Tuesday, March 26, 2013

San Francisco Street 5


San Francisco Street 5
original oil painting, 16x20
$850

Painting cityscapes can be a color challenge.  In this composition, the red cable car contrasting with the dark shadows in the tree on the left, make for a strong focal point.  The different greens in the trees add a splash of color to a city scene of a San Francisco Street.

I did a smaller version of this painting, an 8x10 and I liked it so much, I decided to paint it larger.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

California Street, Ventura


California Street, Ventura
original oil painting, 11x14
$375
 
I guess every town in California has a California Street.  In Ventura, California Street runs between City Hall and the ocean.  At the end of the street is the pier and a popular surf spot called "C" Street.

Looking up California Street at City Hall you can see Cafe Fiore restaurant on the right in the foreground and three people standing on the left, getting ready to cross the street.  I've been slowly adding figures to my paintings.

In the background is City Hall, a 1912 beaux-arts style building, built by Los Angeles architect Albert C. Martin.  The terra cotta facade is decorated with 24 faces of Franciscan padres.  On the triangular shaped median in front of city hall is a large bronze statue of Father Junipero Serra.  If you know California history, you will recognize Father Serra as the founder of the California missions.