At River's Edge

At River's Edge - oil on panel - 6" x 6"

This is along the Cheat River near Parsons, WV. I was painting, plein air, with friends, Judy, Maria, and Nancy. Since I couldn't paint everything, I took some photos for future reference--and here is the result! It is the beauty and glow of the backlit trees that really excites me about this! But also I like the gesture of the trees. It had been one of those overcast days. When the sun finally came out, there was a feeling of exaltation, which I tried to capture in this painting!

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Twisted Road to the Golden Gate

Road to the Golden Gate - oil on panel - 5" x 7"

Here is another view of the bridge, from Marin Headlands. It is wonderful that the state of California has set aside so much land for parks, which makes this area great for artists and outdoor recreation enthusiasts!

On this day, there was "patchy fog." It was my first time in Marin Headlands, and I got lost, but I followed the road, which I figured had to go somewhere. If worse came to worse, I could always hit the "go home" command on the GPS. There were lots of friendly tourists in the park. Further down the road I met a nice couple who had driven here from Iowa, with their two dogs. I took their picture with the bridge in the background.

This painting is on a museum-quality panel, and may be displayed on a table easel or framed and hung on the wall. It is $75 and shipped for free! Click here to buy. Click here to see my other paintings on my website.

Through the Golden Gate

Through the Golden Gate - oil on panel - 6" x 6"

The Golden Gate Bridge is so striking! Maybe this is because it's red... Or maybe because of the mist and low clouds that seem to always be present around it. Of course, it towers over the tiny boat going under it here. There are always lots of tourists on the bridge, walking and riding bikes. Sometimes, it's so foggy, they can't really see anything! But that's part of being in San Francisco, isn't it?

This painting is available, unframed, for only $75, and shipped for free! Click here to buy. If you like my work, I hope you will share it with your friends.

Painting with Oils on Mylar

This is a technique I had been wanting to experiment with for awhile. I wanted a simple subject, so I picked this little guy from the sidewalk in front. Then, using oil paint, thinned with a little Liquin, I did a simple painting in only one color. Soft brushes are necessary, unless you want brush track marks. It is easy to lift the paint to lighten, so I used no white. Here is the result:

 

 I like the fact that the mylar is translucent, we can see through it. So, I turned it over, and drew on the back with charcoal to enhance the dark areas. Here's what the back looks like with the charcoal on it:

Turn it back over, and here is the result:

I'm not sure if the charcoal helped... It has more definition. I may have to experiment further.. Do you have any thoughts? Ideas?

First Light

First Light - oil on museum quality panel - 5 x 7"

When I walk along the San Francisco Bay Trail at dawn, I often see something that I don't expect: The water in the marshes has a pearly appearance. It's beautiful, but I don't know if it's algae or some light effect. I have painted it here in this painting. It's wonderful and really adds an artistic look to the water! Naturally!

This is a photo of the same effect:

Dawn along the Bay Trail

If you like this blog, please feel free to forward it to anyone you think might enjoy it. I love having people enjoy my art!

Touching the Sky

Morning towards Oakland - oil on panel - 5" x 7"

Only from the heart

Can you touch the sky. 

 

            --Rumi

 

 

Click here to buy this painting. It is $75 unframed and shipped for free. To see my other work, on my website, click here.

The Waiter

The Waiter - oil on canvas panel - 6" x 6"

I love the pattern of light and dark here! Notice how all the dark areas are just one big shape? If you squint, the waiter pretty much disappears into the background.

The waiter's shirt was originally the same dark brown color, but I glazed over it with a transparent blue. I like glazing with transparent colors because it gives a richness to the surface that you can't get otherwise. Colors and shapes in the dark areas become visible according to the angle of your vision and the angle of the light.

If you would like to buy this painting, click here. It is $75, unframed, and shipped for free!