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

Road to Recovery.....

'Bill Painting Hyperion Bridge'.......oil on canvas panel.......9x7"
This is a view of the Hyperion Bridge just east of Atwater Village in Los Angeles. While painting that morning, it occurred to me I should be at home resting. Not quite fully recovered from an upper respiratory infection, my temperature rose to 101.3 F ( I had my trusty digital thermometer handy- and no, not the rectal kind) ;-)
Call me insane, but I was completely content to be plein air painting, fever chills and all.
Click on Bill Moore's blog to check out his version of the bridge on his previous post >>>>>>

Self Portrait

'Lucky Hat'............20x24".............oil on panel
I painted this self portrait (using photo reference and color sketch) shortly after my 39th birthday.
I find painting an occasional self portrait is a wonderful technical exercise as well as an insightful process that reflects my personal, physical and creative growth.
Check out Kee Won's truly exceptional self portraits on his blog (scroll down links bar on right).
Also check out Bill Moore's blog and browse through to view some remarkably candid watercolor self portraits. Enjoy.

GET:ART

Last week, I attended the 'GET:ART' charity event with Ben, Bill and Yinghua. GET:ART is an annual art sale sponsored by Bonhams and Butterfields, world renowned auction house. 100% of the proceeds from donated artwork directly benefit 'Project Angel Food', a free meal-delivery program with the mission to nourish men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses in Los Angeles County.
For more info click (or copy/paste) link:
http://www.projectangelfood.org and click on GET:ART logo.

The painting I graciously donated (pictured below) was already sold by the time we arrived at the event which turned out to be an extremely well recieved and festive soiree.
Mark Ryden (an esteemed and talented painter I admire) was one of the many notable talents featured in this event.


'Santa Monica Blvd.'...........11x14"............oil on panel



This is me at the event quietly wondering if I'll get a chance to snag some more of those tasty coconut shrimp before they run out....
(Photo taken by Ben Fried)

Farmer's Market, Chinatown

'Farmer's Market, Chinatown'.........16x20"...........oil on panel
As I made my way back home from Chinatown one sunny afternoon, I drove by a parking lot bustling with sprightly shoppers.
Off in the distance, canopies aglow with light were set up to provide shade for the vendors.
The combination of rich color, shimmering light and the figures bestowed the right atmosphere of gaiety and vivacity which impelled me to paint this scene.