A Week Of Expression

I am in day 2 of my learning expressionist painting plein air style. I didn't know how uptight I could be with brush and color until now.  Here is the Tower Bridge in Old Sacramento.

Remembering Our Beloved Veterans

We thank, love and honor our beloved veterans on this day, Memorial Day. You will never be forgotten.

Why Is This A Boring Painting?

I painted this piece today. It has value, color relationship, shows distance and is pretty. But.. it is definitely boring.   What makes this piece so boring? I do not have a focal point, a main character or a bride. It is a pretty face without any personality.

"American River'  8"x10" on Linen Canvas.

Abstraction

I was very frustrated with this painting. You could say it "abstracted me" during class. LOL.

So where did I go wrong?  First, I did not take time to draw a good composition. Next, I did not block in my darks and making comparisons. Then I whined for about an hour rather than stopping and going back to the drawing board... so to speak.

A Brush With Figures

I was treated to figure drawing today at a local college. The model was wonderful and I loosened up with watercolor and brushes.  Here is one of my pieces.

Gesture  - Watercolor On Paper

Let's See If I Do This

I was painting at the river and was wondering how much I could simplify a scene. I think this needs more information.

Paint Faster! They Are Driving Away!

I painted with the Urban Painters today in Oak Park, CA. It seemed every time I started to paint a car, the owner hopped in my subject and drove away. Then there was the big water truck that parked right in front of me blocking my view . Oh and  the garbage truck that shook the ground so hard that my easel collapsed.
It was still the best day ever!
These were painted on 6"x8" canvas board. I kept them loose.  I tried to describe the focal point and just block in the surrounding shapes.  I am happy with the results.

Blocked by water truck. 

Car drove away. 

Challenging Yourself With A Limited Palette

I needed a challenge in class today and was told to limit my palette with quinacridone red, sap green, cadmium yellow deep, ivory black, ultramarine blue and white.  I used the new Gamblin solvent free gel on linen. Interesting effect.

Key To Happiness

I spent the day painting at the river. I was so happy.  It didn't matter that the paintings were stinkers.  It was a perfect sunny day, the river was beautiful and I was painting outdoors.  Afterwards, I met up with a fellow artist to discuss our art over lunch.

Can You Relate To This Plein Air Experience?

I was happily painting this street scene in my neighborhood and not quite done when...

This van parked right in front of me. Can you relate to this plein air experience?

"Mysterious White Van" - 6"x 8" Oil on Canvas Board

Thank You For Supporting My Art

I want to thank the two cat lovers who purr-chased my Cat Tail Clocks at Wright's Gallery' FOG and Fine Art in Brookings, Oregon.

Cat Tail Clock 

My Art Is For Sale At The Manley Art Center Classroom Panels - May Through June

I have an art panel at the Manley Art Center in Brookings, Oregon from May until June. Please stop by and pick up high fired plant markers, Cat Tail magnets and pins, Cat Tail cards,  Uppity Beach Buttons or an original oil painting.

Re-Usable High Fired Plant Markers

High Fired Uppity Beach Buttons

Plein Air Oil Paintings

High Fired Cat Tail Magnets and Pins

A Large Variety Of My Cat And Dog Cards 

China Beach, Brookings, OR

I hiked down to China Beach the other day with a good friend. This beach is accessible only during low tide. To access it, you walk through a meadow,  a very, dense, dark forest (bring a flashlight just in case the weather changes because it is really dark) and then carefully down the steep, narrow path and over rocks. Then you can get to the beach. It is worth it but please watch the tides. They remind you about ever 10 to 20 minutes that they want their beach back.
There is one other thing you should know, the old path was destroyed in a landslide so watch where you are walking; else, you could find yourself going down the wrong path and over the side of the mountain.