Red Blouse

'Red Blouse'.........oil on canvas panel.........11x14"
I painted this portrait of Yolanda, an aspiring actress, during a three hour painting session at the Los Feliz workshop (please click on Los Feliz Workshop link to the right for more info regarding the workshops)
Initially I met the lovely Yolanda at a local diner Ben and I frequently visit. While Yolanda was taking our lunch order, I finally summoned enough courage and asked her to model for our painting workshop. She affably agreed and was a complete joy to work with. She conducted herself professionally and remained motionless the entire time she posed.

...........a few sketches


25 minute charcoal sketch










5 minute charcoal sketch












:: TOO CLOSE TO HOME ::



'Griffith Park Brush Fire' - May 08th, 2007
(picture taken from studio rooftop at 9:30pm)


A few days ago, Ben and I (as well as hundreds of Los Feliz residents) had to evacuate our home due to the rapidly encroaching brush fire that swept through one fifth of Griffith Park. I'll never forget the feeling of panic washing over me as I stepped out the front door to witness a wall of turbulent flames creeping down the hillside towards the homes nestled close to the park entrance. I raced back into the house to grab my cat and immediately fled the house and found refuge at our art studio located a little less than two miles from our house.
Throughout the evening we were barraged with numerous phone calls from anxious friends and family members who were concerned about our our safety......many generously and benevolently offering their homes for us to stay overnight or as long as we needed. My sister Sophie, her fiancé Andy and a few locals kept us company as we solemnly watched Griffith Park being ravaged by flames from atop the studio roof.
Fortunately (and thankfully) there were no major injuries or deaths and no homes were damaged. The newly renovated Observatory, the enchanting Cypress Grove I frequently hike to and the LA Zoo were also spared due to the tremendous dedication and hard work from our local firefighters. Wednesday night we were allowed to return to our respective homes safely and soundly.
Now that the dust has settled, the smoke has cleared and the embers have extinguished, life in Los Angeles is promptly getting back to normal and has already begun the healing process of physical and spiritual regeneration. Onward!

San Pasqual Stables and Chicago

'Brown Barn'.........7x9 inches........oil on panel
Visited the San Pasqual stables and painted this rugged and spacious, old brown barn shortly after my brief stay in Chicago. Jose De Juan, who joined me on this excursion, pointed out this wonderfully quaint and pastoral area located just south of the Arroyo in Pasadena.

:: CHICAGO ::

A few weeks ago Ben and I took a five day sojourn to Chicago. We lodged in a charming and cozy bed and breakfast situated in the historic district of Oak Park, Illinois (only a five-minute walk from the Frank Lloyd Wright Homes and Studio).
Sightseeing, museum visits and family gatherings were some of the many activities we crammed into our brief yet overwhelmingly satisfying respite.


Frank Lloyd Wright house







Frank Lloyd Wright house










Downtown Chicago

































:: CHICAGO ART INSTITUTE ::

While in Chicago, we caught the 'Cezanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde' exhibition which runs through May 12th. Unfortunately, I was unable to take photographs of the current exhibition, however, I added a few pix of my faves from their permanent collection.


John Singer Sargent
















Elizabeth Sparhawk-Jones
















George Bellows














........satiated yet satisfied from two days of museum viewing.........

Red Bucket

'Red Bucket'..........oil on canvas panel...........7x9 inches
Revisited the Verdant Stables with an enthusiastic and talented painting posse a few weeks ago. While meandering my way throughout the grounds, I came across this little cranny between two horse stables. What caught my eye was the brilliant red bucket gleaming radiantly against the rich cast shadow on the cinderblock wall. The discarded green chair immersed in shade balanced befittingly with the warm, red color of the bucket. Overall, the arrangement of the randomly placed objects in this scene created a dynamic and amusing 'rural' still life.



Joining me on this plein air excursion were Joseph Stoddard and Jose De Juan, two wonderful artists who both produced deliciously delightful paintings of Verdant terrain.


Painting by Joe Stoddard






Painting by Jose De Juan

Green Trailer

'Green Trailer'.........oil on canvas panel.........7x9 inches
Embarked on another voyage to Verdant with painting companion Bill Moore last week and did this little plein air study of the Griffith Park Metro Region parking lot across from the equestrian center entrance. Bill opted for the red truck bed (see Bill's dandy painting on his previous post by clicking on his link) >>>>>>>>>>>>
What compelled me to paint this scene were the two unoccupied and slightly skewed trailers that looked somewhat out of place. The cool and overcast weather conditions accentuated the soothing and pale mint-green color of the foreground trailer.

Truck Bed

'Truck Bed'.........oil on canvas panel.........7x9inches
Another venture to Verdant with painting buddy Bill Moore compelled me to paint this stationary truck bed parked alongside a vacant warehouse located at the entrance of the equestrian park.
Bill painted the same view looking the opposite direction (check out his wonderful rendition on one of his previous blog posts).

More Visits to Verdant....

'Shanty and Chevy'...........oil on canvas panel...........7x9 inches
This is a little plein air sketch I did last week at the Verdant Equestrian Center with painting comrade Bill Moore (check out his version of a delightful 'horse trailer' painting on his previous blog post)
This revisited and rustic location offers an array of inspiring views and rural subject matter (the friendly, accommodating and cordial staff also make it a pleasant environment to paint in).




'Across the Corral'...........oil on panel...........7x9 inches
This is a different view (same location) of the main riding stables across the corral.



AMERICAN LEGACY FINE ARTS:

This weekend I attended Jeremy Lipking's successful and festive opening reception at the American Legacy Fine Art Gallery in Pasadena, CA.
(View the exceptional and evocative paintings of this accomplished and extremely talented young man by clicking on Jeremy Lipking link to right).
The gallery showcased paintings Jeremy produced on location during his month long sojourn in Loire Valley, France.


Painting by Jeremy Lipking

SGFAA Demo and Art Show

A few months ago, I was invited to do a demonstration for the San Gabriel Fine Art Association. The demonstration was held this Sunday in the Grapevine Room located in the heart of San Gabriel's historical Mission District. This happened to be my very first demo (which my friend Bill Moore strongly encouraged me to do).
I agreed to partake in the demo to overcome my fear of painting and speaking in front of a crowd. I was extremely nervous at first, however the anxiety eventually diminished as the demo progressed. Overall, the experience was very rewarding and enriching for me as well the viewers.


For the demo I did a painting based on this color sketch of 'Doghouse and Picket Fence'. I came across this quirky battered and lopsided doghouse during a brief sojourn in Ojai, CA.




At the demo, adding final touches to the painting.....without looking at the canvas ;-)
(photo taken by Bill Moore)



This weekend I also attended an inspiring art reception held at the Mendenhall Sobieski Gallery for two artists I admire and revere, Van Arno and Keewon Hong.
(check out their incredible current works by clicking on their links to right).

Painting by Keewon Hong


Painting by Van Arno