Oil/masonite panel
Studio
A nice little departure from my landscape paintings, doing a portrait always reminds me that I should do it more often. Because it's a BLAST! This is my lovely and amazing wife Francys. Hopefully more will come.
May 17, 2013
Francys
Oil/masonite panel
Studio
A nice little departure from my landscape paintings, doing a portrait always reminds me that I should do it more often. Because it's a BLAST! This is my lovely and amazing wife Francys. Hopefully more will come.
May 11, 2013
Pink Denny's
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air
I remember when I first saw this building when I moved to San Diego in 1993. It was an assault to the visual senses. It screamed at me then and it screams at me still every time I pass by. It's like someone dumped a giant bottle of Pepto Bismol over it. And of course it has a interesting and colorful history. The building is in the Art Deco style and is believed to have been constructed about 1941. It was originally Top's Nightclub and Motel. Not sure when the motel shut down but the building was bought by Tom Fat in 1977. He spent 3 years bringing it back to its glory after the building spent many years boarded up. It was painted pink at that time. Denny's is still operating there. Two other business that also occupied the building, Fat City Bar and Steakhouse and China camp are now closed. A six story hotel, apartment and retail space is slated to be constructed in its place starting sometime in 2013. A lot of people pushed to preserve the building and make it a historical landmark. Not sure what is going to happen, but I heard the facade might remain intact and be a part of the new building. I am glad I got a chance to document this San Diego icon before it's gone.
This painting, along with another painting of mine, will be in a group show called "Capture The Light". All the paintings in the show will be plein air paintings. It is sponsored by the La Jolla Art Association and the opening reception will be from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday, May 18th. The location is 8100 Paseo del Ocaso, Suite B, La Jolla, CA 92037. The show will run through June 16th. Everyone is invited, hope to see you there.
May 4, 2013
Afternoon Light
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air
Late afternoon is always a great time to be at Balboa Park. Especially on sunny mild days. The light is beautiful and shadows are longer. Though this scene is not the usual palm trees, museums and Spanish architecture the park in known for, there are parts of the park that is off the beaten path. This view is off the Balboa Park exit from Hwy 163 north (but looking in the other direction as I walked against traffic to get there). I'm guessing where the fence is was an on ramp to get onto the 163 south just before the Cabrillo Bridge. What I like about this scene is that it doesn't seem like it's in San Diego, it could be in the mountains or foothills somewhere.
Apr 25, 2013
Freeway Palm
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
When I paint in Mission Valley I try to imagine the paradise it must have been before I-8 and all the malls and condos were there. I imagine past San Diego artists like Alfred Mitchell, Charles Reiffel and Maurice Braun painting away in this valley. Though now the valley is way different from when they were here (1890 to 1940 more or less) a different kind of beauty is found. The palms and plants still shine bright no matter if the concrete jungle dominates the landscape. This one was painted near the transit station at Fashion Valley Mall.
Apr 18, 2013
Old Town
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
Painted at San Diego's Old Town, near where we live. The area has a lot of historical architecture, very touristy. This is a house called La Casa de Estudillo. I love to paint architecture, especially old architecture. Haven't painted at Old Town for quite a while and I'm glad I did.
Apr 11, 2013
Bread & Cie
Oil/Masonite panel
Studio painting
This is one of the paintings in my current show. It's the only studio painting in the group. I like how it turned out, all the angles and simplified values. Though I love painting outdoors, it was nice to settle inside for a studio painting. I am currently working on a couple other studio paintings, will share those when they are ready.
Apr 6, 2013
Water Tower
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air
Direct from North Park, the famous water tower. This is visible from pretty much anywhere, a staple in the community for many many years. From where I painted it will not be very good view soon as there is going to be a building blocking the way, as noted by the construction site in the foreground. This painting and many others of San Diego will be on view at Bread & Cie Cafe in Hillcrest for the entire month of April. Today, April 6th, there will be an informal opening for 20 of my plein air paintings that will be on view there. I will be at the cafe from 3pm to 5pm today to hang out and chat about the paintings. The cafe is located at 350 University Avenue. Please drop by and enjoy some local art and delicious cafe cuisine and sweets.
Apr 1, 2013
Smog Check
8x10
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air
This corner smog station caught my eye in a hurry. It was a blustery day, the clouds were quickly on the move and the sun wouldn't decide to stay or go. It was a good challenge, another day at the art gym. I love paintings with signs, they add an interesting element. Though this sign is simple, I've been scouting out other places with cool vintage signs. More to come......
Mar 22, 2013
Sitting On The Job
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air
I was on my way to the beach to paint the waves but....... I happened upon this construction site. And I'm glad I did. This one felt like it painted itself. It was one of those rare occasions (for me anyway) that the process from beginning to end felt pretty damn good. Relaxed, in the zone and my brush and paint doing what I intended. To be in that zone to me is like meditation. The composition in this one struck me as there really isn't much perspective. Foreground and background and not much more. It's pretty much a profile, but it's the shapes and colors is what did it for me. Near the end when the birds landed on the power line I knew it was near completion.
Mar 17, 2013
Junipero Serra Museum
8x10
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air
This painting was done at Presidio Park, in San Diego, CA. This building is the Junipera Serra Museum and is in the Spanish Revival architecture. It is meant to resemble the early missions that once dominated the landscape of Southern California. Once a month the San Diego Chapter of the California Art Club meets to paint a certain site. I finally made it to one of these paint outs. It was great to see some faces I haven't seen for quite a while, and I look forward to getting more involved with the club. The club was founded in 1909 with the idea of promoting and supporting contemporary and traditional fine art. The range of talent in this club is HUGE. It's an honor to be in this organization. This particular morning was pretty foggy and cloudy, which are conditions I love to paint in. Thankfully I completed about 90 percent of the painting before the sun came out and drastically changed everything. I always forget how beautiful this park is and maybe more trips are in store since it's so close to where I live.
Mar 12, 2013
Sleeping In
8x10
Oil/cotton panel
Plein air
I like the perspective of this one, especially with the city skyline in the background. Painted one fine Sunday morning off the I-94 east in San Diego. Someday, before I leave this earth, I shall cruise this country in my RV and paint paint paint. Until then, I will paint them and be reminded of my goal. I thought the camper was empty, then all of a sudden a guy opens the door and stumbles on out. He was happy that I was painting his home and offered breakfast. The folks you meet whilst painting.
Mar 5, 2013
Kickin' It At The Cliffs
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air
This one was painted as Sunset Cliffs, just west of Ocean Beach. It was a beautiful, crisp and sunny morning. I'm sure the locals have a name for this natural wonder but I am unaware of it. Perhaps also it has been painted many times over the decades. And rightly so. This area draws all walks of life, a great place to enjoy the coastal beauty San Diego has to offer. I want to paint the other side of this one sometime soon, but also incorporate a surfer or two walking across. Apparently this is one of the areas where the surfers lower into the water. I'm always amazed at the color of the water at Sunset Cliffs. So vivid. I love the way the foam forms after the waves pummel into the cliffs. After crashing, they morph into ornate white lace curtains floating on the water then disappear. Will be getting back to this place soon.
Feb 27, 2013
Service Road
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
A concrete tube.... a dirt road..... and being able to paint underneath a nice shady tree. A good way to start a day in my book. Another scene from Colombia (though it looks like it can be anywere really).
Feb 22, 2013
Down By The River
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
But on the banks of Rio Calima, not the Charles River..... (Thank you Standells!!) El Rio Calima was a joy to paint. How could it not be, with food on the grill, tropical weather and nice cool river to swim in. Another lazy afternoon with the in-laws in Colombia. This was especially fun because because I rarely have the opportunity to paint a river scene. Hopefully more are on the way.
Feb 17, 2013
Semi Lazy
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air
Looooved painting this one! I don't know what it is about roadside junk but for some reason it speaks to me. This was painted along side of the Pacific Highway in San Diego on a sunny morning. Sometimes ready-made compositions are waiting to be discovered on the side of the road. Been wanting to do this one for quite a while and glad I finally got around to it. I'm thinking maybe a larger studio piece might be a possibility from this one. We'll see......
Feb 13, 2013
Futbal Anyone?
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
Painted on a very hot day, too hot for anyone to be play soccer that's for sure. And that was at 10am in the morning. This field was always busy in the afternoon when the weather was a bit cooler (but not that much cooler). I was lucky enough to be situated underneath a nice shady tree with all the pesky mosquitoes. All was good, another day in the life of a plein air artist in Colombia.
Feb 9, 2013
Fill-er-up!
6x8
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
This was painted underneath a freeway bridge on a rainy San Diego morning. What caught my eye about this scene was the unique perspective of a high horizon line (this horizon line is above the viewers eye level) so you the view are looking up at the subject. I was standing on a downhill incline underneath the bridge. I love paintings that have a high or low horizon lines and it's also a chellenge as well to execute with composition. On grey days colors to me are more saturated, more chromatic. The yellows and oranges were so bold in this kind of light. Looking forward to more rainy day paintings!
Feb 7, 2013
Alley Garage
Oil/Linen panel
Plein air
Painted on a nice, cool San Diego morning. This alley is near our apartment. So many interesting things to paint in my own neighborhood of Hillcrest. I really like the old garages that populate the alleyways here. In most cases I find them more interesting than the houses on the main streets. Everything seemed to great for this little painting until the "art" police showed up. Turns out the guy across the way was concerned that I would get hit by a car from where I was positioned. I think he just didn't want me there, some strange and dangerous art guy minding his own business. Maybe my brush strokes were a bit too loud for his beauty sleep. The officers really enjoyed the painting and we chatted for a while. After the two patrol cars left I eased back into my painting........ and all was good. What I like most about this painting is the color in the shadows and the strong raking morning light.
Feb 2, 2013
Mini Bus
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
Painted on a Sunday morning in the neighborhood where my mother-in-law lives in Colombia. As I was painting there was a sermon going on to my left. And the building pictured in the painting doubles as a church and auto mechanic garage. The mini buses down there are very colorful and each one has its own personality in the way they are decorated inside. And all of them are tuned into a salsa music station for your enjoyment. In fact most of the places I painted at there was usually salsa music playing in the distance. But on this day I heard the sermon of an energetic priest. That was a new one for me while painting.
Jan 31, 2013
Overpass
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
A view of the skyline of San Diego! Well, if it were not for this overpass pass blocking the view. Though it looks like I was positioned on the road, I was just off to the side. Cars, trucks and buses were zooming by. For whatever reason my love for painting freeways bridges still gets the best of me. More to come for sure! I love painting on clear, bright days because of strong and pronounced shadows. This makes for a stronger composition. This was a beautiful San Diego morning.
Jan 25, 2013
Mountain Farm
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
Green, green and MORE green. Green was a big challenge while painting in Colombia mainly because it's a tropical country. If one isn't careful with green the painting can go south in a hurry (done plenty of those!). The big challenge is to add some variation with temperature and value in order to seperate the greens. In real life, standing in front of this scene with eyes squinted, it pretty much read as one solid dark value with little variation in temperature. Not good for the painting. I didn't do much here with value, but instead wanted to seperate the greens using temperature and chroma. This is a farm that we visited that belongs to the uncle of my mother-in-law. He and his wife have lived on this farm for many many years. No road leads to this place, only a footpath. Such the serene and tranquil life.....
Jan 21, 2013
Pance
Oil/linen panel
Plein air
Well it's good to begin the new year with a batch of plein air paintings! And actually I ended 2012 the same way I started 2013, painting outdoors and loving every minute of it. Thank God for vacations!! My wife and I spent 5 awesome weeks in Colombia for Christmas and New Year. We got back to reality (San Diego) last week. Though it's my fourth time in Colombia, this was the first trip that I was able to take my plein air gear. And I'm glad I did! I got a nice dose of inspiration. This first post was painted at a little mountain town called Pance, a popular destination because a river runs through the village and a lot of poeple like to swim and enjoy the cooler temperatures. By bus, it's about 2 hours outside of Cali, Colombia (where my wife is from). What you don't see in this painting is the bus ride. We were in a 25 seat bus (all occupied) and an additional 30 people were standing during the trip. Incredible. I was one of the unlucky ones standing and I was clutching my plein air gear the entire way up. But it was all worth it. This village had a lot of offer as far as things to paint. I could have spent an entire week there. More to come!
Nov 16, 2011
New Paintings
The following 15 paintings (below) are on view until December 8th at Bread & Cie Cafe. They are located at 350 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103. Thanks to all who attended the opening on November 12th! It was to chat see you and chat some art.
Dec 16, 2010
Newspaper Article
The recent issue of San Diego Uptown News has a little write up about my work. Thank you reporter Elena Buckley for your nice article! The issue came out on 12/10 but will run through 12/24. To see this article click this link http://www.sandiegouptownnews.com/ then click on "Arts And Entertaintment" then "Artist Profile". Or see a PDF version here then click your way to page 21. The issue is also available for free at corner newspaper kiosks. Hope you enjoy!
Dec 13, 2010
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