Done quickly with a big brush in limited time, I find that it is these constraints that bring about a freedom and freshness in my work.
This was done en plein air at Stevens Creek Canyon Park.
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, and hint at the mistiness of the coastal weather.
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.
This structural piers in sharp perspective supporting the wharf above remind me of a cathedral, the echo of the waves as musical as a church cho
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 - huge learning curve and an incredible experience.
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.
I'm still enjoying painting scenes from Capitola well after the plein-air event.
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A hidden gem with manicured lawns and a serene setting.
The birds outnumber the humans at these baylands.
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