Rockaway Beach

oil on panel

11 x 14

This is the finished plein air from the post below.  Tomorrow I'm participating in a plein air paint-out with the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park and the artists are allowed to bring a finished work to include in the sale and exhibit following so I'm thinking this might be the one I'll bring.

Hit one of my favorite places today to paint- Rockaway Beach.  Struck up a nice conversation with a couple of cool surfers and got to pet a dog.  People like to see an artist painting outdoors, it brings folks together, if only for a few minutes.  I'm still getting used to "being on stage" when doing plein air in a public area, but mostly it's fun chatting it up with folks.  I've got a paint-out in a few weeks at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, so I'm trying to make good use of this great weather to get my painting chops down.  I'll finish this study of the rocks in the studio and will post it if it turns out halfway decent.  Cheers!

Pescadero Creek

oil on panel

12" x 24"

Yesterday the coastal fog cleared and I headed down our coast to Pescadero beach which is a beautiful 40 minute drive from my house.  I was hoping to paint a few studies of the rock formations and breaking surf, however there was still a bank of fog hanging right on the beach so any hopes of painting there were soon dashed.  Across the highway, looking east and toward the little town of Pescadero, the fog was thinning over the marshland and the morning sun was just filtering through.  Pescadero Creek was absolutely shimmering sliver against the dark foreground like molten platinum and the effect was magical.  I felt the same exhilaration that  Church, Cole or Bierstadt may have felt more than a century ago as the landscape dances with the perfect light and creates magic.  I made a few quick studies, took notes and absorbed the land.  I finished the painting late last night in the studio, not wanting to let it rest and lose my momentum on the experience.  

Coyote Point

oil on panel

12" x 16"

I'm getting a few recent plein air paintings ready to ship to their new owner, one of the loose ends I've put off since doing the 50-50 series.  I've also got a new painting in the works and sketches begun for another.  I'll post the progress on those soon.

The Sweets are up and on display.  Had a great turn out last Friday with a lot of good friends stopping by.  With over 70 artists participating there's something for every taste.

Enjoying the guests with drink in hand. ( That's my daughter Becca in the foreground.)  I'm on to new work in the studio this week which I 'll post soon...

Painting #50 (Final)

Sugar Skull

oil on panel

6" x 6"

$175

That's all folks, the end of this 50-50 session.  It was fun but I'm glad to be moving on to other paintings and projects that have been sitting on the back burner since June.  Later today I take these over to the Sanchez Art Center to hang in preparation for the grand opening this Friday. I'll post a photo tomorrow of the installed work, they're pretty cool all grouped together.


 

Painting #49

Sugar Molecule
oil on panel

6" x 6"

$175

Where it all begins.