Monday, January 20, 2014

Light and Dark

"In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present."
---Sir Francis Bacon

Winter Red along Steelhead Beach

I started this painting on Steelhead Beach in Forestville, then finished it in my studio. I can't get the photograph to represent well the red, which has much more burnt sienna tones rather than the bright red as it appears. 

Chapel of Love

This painting is based on a small chapel in Guerneville which is now a private residence. The big tree behind the chapel is really there, and so is the red tree. The grass is not really there, but I liked it better than painting the street and cars which are really in front of the chapel. I am going to enter this painting in a juried show at The Russian River Art Gallery for the month of February. The theme of the show is: "Love is in the Air."

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Junior

This is Junior, who belongs to my friends Angie & Nancy. He always has a droll expression on his face. This was painted from a photo; Angie is a knitter.

Motown

My friends, Larry & Erica, adopted Motown awhile ago. He isn't an easy dog to have because he has a lot of anxiety. He is, however, very handsome and extremely sweet!

Watercolor sketch

I've been trying to do a small watercolor sketch on days when I don't have time or energy to work on larger paintings. This is a watercolor based on a photo my wife took of the moon rising over Alexander Valley. I am using some new paints that I love---Schminke Horadam Aquarells, made in Germany. My small Moleskin watercolor sketchbook, started around Thanksgiving, is almost full!

Neighbor Bob's house

I was commissioned to paint my neighbor Bob's house. Bob has a big heart and has welcomed lots of cats into his home. The cat in the picture is Maggie; she was discovered as a kitten in a flower pot on Bob's deck. She LOVES Bob!