Big Wave Surfboards

Big Wave Surfboards

original oil painting, 12x12  SOLD

Elliott Fouts Gallery

Big wave surfboards in Paia, Maui, part of a colorful surfboard fence along the Hana Highway. The tow-in surfboards are used in conditions when it's too big to paddle or when a wave breaks in an area that is remote or difficult to access. Think "Jaws" near Paia or "Mavericks" in Half Moon Bay.

The tow-in board is basically a surfer's version of a snow board, complete with foot straps that enable the surfer to stay connected to the board. The boards are short, 5'5" to 6'2" relatively thin, with wider tails and noses. The features of the tow-in boards are more consistent with shortboards, rather than traditional big wave surfboards.

Anyway, it's a colorful surfboard fence that really catches your eye.  See the painting in a show titled Hello Summer! at Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento.

Davenport Beach at Sunset

Davenport Beach at Sunset

original oil painting, 11x14 $550

Elliott Fouts Gallery

I'm in a group show called Hello, Summer! at Elliott Fouts Gallery, June 4 - July 1.  It includes many new paintings of Santa Cruz, surfboards, VW vans, beach volleyball and all things summer. The oil painting "Davenport Beach at Sunset" is in the show.  The cliffs at Davenport are some of the most spectacular rock formations north of Santa Cruz and nothing warms up a scene like the light at sunset.  Stop by the gallery to see the group show.  

Golden Gate Avenue at Dusk

Golden Gate Avenue at Dusk

original oil painting 12x12 SOLD

Plein Air Painting and Beyond

An Exhibit of Eight California Painters

Castilleja School Art Gallery, Palo Alto

I was invited to participate in a show at Castilleja School.  It's an all girls, private school in Palo Alto. The show is titled "Plein Air Painting and Beyond, An Exhibit of Eight California Painters."

The art teacher asked us to write something about our approach to plein air painting.  Here's part of my statement:

Plein Air Painting and Beyond

Plein air painting relies largely on spontaneity and intuitive reaction. An artist must paint quickly outdoors - usually in two hours from start to finish - to capture the light in a scene. There is no better way to learn to see and mix colors than by studying them directly in nature. By standing on a street corner in San Francisco, painting outdoors in natural light and struggling to match colors, the job of mixing colors in the studio for other works becomes infinitely easier. My plein air paintings are generally sketches that can be used as references for future studio compositions.

The painting above was completed in my studio from a photo and a quick study on location.

View of the Bay Bridge

View of the Bay Bridge

original oil painting 36x36 $3,000

Viewpoints Gallery

A view of the Bay Bridge from Pacific Avenue in San Francisco. The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge spans the San Francisco Bay and connects Yerba Buena Island to San Francisco. It has one of the longest spans in the United States. Pacific Avenue has a great view of the Bay Bridge.

Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset

Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset

original oil painting 12x12 SOLD

Viewpoints Gallery

My show is hung at Viewpoints Gallery. "Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset" sold on the first day. My reception is Saturday, December 5, from 2-5 and open to the public.

I liked the view of the bridge from this angle and the warm light at sunset. I used alizarin crimson mixed with ultramarine blue to paint the sky in the distance.  I don't use alizarin very often because it's a cool red, but it worked in this painting. 

Beach Cruiser and Surfboard

Beach Cruiser and Surfboard

original oil painting, 12x12 SOLD

Viewpoints Gallery

You won't see this anywhere, except at the beach - a surfboard strapped to a bicycle. An orange beach cruiser bicycle, a board with a little wax on it, and ready to surf. 

I'm finishing up paintings for my show at Viewpoints Gallery, titled "Santa Cruz to San Francisco." This painting and many more will be in the show December 1 - January 2, with a reception on Saturday, December 5, from 2-5 pm.  Come by and say hi!  

Evening Commute

Evening Commute

original oil painting 6x6 SOLD

Studio Gallery

Driving North on the 101 Freeway, I liked the warm light of sunset and the rhythmic patterns of the cars on the freeway. Although everyone hates to commute, there is beauty in the repetitive patterns, shapes and colors. I like the way my eye bounces around from warm to cool colors and shape to shape.