WEST COAST

                                                                 WEST COAST
                                                           6X6 oil on wood panel 

To drive along the coast and see the clarity is sometimes startling.  On those clear days witch are meany here in Southern California is a real gift to all that stop to take it in.  This was just one of those days.   I really don't think I'm going to say much more.  I just want to drift off in it's beauty.  (SOLD)

"IN SHADE"

                                                               IN SHADE
                                                     6X6 oil on wood panel

It was still early morning and 90 degrees; I wondered what the rest of the day was going to be.  I could ponder this question till the end of the day and no-mater what I would come up with, it would mater not.  Like so many things in life we have no say, it's all what you do with at that given moment.  To cold, put a sweater on, to hot take it off.  So... I took in a nice deep breath of fresh air, walked over to this beautiful tree, and sat in its shade and dreamed of dreams. 

ON TIME

                                                                  ON TIME
                                                        6x6" oil on wood panel

It was around 6:40 in Laguna Nigel and I was heading North to San Louis Obispo, meet up with some friends, catch up on some good talks, good eats at "The Spoon Trade", check out the wines, all great stuff.  So I was glade knowing all trains are on time..    (SOLD)

"COUNTRYSIDE"

                                                                COUNTRYSIDE
                                                     6x6" oil on wood panel 

So the other day I'm on my Instagram when I come across a Jody Larcombe's photo's and fell in love with her photo, I asked, could I paint this, she said yes... So, today I not just painted it but streamed it on my twitch.tv/madmanschwartz where one can see this and others at:https://www.twitch.tv/madmanschwartz/v/116373964

So thank you Jody actress/photographer at: https://www.instagram.com/jodylarc/  

"HELLO AGAIN"

                                                         HELLO AGAIN
                                                   6x6" oil on wood panel

It was a new day.  I awoke to the sounds of birds, crickets, the buzz of bees and the throaty call of frogs.  The sun was peeking over the ridge warming the air and land.  I looked around at all that surrounded me and thought of the years that have passed, and wonder of what lies ahead. But for now, it is a new day for me to embrace and give a heart felt shout and say "Hello Again." 

"INTO SHADOWS"

                                                         INTO SHADOWS
                                                     6x6 oil on wood panel

I  stopped on this path and looked at was just ahead.  The forest of trees became thick, the trees got taller.  I wouldn't swear to it, but I think things got quieter. I felt myself being pulled forward.   I listened to the quiet and slowly sounds of streams and birds filled the air. I smiled as I disappeared into shadows. 

"SOUND of SILENCE"

                                                           SOUND of SILENCE

                                                          6x6" oil on wood panel

We walked for some time talking about this and that and without realizing, we began to speak softly, soon we stopped all together, words where not necessary nor did we want to disturb all that surrounded us; The gurgling of the streams, the songs of the birds, rustling of the fall leaves was all that was needed for the sound of silence.    (SOLD)

"INNOCENCE"

                                                             INNOCENCE
                                                       6x6 oil on wood panel

Ever so quietly I moved close to get a better look and this most beautiful of little mallard's that so innocently swam on by.     

"DREAM"

                                                                  "DREAM"
                                                         6x6 oil on wood panel

Standing on the wooden walkway crossing the stream, I peered down into the cool water rippling by and the gathering of fallen leaves.  The soft sounds of the water tumbling mixed with all the songs of birds made for a perfect time to stop and dream.

"MIRROR"

                                                             "MIRROR"
                                                  6X6inch oil on wood panel

It was mid-afternoon and I was on a walk with my son and his daughter, (my grandchild]. It was a time to be quiet and listen to the sounds of this most magical place.  There was so much to see that I felt I couldn't get enough to fill my eyes and mind.  There where things for me to paint with every turn of my head.  So much beauty I thought, "I will run out of time."  Better get busy and paint.... Here's the start of many more to come.

Also on www.twitch.tv/madmanschwartz

APPROACHING

                                                             APPROACHING
                                                             6X6 oil on panel

It was up north on a cloudy weekend when I spotted this meadow of deep burnt umber's mixed with golden shades. All supporting a gathering of rumbling clouds and the approach of rains  to come.  Yet unfazed, the grazing went on without a care, I thought to myself, could I do that, could I be unfazed by what might be approaching.     (SOLD)

FIRST DAY

                                                    (Sold) "FIRST DAY"
                                                             6X6 oil on panel

It was early morning and still dark and yet! like clockwork, one can hear the school bus rumbling somewhere in the neighborhood.   It was the signal of the end of summer and the beginning of a school year.   There were going to be new friends, teachers, games and a new beginning to that very first day.   

HELLO EVENING

                                                      HELLO EVENING
                                                       6X6 oil on panel

With evening approaching and a day field with lunch with friends, post-office, looking in on a few galleries, banking.... I know what your thinking... This guy is busy... But the truth is... I was just heading back into Laguna and took this shot and said to self.. #PaintThis

"SUNDOWN"

                                                              SUNDOWN
                                                           6x6 oil on panel

With the sun setting on the boundary waters a quiet fell over the lands.  After a time, new sounds came into play, frogs, owls, crickets, buzz of mosquitoes the scurrying of small night life all adding to the music of the night.  It was time to set up camp, make some hot coffee and dream.

"HUSH"

Newer version, I warmed the sky and dropped that same pink into the lower corners adding to the overall feeling.  

                                                                    HUSH

                                                             6X6 oil on panel

I had been walking for sometime, gingerly being careful not to disturb the underbrush or step on a new seedling that might one day become...   The air was still, soft sounds of unseen birds called out musical notes.   Well, on this very fine day I stumbled out from the underbrush on to this most delicate of ponds.  I found myself slowing down my movement not to brake the silence.   Stopping my walk, I sat down letting the hush fall on me like a soft blanket.

"STOP!"

                                                                "STOP!"
                                                         6x6 oil on panel

With the evening approaching the sky  bathed everything with a soft pinkish glow.  I found myself a place to eat, grabbed a room and settled in.  

BEND

                                                                   BEND
                                                           6X6" oil on panel

A place in Oregon called Bend.  This photo was sent to me just days ago and I thought, I'm going to paint this.   Knowing the person that sent it and the scene,   Felling a correlation between the two it was an easy decision to make it work..

This will be at the Festival of Arts this summer in Laguna Beach,CA    

SOUND OF SILENCE

                                                                SOUNDS OF SILENCE
                                                        6x6 oil on panel

It was still early as the sun peeked through the trees.  My fishing buddy, a master bass fishermen guided his bass boat quietly and smoothly along.  It was mornings like this that we barely spoke a word.   Talking seemed out of place so we would look at one another and smile in agreement at the beauty that was all around us.  We became part of the sound of silence.

This painting will be at this summers Festival of arts in Laguna Beach CA

"IN SHADOW"

The last bit of light just before the sun disappears up and around Mt.Baldy and the velvet night takes over. A nice departure in painting this for me capturing the subtlety of shade. 8x6 inch oil on Birch wood, mounted to a varnished wooden box:

"POPCORN & PIZZA" an original oil painting

When was the last time you went to a drive-in?  When I went, their wasn't any coolers to bring food in, one ordered a slice of pizza and coke from the food-stand at the drive-in, then went back for popcorn and chocolate raisins, I love the combo still... The movies had new, cartoons then coming attractions and then the movie. The teens had the new girl friend, the parents, kids in the backseats... No cell phones, No Wi-Fi on someones lap illuminating the car... Just popcorn & pizza.  This 6x6" painting is on Birch wood mounted on a varnished wooden box so no framing is needed.  This little wonder is going into the "LAGUNA ART FESTIVAL" show I am in this summer.  It must dry first so it will be next week.
(Sold)