A favorite painting

The Hill, oil on canvas, 24" x 30"

The Hill happens to be one of my favorite paintings at the moment.  The purple and yellow color combo is complimentary and appealing.  I am also drawn to the brush work.

The Hill - detail

Detail of brush work and color combo

Often when I am in the car as a passenger or the driver I will hold my camera up to the window and take random photographs.  Back in the studio I sort through the images looking for something interesting.  This photo was taken on the drive from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco.

In the studio - tools of the trade

My beloved painting cart is 15 years old! In 1996 I was living in NYC working at an art gallery in Soho and painting at night and on the weekends in a little studio in the meat packing district. Miles, my boss built this cart for me in the storage room of the gallery.  I drew a picture of what I wanted and then got the wood cut to size at the local lumber yard on Spring St.  It took Miles about an hour to put it all together.  He was quite the carpenter.  Once complete, I pushed it all the way from West Broadway in Soho to 14th St. and 9th Ave. and then dragged it up the stairs to my studio.  It spent two years in storage while I was in Tokyo.  I missed it dearly!  The plastic Japanese replacement was not as sturdy.  I was happy to have it back when I moved to San Fransisco. 

Painting Cart

My favorite brushes are the cheap bristle brushes you find in the hardware store.  I keep a lot on hand because I use a different brush for each color of paint. They make a nice texture on the surface of the painting.  The brushes are pretty versatile.  I'm able to scrub and get a good dry brush effect or apply smooth glazes.  I also use a couple of different palette knives for texture.  Perfect for the flickering light effect.

Brushes

River Haze, oil on canvas 24" x 30" -SOLD

Art over chaos - Etsy treasury

River Journey, oil on canvas, 5" x 7"

River Journey has been included in several Etsy treasuries

 

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da6fb368b8d8eef49a70373/art-is-the-triumph-over-chaos

Artist of the Month

Did you know that I am the artist of the month at J. Hettinger Interiors in Danville, CA? http://www.jhettinger.com
Two of my paintings are featured in the front of the showroom.

"Kerela Journey", oil on canvas, 48" x 48" was inspired by my time spent as an Artist-In-Residence in Kerela, India.  "Gihon Vision", oil on canvas, 48" x 48" was inspired by my time spent at the
Vermont Studio Center.  I've been an artist in residence at the Vermont studio center twice.  Both times were pretty amazing.   Nothing is better than complete focus on painting with uninterrupted studio time and someone preparing all your meals!

Spring Open Studios April 9 & 10, 2011

Thank you to everyone who came by the studio this past weekend.   It was nice to see you all.
A selection of paintings that sold over the weekend:

Sky Gazing, oil on canvas 6 x 6 inches

Reflections Blue, oil on canvas, 24 x 24 inches

Through the trees (Temple Walk), oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches