cocha" is evolving into something different.

Above: "The Cocha" - original version

20" x 16" oil on canvas

Flight to new horizons

The last couple days I have been working on this new painting about transformation and flight. It is a 24" x 18" canvas in oils. I have completed it and updated the image. Shortly after publishing the prior version, I could see just what I needed to do to complete it, and I have titled the painting "Swift Flight".

Going Coastal: Solo Show at Paul Strom Salon

14 selected paintings my work from 2002 through 2011 are currently hanging in the Paul Strom Salon in Rockaway Beach. Paintings include earlier works in acrylic and current oils on canvas. Contact

http://www.paulstrom.com for viewing hours or to make an appointment.

In the Studio - Peru Series #5

I am currently working on this 24" x 36" painting in my Peru series.

A selected collection of work will be shown at

Paul Strom Salon in Rockaway Beach

450 Dondee Way #8, Pacifica, CA

Opening May 2, 2011 – September 4, 2011.

http://www.paulstrom.com

Weekend Warrior Workshop

I arrived in Crockett on Friday afternoon for Randall Sexton's Weekend Warrior Figure Painting Workshop on February 5 – 6. I had fun taking photos in this old "sugar" and "oil" town that is home to the C&H sugar processing plant, and is adjacent to the oil refineries in Rodeo at the base of the Carquinez Bridge. It is scenic to say the least!

The Workshop at was held at Randall Sexton's studio. Randy is an accomplished painter and a great teacher. I took this workshop since I had not done any work from models since college in the mid '70's, so my focus was process and practice rather than product. It was great to get back into working from the human model.

Our first model was a lovely male with beautiful angles. He moved his body like a dancer, and his arms were like wings. His poses were inspired.

We began the first day with quick 10 minute poses that we wiped off our boards for practice. We continued with 20 minute poses through the morning. I think the painting below is my favorite painting.

After lunch we had a female model who beautiful features and stunning skin tones who was a completely new form to learn through paint. The first painting below does not begin to do her justice.

These 40 minute poses allowed more time to do better drawing and get better color.

Our second day began with new model we worked with all day. She started with one 20 minute pose, below.
I struggled to master her interesting face on the painting below that was the remainder of the morning.

After lunch we did a second long pose with the clothed model. I did a better job capturing her likeness here.

All 13 participants in the workshop had a terrific time honing their skills, and getting to know each other in Randy's bright studio with terrific tunes during that Superbowl Sunday that reached 74 degrees! I look forward to attending workshops with Randy in the future.

The Cocha

This is the third of my Peru series. I have very fond memories of the time along the waterways near and on the Amazon. This is a 20" x 16" canvas. Fishing is a primary source of food for families who live along the banks.

Perro en Plaza de Armas

Today I finished "Perro en Plaza de Armas", the second of my Peru series. This is a 20" x 16" painting. This quiet plaza seems to have been considerably changed by recent tourism.

Experimental

I began this 20" x 16" painting a few days ago and it started getting too tight. Today I decided to experiment and took my palette knife to the painting to loosen it up and give more feeling of the old plaza in Peru in 1989 called Plaza de Armas in Agua Caliente below Machu Picchu. I was surprised to find more recent photos of this place and discovered it to be quite changed by tourism.

New Year Jump Start

In 1987 I took a trip to Peru that left vivid visual memories. I decided to paint this inspired from a journey to this harsh habit in the high Andes, above the tree line to see the birds that lived there. The air was very thin and walking was exhausting. The painting is a 12" x 16" canvas. I will probably add a couple bits of color highlights to this before I call it finished.

Real or Imagined?

This is my last painting for 2010. It is a portrait of myself and my parrot, Calina. She is a 30-something parrot whom I've had for 35 years. If this dries quickly enough, I plan to show it at Sanchez Art Center in the first Art Guild Pacifica Show in January. This painting is 12" x 16" on canvasboard.

A month later . . . Discovering Persimmon

I have finished this 20" x 16" painting I began last month and am pleased with the vibrancy of color I achieved. All it needs is a final coat of less glossy varnish, then a better photo. I have new resolve to paint more frequently and keep my momentum going through the new year.

Finally back to the easel

I've had a couple months of reflection and lots of visual input from going to art exhibits, and sensory input from going to farmer's markets. The changing weather and season is also providing great smells and sensations that is inspiring me.

I'm working on this still life from a scene in my kitchen. I'm really having fun with this one that I feel is off to a good start.

Finishing Loose Ends

Today I finished this painting I last worked on before the beginning of the 50 paintings in 50 days project. Compared to my previous 6 inch square panels, this 24" x 36" canvas is huge! This was painted by request.

50/50 Show Grand Opening

Donna and Cousin Joanna pose for a photo op

The opening of the 50/50 Show at Sanchez Art Center was a huge success. Thanks so much to my loving friends and family who came out to support me in this artistic endeavor.

Sneak Preview!

Here is a sneak peek at my wall space in the East Wing at the Sanchez Art Center. Come see the 50/50 Show in person beginning on Thursday 7/29/10. 68 artists created 50 pieces of art in 50 days. For more information click here.

50 Paintings

Here is a page showing all 50 of my paintings with shortened titles for the 50/50 Exhibition. I'm working on the last details before hanging the show.

Day #50

Time for a Ride! Boardwalk Santa Cruz Carousel

6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

Painting #50

private collection

It's been a joyous ride doing 50 paintings on the theme of "Walks". Today, for my final 50/50 panel, it's time for a ride on the best of all carousels at Boardwalk Santa Cruz.

Thanks to everyone for watching these progress and for your support. I hope to see you at the show!

Day #49

The Tortoise Walks to the Finish Line

6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

Painting #49

$100.00

The tortoise approaches the finish line - perhaps slowly, but surely as in the tale of The Tortoise and the Hare. Persistence is a virtue.