Hastings at Dusk

 

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

I painted this scene of a sunset in Hastings, U.K. from a photo I cribbed from my Facebook feed just because I I loved the colors in it.  I distilled it down to the basics to simplify the composition.  Needs a couple tweaks, but otherwise I'm happy with it.  

I've been relegated to doing only small works since last November, ever since my pet sitter went out of commission.  I cannot work in the studio with my dog there, where she paces incessantly, which drives me nuts.  And I cannot work on larger pieces when I cannot work back-to-back 6-hour days minimum.  So for the time being, I must work at home instead where I only have a tabletop easel.  Looking forward to the day when I can sink my teeth into larger works again.

Round the Bend: Road to Covelo

oil on canvasboard, 6" x 12"

This is just a quick little landscape study of a section of Highway 162, which is the road to Covelo in Mendocino County, where I was headed to spent some time with my friends at their ranch.  I had thought that the reference photo I worked from was taken somewhere in Sonoma County, as many of the local roads have a similar look.  But upon closer inspection, that is not Black Mountain in the distance but the mountains of Mendocino National Forest.

Sunrise Over Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road

 

oil on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Here's another landscape study of a local scene.  I travel this road frequently, and it never fails to enchant me with its ever-changing scenery and light conditions.  Thinking of new beginnings in 2022 here.

Point Reyes-Petaluma Road at Dusk

oil on hardboard panel, 6" x 6"

This was an interesting exercise.  I started this painting on an unprimed panel and when I paused and stepped back, I realized the color of the panel itself was well suited to the composition and so I left parts of it unpainted, particularly on the left side.

La La Land

acrylic on canvas, 20" x 20"

I just felt like transporting myself to a fantasy land, and this is where I went with that.  I may have another go at it, but for now, it goes in the time-out room.  I've been reading Hockney's "A Bigger Message" and I can see his influence pretty clearly here.

Pan Toll Road

iPad painting, 10" x 14"

A quick digital sketch done while sitting on a big rock with the dogs under the shade of a pine tree.  There are dramatic views in all directions from Pan Toll Road in Marin County, especially this time of year, with the fog mingling with the cypress and pine trees and the bleached out hilltops.  

Mendocino Pass Road in Winter

iPad painting, 10" x 14"

This is a sketch from a photo I took last week on a short trip to the snow from Covelo.  It was my little dog Lola's first experience in the white stuff.  She loved it at least as much as the beach, but with her short legs plowing through 6 inches of snow, she didn't get very far before the snowballs stuck to her legs and immobilized her.  She didn't seem to mind the cold at all.  What a trooper!  

Follow the Lavender Road

oil on hardboard panel, 14" x 11"

Another palette knife painting.

Dusty Spring Field

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 9"