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. 

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.

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.

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.

Last Light

Last Light, 6x8

SOLD

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.

Right Turn

Right Turn, 6 x 8

purchase

This is the last of the paintings from the PAA retreat, done Sunday morning before Laurel and Julie headed back to Austin. The water here looks muddy, but being the Guadalupe, it is actually very clear. The brownish color is from the reflections of the ledge faces in the early morning sun.

Lost Creek

Lost Creek, 10 x 8
$150

This morning, the plein air group was at Lost Creek, in southwest Austin. The creek is way down, and while this kept some views from being worthwhile subjects for painting, it allowed us to reach other vantage points we couldn't have otherwise.

Dog Heaven

Dog Heaven, 8 x 10

I've started working on some larger studio pieces this week, so today, and periodically for awhile, I'll be posting some finished work that had yet to make it to the blog. This plein air piece was done on our first of two visits to Bull Creek Dog Park back in early June. Despite the lack of canine activity in the painting, this place was full of all kinds of dogs that day, every one of them seeming to have the time of their lives. This swimming hole is fed by the creek coming from the viewer's left, and it is this portion that the dogs seem to like the best because of its a smooth, rock bed which is shallow enough for the pooches not to have to swim. If they get too hot, they (the lab and retriever types, mostly) will jump into the pool you see here.

In the Barn

In the Barn, 8 x 8
SOLD

It's a great time of year in Austin. I've lived here on and off since the sixties, and sometimes it's still hard to believe how many beautiful spots there are within five minutes of the center of town. West Lake Beach is one of them.

Bull Creek Park

Bull Creek Park, 10 x 8
SOLD

We dodged the rain last Wednesday at Bull Creek Park. The earlier part of the outing was overcast, which gave me fits trying to find the different value masses. Finally the sun came out, so I stuck around in hopes of coming away with something worth taking home. It wasn't until later, of course, that I realized I had wound up with much more than just a painting, no matter how it turned out.