SLOW DOWN

                                                                        SLOWING  
                                                        6X6" oil on wood panel

With fall approaching and trees turning  gold, it's a time when all seems to slow down even the water slowed enough to look like glass.  So! I thought I would do the same and just slow down    

"GROUND FOG "

                                                          GROUND FOG
                                                     6x6 oil on wood panel

The sky was a crystal  clear  blue with wisps of vale like clouds that moved to  air currents up high.  Because it was still so early the ground fog lingered preventing me from getting on the road anytime soon.  It only took one photo and I knew I had another painting in the making.  

SIMPLICITY

                                                               "SIMPLICITY" Sold
                                                     6x6" oil on wood panel

With the first day of Spring and a new season  I had to paint the innocence of dewdrops and a butterfly playing peek-a-boo.   The simplicity of a moment was a must to capture in these times of a world spinning like out of imbalanced top. 

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)

"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." 

"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.

"A QUIET MEADOW"

                                                      A QUIET MEADOW
                                                        6X6 oil on panel

For me, I needed to just get away from the noise, people, sights and sounds of it all.  I have been in an amazing art show with great artists that I can talk with about what it is like to do what we do.  I play a card game with two wonderful artists and another I get to jab humor with along with great texting back and forth with.  But I still wanted to find a place to just get into me, so after a long hike I found a perfect little spot.  My very own quiet meadow to lie-down in and dream.

"RUMBLINGS"

                                                           "Rumblings"
                                                             40x20 oil

Standing off to the side of the road I could hear this rumbling sound that sounded like thunder and with each passing minute it was getting closer.  Looking around, I could not tell in which direction the sound was coming from.  Then, with a deep throaty groan I saw it and like a mighty dragon hugging the very ground it moved on, it showed all, who had the undisputed right of way.  

This will be at this summers Laguna Festival of the Arts

"LISTEN"

                                                              "LISTEN"
                                                          oil on wood 6X6"

This is a little back off the main body of the lake.  We would shut the engine and drifted in in silence into these quiet spots.  Ether he or I would say quietly "Listen" and there was nothing, no sound, not even birds.  It was a place where I learned how to bass fish with one of the best.  He new just where to cast his line and seconds later, he would pull his rod up and reel in a bass... I was always in awe  and this same guy taught me the art of bass fishing.  (Sold)

"NEIGHBORS"

                                                                     "NEIGHBORS"

6X6" oil on wood

                    Not looking over the fence, I wonder who is living there.  Every now and then I would hear voices, music coming from the house, smell the barbeque and hear the clap, clap of the occasional backdoor screen shutting, then silence.   At times the house was dark for weeks.  Then, lights, and familiar voices come filtering through the fence and... they are home again.  It was just one of those times.  I was in my yard quietly reading a book listening to the chatter from next door when I was startled to hear from over the fence; 

Hi Neighbor!  

"EQUATION of SPACE"

                                                       "EQUATION of SPACE"
                                                            24x24 oil (sold)

This is from one of many road trips with my sis.  I was traveling around doing art show, each was a crazy adventure onto them selves.   This painting was from traveling through the heartland with its endless horizons, but more then that; The combination of sky and land made for a mind bending visual effect on the senses and emotions, numbing and exhilarating, one could not exist without the other, thus the title of the painting. 

"Two New Works"

                                               
                                                       "LOOKING SOUTH"
                                                       6X6inch oil on wood  (Sold)

                                                      
                                                           "MOONLIGHT"
                                                          6X6 oil on wood

Being in Laguna Beach one has a plethora of things to pick to paint, from early mornings to full moons lighting up the sky.  Oh I know! Every place has multitudes of subjects worth painting, I just happen to be in the right place at the right time to see these.   

"LAGUNA MORNING"

                                                           "LAGUNA MORNING"
                                                         a 6x6 inch study on wood

After months of painting only my large canvass it feels so good to return to my small studies on wood.  To do these is slowing down my thoughts, working with small brushes, blending and re-blending, all to capture so much in such a small space.  It is both challenging and rewarding.  This big sky is took place one morning with the sun just making its way above the hills in South Laguna Beach, illuminating this band clouds that disappeared to the horizon.   It was a must stop and catch ones breath.  Such a beautiful planet, do take care of her. (Sold)

"GOOD MORNING"

On a back roads in Arroyo Grande part of San Luis Obispo County where I once lived, you would see the country side field with oak trees.  Some majestic rooted to the ground claiming mother earth and saying "I am here to stay".  Wonderful to see them, like these two young oaks saying good-morning on there epic journey towards tomorrow.  I don't know how many I have chosen as a subject to paint over the years but its hard not wanting to honor them.  This original oil painting is 6X6 inches painted on Birch wood, it is mounted onto a finished 1.5 inch box so no framing is required: $130    

"FOREST LITTER"

With a light rain, fallen leaves and twigs the forest floor comes to life.  I could not take a single step without seeing beauty in each.  Moss, lichen an occasional mushroom, rainbow colored beetles, all forming an incredible tapestry for my eyes.  How can I not paint this magic from just an afternoon walk in the forest litter.  With no framing needed, this 6x6 original oil painting on Birch wood has been mounted to a varnished wooden box:  (Sold)

"IN HARMONY"

An endless landscape. A house nestled in the protection of trees.  Clouds drifting lazily.  Shadows quietly finding their way along the ground..  In the elements of this painting my goal was to provoke memories or feelings of all kinds. From the mixing of pigments, to deciding which color would work with another, to how big should the house be?  Should it be a little to the the left, a little to the right, so many factors come into play.  Painting, like writing notes for  music, each has its place, it's rhythm, it's tempo if you will, all must work in harmony.  This is a 6x6 inch original oil painting on Birch wood that is mounted to a varnished wooden box:(SOLD)

"EARTH"

For over a year or two I have gone into this painting and added a little here and a little there, tweaking this and that.  This time I got into the furrows and added far more color and texture.  I added the trunk on the tree at the far end of the plowed field and brought out the leaves, I think I'm finished now.  I had to remake the stretcher bars so they will come apart so that I  can roll the canvas to fit into my van and re-stretch it at this summer's show in Laguna Beach, "THE FESTIVAL OF ARTS".  This painting is a 60x48 inch on custom prepared canvas. For more about its location on how I came to it you can read up on it by going to "MY CANVASES"

"HEAR THE SILENCE"

Sometimes I would pull off on the side of the road and just listen... That time of stopping on the side is long gone, even a great portion of this road is gone, progress they say, speed limit is 55 but everyone moves far faster then that... lot more cars now... but I do remember... remember parking on the side, shut the engine and... "Hear the Silence".  This is an 8x6 inch original oil painting on Birch wood that's been mounted to a varnished wooden box: (Sold)

"DEPOSIT 10 Cents Please"

Wanting to capture a feeling of nostalgia I painted this as a sepia photograph.  I first made a deep burnt umber to get it as dark as possible and still keep the rich reddish shade.  I then tinted the white with this mix which allowed me all the middle tones needed to make it work.  It was at this point the painting began.   This is an 8x6 inch oil painting on Birch wood, mounted to a finished box: (SOLD)