EMPTY

                                                                EMPTY
                                                         6x6 oil on panel

In crossing the heartlands sometimes up close most of the time far away; one can see empty barns, some standing proudly most looking tired, all have stories if when one stops to listen.  I stood for a time and stared at this one, took a few photos and now in painting it I feel I've given it life again.

PASSING THROUGH

                                                    PASSING THROUGH
                                                     6x6inch oil on panel

Many years ago I would travel back and forth through the desert between California and Lake Havasu on a road less traveled, to say the least.  I loved taking it, one could drive for hours before you saw another car.  This painting is an homage to a wonderful memory.

MINNESOTA MORNING

                                                   MINNESOTA MORNING
                                                       6x6inch oil on panel

My son sent me this.  Its morning time in at the Schwartz's, coffee is brewing, kids are up, its school time, Duk the family pet is eating and my son is getting ready for work.  Why its morning time in Minnesota.

SNOWFALL

                                                                SNOWFALL
                                                          6x6inch oil on panel

This last winter when with my son we went back to a magical place with quiet.  The only sound was the water moving over and around the stones in this icy cold stream.  It was picture perfect, I hope I did it justice to paint such perfection.      

SPRING

                                                                SPRING

                                                         6X6 oil on panel

A quiet place just 30 minutes away from where my son lives.  A short walk off the road and one is lost in the beauty.  It took some time for me to finally step back to reality and take a photo.  The end result and a year later I finally finished my walk.  

"GET-A-WAY"

                                                        "GET-A-WAY"
                                                   6x6 oil on panel

The need to get out 0of town and disappear at times really becomes overwhelming.

Well, not having a camper and all of the paraphernalia I became friends with campers.  Told them I can cook some really great meals and this started a long relationship with me as the cook, and sometimes a driver.   So this is in tribute to those days.  my life took me in another direction and I'm sure they are still wondering the back trails of adventure.       

RUSH HOUR

                                                         RUSH HOUR
                                                   6X6inch oil on panel

It was just one of those times but then again, it's always that time, you know what I'm talking about; traffic, it has nothing to do with the time of day, there is traffic.  One steps out of the hotel hit's the streets and its rush hour.  It is a way of life when you want to take a bite out of the Big Apple. 

SLOW MOVING

"SLOW FLOWING"

6X6 oil on panel

                                                       
An Update on this painting... I just felt it wasn't finished, but now I can say it is. 

In the quiet of the moment, I drifted down these waters seeing the sky above, the coolness of the waters, moving past and around stones, gently twilling in the stream without a care in the world.  I was for a moment, moving slowly

THE PIX

                                                                    THE PIX
                                                             6X6inch  oil on birchwood 

It is truly rewarding to revisit one of my paintings.  The original was 30x03, so to downsize and make work was challenging and fun rolled up in one.   So much to learn, loving the journey. 

WHISPERS

                                                         WHISPERS

                                                       6x6inch oil on panel

The intimacy of whispering is a special moment.  It is in itself a moment of privacy, confidentiality and above all trust.  Even when no one is about, the voice is at a whisper, I must say with so much shouting the whisper is so beautiful not to hear.     

"THE PIX / LOVE STORY"

                         

                                                                   THE PIX

                                                                 6X6 oil on panel

So it's still early and about two hours away before we eat, I have an idea, let's go grab a flick.  Let's go catch a classic at "The Pix" and see "LOVE STORY".    

"BLUE"

                                                        (Sold) BLUE
                                                       6x6 oil on panel

With a light mist and a chill in the air, I walked out and didn't look back.  it was time for a fresh start, new beginnings, big plans, so what if it ended, that's life, excuse me for a sec, I seem to have something in my eye.  

"RED UMBRELLA"

                                                                RED UMBRELLA
                                                          6X6 oil on panel

It was 4:30 in the afternoon and the 5-month romance was over.  I grabbed an umbrella, heading out the door.   The light rain was refreshing as it washed away all making way for a clean slate.  Hello, new day. 

"ONE-WAY"

       
                                                             ONE-WAY
                                                   6x6inch oil on panel

Cruising with my son in Minnesota chasing down some breweries for some assume tastes.
Traveling up and down city streets we found just what we where looking for on this one-way street of nothing but good eats and drink..   

"MID-TOWN"

                                                                  MID-TOWN
                                                          6X6 oil on pane
So after traveling around doing shows from California to Portland and Kansas.  In those early year's one sees such magical parts of this country.  After countless photos sometimes one just speaks out and has to be painted. 

"BYGONES"

                                                           "BYGONES"
                                                    6X6inch oil on panel

Not sure how I came by this photo or how long I've had it, the only thing I knew is it spoke to me,  thus I had to paint it.  I remember traveling across this great country seeing small towns like this, the simplicity of a time gone by.  Now we are in an age of fake news being shouted at us.  Friends, and families disagreeing with a division like a chasm in a landscape growing wider.  So!  i painted this, hopefully not in memory of bygones, because just on the horizon one can still see trust, faith, love, caring and hope.

So folks, lets make it happen. 

"CRYSTAL COVE"

                                                       CRYSTAL COVE
                                                6X6inch oil on hard board

First off, the joy of going down to meet the waves, listen to its sounds, smell the air and just the fact of being, is a joy.  So after hours of letting my mind wander I picked up my iPhone taking one picture was all that was needed, I had my next painting.  This along many more will be in the Festival of arts this summer. 

"TAGGED"

                                                    TAGGED 6X6" oil on wood

Ok! Ok! So I maybe I do like back allies so what.  For the most part there quiet, lots of kitties scouting around finding nibbles here and there, sometimes I meet someone throwing out stuff.  But for me, its a place for picture taking, a place to find a painting to do.  This was a morning I met a fellow artist, a tagger of fin graffiti.  How can I not want to paint this.  

"MELLOW LIGHT"

                                                         MELLOW LIGHT

                                                    6X6 oil on wood panel

Not sure even how I came to have this picture, but I do and seeing that I have painted this before I felt the need to revisit it and do again or I should say paint it again.  It is interesting approaching a familiar subject and still find new ways to talk about it, I suppose that why love painting, the discovery just never ends.

THE PIER

                                   
                                                                THE PIER
                                                             14X14 oil on canvas

With the sun beginning its decent and the light of the day melting into and became one with the sea, one could hear the music from the rids softly being interrupted by the sounds of waves lapping at the shore.       

LAST DRIZZLE

                                                                  LAST DRIZZLE
                                                     6X6" oil on wood panel

With the rains gone and blue skies in the forecast I felt the need to paint raindrops.
This is from the last of the sprinkles that hit my car, but I must be clear, this is not the last of my raindrop series, far from it, I am planing on painting some new and improved rainy paintings.. Stay tuned to the posts.   (SOLD)
        

GOLDEN GATE

                                                           GOLDEN GATE
                                                6x6 oil on wood panel

Here is another from this fabulous city.  Just a peek-a-boo of this most iconic structure "The Golden Gate" Just the name congers up emotions across the globe, from great songs to movies, the name evokes wonderful moments.   The original photo was from Bernadette Carroll and a trip to San Francisco      (SOLD)

SHADOWS

                                                               SHADOWS
                                                             6x6" oil on wood panel

                        With the sun setting, long shadows began to cover the city ended a perfect  kind of day.  Shortly after, coolness and mist moved in transforming the city yet again and another kind of beauty and the beginning of a San Francisco evening. (SOLD)

FANTASY

                                                                          FANTASY

                                                         6X6 oil on wood panel 

Every now and then, it is good to step away from reality.  We are slammed with  to much info, at least that's how it appears to me.  So when given the chance to depart from the madness I slipped effortlessly in a world of fantasy.   I hope this calms you as it did me.

 

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    

LOVERS & FRIENDS

                                                                LOVERS &FRIENDS
                                                           14X14 oil on canvas

It matters not as long as the friendship and love is real between the two.  How beautiful to see, and you know when you see it, you think to yourself "those two are in love." 

THREE MOODS

                                       
                                                                        gossip

                                                 
                                                                      no show

           
                                                                       waiting
                             
                                                               THREE MOODS
                                                      each is 6x6 oil on wood panel

Just some of the moods we feel and most of the time, don't express.  We don't want to bother, we don't want to talk, we don't want to reveal.  We smile, we joke, laugh, talk loud, we hide, and like umbrellas we hold close protecting us from the rains.   

AFLOAT

                                                                          AFLOAT
                                                               6x6 oil on wood panel

This was on Sunday, altho it could have been any day of the week; this little skiff is always here, hanging out, going no-place, bobbin up and down rain or shin.  Paint fading and peeling tied to a buoy for who knows how long,  I wonder, would it be worth setting it afloat. 

"CLOSED"

                                                                           
                                                                          CLOSED
                                                          10X10 oil on canvas

So I deiced to take this back road and see where it takes me.  I had about an hour of sun left, getting little low on gas, looks like rain and the gas station is closed; what ells might be in store for me on this fine day.... Wait! are those flashing lights behind me? 

ON HIGH

                                                                   ON HIGH
                                                           6x6 oil on wood panel

With the evening approaching the clouds began to gather and build like a crescendo.  I had to stop and stare at a great play and its finally before everything turns to black. 

STANDING PROUD

                                                           STANDING PROUD
                                                         6x6" oil on wood panel

Driving back from Cambria on Exit 29, a crazy and winding road, I rounded a corner and there, looming up over a hill was this barn.  Finding a place to stop, I jumped out of my van, camera in hand.  One shot was all that was needed of this beauty "standing proud".

"BIRDS ON THE WIRE"

                                                          MORNING BIRDS
                                                       6x6 oil on wood panel

It was early morning with the sun peeking over the clouds; life was stirring under roofs with coffee brewing, showers spraying, and people talking in whispers.  I on the other hand was on the road with what seemed the only life was the one car heading in my direction and the birds on the wire.   (SOLD)

SOFT FOCUS

                                                           SOFT FOCUS
                                                     6x6 oil on wood panel

With the sun just coming up and the air thick with fog the house appeared to float in a field mustard greens.  In the distance a ships horn called out, adding to this, the sound of gulls  squawking to each other along the coast made for a beginning of a new day.  I took one photo in this soft focus atmosphere and continued on my way with hope in my heart in anticipation of meeting her.    

"DREAM"

                                                                DREAM

                                                     6X6 oil on wood panel

Within the shadows of the trees the air was cool and quiet; I  stopped to enjoy, knowing once the fog rolls in another kind of magic and story would take place, but!  for now, I just want to listen to the silence and dream

"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.  

"FALL"

                                                                       FALL
                                                           6x6" oil on wood panel

The silence was overwhelming, the colors where breath taking.  I found myself walking slowly and delicately stepping not to disturb the quietness.  What a beautiful planet when we stop to listen.  

"APPLE BLOSSOM TIME"

                                    
                                                       BLOSSOM TIME
                                                   6x6" oil on wood panel

A fun and challenging little painting to do.  I painted this alla prima "wet on wet" in one setting with oil's.   

DELICATE BALANCE

                                                     DELICATE BALANCE
                                                    6X6" oil on wood panel

Another painting of natures wonders.  It is a delicate balancing act indeed.   We are all part of it and privy to witness it when we stop long enough to look.   I know, all that first read the title thought I was referencing the butterfly but I meant all that is in the painting, think on this a minute... I have painted water, rain, air for the plants and the butterfly is life.   Pay attention to it...   

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. 

"HUMPTY DUMPTY"

                                                       ALL FALL DOWN
                                                   6x6 oil on wood panel

Looking at the political landscape of this great country and wondering what will be next I thought this was apropos.   Need I say more..