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.

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. 

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

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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.

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

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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.

Cypress Creek

Cypress Creek, 8 x 10

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Thursday morning, Plein Air Austin members painted along Cypress Creek in Wimberley, about forty-five minutes southwest of Austin. With beautiful scenery, plenty of shade and a cool, clear, spring-fed creek to cool off in, it was the perfect venue for a summer paintout in Texas.

Thank You

The month-long "On Site" exhibition at Davis Gallery closed on Sunday. While speaking to owner Bill Davis this morning, he mentioned the traffic had been tremendous throughout the entire month, saying that it was one of the most successful shows he's had. This was reflected in numerous sales by each of us displaying — Laurel Daniel, Julie Davis, and myself. Thanks to everyone who made it to the show, and to you who have taken an interest in our work. It is very much appreciated.

Balboa Island

Balboa Island, 10 x 8
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This is a panel I started my first day painting at Randall Sexton's workshop last month in Newport Beach. The ferry to Newport Peninsula (background) boards a few hundred feet back along the seawall to the left.

Opening Reception

Gallery Reception, Davis Gallery

Saturday night was the opening reception for a spring art exhibition featuring the work of Laurel Daniel, Julie Davis and myself. As many of you know, it was actually Laurel's spring exhibition at the gallery of her Austin representative, Bill Davis. Laurel being Laurel, she invited Julie and me, two of her former students and permanently appreciative friends, to show our work alongside hers from now through May 7th. If you have the chance, we hope you'll drop by the Davis Gallery, located on 12th Street, a block east of Lamar Boulevard, to see the work on display. 

The photos above were taken a few minutes before the doors opened. I hope to have more to post soon of the large and enthusiastic crowd that attended. We each had our core group of supporters, but there is no doubt we all benefited greatly from Laurel's long coattails, and each of us made several sales. Thanks again to Laurel, and to Bill Davis, for a terrific evening.

Workshop, the Day After

Newport Pier, 8 x 10

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Since we missed painting on the Balboa Peninsula on Friday, a workshop classmate and new friend, Valari, and I used a bit of our inspiration from the workshop to make our own trek to the spot. Neither of us painted the Crab Cooker, but the pier instead, which was across the street.

More Workshop. . .

Debra Huse (timed plein air study), 10 x 8

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The morning the tsunami news broke here in the U.S., all sorts of odd things started happening. Most importantly, we had to change our meeting location twice. We were scheduled to meet Friday morning at the Crab Cooker on Balboa Peninsula to paint some architecture. Because there was a tsunami warning all along the West Coast (only a foot and a half for southern California, but that was enough to prod us to higher ground), we decided to go to the southern end of Corona del Mar State Park. When we got there, there were so many people out to watch the Japan tsunami hit our very own beaches, that we had to move yet again. Thus, we ended up at Mason Park in Irvine. The above picture is of painter and gallery owner Debra Huse, who hosted Randall's workshop.

Workshop (continued)

Corona Del Mar, Study 2, 8 x 10

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Another study from our day at Corona del Mar. Nothing fancy, but as Jill Carver says, the stuff I learned probably won't end up on the canvas for another six months. I guess I'll have to wait. . . .

Dulcinea Chapel

Dulcinea Chapel, 8 x 10

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Hello, again. I was glad to finally get out again with my Plein Air Austin friends today. The weather was beautiful, albeit a bit on the cool side for some (in the fifties early on). Dulcinea Chapel is an open air chapel in Driftwood, Texas, southwest of Austin. It sits atop a ridge that offers scenic views of the Hill Country to the west. The best part about painting here is that it's only a couple miles to the Salt Lick, a famous barbecue restaurant in this part of the world. Lunch was great, as usual.

Last Light

Last Light, 6x8

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The plan this day was to paint a beautiful Texas sunset over Lake Travis. We had a fabulous spot at the property of our wonderful and generous Plein Air Austin co-member, Lynn. Since I happened to arrive a few minutes late, however, and with every moment so precious, I decided to take the easy way out and paint the pretty, indirect light coming off the water facing north. 

It turned out to be no bargain. The subtle light and color shifts (which, like the actual sunset, were still constantly changing) were more than enough to demand all the focus I had. The exercise was valuable, however, and certainly one that bears repeating and continuing to learn to see and render such subtle, yet powerful differences.

In The Barn II

In The Barn II, 6x8

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Saturday evening, after a couple hours of painting, Plein Air Austin had our end-of-year party at Westlake Beach and Marina.  The weather was perfect and lots of family and friends showed up for the catered picnic. The scene above is not actually of Westlake Beach, but of the adjacent marina, the name of which I didn't notice. I was attracted by the clear skies and the bright, late afternoon light on the boats.

Gruene River Grille

Gruene River Grille, 10x8

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Today's post is from last Saturday's PAA paintout in Gruene, Texas, just north of New Braunfels. Once again I had to finish the piece almost a week later. I was fighting a slight fever during the outing and, contrary to the plan, being outdoors only made things worse. Happily, unfettered access to plenty of Thanksgiving food the last few days has returned things to normal.

No Wake Zone

No Wake Zone, 8x6

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Westlake Beach on Lake Austin was the site for our last plein air class, which was a week ago tomorrow. I got the block-in done on site with fairly accurate color, but didn't get a chance to complete it until today. It's amazing how rusty one can get in a week.

Morning Coffee

Morning Coffee, 8x10
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Fall has arrived in central Texas and after a typically long and hot summer, the locals came out in droves last Saturday to enjoy the cool, dry air and bright blue skies. This is Jo's, a popular spot along Austin's South Congress Avenue. It's a great place to read the paper over coffee or to just sit and watch this happening neighborhood wake up and come alive.

Morning Gloria

Morning Gloria, 6x8

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This landscape was done in Laurel Daniel's plein air class two weeks ago. I'm just posting it now, because I have been busy preparing to move at the end of the month (still in Austin) and haven't had time to touch  up and post it until today. The class is focused on rendering water in its different environments. The weather shown here is typical of the last couple of weeks — beautifully sunny and cool with light breezes.