More Gouache

I'm no photographer, but I do take loads of photos for reference, and of course they're overwhelmingly landscapes, but in this case the Masai are just such photogenic people I couldn't resist.

Masai Beads. Pencil and Gouache in my 3X5 Moleskine

This quick gouache study is from a set of photos snapped at a Masai women's craft market. I can see the allure for photographers, there were some real magic moments of interaction with these ladies. Some were camera shy, most very curious, and thanks to digital photography, they were able to see themselves instantly and candidly (I didn't see too many mirrors around the village) and I think they really got a kick out of it. I only wish I were a fast enough artist to be able to get on the spot portraits in paint. THAT would have been special!

Some Travel Sketches

...because I haven't been painting : ( But I have been traveling... Walking the Cotswold Way in October, then a Safari in Tanzania in February. On both trips I was moving too fast for a paint box, but I did have a sketchbook for some quick thumbnails. You take what you can get, right?

All done in a mini Moleskine in Watercolor and Gouache. Still experimenting with the stuff...

4 Sale

I just dropped these little guys off at the Studio Gallery for their annual "Tiny" show, which is billed as "small pieces for under $400". Check it out, there's some pretty amazing stuff going up on their walls (I got a sneek peek!).

Still at it

After work paintings that is. I got a little boost from some nice encouragement, and also from this great painting spot I discovered not far from the office. It’s accessed from an easy to pass-by trailhead off of an equally scenic drive heading towards West Marin. I must have driven by this spot millions of times in the decade that I’ve been working in Marin (looking for painting spots no less!), but there it was. Great views of Mt. Tamalpais, the Bay, and of course those quintessentially Californian rolling gold hills. The dog loves it too!

Mt. Tam from the Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide
Open Space Preserve 5X7 O/P

Sunset Hills, Terra Linda/Sleepy Hollow Divide Open Space Preserve
6X8 O/P

The weather has been gorgeous, even during our mini heat wave.

But it's the light... ahhh...

Caught this moon-rise on the way back down, I'll have to try a nocturne out here soon.

It's always dark when I get back to the car, but what a great hike.

Down by the river

Made a quick trip to Yosemite the other weekend for a friend's wedding. In between all the socializing, I was able to be a little anti-social and grab this little sketch by the Merced river near Mirror Lake.

Shadows on the Merced 6X8 O/P

Some after work sketches

Preparing to say farewell to after work, early evening painting sessions. Hoping to squeeze in a few more before the dreaded time change.

Santa Venetia Marsh in Marin near China Camp 6X8 O/P

Hills above China Camp 6X8 O/P

Fresh Air

Earlier this month, I took a little birthday backpacking trip into the Eastern Sierra (The Big Pine Lakes Basin) with my buddy Frank and my dog Kirkby. It was a tough slog straight up to 10,250 ft. above sea level, and I cursed the heavy painting gear, but it was all worth it when we caught first sight of the lakes. Still, next time I'm hiring the mule train to carry the gear!

Temple Crag at 6:30 am(ish) 6X8 O/P

Beach Rocks at Second Lake 8X10 O/P

I struggled with my paintings as well as the altitude and ended up scraping most of them down. My gear, process and site selection seems to need a little tweaking for mountain travel and light, but I had a great time nonetheless.

My trail buddies

Second Lake from our campsite

Temple Crag from Second Lake

View from Third Lake