"HEADLIHGTS & SHADOWS"

Heading north.  I couldn't help but notice that everything was in shadows.  Hillsides, trees, roads and especially the clouds, that's what really caught my attention.  It was not just the fact that the sun was lowering in the horizon forming long shadows over a color saturated landscape, but the clouds were adding it's own mix of colors to it.  I had to stop and get out of my van and fill my eyes.  I was excited about getting back to my studio knowing I had to paint this.

This 6x6inch original oil painting is on Birch wood that had been mounted to a box that I get to finish:

(Sold)

2:20

"BACK IN TIME"

Several years ago when I was doing road shows out in middle America I needed to stop and gas up, stretch my legs and give my sis Millie a break after long hours of road time.  Spotting a sign of a town I never heard of I pulled off and drove down this road to find a gas station.  Well, what I found was a wonderful little farming town that looked like we stepped back in time.  A gentleman at the gas station/market tipped his hat to my sis (when was the last time you saw that)?  There were no sidewalks, no traffic lights or stop signs.  The school house ( red in color) was little bigger then my studio... I think there were a total of twenty homes, that was it!...  Driving back to the highway I couldn't help smiling and thinking how glad I was to know places like this still exist. This is an original 8x6 inch oil painting on wood that has been mounted to a finished 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)

"HEAD ON HOME"

With the sun in my eyes, my camera full of photos, I head on home looking forward to the paintings I will be doing.  This is just but one of the fantastic skies that are above us all when we stop to see and enjoy.  This is a 6x8inch original oil painting on wood set on a varnished wooden box: (Sold)

"FIRST STOP"

On one of my many road trips looking for the right subject to paint (which by the way is a battle with the changing of my taste and what I want to say in each painting). It is a constant hunt for the right sky as that is my muse to talk about in my work. So, on this last trip after driving around for hours I finely make my first stop at this motel and take a photo of "you guessed it" the sky.  This is a 6x6inch original oil painting on wood mounted to a varnished wooden box: (SOLD)

"TRAIN #887"

Given this photo some time back I finally got to it.  Playing with color and shadows I began this painting on a fairly layered surface of oil.  I waited until the surface was almost dry and with a soft watercolor brush began to paint the train.  Not being able to apply much pressure with the brush for I would go through to the under-paint, I worked slowly. A little more time consuming than my usual manner but, it made for a wonderful experience in giving this the mood I sought. .  The painting is on Birch wood that is mounted to a 6x6 inch varnished wooden box:   Showing at the "Randy Higbee Gallery" Sold at the show

"FIRST DAY BACK"

Last year in Minnesota I kept spotting yellow school buses that jumped out at me. The contrast of dark tree backgrounds and the glare of snow was exactly my kind of subject.  It gave me the mood and the challenge to record a memory and the feeling of "First Day Back". 6x8 by 2" deep box original oil painting: $140 (SOLD)

"GOODBY SUNSHINE"

Owens Valley is most magical of places.  Just about every direction is another eye-popping mind-bending thing of beauty.  So, knowing all this I thought I would give it life by painting less then a fraction of it on a 6x6 inch Birch wood panel, All this has been mounted to a varnished wooden box:  Gift to my granddaughter

"SAN DIEGO EVENING"

So, I'm down in San Diego with some friends overlooking the city from their condo and see this, grabbing my camera and take the shot.  It was all there.  Sunset, clouds, ocean, palm trees, everything was right.  Back at my studio studying the photo I thought "not much to change or enhance".  With that, I mixed the colors and begin to paint. This is it, a 6x8" original oil painting on Birch wood mounted to a varnished wooden box:

"HOME-RUN"

I have seen so many wonderful artist's paint this.  Now, here I am wanting to give my own spin if you will on this "American Icon" "The Baseball".  The thing is, I am not a sports person at all. I don't know one team from another but, what I do know is shapes, composition and color.   I have had this baseball in my studio for years, not sure how I came by it but, that maters not so I approached it with the intent of giving it life. I wanted it to fly through the air like it was intended to do. I wanted it to be a "Home Run". This is an original oil painting on Birch wood that is mounted to a 6x6inch varnished wooden box:  Gift to my grandson

"THE GRAND FINALE"

This last 4th of July at my good friends house in Long Beach, I took this photo hoping to capture something I could eventually paint.  Well, summer has come and gone and now having the time to delve into this along with my fascination with the glare of light and especially fireworks is how this painting came to be.  I do love playing or I should say painting things like this.

This is a 6x6 inch oil on Birch wood mounted on a varnished wooden box:  This painting has been entered into a competition show and is not for sale at this time.  (Sold)

"EVENING GLARE"

looking out from the overpass, the setting sun's light melted the surrounding landscape into an evening glare... For me capturing that moment of light is what it is all about. 6x6 inch original oil painting on Birch wood, mounted to a varnished wooden box: (Sold)

"DAGWOODS at PISMO BEACH"

I must confess, I did this painting months ago and as much as I liked it, I didn't love it.  So! I went and painted out the blue sky, clouds, palm tree and darked the wall the sign is on... A real hundred & eighty degree difference.. Its a real place by the way.. lived up the hill from it in Pismo Beach.. So it's a new post. Want to see the original? "Click Here"   This is a 8x6 inch oil on Birch wood mounted on a varnished wooden box:  (Sold)

"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:

"STUCK IN TRAFFIC"

From a trip to Minnesota to see my son.  On the way back to his home a light rain began and I got this shot. Looking back, one is stuck in traffic no-matter where you go. Again my fascination with shapes and light comes through in expressing it on this 6x6inch oil on Birch wood panel mounted to a varnished wooden box:  This painting has been entered into a competition show and is not for sale at this time.  

"RAINDROPS"

Riding around in L.A. on a gray and rainy day was just what I wanted.  So I turn my windshield wipers off, grab my camera and focus on the rain drops gathering and forming wonderful patterns.  The abstract shapes of the background mixed with the hard edges of each reflective drop I knew would make for a fun and challenging painting.  Another 6x6 inch oil painting on Birch, mounted to a varnished wooden box: (Sold)

"TUESDAY IN NEWPORT " #2

Same day with my friend Ralph and a walk at Newport Harbor in Newport Beach CA... This was another of those electric boats called a Duffy... Very popular down here with the calm bay to putter in and around multi million dollar yachts and homes.   Truly an amazing spot here in Southern California.

Oh my! I did digress from what this post was about, my painting.. Will! What I liked about choosing this as a subject to paint was the abstraction of shapes.  I didn't see it when I took the picture but then after looking at it I really began to love what was happening and thus! "The painting".  This is another 6x6 inch oil on Birchwood, mounted onto a varnished wooden box ready for a wall...

"TUESDAY IN NEWPORT " #1

So, I call my friend Ralph and I say "Ralph, what say we launch", Ralph replies, SURE!  I drive over to his house and he is standing outside next to his wheels.  Get in he says, where to?  I suggest "Sabatinos"  some of the best home made Italian sausage around.  Ralph being Italian, his eyes light up and off we go.  After filling myself so I felt like a sausage we walked and talked, my camera slung over my shoulder.  We ended up where all the upper crust of Newport keep their yachts and their little duffy's to just cruse around the harbor.  Not wanting to paint a full on yacht I photograph two little, but charming, duffy's tied to the dock just about 6 feet below the parking lot. This painting is one of them.  I start the other tomorrow.    Oil on 6x6inch Birch wood, mounted on a 1.5 inch varnished wooden box so no framing is required.  (Sold)

"SLOW GOING"

Funny when I'm talking to people from other states and they talk about traffic, I just listen politely as they ramble on of how dreadful traffic is in their state,  I think to myself, they don't come or live here in LA. Now that's traffic. This painting is taken from just one of the many off ramps I've had the pleasure of being on waiting patiently for my turn to move up a foot or two... You have to love it..  This oil painting is a 6x8 inch archival board mounted to a 2" deep varnished wooden box so no framing is needed.

"CLOSE OF DAY"

Cold and hungry I had to stop and get just one more shot before the day came to a close.  This was last winter in Minnesota.  I have worked on this on and off and now that my show is over I got to revisit this canvas and make the changes I wanted to months-a-go... I know, I know... its early for a snow scene, but I thought I would post it anyway, after all, its my site.. :) Sure feel good to be back painting..  Oil on canvas 30x36 inch $3200

"HIGH COUNTRY"

I said my goodbye's as the clouds closed in on the mountain and the vanishing light of the day.
One more shot and another painting to be worked out in capturing that elusive light.
This painting is a 6x6 inch on archival board mounted on a varnished wooden box. (SOLD)

"FREED AT LAST"

Just another angle and still exploring the shades of grays and the many moods they represent.   (For more on my black & whites) I must say, deciding on the placement of the balloon took a little time.  I knew I wanted red, but where to place it?  A little to the left a little to the right, higher, lower then finely, the balloon was freed at last. Oil on Birch panel, mounted on a 6x6" varnished wooden box:  (Sold)

"HOLD THE MAYO"

Never did like Mayo on my burger, ketchup yes.... Now that that's out of the way I can talk about the painting at hand.  Being in and at the "LAGUNA ART FESTIVAL" I don't get much cooking done, so its eating here and there and at one of these eateries, I thought, Hay! take a photo and paint the crazy thing... So here it is.   Oh! by the way, it was good, Pricey!... but good...  This painting, also a nice departure from my usual style is a 6x6 inch original oil painting on Birch wood that is mounted on a varnished wooden box so it is ready for your wall. 

"SUNSHINE PARK"

 














So, I go to see a friend of mine that I haven't seen in some time.. I let my friend talk as I was there to listen. I was there not to give advice or opinion, I was there not to judge nor expect, I am there to just listen. I listened to things of the past, I listened to complaints of the present, I listened to fears of the future, I let my friend talk as I am there to listen... We parted with a hug and I promised to return and to listen once again. As I drove off, I turned and spotted the sign high above the grounds, it read "Sunshine Park" nice name I thought, nice name. This is a 6"x 8" oil painting on one of my few remaining archival panels with no framing needed. schwartzart@earthlink.net

(Sold)

"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) 

"CRYSTAL COVE"

Just a nice departure from my other works I thought I would paint this.  I was down at a wonderful place that has been painted hundreds of times over many years. "CRYSTAL COVE" an enchanting place centered  somewhat between Laguna Beach and Corona Del Mar, each beautiful in their own way.  Crystal cove is filled with much stories from locals and the Hollywood movie stars from the past, "YES" I have my own stories too but, that's for another time.  Crystal Cove is on the sand with new and used homes, some empty amazingly still standing.  So with all this charm and history, like I said, many paintings are floating around out there... I on the other hand zeroed in on the flowers that are abundant along the path in and around old railroad ties for steps, fences, porches and sand drifts and all, I spotted this beautiful hibiscus minding its own business avoiding foot traffic and the stomping of stray dogs.  I knelt down, said "hello"  and gave honer to its survival by painting it.  This painting is going into the Art Show I'm presently in for another 6 weeks...  ( Not Available)

"STEAM MAKER"

Ah Yes! I got to paint yesterday at the show.  I set up my easel and began to do what I love best "PAINT".

It truly felt great to mix colors and feel the paint move across the surface of my birch-wood box's.  My rhythm broken with good conversations with passerby's who stopped to see and then I would direct them to my booth and talk about the Daily Painters, it is wonderful to know how many people are hearing about us, one such lady made it a point to find me as she has been fallowing my posts.  So here is an ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING, all done on Birch wood that has been mounted on a varnished wooden box so no framing is needed, the size is 8x6 inches. (Sold)

"SO! QUIET"

About a weekend ago I caught sight of the moon in the deepening blue sky and thought to myself "could be my next painting".  I pulled off where it was safe and happened to be near enough to one of the farms along the road.  I walked until I got this shot in focus, held steady to my camera and blasted off one click.  Here is one of my 6x6" oil on Birch wood paintings.  ( Sold)

"UTAH"

So, a couple of summers back talk of a road trip starts to rumble through the family.  Emails, phone calls both landlines and cells and a gathering of the clan begins. "UTAH" is the target as hundreds of suggestions on campgrounds, food, drinks, what kind of charcoal are talked and yelled about, each believing they know the best way to handle such a trip.   And the kids!, well they're just screaming and jumping for joy... did I go you ask?, I did.  I got in my car and quietly road out of town with my jazz CD's, some nibbles and a nice bottle of wine that I kept on ice for later. I would stop periodically to snap a shot or two and earlier I had picked out a nice bed & breakfast that was just coming up on my left....  bye for now.  This is another of my black and white paintings.  It is 6x6 painted with oils on Birch wood paneling that has been mounted to a varnished wooden box: For purchase email me "AT"

(SOLD)

"POOL TIME"

Just another Palm Springs kinda evening.  The summers are heating up so a dip in the pool is just the thing to cool down the bod now that the temperatures are flirting around 110... I must say, I do like the heat and the Springs is a fun place to be.
This painting is an 8x6 oil on Birch wood, mounted on a varnished wooden box: (SOLD)

"LOVELY AFTERNOON"

Stepping into the shadows and feeling its coolness sent me spinning back through time when I was just 8 years old and a walk in the park with my mom on just such a lovely afternoon.  I am struck by whether it be sounds, smells or for me color that sends me to places I thought where long forgotten. This is an oil painting on Birch wood, mounted to a 6x6" varnished wooden box: (Sold)

"EDGE OF TOWN"

Driving for about 8 hr and just on the edge of town I didn't feel like looking for the best deal, I pulled in to the closest one, "The Star Motel" clean room and decent coffee it was a done deal for me. Side note, if and when you watch the little movie, you will see that I am painting over or on top of a previous one hour post that obviously I didn't care for, specially after reworking it three times. I new it was time to use it as a good undercoat for this that you are seeing now : )

This 6x8 inch is in oils on Birch wood and that is mounted to a varnished wooden box ready for any wall anywhere. (Sold)

"edge of town" the movie
 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME"

Not much more I want  or care to say.... I am glade to have another and hope to have more...
It is my birthday today, I am sharing it with all the ones I love. Today is my birthday..
I have much to be thankful and great full for. Today is my birthday...

"HARVEST TIME"

Another of my daily paintings.  I must say, I do have a love affair for the plains and the open spaces of my country... There is something wonderful about farmland and the people that make it work, from the farmer to the men and women that labor in the fields, I salute you. This painting is 6x6 inches and painted in oils on Birch wood, it is mounted on a varnished wooden box with no framing required.

(Sold)

"HARVEST TIME MOVIE"

"HEADING NORTH"

Driving up the coast was a great time to reflect and to think of "What do I want to paint". I always feel like I need to say something, not just paint to paint. I'm always on a hunt for another way or different way of expressing feelings or moods, all this is, for me, has to happen with the use of color more then what the subject might be. That want, is not always easy to find or obtain... I do a lot of pacing around in my studio like a caged animal, looking or staring at the stark white canvas or gessoed wood panel on my easel, then, colors start to formulate in my minds-eye and my hand, holding my mixing-knife starts this dance with colors that lie glistening on my palette waiting there turn to be blended and shaped into my needs for expressions.  This is a 6x6 inch oil on Birch wood mounted on a varnished wooden box:  For purchase email me "AT"

"PALM SPRING SHOWERS"

Coming through Palm Springs heading into Orange County listening to books on tape, letting my mind wonder off and not paying attention to time or distance I'm suddenly aware of this cloud and the softly falling rains.  Reaching for my camera I get one shot knowing this is another painting for me. This one is on a little flat canvas that is going to have to be framed, its size, 12x 16, priced at $400