"BEAUTY OF SILENCE"

As the light began retreating it was like all the sounds got so quiet.   I hesitated to walk for I didn't want to make a sound and disturb the beauty of silence.  In this I am still exploring the grace of trees and the mood they give us.  This is an original 6x6 inch oil painting on birch wood, the wood is mounted on a varnished wooden box with no framing required:  (SOLD)

"DODGING RAIN"

Dodging the rain that was beginning to come down was not easy.  It felt like the faster I ran the harder it rained so with blocks to go I slowed and walked at a good pace squinting with the rain in my face. I smiled to myself when spotting my hotel's entrance door just up ahead.   This painting is on a 6x6 inch wood panel mounted to a varnished wooden box with no framing required: (Sold)

This is a small section of a painting I just did.. "RAIN" is 40x36 inch oil on canvas, it is for my summer show in Laguna Beach this summer... The show is The Festival of Arts Chick it out sometime..  "RAIN" is the second of a series of 6 canvass for this show, each takes a lot of time to do so my small 6x6 inch paintings that I normally post comes a little slower..  I will start posting my miniatures  hopefully this week...   Also you might enjoy seeing this YouTube of it being painted.... (Sold)
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"LAKESHORE"

In developing this painting I worked with the sky first, then clouds and gradually working my way down to the mountains.   The trees came next with dark under painting, after drying I was  able to ad more coloring to the tree foliage fallowed by the houses, shoreline and the waters moving forward.  This 6X6 is painted with oils on wood that had been mounted to a varnished wooden box so no framing is required: (Sold)

"SUNSHINE GLARE"

Another of my exploration of trees and light.   Most of this painting was in the style of  pointillism in getting the light and dark leaf patterns.  I started with the glare of the sun and worked out from there with yellows, oranges and red tones then when dry, went back with the richer colors all the way to deep wine and ending with greens and purples for the darkest of shadows.   The size is 6X6 inch on wood that has been mounted to a varnished box so no framing needed: $130

"BLUE LIQUID"

I started this painting from a photo study I did of water ways in Newport Beach's Back-bay.  This is a 36x36 inch canvas 1.5 in in depth.  For more on this painting just "Click Here" 

"SHADOWS & LIGHT"

Standing amid all the trees with the sunlight working it's way past and through there was a hush. No one in the group wanted to speak and break the wonderful silence that surrounded us and even in taking up my camera I did slowly so as not to disturb.  In painting this I wanted to capture the shadows so I did so by painting in monotone colors with a hint of green in the warm glare.  This 6x6in painting is on birch wood that was mounted to a 1.5" deep wooden box that requires no framing.  (Sold)

"QUIET STROLL"

Painting trees can be a challenge so I paint many, some tight with detail or some more loose. I explore and I learn how amazing they are.  Sure there is the obvious, shade, privacy even a wooden front porch but way beyond that they are life.  If there are no trees, we are gone, ciao, sayonara, adios and bye bye.  So I paint them and try to give them a place among us and perhaps make people stop to see, to admire and just maybe take a quiet stroll with them. This 6X6 original oil painting is on birch wood that has been mounted to a finished wooded box with no framing required: ( 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    

"TIED-UP"

Hanging around back bay in Newport Beach one morning with calm waters I couldn't help but photograph the colors reflecting back at me of gear and other stuff on the boats.  These made for some wonderful happy abstract shapes for me to paint.  I thought "this will be fun to do".  I kept it loose to feel the joy in the dancing shapes of colors floating on the waters surface.  This is an original 6x6 inch oil painting on a finished wood box with no framing required: $125 + s/h (Sold)

"MALLARDS IN LOVE"

Setting quietly close to the water for sometime, I watched these two swim around, stopping to eat, drink and swim some more was a delight.  They both had this quiet little area all to themselves but for I,  and the male mallard being her protector kept a keen eye on me.  I stayed for a time enjoying there company, I took one photo, rose up slowly so as not to disturb the couple I then bed them ado and wondered off to see what else I could find.

This is a 6x6inch original oil painting on a varnished wooden box with no framing required: $130  

"DRAGONFLY MORNING"

In Newport Beach there is this place called "Back Bay".  Most everyone just drives by and glance over at it, after all, we are in such a rush to maybe stop and look.   I parked my car and walk down to the water, sat and let my mind soften as I drift into the quiet ripples of a dragonfly morning.  This is a 6x6inch original oil painting on a varnished wooden box with no framing required: $130

"COAST HIGHWAY"

Traveling southbound on coast highway I began to remember (which by now seems like a lifetime ago) parts of my past along with all the stuff at that time could easily be made into one of today's reality TV shows.  If I told the truth of just one story, one would think that I am making it all up, but not so I smiled and thought, "There is no need for embellishment".  With my memories and the lights from Newport Beach both vanishing into the distance I say to myself "What a ride it has been"!
This 8X6inch original oil painting on Birch wood is mounted to a finished wooden box with no framing required: (Sold)

"ROSE" & "PURPLE SILK"

"PURPLE SILK"

"ROSE"

Playing with shapes and color I painted these two faces both with the intent of my love for painting women and a wonderful departure from my skies.   There are aspects of each that I will use in some future works, but for now I am really liking them and the change of pace.

This is a 6x6 inch original oil painting on Birch wood mounted to a hand finished wooden box with no framing required.

"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)

"ELDORADO SUNDAY"

This painting is from time I spent in the Palm Springs area looking for a subject matter to paint.. 

In driving around, paying attention to the road, I would hold my camera up and aim without looking and take a picture.  When it was safe I peered into my camera and I spotted this shot. Smiling, I knew I had my next painting... This is a 8x6 inch original oil on Birch wood mounted to a varnished wooden box:  Also on YouTube

(Sold)

"LONGWAYS TO GO"

With the sun dipping down, shadows crossing the road and music fading into static, I had much time to get inside my mind and ask "what shall I paint?"   It's always an interesting question to ask oneself while an endless procession of colors & shapes go gently floating by in my head.   As I stare at the road an idea begins it's journey forward and then...  "THERE, I'll paint you"!  With more thoughts streaming of what color will go here or there a painting began if only in my minds eye.   I was glad I still had a longways to go on this road as I wanted to finish the painting.   This is an 8x6 inch original oil painting on Birch wood that is mounted to a finished wooden box: (Sold)

"BURNING FIELDS"

From a trip to Kansas City somewhere in the middle of Nebraska they where burning fields to clear for new crops.  The sun was going down and the smoke mixing into the clouds made for some fantastic coloring.   This original 6x6: oil painting on Birch wood is mounted to a varnished wooden box: $140

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"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: