Rusty

Yep, it’s definitely been a while since my last post… I’m not saying I’m not lazy (because I am) but I DID have to move house, which pretty much ate up any painting time I may have had. The result was a tough struggle when I finally busted out the paints. Let me know if you see a progression from the bottom image (oldest) to the top one (just last weekend). I’ve got an even more recent painting from last night when I tried to capture the Fox Theater in downtown Oakland with Mike Dutton, but oil and scanner beds don’t mix.

Above Lake Chabot 6x8 O/P

China Camp 5x7 O/P

Fishing Boat @ China Camp 5x7 O/P

Schnitzer Steel @ the Port of Oakland 5x7 O/P

With the exception of the bottom image (at the Port of Oakland) these small sketches were done right at last light, which was a result of lack of planning, but the cool thing is that it really forces you to be focused. There's no time to let your mind wander, as you have to race to get your info down before you lose the scene. Even when the results are less than stunning, the process is exhilarating and a little liberating. More soon!

Mt Diablo... again

A quickie from last month from one of my default spots. This is in the field at the crossroad of Claremont Ave., Grizzly Peak Blvd. and Fish Ranch Rd. in the Oakland/Berkeley hills. I just love this spot because there are so many views packed into such a small area. You can stand in the field and spin around 360 degrees and have a compelling composition. Factor in time of day and you have a life time of paintings. Added bonus on this day was a guy practicing his bagpipes at the top of the field, cool!

Grizzly Peak Blvd. X Claremont O/P 8x10

Memorial Day Weekend

A few more sketches in the mini Moleskiene from a climbing trip up to Klamath in Northern Ca.

Header madness!

Slowly but slowly, I'm customizing this old blog. The new header is from sometime last year, probably summer by the looks of the hills. Picked by default because it was roughly the right size: )
The type placement (which I don't know how to adjust up and down) offends my design eye. I'll get it eventually!

I've been bad...

...about making time for painting lately, and when I do finally get out, I'm faced with more tossers than keepers. Sheesh! and my last post was so full of promise... To at least make a vain attempt to keep my eyes and brush hand from completely rusting over, I've been trying to get in an occasional lunchtime sketch in my mini watercolor Moleskiene. So here's some not so recent stuff. Oh yeah, for the 5 of you out there who might be following this, I think I got the comment thingy working. Fire away!

Steep way down from the Ivan Dickson trail at Briones Regional Park

6x8 O/P

Hooray for Daylight Saving Time!

That means more time to paint in the evenings! To celebrate, I went to one of my favorite spots up in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. It was a late start and I was thinking I was going to lose light fast, so I rushed out this sketch. I was psyched to see so much light left at 6:30, and it's only going to get better (the light that is, and hopefully the paintings too)!

Grizzly Peak @ Claremont O/P 6x8

Here's one done on Busy San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley a few weeks earlier. Lots of people and cars and noise all of which I edited and blocked out : )

Woodshop on San Pablo O/P 6x8

And wrapping things up, I just found out over the weekend, that this one sold from the EarlyBird Painters show to someone from L.A. That's three paintings sold from my first show. Now I can buy a house ; )

Missouri Lounge O/P 8x10

Point Molate

I struggled to find a composition of a great old building with crenulated walls out at Point Molate at the base of the Richmond/San Rafael bridge, but the light just wasn't working for me. I think it's more of a morning light kinda place. So I followed that 18o degree rule and did this tree in front of another little building (also with those cool castle like crenulations).

Point Molate generator building O/P 6x8