Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Coastal Pine at Dusk

...Coastal Pine at Dusk...
6" x 6" - oil on museum quality panel

Okay, this is just a tree. So, why did I want to paint it? Well, the sky behind it gives a feeling that the tree is singing, or is joyful. See the vibrations. See how it has its branches lifted up... And, it's just beautiful! 

You may view my other artwork at my website
This painting is available, unframed, for only $75.00 by clicking here  Shipping is free to US and Canada.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Tranquil Evening

...Tranquil Evening...
5" x 7" - oil on Gessobord panel

I painted this one transparently, like a watercolor. There is a small amount of white in the water and distant hills. The white of the foreground is just the white of the panel showing through. It actually was hard to paint, even though I have done a lot of watercolors. 

There is something about the combination of blue and yellow: so clean and fresh, yet cheerful and tranquil.  I hope that is how you feel looking at it! A great way to end the day!

You may buy this painting, unframed, for $75, using Paypal or a credit card, by clicking here. Shipping is free!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Orange Sunrise

...Orange Sunrise...
6" x 6" - oil on museum quality panel

When I first moved to Northern California, I would go out at dawn to see the sunrise, and usually it would just be gray, with maybe just a sliver of pink. But now, the colors are so brilliant, I have to paint it! It inspires me.
This is a scene from along the San Francisco Bay Trail. People were out jogging, walking their dogs, and smiling, as they watched this beautiful sunrise.

Click here to buy $75, shipped for free!


Sunday, February 12, 2012

As the Sun Sets behind Mt. Tam...

...As the Sun Sets Behind Mt. Tam...
6" x 6" - oil on museum quality panel

Here is a scene from the Richmond Marina. I was inspired to paint this because of that strip of water in the middle that is positively glowing! I love the huge skies here! The sunsets and sunrises are wonderful. In the background is the ship, SS Red Oak Victory, which was build right here at the Kaiser Shipyards during WW II. It is a museum now.

Feedburner did not pick up my last blog post, I have no idea why. I have signed-on with Mail Chimp so that, hopefully, this and future posts will be delivered to your email box. If you want to see the last post, please click to read this on the internet, and it is there. I expect to be posting more frequently in the future.

 Also, people have asked if my work is for sale, and how they can buy it, so click on my gallery at Daily Paintworks on the blog sidebar or my Website, and there is a link with a Paypal button. My small works are very reasonably priced, unframed. And the shipping is free! (in the US)




Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Slurpy Paint and Five Brushes

Returning--oil painting in progress
Here is an unfinished painting. I am posting it because I had so much fun painting the sky! Most books and articles on painting don't talk about the kinesthetic aspects of painting, but it is the fun part! And the surface appearance is a huge part of the total energy of the artwork. (Yes, they do emit an energy... )

As you can see, there was some painting done before I got to the sky, but I'll save that for a future post.

Now, for the sky! I pre-mixed all the colors from the dark blue-gray to the bright orange, and added enough Liquin to give the paint a slurpy consistency. Then, using soft, rounded, flat brushes (sable filberts) with a different brush for each color, I started with the darkest color using a light touch. These clouds swoosh across the sky, so I used swooshing motions with the brush.

Above is a close-up. I felt like a conductor leading a sympthony, using a whole handful of brushes and letting the strokes swoosh like the motion of the wind--not doing too much blending, because it would muddy the paint. But keeping it light and smooth, so the glow underneath would show through. Just enjoying the feeling of each stroke as the brush glided across the surface. Yeah, slurpy!


Now, back to painting... That water is going to be difficult!


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Exhibit in El Cerrito

...Deepening Shadows...
8" x 10" - oil
I am participating in the ECAA Plein Air Artists Exhibit at El Cerrito City Hall Gallery. This is an Art in Public Places gallery. It is new and really nice! There will be a reception on January 21, which I'd really like to attend... But I'll be at the California Art Club Winter Art Symposium
Ah, so many wonderful things!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Ava

...Ava...
charcoal on paper - 18 x 13"

This portrait was commissioned by the parents, but the dad told the mom that I didn't have time to finish it before Christmas, so he could surprise her with it as a Christmas gift! Ava is about a year old in this drawing. I made it rather detailed in the face, but kept the rest of the drawing loose and sketchy. In fact, I sprinkled the paper with charcoal powder and sprayed it with acetone to add texture. I really like the effect, and hope to do more with charcoal in the coming year!

Meanwhile, Oscar is delighted that this year he went from Santa's naughty list, to the nice list! (You don't want to know how he got on the naughty list!) I hope he has had a successful rehab... At least, Santa brought lots of catnip!

May you have a wonderful year!