Pomegranate at Carole's

Pomegranate
9 x 12
Oil on Canvas

I attended a workshop given by local artist Carole Mayne last month.  We started by photographing a colorful still life.   We edited the photo into a black and white image  -which we used to create a thumbnail value sketch using black paper, a white pencil and a black sharpie pen.   It really cemented the values of the painting well in advance of picking up a brush.   "If the values are correct the color doesn't matter"!   So true!   I hope you enjoy the painting and seeing the photos we used.  

Painting at Cardiff State Beach ... aka Suckouts

I went painting on the beach in Cardiff two times this August.   While I was standing in the exact same spot the color is quite different.   Day One we were there in the morning and Day Two in the afternoon.   This is a nice place to paint if you are looking north since there is a picnic table conveniently located at the end of the cul-de-sac to hold supplies!   Quite a treat when outdoors.  I hope to paint there again before the month is over.   Stay tuned!

Cardiff Reef Day One
9 x 12
Oil on Panel

Cardiff Reef Day Two
9 x 12
Oil on Canvas

Workshop with Toni Williams

In June I took a 2 day workshop with Toni Williams.   She was a marvelous teacher as well as a kind & generous person.   I learned a lot.   These were the two results of the week!   If you get a chance she is definently an instructor not to miss!

Lake Hodges
8 x 10
Oil on Panel

Lazy Afternoon
9 x 12
Oil on Panel

Lillies at the Gardens
11 x 14
Oil on Canvas Panel

Swami's South
11 x 14
Oil on Canvas Panel

I will be taking these two Plein Air paintings to Encinitas City Hall today where they will hang until July 16 in a exhibit.  

It is still a challenge for me to paint outdoors - and these are both a little larger than I normally use when on site - so they both took two outings to complete.

If you get a chance to come down to see the exhibit let me know what you think!

Radio Flyer

8 x 10
Oil on Board

Last month I participated in the San Diego Botanic Garden's Artist QuickDraw.   We had 3 hours to complete a painting on site.   Instead of the landscape and iconic scenes in the gardens I chose this little red wagon that was in the plant sale area.   For some reason it reminded me of being a little kid playing with my brother and sister!  I wanted to capture that moment in time!

Capri Boats

Capri Boats
11 x 14 Oil on Canvas

Wouldn't it be lovely to be back in Capri?   This was painted from a photo taken by a friend while in Capri, Italy.   The colors were actually more vibrant than I was able to paint - the orange kayak in the foreground was stealing the limelight from the pink boat which was my favorite.  So, I had to glaze the orange with ultra marine blue to "knock it back a bit"



I enjoy combining art, gardening and cooking.   This painting illustrates that concept.   Wonder what is for dinner?

Bountiful
11 x 14 Oil on Canvas

Taos Memories

Taos Memories
20" x 24"

Taos Mountain brings back many memories of summers as a child.   The smells of pinon, listening and telling stories and enjoying the mountains.   But mostly, it brings back wonderful memories of family and Mom!   It is good for all of us to remember the things we are thankful for - good memories are just one of them.