HEADING SOUTH

                                                       HEADING SOUTH
                                                         8X8 oil on panel

It was early morning, the sun had not made its way over the tops of the hills, the ocean; calm I was made my way to the pelican diner on Coast highway, I could taste the pancakes and smell the bacon.  Soon it was going to be showtime at the festival of arts and the beginning of summer for us crazy's.  

A NOIR EVENING

                                                        A NOIR EVENING
                                                       8x8inch oil on panel

It was just one of those evening.  The theater just let out, I turned my caller up on my coat, shoved my hands into my pockets and began to walk in the misty night air.  Everything was going fine, all was as planned, another hour and I was a free man.  I smiled to myself when out or the shadows she stepped, gun in hand.

1952 POWDER BLUE

1952 POWDER BLUE

8x8inch oil on panel

Distant hills, winding road soft focus and a 1952 Dodge Nash Stationwagon and I had a painting.  I wanted a feeling of a time gone by, I think I captured that. 

MONDAY'S WASH

                                                     MONDAY'S WASH
                                                    8X8inch oil on panel

This is part of an ongoing series of my black & white paintings.  The original is 24x24inch canvas fall color, so to do this in a black & white scale was the most fun.

THE VALLEY

                                                          THE VALLEY
                                                      8x8inch oil on pane

As I moved deeper into the valley the vistas that opened were breathtaking.  There were countless things to photograph no matter where I turned, I was dizzy with Ideas of things to paint.   An hour had passed before I realized I had not taken even one photo, then finally, this came into view; I had my next paintings in my sights. 

IN THE SHADOW OF

                                                    IN THE SHADOW OF
                                                     8x8inch oil on panel

The magic of the mountain, changing, growing, ruling the sky and lands below.  The Barn also changing, fading, empty, and yet adding to the magic of the mountain. 

HILLTOP

                                                              HILLTOP
                                                        8X8 oil on panel

After a long hike, I finally made it to the top.  From there I was able to look out over the valley, feel the cool air, see the fog rolling in, smell the sea just on the other side of the valley below. 

ONE-WAY

                                                                ONE-WAY
                                                         8x8inch oil on panel

Thanks to Eric Demarcq a photographer from Paris allowed to interpret his photograph.

I, not wanting to copy it, but use it as an inspiration that caught my attention.  

One way street in downtown L. A.  

LUNA & DANDELIONS

                                                     LUNA & DANDELIONS
                                                        8x8inch oil on panel

Sometimes everything just works out.  Art is such a crazy thing to have to do. I say have to, for if I'm not paintings, searching, and needing to paint I would go nuts.  So for me, it's a lifeline to who I am.  It is a great escape, it is my moment to get lost and explore the wonders a never-ending moment.  I'm at home 

"OASIS"

                                                                 OASIS
                                                         8X8 oil on panel

This was a dry wash but with the help of a really good rain; I get to grab my camera and take a shot, go back to the studio and, here you go, a painting.   This can be yours just click here:

WILD FLOWERS

                                                   "WILDFLOWERS"
                                                     8x8 wood panel

 Not sure how I came to have this photo but was compelled to submerge my mind into it, only to get lost in the field of flowers and eventually disappear in the grove of trees ahead.

This painting is for perches just click here

TAKE FLIGHT

                                                          "TAKE FLIGHT"
                                                     8x8" oil on wood panel

On a warm summer's early evening with the sun making its way down one lone seagull takes flight.  I followed it's flight clicking away with my camera.  So here it is, I hope you all enjoy.

LAGUNA

                                                            LAGUNA
                                                       6x6 oil on panel

For those that know Laguna Beach, I don't have to say where this is.  It is such a recognizable iconic spot.  I had an opportunity to be at a house that was at this location giving me this view.  Three photos later and back at my studio I put this to oils immortalizing it.    

THE WEDGE

                                                             THE WEDGE

                                                          6x6inch oil on panel

Newport Beach, summer, big waves, surfers, suntan oil, put that all together and you have the "WEDGE."   I go down to watch the crazy, skillful surfers risk their lives to master the crashing thundering waves that brake this part of the coast.  Now you ask, "Do you surf" I don't even know how to swim so my answer is a resounding NO!.  I just love watching and painting the beauty of it all.    

     

CLOUD COVER

                                                         CLOUD COVER
                                                      6X6inch oil on panel

Racing ahead of what looked like a change in the weather, I turned my car around and back down the hill I went.  It was hours later I heard a storm moved in with road closers just where I was.  I will try another day, the mountain isn't going anywhere soon. 

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