Rose Arbor

oil 12x9 inches click for purchase information and zoom Painted in the studio from a photo reference taken at Descanso Gardens near Pasadena. I think I'm getting hooked on oil ground. I've been applying it to my gallery wrapped canvases, and also some of my Raymar panels. Rather than destroy "failed" paintings, I sand them a bit and apply oil ground. Now I have a wonderful surface with some texture to start over on. Almost feels like free panels! This one was done on one of those reused panels. The paint just glides on.

Beavertail Blossoms

oil 14x11 inches on gallery wrap canvas ready to hang Click to Purchase I'm really enjoying the gallery wrap canvases, both for their texture and boxy shape. Thanks to Carol Carmichael who graciously shared some ideas on finishing the sides. Last spring at Descanso Gardens with a friend, we found this wonderful array of color. The label nearby was "Fairy Duster." I'm hoping it was indeed for this cactus! Some cactus expert out there correct me if I'm wrong! (Later note: WRONG!) A long time ago I discovered that the standard reds will not make some floral pinks, so here's a little chart I made before painting this piece. I ended up using ThRR- thalo red rose. My little sketchbook is a Moleskine with brown cardboard-like cover, perforated sheets and comes in packs of three. I use them for notes and sketching in the field, and color swatches at home.

Cactus Crown

oil 11x14 on gallery wrap canvas not for sale After not painting for two weeks, I found it difficult to get myself started. Started feeling irritable. (Just ask my dog.) Reminded me of getting off the bike while climbing a steep hill. Trying to get the pedals turning again, it's easy to fall if you don't do it right. So I found a subject that really, really excited me, then I painted bigger than usual, on not the usual support, with not the usual brushes. It felt new and fresh. I had a ball, and this is what came out. I like it so much I'm going to keep it.