River Rocks

oil on gessoboard panel, 6" x 6" 

These are just a few of the many colorful rocks to be found in the Eel River and its tributaries.  The big yellow rock looked like a gold nugget under the water, so, of course, I had to paint it!  This is a fun exercise in loosening up and going with the flow, as it were.

Apple of My Eye

acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24"

This started out as something entirely different.  I wanted to produce a high key abstract painting, and was trying to come up with a composition using certain color pairings, such as viridian and magenta, or lemon yellow and a tropical blue.  I had spring on my mind, though, and one thing led to another, then out popped an apple.  I've also been wanting to do a New York skyline painting, and this has traces of that thread in it.  Ironic, the apple, innit?

Victor

iPad painting, 10" x 14"

A quick little iPad sketch of my friend Marilyn's thoroughbred horse Victor, done from a photo I had taken on their property the other day.

Ron's Barn

oil on gessoed hardboard panel, 6" x 12"

This palette knife painting was done on site at my friends Ron and Marilyn's ranch in Covelo, looking south to a brown barn just over the property line that Ron had built and lived in years ago.  

The Lake in Central Park

iPad painting, 10" x 14"

Back to New York here, with a digital sketch from a day I spent in Central Park.  I loved the faint view of San Remo in the distance.

The Golden Hour

oil on canvasboard, 6" x 8"

This little study was done from a photo I had taken in Anderson Valley last fall when the sun was sinking on the horizon, creating that late afternoon golden glow in the hills.  My favorite time of day to capture in a painting.

Coy Koi

acrylic on canvas, 20" x 20"

There is a little koi pond off the front deck at my friends' ranch and I love the juxtaposition of the green/gold algae against the purple fish, which in reality is more gray than purple yet the same or similar in value.  I painted this from a photo I had taken, just to get the hang of koi shapes.  I don't believe I've painted fish before, but it won't be my last attempt.  They're fun to paint, and I may try a plein air sketch of them at some point.  

Three Sheep

iPad painting, 14" x 10"

I'm back at Covelo Ranch, where sheep abound, getting some practice painting their sheep shapes so that when I attempt a plein air painting in the spring I will have a better handle on it.  Sheep, like cows, move surprisingly fast when you're trying to capture their essence.

White Magnolia

iPad painting, 10" x 14"

Another in my white flower series, this one a quick digital sketch to keep me going until my studio is ready.  I'm anxious to go back to the easel, which I can do starting next Tuesday.  Yay!

Plumbing the Depths

iPad painting, 14" x 10"

Old Farmhouse, C Street, Petaluma

iPad painting, 10" x 14"

I painted this view of an old farmhouse from the church parking lot on B Street in my neighborhood.

Mill Creek at Covelo Ranch

iPad painting, 14" x 10"

This was done on site at my friends' ranch outside the town of Covelo in Mendocino County, in between storms, which left the creek a beautiful orange/brown color.  I am hoping to do some plein air paintings there this spring.  They have about 21 sheep, 3 border collies, 2 horses, and 100 acres of wild, natural landscape.  That adds up to a lot of painting possibilities.  Now, if the weather will just cooperate, . . .

Seated Nude Study

acrylic on canvas paper, 12" x 10"

This was a quick tonal study of a nude that I have had in mind to do a painting of for quite some time.  

I have been in limbo for the past month, as I had to move out of my beloved art studio and into a smaller space on the same property.  They just installed electricity in the unit and now I await the installation of a sink and the removal of their storage items.  I will likely be able to set up my space early next week, which I am anxious to do.  Although smaller, it will be warmer, and the light is just as good.  I will also be able to share the space and yet retain privacy, something I could not do in the other space.

Nicasio Cow

oil on masonite panel, 6" x 12"

This was done on site a few months ago and somehow never got posted, so here it is.  

The Crevice

acrylic on canvas paper, 9" x 12"

Working from a photograph for this one, an exercise in creating distant atmosphere.  Not much painting this month, as I came to the sad conclusion I could no longer afford the art studio I've enjoyed for the last 22 months.  However, I may have found a happy solution to my dilemma by moving to a smaller space on the same property, with a great view and lots of light, that is sharable and will still allow me the peace and privacy I need for creative inspiration.

Bolinas Marsh with Eucalyptus Tree

acrylic on hardboard panel, 12" x 9"

This sketch was painted en plein air in acrylics, which means I had to work even faster than with oils.  It was really just an excuse to paint that eucalyptus trunk with all its beautiful color variations.

Oneanta Gorge

acrylic on canvas, 30" x 15"

Well, I decided I didn't like the painting of my previous post, Pierce Point Cypresses, enough to drive to the art supply store and buy another 30" x 15" canvas, and so I painted over it with this, which took me all of an hour to do.  Oneanta Gorge is situated near Portland, Oregon, along a section of the Columbia River Gorge.  Mystical.

Pierce Point Cypresses

acrylic on canvas, 30" x 15"

I painted this sketch from a photo because I loved the shape of these trees with their pale trunks and wanted to see blue and yellow together, another color pairing favorite of mine.  

Plum Trees with Vineyard

iPad painting, 10" x 14"

From my imagination, once again playing with the color pairing of aubergine and olive green.  They even sound good together, no?  

While Visions of Sugar Plums Dance in My Head

oil on masonite panel, 6" x 8"

Another abstracted landscape. The thought of certain color pairings sometimes pulls me to my easel.  This was one of those times.  I love the pairing of purple and green, or to be more specific, aubergine and olive green.  I find aubergine a tricky color to mix, so that it's dark enough and still has red in it.  I tried and failed here to execute my vision, but I still like the result.