Nickels and Serrano oil 8" x 6"

Went out yesterday in the neighborhood to paint with my painting buddy Kim. It was so cold for a May day and the sky was very gray. There was not a shadow in site and the values were very close. The clouds are very unusual for this time of year. It actually felt like fall. Anyway...I just wanted to paint and try to find a painting in the common everyday stuff. I wanted to keep it simple, which I realize is difficult for me. I also have a fascination for telephone poles, clouds and streets. So here it is, wires and all.

Day Lily in a Vase pastel 12" x 9"

This is more me...more tradition and not as exciting as the other 2. I will keep pushing the color to try to break some comfortable habits I have gotten myself into. So much like real life...there is always something to work on to be free and expressive, but the comfort of what I know feels safe. Time to break out!!!!

Day Lily Below pastel 7" x 7"

Thought I would try a view from above and realized how difficult it is to get my brain to except what I see and just paint it. I kept it simple and tried to just get the view right. I will keep doing this view because it is fascinating how my brain wants to change my perspective. Oh where oh where is the right side of my brain when I need it.

Day Lily Study in Pastel

Needed to paint something!!! So I went outside and cut a day lily and put it in a little vase. I did 3 different studies in pastel and they all have a different style. This one has a purple gift bag in the background that the shadow falls on. I like the way the geometric shapes work with the flower. I also like the color. This color contrast is not typical for me. I like the push and strenght of the colors.

Lilacs and Lemons oil 9" x 12"

Worked from a photo on this one. Tom Brown took photos of a still life he set up and I painted one for class. It was a good exercise.

Model Day

Model Day

My Quiet Place 18" x 12" Pastel

One of my favorite places to sit in my house. Love looking out the window to the backyard. I am enjoying doing these interior studies around my home. This was mid morning. The light comes in from two windows and by the afternoon everything changes and shadows are much stronger. I will have to try this in the afternoon too.

Hallway to the Day 18" x 12" pastel

I walk this hallway everyday of my life. It was fun to look at it differently. I walk through it on the way to somewhere and don't take the time to notice the light or color. It is kinda like slow down and smell the roses, take note and be grateful.

First Thing 8" x 10" Pastel

Had a little interiors day with a few artist friends. I thought I would start with the area of my house that seems to be the most important first thing in the morning. It was good to get my pastels out and use them.

Model Day

Coastal Palms 18" x 14" oil

LaRock Day #3

Laguna Beach

LaRock Workshop Day #2

Simplifying shapes.

Study of Building at San Juan Capistrano

First study on day one of Greg LaRock workshop. I was to block in a composition that would give me a good beginning lay out. I could develope this further or use this to paint a larger painting. I was in a bit of a battle with atmospheric values...it doesn't appear to be drawing the eye very far into the painting.