Misty Morning

Misty Morning, 10 x 8

Today's Plein Air Austin paint out was held about an hour west of town near Johnson City at a place called the Preserve at Walnut Creek. The paint on this study is a bit thin in places and some areas need a little more definition, but I enjoyed painting outdoors again in this quiet setting. 

Sketch Crawl Austin

Chipotle Grill, 8th & Congress

Silhouette Restaurant & Bar, Congress Avenue

Yesterday I participated in a worldwide sketch crawl, along with fellow artists in downtown Austin. The weather was cool and bright, which made for a really nice morning. These are my two attempts.

On the Clock

Back Yard, 8 x 10

purchase

This back yard view was painted from a reference photo I took a few weeks ago in Georgetown. To keep the style loose and to avoid overworking the subject, I set a timer for 1 hour.  I did go over by half an hour before gaining enough courage to post it here, but I am glad to have rediscovered this helpful exercise.

Water Feature

Water Feature, 20 x 16

commission

This giant urn rests in a back yard outside Georgetown. Thankfully we've had more rain this year and flowers are popping up everywhere after a typically hot summer.

Late Light

Late Light, 20 x 24

commission

This painting was done for a homeowner in Georgetown, north of Austin. The challenge here was to channel my inner arborist to make the home's signature turret adequately visible behind what is, in reality, the much thicker foliage of the front yard trees. We chose this angle in order take advantage of the wonderful, late afternoon sunlight and shadows.

Monument Cafe

Monument Cafe, 11 x 14

Here is another building I found interesting in Georgetown. To say the least, the Monument Cafe is one of Georgetown's most popular dining spots for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Its classically art deco design, which originated as a car dealership built several decades ago, certainly hasn't hurt its popularity. It just looks like a perfect place to come in and relax.

Capital Title

Capital Title Building, 10 x 8
SOLD

This is one of the more impressive older buildings in Georgetown. I'm not sure when it was built, but I'm guessing sometime around the 1920 or 30s. Today it is home to Capital Title.

Escape in Georgetown

Escape, 8 x 10

Belated Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there. I hope you had a great weekend! This post and the previous one depict architectural landmarks in downtown Georgetown, Texas. I'll be posting a third one tomorrow. If interested in any of these paintings, please contact Through the Looking Glass Gallery in Georgetown. Just click the link for contact information.

Palace Theatre

Palace Theatre, 8 x 10

This is the Palace Theatre, just off the square in Georgetown, Texas. It's one of many nicely restored old buildings in the area.

More Gas Pumps

Corner Station, 36 x 48

commission

Hello friends. Outside work and painting larger of late have kept me away from blogging much over the last few months, but today I do have a new piece to share. It will look familiar to many who have visited this blog before, as I was commissioned to do a larger version of a piece I painted in early 2011 called Corner Station. The new piece, above, measures 36" x 48" and is hanging in the lobby of the new north Austin branch of Horizon Bank near Oak Knoll and U.S. 183. Not much different than the first, though considerably larger and, therefore, a bit more detailed. The first studio version and an earlier plein air study are shown below.

Corner Station, 24 x 30

available

Corner Station, 8 x 10 plein air study

SOLD

Georgetown Townhouse

Georgetown Townhouse, 16 x 20

commission

(Updated) This is a commission I just completed for a resident of Georgetown, Texas. I worked from a photograph I took, but created the spring feel at the request of the client. The photo was taken in winter, so the foliage was without its, uh, foliage. Happy Easter, everyone.

Driftwood Station

Driftwood Station, 8 x 10

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You may have seen this old gas station depicted in paint before, as it is a favorite subject of Plein Air Austin painters. This was my second attempt at this venue, which we revisited as a group several weeks ago. I haven't been able to paint as much so far this year as last, so I really enjoyed taking the time yesterday to touch this up before posting. 

Summers Past No. 2

Summers Past No. 2, 8 x 8

commission

Here is the second painting, this one of Matthew's younger brother, Jeffrey. The style of this painting came out a bit different from the one posted yesterday, for a few reasons. Among Jeffrey's favorite childhood memories were piñata parties given along Cypress Creek in honor of his and other relatives' birthdays. While I didn't have much in the way of compelling reference photography, I did have enough to give me an accurate sense of the setting, where various trees, paths, the creek, etc. were in relation to each other. Considering how well family members know this place and how much time they've spent here over the years, this was important. 

I also had a sharp photo of one of said colorful piñatas in motion, as well as photos of Jeffrey at prime piñata-busting age, though none showed him whacking, or primed to whack, a piñata. Taking these elements into account, yet painting quite a bit from imagination, I ended up emphasizing the bright colors and movement of the piñata and carrying this through to the rest of the composition. The result was a more whimsical piece than the first. I think this is okay, since the paintings will reside in the respective homes of each brother, both of whom are now young adults living on their own.

Summers Past

Summers Past, 8 x 8
commission

This is one of two small commissions I just finished. A family friend, who is mother to two boys who are now young adults, wanted to give each a painting as Christmas presents. Both commissions depict memories of the boys' favorite summer activities at their grandparents' property along Cypress Creek in Wimberley. This painting is of the older brother, Matthew. I will post Jeffrey's picture tomorrow. Click here to view a plein air study I did along the creek last June.

New Gallery Opening in Georgetown

I'm happy to be among the original group of central Texas painters and sculptors to have work displayed at Through the Looking Glass, a new gallery opening this weekend just off the square in Georgetown. The owner, Barbara Falcone of Austin, will be welcoming visitors with snacks and refreshments Friday, Saturday and Sunday on this, the first weekend of Georgetown Square's extended-hours holiday shopping season.

It will be a great chance to do some holiday shopping away from the mega-malls. Instead, stroll the many shops on historic Georgetown Square, and stop in to see what Barbara has to offer. I will be there later in the day both Friday and Saturday. I hope you can stop by. 

Address: 122 East 8th Street (near the end of the first block east of Main Street)

Opening Hours: Friday 4 pm - 8 pm, Saturday 10 am - 8 pm, Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm.

Directions: 

I-35 Exit 261 (29/University) 

East (right if coming from Austin) on 29/University

North (left) on Austin Avenue

East (right) on 8th Street

Cross Main Street, gallery is 3/4 of a block down on the right side, just past State Farm Insurance.

Thanks to JudsonArt.com

I was flattered to learn from Sarah Judson of Judson's Art Outfitters that they have featured my work on their online journal. You can view it at the link above. Happy painting and Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.

Bell Tower

Bell Tower, 12 x 10

SOLD

This is a study from a visit to New Sweden Church, about twenty miles east of Austin. The church was built in the 1890s. Lots and lots of angles.

Fruit Bowl On Deck

Fruit Bowl On Deck, 16 x 20

purchase

These papayas, apples and lemons were home grown in Tahiti. The painting is from a photo sent to me by a very good friend I met at a workshop last spring. 

Back Yard Wedding

Back Yard Wedding, 8 x 10

NFS

Earlier this summer, my niece, Melissa, was married here in Austin. The words summer and Austin would explain the presence of hand fans among the guests. The three ladies shown here are my mother and two of my five sisters. Angela, at right, is mother of the bride.

Park Bridge

Park Bridge, 8 x 10

This painting was started back in March during a Randall Sexton workshop in southern California. With all the beautiful coastline normally available to paint, we were forced to this city park in Irvine because of the tsunami warning from the Japan earthquake. We had tried a for a spot above the cliffs at Corona del Mar, but there were so many people there waiting to witness their very own tsunami, we packed up and headed inland.