View my watercolors at Red Rock Coffee, Mountain View, in April & May 2024
2019 - later
ALL LINED UP (15"x19" FRAMED, 2019)
Done quickly with a big brush in limited time in Moss Landing, I find that it is these constraints that bring about a freedom and freshness in my work.
LET's STOP FOR A WHILE (17"x21" FRAMED, 2019)
This was done en plein air at Stevens Creek Canyon Park. The figures in the boat were invented and placed at the focal point.
PILGRIMAGE TO GAZTELUGATXE (12"x15" FRAMED, 2019)
The watermarks in this painting remind me of this hike and the 241-step climb to the San Juan Church
at the top of the rock island near San Sebastian in Basque Spain, and hint at the mistiness of the coastal weather.
NUMBER EIGHTEEN IN CASCAIS, PORTUGAL (12"X15" FRAMED, 2019)
This was an unmarked building - I still cannot believe it is not on some historical register or even a chapel of some kind.
It stopped me in my tracks twice as it presented very different shadows over the course of the day.
under the capitola wharf (12" x 15" FRAMED, 2019)
These structural piers in sharp perspective supporting the wharf above remind me of a cathedral,
the echo of the waves as musical as a church choir.
THE FLAG ON CAPITOLA WHARF (12"X15" FRAMED, 2019 - SOLD)
This was the first painting I sold at Capitola's 5th Annual Plein Air event in early November.
It was an intense 5 days of painting and showing - a huge learning curve and an incredible experience.
COLORS OF CAPITOLA (16" x 20" FRAMED, 2019 - SOLD) - HONORABLE MENTION IN CAPITOLA's 5th PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 2019 - JUROR: PAUL KRATTER
It was tricky to do this painting as I had to pre-plan all the white spaces. The Venetians are actually a mix of brighter, more gaudy colors, and it was important that the painting capture the essence of multi-colored buildings, but not be a facsimile. I got many compliments on my use and linkage of white space, from the sand in the foreground, to the alternate rows of the buildings in the middle-ground, to the sky in the background. I was thrilled when this painting sold at the end of the show.
STILL CAPITOLA (13" x 17" FRAMED)
I'm still enjoying painting scenes from Capitola well after the plein-air event.
SHALL WE SIT OUTSIDE? (12" x 15" FRAMED)
I had so many good pictures from my five days in Capitola that it was obvious to just keep going with those scenes. Even after I returned home, the images and beauty of the little town were swimming in my mind.
Driving home on HIGHWAY 17 (4.5" x 7" UNFRAMED)
Exhausted from full days of painting in Capitola, I would see this scene on my drive home on the 8 mile windy part of Highway 17. Stuck in traffic, I could really savor the landscape among the redwoods and pines. I took pictures and painted it later at home.
PULGAS WATER TEMPLE (12" X 15" FRAMED)
A hidden gem with manicured lawns and a serene setting. This Grecian structure is a mini version of the Palace of Fine Arts.
CHARLESTON SLOUGH (13" x 19" FRAMED)
The birds outnumber the humans at these baylands. It was a bleak day so I chose a neutral palette which helped bring out the pinks and lavenders.
CAPITOLA WHARF - REPRISE (12" x 1 5"FRAMED)
After the other Capitola Wharf (in greens) sold - see above - I wanted to try the same simple silhouette in another color scheme.
LOOKS LIKE RAIN (13" x 17" UNFRAMED)
After fussily painting Hayes Mansion across the way from this cafe,
I felt loose and free enough to try this scene with a large brush and a limited color palette.