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From palm trees to an Alaskan sunset. A co-worker went on an Alaskan cruise a few weeks ago. When I was flipping through her photos, I just had to paint a couple. There may be another from the alaskan series soon.
Another shot from LA. I don't get to see many palm trees. Maybe every few of years or so. To me, they are a mysterious tree. So thin and tall yet so strong. They sway like crazy without breaking. And are a pleasure to paint with their expressiveness.
This painting kind of had a slow start to it. It wasn't until the last half hour or so when the intensity and drama really came out. At that point it was like "achieving flow". Runners talk about that sort of thing (at least I did when I was a runner). When you're on a long run, at 8 or 9 miles of an 18 miler you just hit a groove where the rest of the miles just flow right by. Now that I am reminiscing about those day I really miss it. Any other runners out there reading this?
This is a scene from LA when I was there over Memorial Day weekend. I was driving in my friend's car and saw this bug on the side of the road. I wiped out my camera and took this photo. He probably thought I it was strange since it wasn't a major landmark or a tourist attraction. Oh well, I like how this painting turned out.
The whole time I was painting this I kept thinking about an artist's blog that I always visit. Jeremy Geddes. He paints cosmonauts and these reminded me of the helmets. Check this guy out. His work is deliciously morbid and super realistic. I love it.
Oil on 1/8" Gessoboard. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
Here is the next challenge painting. This time it was my turn to choose the subject. I wanted to pick something I haven't painting in years...self portrait. I picked a pose that didn't show my receding hair line.
Oil on 1/8" Gessoboard. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
This darn utility pole again. I love it tough. I could walk out into my backyard any day of the week and see this in a new way each time. This time I caught a bird perfectly perched on the wire.
Oil on 1/8" Gessoboard. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
A little different take on the same strawberry. I have never painted a strawberry in such detail before these. They are crazy little things. All those seeds, highlights and reflecting light. It is a plethora of value and color transitions.
Oil on 1/8" Gessoboard. Approx 6"x6" SOLD
Simple but detailed today. I really enjoyed painting this strawberry. From the reflected light to those very specific highlights.
