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!