June 24 - Monument Park Russian Olive

"Russian Olive in Monument Park" On location to paint the view to the Colorado Rockies from the creek that runs north/south through Colorado Springs. While my two friends went walking, I plunked down and plugged in the Ipod to hear "The DaVinci Code" and painted this 12 x 16 oil. the Russian olive trees are a beautiful smoke gray, like smoke trees in my familiar California desert. I love their contrast against the greens. And of course the sound of trickling water isn't too shabby! SOLD

June 23 - Gaye Relaxing

"Relaxing" This is my coworker ffrom 32 years ago when I lived and worked in Germany in the mid 70s, and at whose house I am currently staying. Gaye is full of humor and life, with a joy that is hard to beat. Raised mostly in Europe, she and I worked for the military (not in) and had a great time in our 20s while single and living overseas. We'd been out among the shops and stores, and had come back to the house to relax before taking my rental car to the airport. I have always wanted to capture that elfin look of hers, and think I've finally succeeded. 9 x 12 oil

June 22 - From Colorado Springs

I'm writing to you from Colorado Springs, in the state of Colorado, tonight, and am visiting friends I used to work with (ulp) 32 years ago, when I lived and worked in Europe. We've gathered to share memories and catch up with our lives, and it will be a gloriously fun weekend. However, I missed my connecting flight from Denver, so I had to rent a car and drive down. It's really late, and a "wet" daily isn't forthcoming. Interesting, though... when I arrived at my friend's place, my eyes fell on a painting I had done shortly after we'd met.
Now this is to be taken with a grain of salt, folks. This one is 30 years old, and I had no record or memory of it! It even has my *old* name signed... archivists will have a field day tracking down these...um... "gems".

June 21 - Summer Squash

"Summer Squash" What's meaningful today? Oh, I went into the garden for the first time in a week, and did some weeding... and the zucchini and summer straight neck squash were already producing! I picked, threw a couple really big ones (how does zucchini DO that--grow so big so fast?) to the chickens, and brought this one in to the studio for today's painting.
The way the leaf was attached at the stem was intriguing, and its placement like a hand on the counter seemed to lend itself to a stalwart message... "We are not through yet; you will be buried in summer squash!" I'm fine with that, because his brethren were mighty tasty! How does your garden grow? The pole beans are next, followed by the summer sweet corn, which is about four feet tall today.
Original oil, 6 x 8 inches, done with palette knife on the highlights, and a single source light for chiaroscuro. Enjoy! Here's one that won't get away from you in size, and will stay scrumptious on your wall forever! $100

June 20 - In at Del Mar (Thoroughbred)

"In at Del Mar" A punny title on the sign, and the action in this painting.  The groom is leading the horse "into" the track area, the sign says "IN", and we are definitely "in" Del Mar Race Track!
  This was a 12 x 16 demonstration painting for my demo at the San Diego County Fair today.  I enjoyed the demo after a rough start, with phone calls and forgetting the ticket entry stuff, having to drive back to get them, and being late on account of it all.  However I stayed later and kept on painting.  
  Problem with this one, is it is a bit too complex to be a demonstration piece (for me).  I was talking the entire time and I need time to process the details and the overall planning.  Although it has a strong abstract structure holding it together, it is weak in a bunch of areas (don't tell me, I know where they are!!)  
  It will be reworked perhaps tomorrow, and reposted in a finished state, perhaps as a learning/lesson.  Hopefully it will be worth the wait.  It is deep in the "uglies" at the moment!
  After the demonstration, I spent the rest of the afternoon being a "Fair Junkie", seeing all the kitchen gadgets, the carnies with the carnival rides (I like looking at the people who run the rides--not the rides themselves!), shopping for odds and ends, and eating all the "heartburn specials" that are peculiarly found only at county fairs.  Can you say "Haystack Onions?"  I've also posted a link to a nice digital of the view from the Sky Ride that I took.  Very Del Mar Fair.
  Fun day!

June 19 - More Cowboy Coffee

"Now what?" He's got his coffee, and has a *look* on his face.  Could be he broke too many broncs and the pieces of his face don't fit together so well any more.  Could be he thinks you're a greenhorn!  Could be he's got some inner joke going on, but regardless of the reason, he has a Mona Lisa smile on his craggy face.  Can you see it there, in the twinkle of his eye?  Original oil, 12 x 9 inches.
  Enough already, it is after midnight and this is the same fellow pouring the coffee from yesterday, but now he's going to down some of his brew.  If I work him over some more, I think I'll turn him into a Sam Elliott kinda guy...
  Fun to paint tho', even if it is night owl time!

June 18 - Cowboy Coffee

"Sharing a Cup"  I drink coffee.  Love the stuff.  I even have a Capresso 1300 automatic machine in the studio, I'm that bad about it.  OK, I drink decaf.  Now don't jump all over me about health risks, I know the story.  I just love the aroma, the flavors, the... nevermind.  Today's painting is about coffee.  It is about sharing the pouring of a cup of java between friends.  It is only 12 x 12 inches, and FELL off my brushes. I just love the guy's hands.  Nice to have the muse back in the house!  This from source material taken at Big Bear in 2003.  I keep references for ages, because back in '03 I didn't have the skills to tackle this subject.  We can grow into our source material!
$300 from me.