Persistence

 

oil on panel, 24" x 12"

I've gone as far as I can go for now on this painting of a stalk of black hollyhocks.  It may be done; then again, it may not.  Whenever I feel this way, it's best to step away.

Ely Road at Dusk

 

oil on aluminum panel, 6" x 6"

This little landscape painting is a loose interpretation of a view from Denman Ranch to a knoll that Ely Road cuts through.  I wanted to paint that pink sky I saw over Ely Road a while back, and I particularly like the color pairing of that light magenta sky with the neon light green in the foreground.  

Coy Little Koi

 

oil on aluminum panel, 8" x 6"

Angelfish come in many stripes, and even some without, such as this little koi angelfish.  I love them all, but this one in particular was fun to paint!  

Coneflower with Bee

 

oil on aluminum panel, 8" x 8"

Continuing my love affair with the metal surface, here's a little expression of summer for me.  I attempted this painting a few years ago but wiped it when I wasn't happy with the result.  I guess it was just waiting for the opportunity to be painted on metal!

Summer Song

oil on aluminum panel, 6" x 6"

This little palette knife painting was just me playing with my new love, the metal surface.  

Oasis

oil on panel, 6" x 6"

Here's a little ditty of an abstracted landscape, which perhaps speaks to my state of mind currently . . .

Morning Glowy

 

oil on panel, 8" x 8"

I am very drawn to the morning glory, with that preternatural glow emanating from its center, and wanted to try to capture it in paint.

Cocky

oil on aluminum panel, 10" x 10"

Here's a quick study of a cockerel painted on a metal surface.  I find it deeply satisfying to paint on metal, and how easily I can get the paint to move around.  There are some flashes of silver poking through on this one as well, which can only be seen in certain light.

Lynch Creek Cow

 

oil on copper plate, 8" x 10"

It was such fun to slap oil paint on a metal surface, I had to do another one straight away!  This painting came about super fast, and I left some bits of the copper plate showing through the background hills.  You can't see that in this photo, but in good light at the right angle, you can make out the shiny copper surface in a patchwork pattern within the background and the cow.  I've done metal paintings before and each time it has been an extremely satisfying experience.  Can't wait to do it again!

Hippy Holstein

oil on zinc plate, 8" x 6"

The demands of life, once again, have pulled me away from my easel for a good spell, and so I thought I'd do a simple painting to get back in the swing of it.  I may tweak this one later, but for now I'm calling it done.  Updated image 7/4/2022:  I've done more work on the background to create a sense of distance and added more textural elements to the grass around the cow.  Now it's done!

Map of the World

 

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Here's an abstract piece using the leftover paint from Fifth Street Flowers.

Purple Honeycreepers

oil on panel, 10" x 10"

My fascination with tropical birds continues unabated.  The purple honeycreeper is native to northern South America, mostly in the Amazon Basin.  Honestly, how does Mother Nature come up with these gorgeous designs and their astounding colors?

Fifth Street Flowers

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

The other day, I passed by a section of sidewalk on Fifth Street in Petaluma with the most amazing collection of wild flowers which inspired this floral study.  I may attempt another version, as I found the scene utterly enchanting.

Indian Ringneck Parrot

 

oil on panel, 12" x 6"

The rose-winged parakeet (commonly known as the Indian Ringneck Parrot) is one that I've wanted to p for a long time, and just now getting around to it with this experimental piece.  These parakeets come in a variety of gorgeous colors, from a pale teal like this one, to violet, bright green, and yellow.  They are able to adapt to many climates and habitats in the wild, as well as in captivity as pets.  I find these birds to be extraordinarily beautiful.

Brother Ray

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This is another portrait I'm adding to my series of influential Black American artists, musicians, singers and other creative trailblazers.  Ray Charles was considered a genius by many in the music industry and was often referred to as "The Genius," but he preferred to be known rather as "Brother Ray."  His powerful baritone packed an emotional punch with a singular style all his own.  He is a giant among giants in music and will likely always be.

Purple Parrot Tulip

acrylic on panel, 12" x 12"

This felt like an exercise in speed painting, as I had precious little time in which to do it.  That said, it came together quickly and I'm actually quite happy with the result. 

Dark on Dark

acrylic on panel, 12" x 12"

This painting of a black iris was an exercise in disappearing edges which I found exceedingly hard to photograph without glare.  I wanted to offset the background slightly with a reddish black tinge, so I used a mix of alizarin crimson, ivory black and a touch of diox purple, but I'm not sure it comes across.  

The Fire Within

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This little abstract piece started out light an airy, with lots of white, pale pinks and greens, and somewhere along the way, it took a turn and ended up like this.   Not sure what to make of it, but I kinda like it.

Magnolia Blossom

oil on panel, 8" x 8"

Here's another quick little piece.  Because my time is so limited lately, I don't have the luxury of spending time on details or working in layers which require drying time.  When I only have 1-2 hours/day for painting, I'd rather work fast and see how far I get in one session.  Alla prima work is ultimately more satisfying to me, anyway.

Lynch Creek Trees in Spring

acrylic on canvas paper, 9" x 12'

Here's a palette knife painting I whipped up today of the Lynch Creek area in east Petaluma in springtime, with the mustard flowers forming a citron carpet in the field.  To go along with the blustery weather we're having, I tried to move like the wind with my palette knife, and it turned out much to my liking!

Bedroom Window, Casa Azul

oil on panel, 10" x 8"

The narrative painting of my previous post reminded me of Taos, New Mexico, where I was first introduced to the narrative approach to painting, which reminded me of the casita I inhabited for a year.  It was an amazing place with astounding views of Taos Mountain, and it would glow at times with an otherworldly radiance.  I've tried to capture the intensity of that glow in late afternoon.

Le Grand Jeté

oil on panel, 18" x 18"
SOLD

This narrative painting really put me through my paces.  It proved to be quite a challenge, palette-wise.  I had first determined I wanted a green background but switched my preference after the fact to a cool blue. The process took ages because of the slow drying time of oil paint.  The dancer here is Olga Smirnova, prima ballerina with the Bolshoi, who emigrated to The Netherlands at the outset of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, stating she was "against this war with every fibre of my soul."  I've depicted her here leaping westward over Mt. Elbrus in Russia, toward The Netherlands, her safe haven, where she now dances with the Dutch Royal Ballet.  Also heading west is a sympathetic soul in the white stork, the national bird of Ukraine. The sunflower in her hair has lost a couple petals, but remains vibrant, a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Unfinished: Amy Winehouse

oil on canvas board, 12" x 9"

This is an unfinished portrait of an older Amy Winehouse which precedes the other one I've done and which I was not happy with initially, so I never finished it.  Since then, I've gazed at it in low light a number of times and find it oddly compelling.  It has grown on me, which is why I'm posting it now.

Madam Secretary

 

oil on panel, 12" x 16"

Here's another subject I've been wanting to paint for quite some time.  The secretarybird is an endangered, largely terrestrial bird of prey endemic to Africa.  It can reach up to over 4 feet in height, and there's something almost human-like in its regal, statuesque bearing.  What an extraordinary being!

Pretty Kitty

 

oil on panel, 12" x 12"

This is one of those paintings I've been meaning to do for a long time and just now getting around to it.  As an animal lover, I'm not so much a cat person as a dog person, but I do find cats fascinating and really fun to paint.  Very satisfying!

Old Magnolias

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Spring fever is hitting me at the moment, and I'm seeing magnolia trees sprout their blossoms, so here's a little taste of spring.

Early Morning, Chileno Valley

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This is a study of a scene that I gazed upon daily from my living room window years ago when I lived in Chileno Valley.  I may do a larger, more fleshed out version in oil.  It was a magical place not only because of the beautiful contours of the terrain, but being so close to the coast often gave the atmosphere a mystical quality.

Emerald Toucanet

oil on panel, 8" x 8"

This is another experimental piece, just playing around with abstract elements.  The emerald toucanet is a vibrant little toucan found in Mexico and Central America.

Gullfriends

oil on panel, 8" x 10"

Here's a quick study of two grey-headed seagulls.  

Tern, Tern, Tern

oil on panel, 8" x 10"

It's back to birds with this little study of three terns.  The title is a play on words of the title of the classic Byrds tune "Turn, Turn, Turn."  What can I say, I've had music on my mind a lot lately.

Amy, Amy, Amy

 

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

I must say, this was a fun painting to do.  Amy Winehouse was such a colorful character, in addition to her phenomenal talent as a singer, songwriter, and stylist.  I thought it befitting that her portrait should also be a riot of color.  She was completely unique, a singular force in a world that craved ever more of her, and in the end, it devoured her.  I hope the world will learn to cultivate and revere uniqueness such as hers, and at the very least, give a closer listen to her music.  I've titled this painting after one of her lesser known tunes but one of my absolute favorites for its sultry licks, clever lines, and fun sense of humor.  Give it a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIz15iovRjE. 

Great White Takes Flight

oil on panel, 14" x 18"

I started this painting of a great white heron taking off from a lagoon a few years ago, then set it aside and forgot about it, until the other day.  Just mainly playing around with color combos on this bird, seeing how far I can push it. 

Smokey the Koi

oil on canvas board, 8" x 8"

Another fish study, this one of a "pet" koi fish dubbed Smokey, who lives in a beautiful pond at my friends' property near Mendocino, California.  My friends have a bunch of border collies as well, and one of them, a handsome dude named Prodi, actually has a relationship with Smokey.  They're friends!  They go nose to nose whenever they meet up.  It's quite something to witness, so this is a very special fish.  I may try and do a larger version of him (or her?) on panel some day, but for now, this'll have to do.

A Day at the Fair

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This little abstract ditty reminds me of popcorn and cotton candy, two treats you would find at almost any county fair -- hence the title.  Not that I was thinking of edibles as I painted it.  These abstract studies are just fun, freeform exercises.

 

Merwin and Friend

 

oil on panel, 18" x 24"

I finally got around to painting a couple horses I encountered near the grounds of Taos Pueblo in the winter of 2018.  I'm pretty sure the light horse was named Merwin, as he looked just like the one in a photo I saw at Taos Plaza that year.  My heart went out to all the horses who had to tough out the long New Mexico winters without even a blanket for warmth.  At least these two didn't seem to be undernourished.

Snapper Study

oil on canvas board, 8" x 8"

Continuing with the fish theme, here's a study of a red snapper.

Trigger Happy

 

oil on panel, 6" x 6"

This quick little study of a colorful triggerfish was quite satisfying because it was something I could do within an hour.  I think he's happy, too.  Let's leave it at that.

Coastal Village

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Although you'd never know it from the colors, this abstract ditty was made from paint left over from the previous painting, Winter Garden.  When I finish a painting, if there is enough paint left over, I like to play with it and use it up because I customize my palette for the color needs of each painting and hate to waste the paint.  

Winter Garden

 

acrylic on canvas, 12" x 16"

This is a winter scene from the property in Arroyo Seco, New Mexico where I lived in 2018.  It was a magical 4-acre property, a sculpture garden with both natural and man-made sculptures dotted throughout, one of which (a wood totem) is visible beyond the stream on the right.  

Seahorse Study

 

oil on panel, 7" x 5"

With this quick little study of a seahorse, I'm just playing around a bit with composition, color, and techniques, using various tools for mark making, etc.  I find the seahorse to be such a magical little creature.  

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.

Denman Silo with Grapevines

 

acrylic on panel, 9" x 12"

Last year at Christmastime, I painted the one remaining old vine at Denman Ranch and donated it to the owner, Ulysses Torassa.  This year, I've painted the silo for her from a photo I had taken in 2014, before these vines were removed.  It was a charming visage, and while I'm sad the vines are no longer there, the white fence with the silo and the roof of the barn visible behind it remain intact.

Tucker

 

acrylic on panel, 10" x 10"

This is a portrait of my former housemate Christine's beautiful little Westie, Tucker, who passed away earlier this year.  He was a real looker, and a great partner in crime to my little dog Lola.  They were so much fun to watch together, and became the closest of friends and thick as thieves as they plotted their shenanigans in tandem.  He is sorely missed.  RIP, sweetheart!

Abstracted Landscape Study 12-8-2021

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Here's another landscape ditty from my imagination, done with a palette knife.

Lorna

 

oil on canvas panel, 12" x 9"

This is a portrait of Lorna Simpson, an accomplished Black American multimedia artist who is known for her groundbreaking work in conceptual photography, which I'm including in a series of paintings of Black American artists, musicians, singers, poets, dancers and other creatives, many of whom I've only recently become aware of.

Black-necked Stork

oil on panel, 16" x 16"

This is a study of a black-necked stork I had started months ago, then got interrupted and lost my momentum on.  So, I gave it a time-out, then revisited the other day and decided to wrap it up.  I was intrigued by the name because this stork's neck actually has a beautiful blue-green irridescence, which plays beautifully off those vermillion legs.

Mare with Mustard

 

acrylic on canvas, 20" x 20"

This painting was meant as a companion piece to another horse painting I did a while back, a portrait entitled "Just Horsing Around."  

Gold Fish

 

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

This was a quick study of a koi fish, and a great subject for limited time, which is all I seem to have lately.

Red and White Roses

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

Sometimes I just need to paint without the least concern for details or the viability of the end result, and such was the case with this palette knife painting.  The inspiration for it came from a photo I had taken of a vase of roses on my outdoor table, and I wanted to see if I could push it toward abstraction.  As far as that goes, I think I achieved what I was after, which was a very satisfying experience.  Update, 11.22.2021:  I revisited this painting and felt the urge to add a few leaves, which I did with a brush.  Now it's done!

Hot Lava

 

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 12"

I've learned of yet another great under-appreciated Black American artist, Stanley Whitney, an abstract colorist painter.  Pouring over images of his beautiful paintings drove me to my easel to create my own colorful abstract piece.