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.