ABE'S BOOKMOBILE

This is from @urban_crumbs (Anna) photo of her little boy, Abe, 

sitting on her husband's shoulders engrossed in a book. 

I will rest safely in my Father's arms.

Fire and Rain

Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, 

a torch flung to the trees.

September 2017

Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: (Job 5:10)

This is the first time I've ever worked large format on a full sheet, standing at the easel. Remarkably freeing. This just came out of my head with no sketch. I adore orange and blue together - the juxtaposition of the warm and cool  complimentary colors evokes emotion. I threw some punches of Winsor Green (Blue shade) in, painting with the actual tube of paint and my fingers. When I finished the painting and kept looking at it, it whispered RAIN in my ear and I had to add it - or rather subtract it. The colors I typically paint with are non-staining so I was able to rub out the raindrops using damp paper towel pieces wrapped around a credit card. Keeping the focal point of the paper white, which I had preserved, then started to look like back-lit fog around the mountains and trees. In painting this I started to hear a hint of my own voice - that which is unique and individual about any artists expression. We start by imitating others in life, much like a child learns to talk. But at some magical point we push through and begin to hear our own voice and discover our own passion, our own style. I look forward to that journey of discovery.

Monochromatic Studies - Abe

These were painted from photo references of a little boy named Abe who lives in Philadelphia. His mom, Anna, is the photographer @urban_crumbs.

My Miracosta college watercolor teacher really liked the above. She said if I did it in color (instead of mono) I could enter it in a show. Made me feel good.

I let Abe's hair get totally out of control in my painting which kind of ruined it. Less is more.

Oceanside Pier

Ink drawing and watercolor wash done at Oceanside Pier as the sun was setting and the moon was rising. It was windy and the sea was turbulent. I decided not to include the structures on the pier just to simplify the drawing.

Cactus, Cactus, Cactus! I love cactus!

I painted this wonderful cactus at Leo Carillo Ranch in Carlsbad. Such a peaceful place. These spineless cactus were bred by a horticulturalist in hopes of creating a replenished source to feed the cattle but the cattle didn't like it and it gave them diarrhea. However, Leo Carillo loved them and had them planted all over the ranch and around the hacienda. They get really tall and the bright green color is just amazing. Against a bright blue San Diego sky it pops and the edges of the cactus (minus spines) looks like it's been outlined in ink.

I painted a similar cactus in front of a house in Rancho Santa Fe one afternoon when I was out with Patti.

Inspiration (Rancho Santa Fe)

Twisted Sisters

    Eucalyptus Trees at Hancock Park in Carlsbad. Quick pull off the road watercolor impression.

These Boots are Made for Walking (Still Life)

Teal Waterfall

Used my Lamy Safari fountain pen loaded with brown ink to do this drawing and limited color watercolor wash in my watercolor journal. Gave this one to Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Betty.