Coastal Barn

This was painted on Highway 1 just south of Goat Rock Beach. I was attracted to the deep orange of the rusted roof in contrast to the blue sky. 

Second Version

The very first photo posted on this blog was my first attempt at painting this scene (from a photo of Bear Paw Vineyard in Sonoma County). I am much happier with this version. You can't tell from the photo posted here, but this version has quite a bit more texture, as well as more depth of color. The tree on the left, for example, has several shades of green, as well as red, yellow and purple. Ditto the shadow on the right. This is something I always try to achieve, but rarely manage. I am still at a place on my journey where, when this happens, it feels a bit like a happy accident. Perhaps it will always feel that way....who knows? I feel it is the journey of a lifetime.

Finished

I lightened up some areas to increase contrast, darkened some of the yellow in front of the vines in the foreground, and played with the sky some more. I believe I've done all I can for this image, so on to the next!

Golden light

Started this painting yesterday & worked on it a bit more today. I don't think it's finished, but I'm not sure what else to do or to modify so I will take a break from it for awhile and look at it with fresh eyes later this week. I painted it from a photograph I took in the late afternoon at Williams Selyem Winery's new tasting room on Westside Road. The sky was kind of foreboding, but the late afternoon sun was shining on the top of one hill of golden vines. 

Finally, a day to paint

Yesterday, I set aside time to paint. I completed this canvas, a study of a work by Santa Rosa artist Brooks Anderson entitled "Terra Lumina no.3." His work can be seen on the cover of the latest Art Trails catalogue. I've been to his studio in Santa Rosa; it's a lovely space and I love his landscapes. My version of his composition has brighter colors than his. I was excited to do this study because I have taken photos around the Russian River Valley in the fall that have these same colors and I have been wanting to paint them. Yesterday, rather than spend time digging through my photos to find one, I decided to just use his composition as a practice. It was blissful to be painting again!

Watercolor sketch

Two days ago, I experimented with painting in watercolor in my sketchbook after first putting down a layer of white gesso. I did this in order to smooth out the surface of the handmade paper a bit. I used my small travel watercolor kit while at the library to paint this picture of Armstrong Woods Park. I had been there with my wife the previous evening to watch the sunset. As we drove away, we saw the moon in the distance.

Finished!

I did end up making several small changes. Can you spot them? 

Today's work in progress

Yesterday on the coast, I took a photo of a marshy area on the way to Doran Beach. Today I decided to do a painting based on that photo. I just started it a few hours ago. I don't think I'll get to finish it today, but will post the finished version when it's done. I am trying to avoid getting too fussy with it, but the sky and water obviously have more layers to go.

Finished

The only part I might work on a tad bit more in this study is the blue of the sky behind the trees to the left. Otherwise, I'm moving on!

On the easel today....

Just started this one yesterday, so it has a way to go. It's a study of part of a painting by Angel Fabela. Once again, the photo makes the colors look washed out. I've been taking the photos with my iPhone; I think it's time to start using my "real" camera to get better photos. Today, I'm going to visit local artists' studios open for Sonoma County's Art Trails. Love how inspirational it is!

First painting of my summer vacation!

Painted from a photo taken by a friend on a trip to Oregon. It has been raining every day since my summer vacation began, so I've been painting indoors. Hoping to be able to get outside soon!

Sonoma County, California

Painted two years ago, when I had just started the watercolor class I took at the local junior college. From a photo I took somewhere in Sonoma County (I don't remember where). Am planning to paint another version of it, in acrylic on canvas. I'd like to see if I can create a better feeling of depth.

Sonoma County, California

Painted from a photo; once again, I was drawn to the dramatic sky.

Practice with stormy skies

I might add a light glaze of gray over this sky to make the variations blend a bit more. Haven't decided yet because the photo that inspired this painting showed a vary dramatic sky with distinct differences between the grays & whites....

River painting

I am not responsible for this composition; I looked at a book of paintings of California landscapes and used one part of a painting as inspiration for this painting. I think I need to do this sort of exercise more often in order to learn about successful color and compositon.

Nebraska Barn

This was painted from a photo of a barn in Nebraska. I liked the contrast of the bright, white barn against the sky and grass.

Barn

Originally, behind the barn there were mountains. I couldn't get the scale (or the color) of the mountains right, so I painted over them. Still deciding what to do with the sky.