December Sky

8x 10" oil on canvas board

December Wave

I may go back into this and soften some edges and add some highlights.

8 x10" oil on canvas board

New Camera Phone/ Old Palette

I am playing around with my new galaxy phone and thought it would be funny to show this feature. This is a stormy day and I setup inside the VW to stay dry. Pink ground is the stain on the canvas board. 

Near Ema Wood State Beach

Fall Day  with Storm Clouds     8 x 10"  Oil

Iron and Resin Trailer

Behind the iron and resin store there is a trailer they use for parties. Here is a version I did of it as I steal it in my wagon flying down to Baja. 9x 12"

Freeway Palm

After a few weeks of drawing storyboards and other illustration projects, I finally got back to some plein air painting. I had forgotten how much I missed it. This 9x 12 " was on a stretched canvas that is made for watercolors. It has a very smooth finish and handled well. It seems to dry faster, maybe because it absorbs the oils. I rode my bike a few blocks away to set up near the freeway and Patagonia headquarters. As you can see it's close to the beach and a surfer is riding his bike.

Burnet Drive In

Here's the demo painting I did at the Beverly Hills Show Oct. 19th.

12 x 12" oil on canvas

Typewriter And Cup Of Coffee

I need to update this later with the name of this vintage typewriter. I like the simplicity of the composition and handling of the negative shapes.

12 x 12 "  Oil on Canvas

Tom Thumb Typewriter and Robot

This is an painting which was exciting to paint. After a few attempts with other such subjects, this composition came together fairly easily. This is not always the case.

12 x 12" Oil on canvas

Dreamland Woody Trailer

Using my imagination and composition skills, I have put together this fun painting for the Beverly Hills art show. 

12 x 12" Oil on canvas

Dreamland Writer

12 x 12"

Dreamland Pedestrian

12 x 12" Oil

Dreamland Theater

12 x 12 " Oil

Dreamland Pool Safari

12 x 12" oil

Dreamland Hotel

12 x 12  oil on canvas

Dreamland Typewriter

Here are two stages of the painting before it was shipped to be part of the silent auction. The lower image is the last adjustments. I see also that my photography of the two versions is in need of more consistency. I use available light as a shooting source, so I expect some differences. 

12 x 12"oil

Dreamland St.

I am taking the liberty to post some recent new work for a "Dreamland" show in Beverly Hills.....

12 x 12"

Four Bells

Most bell towers have recorded bells sounds that ring on the hour. Some missions still 

have bells on display, and they are works of art. 12 x 16" oil

Vineyard

The colors of the soils are rich and full of oxides. No wonder the grapes have so much potential to make fine wines. 8 x 10" oil

Workers

After wine tasting, I sketched a few workers in the from the fields. 12 x 12"

Surf City

People turn their heads when they see a surfer in town, away from the beach. 12 x 12" oil

Harbor Building

Ventura Harbor has a few buildings for the commercial industry. This is one near the drydocks. 12x12" oil

Agriculture Equipment #3

I am tempted to add a worker to this painting for scale and interest. 12x12"

Agricultural Equipment #2

This tractor is fitted with a sprayers and tanks for the fields. 12x12" oil

I am happy they chose my tractor for the postcard and is included in the upcoming show. Hope they don't mind I have since painted it red...(;^)#

Agricultural Equipment #1

The most interesting thing about working on this painting was watching an old man snap a bull whip to scare the seagulls away from eating the strawberries. 12 x 12" oil

Tower Slide

View of the ferris wheel with a tower slide to it's left. The ice is being delivered on the small cart, bottom left, across from white tables. One of the problems I ran  into with these fair paintings is editing. I hope to revisit these sketches with fresh versions. 12 x 12" oil

Steam Tractor

The last day of the fair, I made it over to the agricultural section where I sketched this old tractor. It was all of 20 hp and looked dangerous to operate.

The overall warmth of this image is lost in the copy, but I did add a figure for scale. I don't like to work on the paintings after the fact, because they can get away from you.

Ocean Lane

The merry go round on the left was stationary as I started the painting. Trucks and workers filled the streets and the fairgrounds came to life. I had to make choices as to what to leave in and what to add. I wanted the Ventura fairgrounds building to be in the painting and deep space using Ocean Lane for the focus. 12 x 12" oil Canvas

Deep Fried Oreos

The structure on the right sold all kinds of deep fried foods. I made it through the twelve days without eating any, but am glad they are available, just in case. 

This painting was one that I had a chance to watch as the technicians tested the rides before the gates opened. the cars on the oval are going upside down and the big ship is swinging up.(towards the center) 12 x 12 oil on canvas board

Anacapa Hall

This is a view from the midway at the fair on an overcast morning. I watched a talented artist illustrate letters using multicolored loaded tools yesterday. The flags on the left were done using this technique. 12 x 12" oil/canvas

World Of Wonders

There is a new concession at the fair with entertainers out front drawing in the crowds. A dashing man and theatrical woman invite the audience into see the show. There are sword swallowers and fire eaters. It gives the feel of the old days when there were side shows at the circus. The yellow posters near the center of this painting are very stylish. 12 x 12" oil/canvas

Big Ferris Wheel

Big Top

Fair Swings

Sunday after a light rain before the fairgrounds opened to the public, I knocked out this study of the view looking towards the south. If I use this for a larger version I will add some reflections and people with umbrellas. 12 x 12" oil/canvas board

Fair Main Street

Here in Ventura, most mornings start off overcast. I like it for laying in  a painting because the values and colors are subdued. When the sun comes out you can punch it up. This is a quick study that I spent 45 minutes on before the fairgrounds opened. 12 x 12" oil/canvas

Beach Beer Shack

I chose this subject because it had a few surfboards hanging around the thatched bamboo hut. Half way through, they started inflating the safety cushion for the bungie jump. It is the white and orange shape near the middle. Things always change and open up as it gets closer to the time when the fair opens it's gates. 12 x 12" oil/canvas board

Ventura County Fair Painting

This is the fifth year I have done caricatures at the fair. I thought it would be a good idea to get there early and paint. This is a quick study of the view from near my space. 12 x 12" oil

Ventura Ave Bus

Here's a bus I discovered off the avenue a few blocks away from my studio. Rusted out but still running, this find is from the 50's and could merit another version. 12 x 12" oil

Ford Truck

Quick 8x10 over a cerulean wash... I'll touch it up once it's dry..

Afternoon Surf

Here is a quick sketch of longboards and girls under an umbrella. Can't think of a better way to have a birthday party.  12 x 12" oil

Red Meyers Manx

The owner of this buggy was going to leave in 20, so I did a quick sketch of it.

12 x 12"

Two Surfers

View from Casa Romantica  12 x 12" oil

Shaka Wind Vane

Golden hour at beach clubhouse  12 x 12" oil

Coast Route

12 x12" oil 

Pier Tower

From Casa Romantica 12 x 12"

49 Studebaker Commander

This is a quick sketch of a Meghann and Fredric Nelsons car in front of their business called Artwistic. They do custom graphics.  It is a 12 x 12" oil on canvas panel.