Hidden Lake

Entangled branches, twigs and grasses make up this vista in the high Sierras as a cool lake sits in the background. This is high in the mountains and within the next three months the lake will be covered with dangerously thin ice. The snows have already come to this area and most of these colorful leaves have gone. Ink and watercolor.

Chili Hills Mail Boxes

This is the final painting done at a paint out in late July during the morning hours of a hot summer day. There were six of us painting--four doing oils, one watercolor and me with my ink and watercolor. I am happy with the way this turned out and will enter it in the upcoming Fine Arts Show in February. Ink and watercolor. SOLD-Christmas Gift 2010

Beacon Of Safety

These lighthouses are a legitimate security blanket for shippers. To finally hear the sound of the fog horn must be music to a ship captain's ears as he comes perilously close to the outer banks as he nears land. The sight of the brilliant beacon further guides the ship to safety as it cautiously approaches the harbor. Ink and watercolor. SOLD

Autumn View

This countryside painting shows the colors of fall beginning to appear. The trees around here and up in the mountains are bursting with color and the evenings and mornings are much cooler. The rains are beginning to fall and autumn seems to be disappearing. This simple sketch was done as I was waiting for a friend to arrive. Keep the sketch pens ready, I always say. Ink and watercolor.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

This was done as a demonstration in drawing an image from another direction from the photo we were copying. The photo I used was taken from the top of the mountain behind the lighthouse. My challenge was to draw this image as if I was out in a boat on the ocean. With all the students watching, I slowly and carefully sketched in pencil. This was difficult since I needed to be accurate.

I completed the pencil sketch then proceeded to apply ink then the watercolor. I am pleased with the final image but I would certainly love it if someone who is familiar with this lighthouse has ever taken a picture from my view just so I can see if my image is accurate. I think the buildings look close but I have no idea what the terrain in the background looks like. Ink and watercolor. SOLD

Benny The Family Boxer

One day I was sketching nothing but dogs. I drew a variety of little dogs then I decided to draw this bigger pooch. I did not worry about making him totally accurate but my initial drawing was close enough and it also made him look bewildered.

Benny is a family pet. Everyone loves him. But, he walks around with this worried look on his face--like some friends of mine. I do not think he is really worried because he is wagging his tail at the same time. Say "hi" to Benny. Ink and watercolor.

Eucalyptus In Blue

Eucalyptus trees are beautiful. High rooters, but they are still beautiful. This painting was done as an exercise in values. Cobalt blue and some Paynes Gray were used. Lots of fun to do tonal values as an exercise but I really like the full color renditions. Ink and Watercolor.

Cool Cows

My serene farm scene shows some cool cows who were smart enough to come in out of the sun. The other cow will hit the shade soon. When I have the time to sketch outdoors I am reminded how quiet and peaceful it can be.

The cows proved to be smarter than I was in that I was out in the sun while drawing this scene.
But I was smart enough to take some photos and complete the painting in the air conditioned comforts of my home--while sipping on an adult beverage. Ink and watercolor.

Artificial Blur Unfinished

I have many pieces of art like this that must be completed. The only deadline pressures are the ones I place on myself. I do lots of experimenting at times and end up with art on a variety of subjects that I need to complete. So, I continue to view and examine all of my incomplete artwork. Eventually I make some decisions and complete most of my work in a decent time frame--like within a couple of weeks of starting it.
Until I finish this one, I am calling it Artificial Blur Unfinished. Watercolor.

Kennewick Sketch Crawl

Recently, we traveled to Portland, Oregon and on to Kennewick and Walla Walla, Washington. In Kennewick, I met up with fellow blogger Jim Bumgarner and we found time to have a mini-sketch crawl. At lunch at his favorite Subway eatery we ate and sketched. Later, we found this huge grain elevator complex near the Columbia River and proceeded to sketch. The day was cloudy and we sketched through light sprinkles.

Later, that evening, Jim and his wife Lois treated us to a wonderful dinner. This dinner and great conversations completed a great day of sketching and catching up with friends in Kennewick.

Roseville Run/Walk

On October 10, I was with a fellow artist manning a booth at the Roseville, California H.O.T. Pink 5k Run/Walk in the historic old town area. From my vantage point, I took the time to sketch some of the action. It was a cool morning and all the runners and walkers were in high spirits. I began sketching this after the race began and continued intermittently until the race was over when most of the people cleared away. Not much detail but I drew what I could with people moving about. Ink and watercolor.