Light of My Life…

Here's my take on my granddaughter. I can't help but light up when I see her, so it was fitting that she's bathed in light in this painting. She had been playing with bubbles, and I was tempted to put them in the picture, but I liked the sense of wonder at what she sees.

Oil on Canvas, 18" x 24"

Viaduct?

Vy not a duck? Only observant Marx Bros. fans will get it, but if I don't have a song title to allude to, I'll steal a line from a movie! Anyway, this is Eddie, one of those millions of ducks with name tags that have been sold over the years. I think we got this one in Carmel. I left his name tag off, does that make it a nude portrait?
I had been working on a more difficult painting and needed to take a break and make this sketch.

oil on untreated 140 lb. watercolor paper
18" x 24"

Gorilla My Dreams…

It was time for another animal portrait. We saw "The Gorilla King", on Nature, and it impressed me once again how expressive these animals are.

16 x 20", oil on canvas

The Studio

We had the official opening of the studio on April 20. What a nice afternoon! Lots of friends & family. Had the paintings hanging all around the exterior walls and fence of the main house.

A Wetlands Landscape

Wetlands View, 10" x 8", oil on board

I had taken this picture about 3 years ago, planning on making a painting, but my early attempts at landscapes were a bit disappointing. I've watched my friend, Lauren Brandy, make some gorgeous little landscapes and I give her the credit for helping me understand how to approach the subject.

Do you Sudoku?

I like to do Sudoku puzzles (even though I am still on the easy to moderate level). I wanted to see what a painting of a completed puzzle would look like so here are 4:

12" x 12", Watercolor

12" x 12", oil

4.5" x 4.5", goache

12" x 12", acrylic

The Potting Shed

Our Friend, Marianna, has this potting shed in her backyard down in San Juan Bautista. Carrying on the Spring theme here. Oil on canvas panel, 11 x 14".

Spring

I couldn't resist the freesias that come up on our pathway each year. The kimono is a way to sneak in another clothing reference. Oil on gessoed paper, 18 x24".

A Pair of Pants

Something to go with my shirt. Oil on watercolor paper, 18 x 22".

The Shirt Off My Back…

Well, not really, it's usually in the closet. But it is a nice memory of a day at a Renaissance Faire with my favorite wench. Oil on gessoed watercolor paper, 18 x 24".

What's Noo?

A Nootka Mask. 16 x 20" oil on canvas paper.

I've been attracted to masks from all cultures for a long time. I think it's the ability to carry an expression that tells about the people more than any photo could. Masks conjure up images of folktales told around a community fire and tribe members becoming players in the story of their collective history.

Recent Paintings, continued...

More recent paintings, mostly quick studies with oil on canvas paper, 16 x 20".

Kwakiutl Mask

Figure Study from vintage postcard

South American Crested Cardinal

Study of Skull

Some additional pictures that were completed in February. Mostly quick studies, oil on canvas paper, usually 16 x 20".

Velásquez Studies

A happy figure from a Velásqez painting, oil on canvas paper, 16 x 20"

Detail of a Velásquez painting, oil on canvas paper, 16 x 20"

Study of Velásquez figure of a prophet, oil on canvas paper, 16 x 20"

Another Velásquez detail of a saint. Oil on Canvas paper, overall size 16 x 20"

This is a study from a larger work by Velásquez, limited palette 

A still life with objects in the studio, 20 x 16", oil on canvas

Having a dedicated place to paint has been a real gift, thanks to my son, the contractor. Here are some recent paintings:

Ganesh, 11 x 14", oil on panel