No School Today!

 

No School Today!  oil 10x10 inches  

Purchase info here.

I still remember the freedom of having a no school day and taking off into the neighborhood on my bicycle.   These Balboa Island kids have a pretty cool neighborhood!  Mom, young friends and even baby in the baby seat were headed out for a little adventure.  This photo is a bit blurry.  On the contrary, the painting is full of crisp brushwork and happy color.  

Alley Ride -SOLD

 

Alley Ride 14x11x1 1/2   oil   

Purchase info here.

And now for a change of pace!  Summertime on Balboa Island.  The alleys are one of my favorite spots to paint.  Biking through the alleys is the best way to navigate this often crowded little island.  For a painter, you can't beat the shadows and tunnel view that leads the eye right down the alley.  I painted this from my photo reference on a gallery wrapped canvas.  Ready to hang with just a hanging wire, or frame as you like.  

For another change of pace, here is a portrait of our granddaugher and her cat, a Christmas gift to our daughter.  It's not a great photo, but I've been working on a bit of portraiture lately, and I think this one shows progress.  

Island Posse -a plein air painting from Balboa Island -SOLD

oil 12x9 inches magnify Here's first painting last week at "Just Plein Fun" on Balboa Island. I'm very happy to announce that I was awarded Third Place and a Purchase Award for this piece. Thank you to esteemed judge Jean Stern and Debra Huse Gallery. About my process: While setting up and drawing in the design, I had my phone ready and watched for people, interesting cars and such going through the alley. I chose these little kids from the ten shots I took. I then drew in the figures. I painted the entire scene, then the figures from my phone. I love being able to include simple figures in my work. In four and a half days I managed to finish 7 paintings. Someone asked me recently if the pressure of competition gets to me. No. I love the process of painting SO much, I just do my best like I usually do, enjoy myself, then put it out there for people to see. It is what it is. Some will love it, some will like it and some will not. That's art. I'll post all the paintings in upcoming posts. Here's a better photo of the painting.

Winning any award is the icing on the cake. Do I look happy? You betcha!

Beater Bikes

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info I took some photos of the old bikes at Treasures & Junk in Ontario. Sometimes called "beater bikes" by serious cyclists, they're all beat up and pretty much theft proof. Great for riding around in the city. Painting from photos lately I'm seeing progress. Finally I can make it a painting rather than just a copy of a photo. Simplifying shapes, loose brushwork and not fussing it to death.

Orange Bike -sold

oil 12x16 inches click for purchase information My surgery went well and I'm hoping to get back to the easel tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who sent me well wishes. I painted this one from a photo I took while walking along the Boise river in November. It was parked next to the Boise State campus. Orange is just a fun color. Makes me think of summer and popsicles. This is painted on 1 1/2 inch deep gallery wrap canvas ready to hang. No frame needed. Just pop it on your wall.

A Bit Rusty sold

oil on canvas panel 10x10 inches
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I love bikes, and old ones are full of character. Wouldn't it be great if they could tell their stories? Found this one somewhere on the way to Yosemite at a roadside stop called Bravo Farms. That place is full of painting fodder and great tortilla soup too. I submitted it to the DPW "Wheels" challenge. See the others by clicking here.

Bike The Bridge SOLD

oil on canvas panel 8x6 inches
private collection Brighton, Colorado

The day we biked the bridge I got a great photo reference for this painting by hanging over the railing a bit. The photo had a great design to it, so all I had to do was edit out a few cars and more bikes leaning on the rail. This might be my favorite of the San Francisco pieces so far.

I just realized Christmas is a little more than two weeks away. Yowza! Got to get ready, so I'll post when I can.

Balboa Bikes 'n Blues SOLD

oil on canvas panel 10x8 inches

click here for purchase information and magnifier

If there was a way to warn you about this one, I would have. It's REALLY different for me. See how I've been affected by that one word: "rectangle"?!!! Before I painted so much I was riding my bike(s) all the time. I love bikes for a lot of reasons I won't go into 'cause it's supposed to be about the painting. Anyway, this was painted on a black ground. The shadow made me take the picture. The color made me paint it. I think this is one people will either love or hate!