A Change is Brewing
Artwork Notes
These paintings contain notes, thoughts, and written scribblings for those inclined to read…
Heard from Across the Valley
Remnants of a Long Day
Glass at Dusk
Untouched
The Wind Blows Where it Wishes
Fading West
No Vegetarian Options
Nothing is Easy
The Usual Difficulties
No Turning Back
The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth
Heaven’s Fourth Foundation
Eden Revisited
Just after I had things blocked in on this one with a crisp afternoon light, a thunderhead developed to the south and within minutes the whole sky went gray. Had to make a choice, follow the changing conditions, or just wing it and make stuff up. Sometimes clouds bring out colors that sunlight washes out […]
Fit for a King
Named for the stretch of coast nearby, King’s beach, it’s easy to see why a place this beautiful would belong to a King. That said, he’s lost some territory this year as the heavier than normal snowfall melting into the lake has the water level several feet higher than normal and this beach, like many […]
West of Heaven
In the Beginning
A Strong Inclination
This is the first painting I did in Tahoe. It was a real puzzle for me trying to sort out the values in the painting with that blinding white snow on the surrounding ridges. I kept feeling like everything should be lighter because of the distance, then I’d lose the contrast that would make that […]
I’m Going In!
Close to the water’s edge and just around that boulder point known as Bonsai Rocks. By the time I was done with this one, staring so closely into that crystalline water while sweating in the sun, there was no holding back. I’m going in! Wow, Tahoe. You’re cold. That hurt.
Geometries of Love
Not plein air, but quickly painted in a public setting from a blurry overcast bootlegged photo, so not exactly a studio painting either… This was done as a gift for the family that opened their home to me during my recent stay in San Diego. They spend their anniversaries down here every year, and though […]
Observation: North
The view looking north from this science research pier. I could have approached this totally differently and used the perspective to really go after the unique view of the coast from just offshore, leaving out all the railing and hoists and sciency stuffs, but that wouldn’t really tell the whole story would it? Big thanks […]
Observation: South
While I am generally drawn to cliffside overlooks with sweeping views out to the water, I also find the occasionally more unusual perspective pretty irresistible, especially when it’s one that requires a key and a scientist on your side to gain access to a pier and observation deck that are otherwise closed to the public. […]
The Glider
Skip Frye Tribute. An interpretation of a classic Ron Stoner image of Skip paddling out at Cojo, from the Surfer Magazine Archives Painted live start to finish last night with Skip in the room. Think about that for a second.
Cliff Hanger
While I tend toward the pulled back views looking up or down the coast until the atmospheric haze obscures the landscape features off in the distance, it’s nice to change it up from time to time and absorb a more intimate view of the unique coastal features in a given location.
Another Facet
One of the most often painted stretches of beach in California, I’ve even painted from similar vantage points up here myself. It’s always fun to come back though- every day, every time, every painting by myself or others, each simply reveals yet another facet of this Jewel of California.