Lamar Street Bridge

Lamar Street Bridge, 9 x 12

I painted this from a photo I took downtown on Ladybird Lake in January. I had hoped to paint outside today, but we got some much needed rain. So instead, I holed up with the paints inside.

Bull Creek Redux

Bull Creek Redux, 12 x 9

This is another painting of Austin's Bull Creek Park, painted back around early February. It was a plein air start, but I had to finish it at home. I'll be posting another painting tomorrow done at the Plein Air Austin yearly barbecue near the end of March. 

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. 

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

Driftwood Station

Driftwood Station, 8 x 10

purchase

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.

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. 

Drying Up

Drying Up, 8 x 6

SOLD

This belated posting is from a PAA paintout in May along the Blanco River in San Marcos. I initially wasn't sure it was a worthy attempt, but every time I've come across it since, it told me, very quietly at first, that it just needed a few strokes to bump the contrast and add a bit more clean color. There's probably not a drop of water at this spot today, but I'm glad this plein air moment refused to let me ignore it. You can view the start below.

Georgetown Square II

Georgetown Square II, 20 x 16

SOLD

Here is the final result of the pallet knife start. I do like the freedom pallet knife painting practically imposes on you. Like plein air painting, you end up focusing on the main shapes, values and color. The better you do that, the less relevant fine detail seems to become.

In Progress

blocking-in

I wanted show the block-in stage of this painting. I sometimes like to use a pallet knife for blocking in larger paintings (this panel is 20 x 16) for a couple reasons. It allows me to cover the canvas quickly, focus on the main shapes and to keep from getting overly tight. I'll post the final result in the next day or two.

Waiting for a Ride

Waiting for a Ride, 12 x 12

SOLD

This was painted from a friend's photo reference taken on Balboa Island this spring. A typically beautiful morning at the marina, I'm guessing.