Artwork Notes & Backstories


A Pleasant Arrangement

10/06/2016

He was sitting out on his porch that afternoon. The day was getting late but the setting sun was still warm as he stared out over the water. I never knew him but his house stood there, looming large over this coastal scene. It must have been a pleasant arrangement. What better place to ride out one’s final days than sitting comfortably at home and staring out at an always changing display of natural glory? The dance of light upon the water, now penetrating and revealing the dark depths, later reflecting, casting an upward dance of shimmering angels soaring back to heaven.

-Entry on October 6, 2016

Post-Edit: He passed away not long after I’d hopped his distant neighbor’s fence to paint this scene looking back toward his house while he sat in the fading light of the sun. Thousands of surfers would come to honor his life and help shoulder the burden of loss that his passing wrought on this community. They paddled out and formed a circle in the water more than a half mile across, kept warm by their grateful hearts.

-Entry on June 18, 2017


Lost in the Shuffle

10/06/2016

Sometimes I find myself painting subjects that are a bit more involved than I’d like, but in order to eventually cover the entire California coast, I just can’t avoid them. Here is one of those. Quite challenging, one day I hope to sort out a better approach to these scenes that look out over rows of buildings like this. That said, I have done much worse in the past so its good to see bit of progress at least…


Silent Conversations: Long Departed

10/03/2016

I’ve heard this site was one of the oldest human settlements in North America. Long departed now, nothing remains but a hill of discarded shells surrounded by windblown dunes. And the wind. The wind has always been here. It was already blowing steady with undertones of far greater force to come and it was only mid morning. I had a dilemma. There was a broad rocky plateau from which a finger of precipice extended. The plateau had nice views and was lined by an eroded dirt bank providing excellent wind block. The view I sought was out on that finger though, and as it was the wind was blowing full force into it, slamming into the face and rushing over it toward the caves. A dicey spot to paint from to be sure. In these times I always take a moment to seek direction. Even in the noise of life there is always Silence around us, and within that Silence, a Voice, easy to miss, but impossible to ignore. “Go out to the edge and paint. Beauty is never without risk. I am with you” Ok. It was quite an ordeal getting set up, requiring total concentration on each movement and considerations of flight risks for each element involved in my painting process. In the midst of all this, other voices were present in the wind. Not threatening voices, but not welcoming either. The Silent Voice seemed to be speaking back to them and I was in awe of the conversation taking place around and within me while standing out on this precipice unknown and unseen by a single soul. Mists of white blew past me as I painted, passing over the precipice I was standing on and swirling down into the caves below. I wasn’t sure what to make of them until one blew right into me and I found myself being pelted by sand. From where? The nearest dune around was the base of the mound left behind by the ancients a hundred yards up the coast. Nature’s poetry. A more appropriate body for these voices could never be found. Quite relieved that myself, and every bit of my gear, and this painting (embedded with sand) all survived without taking flight. Thanks be to Silence.


Quiet Water

10/02/2016

To be honest, Santa Cruz stresses me out a bit. Crazy, crazy place… but I like it. That said it was great to get out of the hamster maze for a bit today. A friend treated me to some epic midday views up a private road way up the coast and I followed that up with this quick afternoon sketch from a path less travelled overlooking a place I’ve enjoyed visiting (although infrequently) for years. The wind howled pretty good while I painted this, but looking down on this pond nestled into a hook of coastal bluffs you wouldn’t know it. Smooth as glass, and quiet as could be. Something in me needed this today. Thankful to have the opportunity to walk this earth, life is beautiful. Find some quiet water and reflect when you have a minute. You won’t regret it. 


For Miles and Miles

10/02/2016

The last plein air painting from last months trip. (18 paintings, 12 days, 1 parking ticket…)

This particular stretch of California coastline intrigues me. Miles of coastal bluffs lined to the edge with row upon row of crops, a highly productive and active agricultural zone, and dotted with sculpted points and coves so abundant you always feel like you’re maybe missing something up the coast a bit. It’s gonna take more than a few trips to really sort this zone out in my mind, but I’m looking forward to all of them. Beauty for miles, but not without challenges…

The wind was howling at my back as I painted this one. Rarely did my hand leave the easel for fear of losing my gear off the cliff into rocky tidepools below, which would have been doubly troublesome due to the audience of surfers that sat just about in the middle of the painting (I somehow don’t always include them…) I can’t imagine the grief if I’d lost my gear off the cliff in front of that pack. I’d get run out of town most likely. Always a relief to survive a windy paint session and return with the painting in tact. I was so focused on handling the wind logistics here that I sorta painted this one on autopilot. Wasn’t till I got back and looked at it with the others that I realized how much I really like this one, it brings me back every time I look at it.


This Spot is Gone But You’re Still Here

10/01/2016

I’d heard about a homegrown skatebowl on some farmer’s field overlooking this coast for years. I even went looking for it once, but in all the wrong places. I’d gotten a tip from a knowledgeable source this time, though, so I’d be making a visit on this trip and hopefully coming away with a painting of a truly unique spot on the California Coast.

There were no cars around when I arrived. Nice and quiet, but an ominous vibe hung in the air. I see a pile of rubble on a berm above me, brightly colored spray paint on each block in the pile. This must be the spot. As I near the top and get my first look around, I’m confronted with an unexpected scene.

“THIS SPOT IS GONE BUT YOU ’RE STILL HERE” is spraypainted on the last remaining portion of curved concrete bowl. The rest is jackhammered into pieces and strewn
about this bluff.

Well, it was true, the spot was gone but I was still there and may as well do what I came to do, so I painted this.

The word I heard when I got back to town is that they must have just bulldozed it within the last week or so. Many folks hadn’t even heard it was gone yet.

RIP cool skate spot. At least your epic view still remains.

-Entry on October 1, 2016


Protected

09/30/2016

Latest from my Free Range: Santa Cruz painting tour. There’s coves like this all over the California coast, tucked away and protected from the predominant winds creating clean conditions when elsewhere the sea is ragged with wind chatter.

This coast is certainly worth protecting and I’m thankful for all who have worked to preserve the natural beauty of our state’s coast. Cheers to you all.


Home Renovation

09/30/2016

Bunches of quail, several deer, otters, and even a fox on the beach. They were all very gracious hosts. Even though I’m sure I smelled pretty bad to them, none of them said so. They live in a beautiful home.


I May Not Play the Fiddle, But I Was on the Roof

09/29/2016

Pretty stoked to paint this one from a rooftop today. Seriously, why paint in a studio when you can climb ladders and crawl through a skylight and set up in a place like this instead? Big thanks to my friend Charles for opening the door… um skylight… to make this one possible.


Losing his Mind While I Lost the Plot

09/28/2016

After several long days of painting I sometimes hit a wall. Pushing through it where I can, sometimes this art gig becomes work. Fun work, but still work. I wanted to paint this spot just because I’ve had some fun waves here over the years, but didn’t anticipate how difficult it would be to put it all into a functional composition. That and the sunlight being directly behind my back creating a sort of flat shadowless light. Somewhere in the tired struggle to convey a sense of this place I felt like it got away from me and even looking at it now I don’t really know where I was trying to go here. Just sorta lost the plot I guess. Maybe it was in the air, a hobo kid that must have just eaten all his drugs wandered incoherently in and out of my world while working here. Are brain frying loopagenics contagious? Most likely not, I think I was just tired….

I hope the kid makes it through, there’s a fair bit of lostness in the eyes around parts of this town, but that’s a whole different story. I need some sleep. Good night. Love the ones around you, we all need each other. 


There Used to be Two

09/26/2016

When I rolled up to paint here I was thinking it would be a simple thing to pull up and paint from the back of the van as there is a carpark directly overlooking these rock formations. My first curve ball was when I realized it was posted as a 20-minute zone with the state park there. Instead of getting interrupted part way into a painting I figured I’d ask the park staff what they thought first. They seemed ok with it, but couldn’t promise I wouldn’t get the boot, especially if a “certain” ranger showed up. That was more assurance than nothing though so I figured I’d be alright and headed back to wait for the spot I’d scoped out to become available (shouldn’t take long, 20-minute zone after all). After about a half hour I realized this little truck in the prime spot just wasn’t moving. Due to the angles of the other spots, this really was the one I wanted and figured it was worth waiting for, but now the day was getting long and upon closer examination, the fellow in the truck appeared to be napping, headphones on, eyes closed, t-shirt tucked in his visor to block the sun from his face (and the view as well). Really? I mean he could do that anywhere he wanted, why choose this spot? Oh well, I figured some parking lot diplomacy was in order and proceeded to politely tap on his window and apologize for disturbing him, asking if he could move his rig, and offering him the two beers I was saving for later in exchange for his troubles. He was pretty stoked about the whole thing. They were just plain old Sierra Nevada’s but his eyes lit up and he said he’d heard about these beers, that they were supposed to be super good, all natural, top shelf beers. I wasn’t one to argue, I pulled into his spot and got to work. Never did see the ranger. But it was a really hot day, I could have enjoyed those beers.


Prior to the Fire

09/26/2016

Painted this on location on my first day in town on this trip. This was the ridiculously hot day here. Not an ounce of wind either. If I knew then what I know now, I would have jammed up the coast to the points north as the wind has been prone to howl out there, cutting paintings short, threatening to blow them right off the cliffs. So far so good but its been hectic, not like this day. This was easy. Welcome to Santa Cruz, now move along.


Redgate Ranch Afternoon

09/25/2016

Quick afternoon sketch of the scene here. Gonna get weird with some live art after I finish a burger real quick. Good vibes all around, stoked to be here.


Knuckle Bones

09/12/2016

After a whirlwind road trip to that stretch of California just below Point Conception yet still well above LA, its good to be home for a bit. But only for a bit. Enjoyed painting our good old “knuckle bones” out here the other day before getting ready for another painting road trip to the points south…


And This

08/31/2016

This may or may not have been painted on my way down the coast a few weeks ago, or on my way back home today. I’m not talking. But I am exhausted and my back hurts and my knee is all tweaked and I could use a good long nap.


Yo No Soy Marinero

08/30/2016

Last one from a recent Ventura/Santa Barbara trip.

Sometimes a painting almost seems to paint itself. This one really didn’t need me much at all. The more I got involved the more I messed it up so at one point I just sort
of mentally checked out. I put on some music to drown out the roar of semi trucks on the highway behind me and relaxed through the afternoon until it looked finished. I’m
not trying to sound flippant about the work, but I think everyone who makes art can relate to the way some pieces just need us to get out of their way.

But the title is true. I am not a sailor. I will crash your boat. Seriously, don’t underestimate my lack of seaworthiness. I will steer your beautiful boat into a sandbar and all the knots I’ve tied will come undone. I will happily recline in your captain’s quarters, though. Especially if there are snacks.

-Entry on August 30, 2016


Without Regard For Rules or Regulations

08/30/2016

Found a few more paintings from my recent Ventura/Santa Barbara trip lurking in my van when I unpacked. This one’s title has nothing to do with ignoring the state park rules, but more about my decision to drop that palm in the foreground, chopping off a chunk of the composition against all of my better judgement. Its not like I ran out and just painted what was in front of me and then realized later that maybe a strong vertical like that isn’t the best thing for a pleasing composition. I knew full well even before setting up my easel that I was flirting with disaster. Even now I reckon that disaster and I might just be involved in a committed relationship here. But then every time I really start regretting that choice, I end up looking right at that palm trunk and the rest of the painting comes together peripherally and I love it again.


Educational Facilities

08/28/2016

These are the places where we return when we get a bit too old after a long week of work and need to learn to be young again. They are also the places where the young grow and learn, and gain wisdom beyond their years. Up and down the coast are these friendly pockets of earth, some of the finest educational facilities in existence.

University ratings are irrelevant, although SPF ratings should be considered carefully.

Degrees are measured in Fahrenheit, or possibly Celsius for the international exchange students.

Graduation isn’t just for the end of the year, it happens all the time. From jumping over waves in the shallows, to jumping in to them from a bit further out. From belly boarding to stand-up riding. From riding whitewater to sliding down the open face. Diplomas are framed in ear-to-ear smiles and displayed proudly in the dining hall where peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are served and seagull janitors mop up whatever is left behind… or just unattended.

-Entry on August 28, 2016


Rey y Reina, Fuego y Agua

08/23/2016

Found another one from the last road trip. Not sure how this wasn’t posted earlier. Painted during the Rey Fire a few weeks ago. Those are its massive plumes in the upper right glowing in the afternoon sun. Huge thanks to those that made this view possible for me. The word I heard was that 4 other painters were denied access here earlier in the day before I came along. To paraphrase an old song, its not that my path was shining, I was walking on outstretched hands. Grateful indeed. 


Port of Call

08/23/2016

We all travel in a line around here, between mountains and sea, making stops at key destinations along the way, much like boats seeking harbor at successive ports as they
sail up or down a coast.

This particular voyage brought me to this port late in the day. I parked in a neighborhood somewhere behind that flagpole in the distance and proceeded to join the masses from every corner of the earth. One foot in front of the other, with each step a different language is heard. I enjoyed the choir while walking the length of the pier and circling back around the harbor and out to the end of this breakwall.

With my large backpack, complete with a rusty bucket clanking around back there, I was glared at like just another down-and-out fisherman who’d lost it all, but wasn’t ready to walk away from the harbor just yet.

And now that the sun has set I’m not ready to walk away either. I don’t feel finished with this painting, but this day is finished with me.

-Entry on August 23, 2016


Well Oiled

08/22/2016

Of course I could have just drove up and painted right here. It’s barely 50 feet from the parking spot. But first I had to spend an hour or two exploring the inland side of the road, scouring around the train tracks and straining unsuccessfully to find a passable goat trail up the steep eroded bluffs to gain a view looking down on this pier.

And again, I could always head out on these uncertain view-scouting missions without grabbing my 40 pound pack of gear, and just come back for it once I find a suitable view, but
instead I hauled that thing all over these dry dusty hills full of pricks and burrs in the heat of a Southern California summer, before conceding my defeat and just painting from the water’s edge instead.

Without these miscalculations and inefficiencies, what would I be? Some sort of well oiled machine?

Sounds boring. And I don’t rust in the hot tub
either.

-Entry on August 22, 2016


Wall to Wall

08/19/2016

Kicking this tour off with a bit of urban lore, some ghosts of 80s punk rock, some working class grind, and beach house lounge jockeys all woven together in an iconic Southern California juxtaposition. With waves. Don’t leave anything valuable in your car.


Afternoon Snacks

08/11/2016

Single session studio painting, not plein air at all, it just looks that way…

I don’t work from single photos too often these days, but this quick snapshot from a few years back had been begging to get painted all that time. Yesterday I caved in and painted it in one session in the studio. Glad I did. The more I spent time with this captured moment, the more I realized and remembered just how good everything about it was.


The Sand Fleas

08/07/2016

Painted live with the Sand Fleas this evening to benefit the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust. I’ve painted with a lot of bands and live musicians but never tried this before, where the focus is turned back squarely to the musicians. In fact I generally avoid figurative work altogether. There was some consensus that it looked a fair bit better earlier in the evening, but I’m not convinced. My feeling is that it didn’t come together till the very last song they played. Oh well, who’s to say anyway?


Short Lived Blues

07/25/2016

Headed up the coast on a gray day. Surfed some fun summertime glassy gutless beachbreak nearby as the morning gray burned into afternoon blue. Figured it would be a good time to paint for a bit, and just after finishing the summer grayness returned.

That’s a big part of the fun (and sometimes frustration) of painting outdoors- working in rhythm with nature. You cant force it, but when you find that you are dancing in step with her, both of you moving with the maker’s drumbeat, its hard not to fall in love.