Winter paintings - 1 revised

Color and perspective. Other people really help me see things I am missing. I revised one of the paintings below - the field was too bright, and the hills in the distance were too high. That's thee beauty of oil painting - things are easy to fix if you don't like it.
I think I will do a larger painting though, from a closer perspective. Especially now since I have a better idea of what I can do to it. Whatever, I just like sitting and putting paint on the surface. I have been out drawing too, so I have some new stuff inside.

Winter Hills near Boerne. Oil on panel, 8" x 10"

Winter hills near Boerne study, oil on panel 4" x 5"

Last paintings of this year - # 42 & 43.

Merry Christmas, and yes, I am still painting

Merry Christmas, to you, my friends, who take time to read what I am up to, and put up with my thoughts and words. And much thanks to those of you who comment every now and then, either on here, through email, or even those who call me on occasion.

This is not intended as one of those "Christmas letters" (thank God we got none of those this year - if I ever wanted to write one, I would have put all the bad things that happened in the letter just to make it real - anyway).  But I did want to mention some things that have happened this year that make 2012 a memorable and turning-point year for Linda and me.

I committed at the beginning of the year to learn about and paint with oils. In 2011, I told my friend, Johny Rosa (who has encouraged and inspired me to continue painting and get better with each one), that I had a goal of 10 paintings this year. I don't know quite how many I actually completed this year, but as I look around my little studio, I count 21 paintings either on the wall, on a shelf, or still drying on an easel. There are at least 4 more hanging in other rooms, I have sold at least 8 more, and given away no less than 7. So there are at least 40 paintings accounted for in 2012. Completed oil paintings....there are several more laying around in various stages of completion, some of which may never be finished because I just don't like the direction they were going, or my style has changed. And that doesn't include the watercolors!

I went from struggling with thin paint on canvas ( a penurious style, according to Bill Zaner), whose colors were slightly thin and dull, somewhat strained in their presentation, and a bit muddy at times - to some rather full, rich and colorful paintings, full of life and texture. My techniques have started to become more relaxed and confident, and I am seeing a new boldness in my use of paint, color, and depth. I spent several hours learning basics from Bill Scheidt, an artist I met through another gallery in town. Bill S. taught me several techniques to mix, apply, and glaze. Not knowing much of anything when I started, I needed to understand some of the basics and learn a few time-savers and tricks.

My trip to Big Bend, and the time I have spent watching, listening, and reading the works of Bill Zaner and David Caton has been the real turning point for my art. No doubt about it. Something changed, like night into day - almost like a sunrise, it happened that quick - the dim morning light in a short time becomes full daylight, and colors change with each second - and then the day exposes all of the full colors. From the evenings spent talking about spirituality and writing limericks, to the early morning watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee and bourbon, my life and painting "DNA" was changed. Bill promised/threatened I would never be the same, and he was indeed right on point. I learned in one morning a completely different way to apply my paint, how to create depth and space, and how to feel the morning and express it on a surface.

I spent time reading Zaner's book on Texas landscapes, and understanding his passion to capture the Texas landscape and preserve its beauty for the next generation to enjoy. The landscape....not a lot of artists portray realistic landscapes any more, so I have a lot of respect for those who can do it well. Bill Zaner and David Caton are two of those people - and I count it a privilege to know them and call them friends.

So what's in store for the years to come? I am working on a 5 year plan to get out of debt, and be selling enough art to allow me to do that full time. Next year, I commit to 50 new pieces of fine Texas landscapes. And I commit to put my heart and soul into each one, to continue what was birthed in me this year.

Thank you again for listening and believing in me, and especially to those that have bought my art this year.

Hill Country Red Oaks #4 of 4, Oil on panel, 14" x 18", last of the series

More Red Oaks

Here is another painting of the little Red Oak grove on the back road home. This is what a stressful day creates. Yesterday was probably the worst day I have had in a long time. I was totally unmotivated and burnt out at work, and I pretty much did nothing except have a pity party all day. It was bad, and I just waited out my time there, waiting to get home. I don't like that Linda works so much, and there is about a 3 hour period between when I get home and when she does. I took advantage of that time to attack a canvas I had prepared. An hour painting always just melts away the stress, and passes quickly. Before I knew it, those 3 hours went by, and I realized 100% of my issues were between my ears. I had nothing to feel bad about, and I decided in that time to change my attitude.
Painting connects me to the beauty within me, and helps me see things in a different light, instead of worrying or feeling sorry for myself. Somehow all that  is wrong is forgotten, and all that is right comes out. Everything I need for peace and a harmonious life is within me, and comes out with the colors of my palette, placed carefully on a surface that becomes my interpretation of what I see.
The music in the background takes effect to relax me, and put me in a different state of mind and space. There is no need for anything else but the quiet and somehow it transcends my circumstances and my pain. In an instant, all is well and right.
So here is the prepared canvas:

Here is the first layer:

 
And finally, the end product - most of which I did "pleine aire" on site.

Red Oaks Grove, Boerne, Oil on canvas, 9" x 12"

I have one more to do in this series - a 14" x 18" with more detail. I am really liking the progression and the colors.

Hill Country Red Oaks

My weekend was pretty full - in a good way. I had a lot of opportunity to connect with friends and family, eat some good food, watch the Christmas Parade in Boerne, and even complete a couple of oils. I still have a canvas that I took time to prepare earlier, but I didn't work on because I wanted to do a couple of smaller ones first.
Out of all of them, I think I still like the simplicity of the watercolor the best. And, the two I did are done with a knife, so the texture and the look is going to be different. I think the bigger one will involve some brush work as well, if not mostly.
Anyway, here are the paintings. This is the first one.

Hill Country Red Oaks, Late Fall, 6" x 8", Oil on canvas

 The second one is on a small board using the leftover paint on the palette.

Hill Country Red Oaks 2, Oil on panel, 2.5" x 3"

And finally, here are the 3 together, along with the watercolor sketch.

Late Autumn in the Texas Hill Country

A grove of Red Oaks on the back road to Boerne, watercolor study on paper, 2.5" x 6.25"

There is always something to remind me why we chose to move here. Autumn and the foliage is one of those things. There is another level of peace that comes with taking a moment to enjoy the colors and express it with paint.

3 most useless things to discuss - part 2

I started with this yesterday -

3 most useless things to discuss

Politics
Sports
Religious doctrine

Neither of which, no matter how passionate we are, we have any control.
and my cyber-buddy, Kansas Bob, challenged me with the question, "What are the three most useful things to discuss?"

Nice one, Bob... so here is part 2

Most useful things to discuss (in no particular order of importance - pick one and start there)

Spirituality

Encouragement

Love 

Personal Growth

Relationship

Family

Beauty

Discovery

The journey of life

Our mortality

Our significance

Purpose

All of which, with passion, all of us have direct influence.

What have I missed? 

Speaking of beauty and our significance, today I heard, then saw some migrating Sand Hill cranes in formation. Such a wonder of nature, these birds fly to Texas all the way from Alaska, and have been doing so for centuries. It's believed that this is the oldest known annual migration of birds in history. What does that have to do with our significance? We get to witness this!

Afternoon Hill Country Autumn study, watercolor on paper

3 most useless things to discuss

Politics
Sports
Religious doctrine

Neither of which, no matter how passionate we are, we have any control.

Why I don't like "romantic comedies" (aka chick flicks)

Romantic comedies are too predictable. The plot(s) go(es) like this -
Screwed up chick meets hot guy - or - Screwed up guy meets hot chick
(For the purpose of brevity, I will stick with the screwed up chick meets hot guy scenario, but they are interchangeable.)
chick hates dude or dude hates chick
dude has another girlfriend who is evil or bitchy
dude somehow meets chick's dysfunctional family disguised as her boyfriend
Mom is a (closet) drunk and dad is a doofus
Someone in the cast is gay
dude and chick have tension and evil girlfriend gets in the way
chick falls in love with dude
dude rejects chick because of evil girlfriend
dude almost gets married, chick gets depressed because she thinks he actually went through with it
chick loses job/family member/gay friend/dog
dude comes to the rescue and they fall in love
dude buys her a car/business/new dog
life becomes wonderful
Pauly get sick and rents "Expendables 2"
Life is wonderful again

Thanks and Thanksgiving

One of the greatest things I am  thankful for is the ability and opportunity to see and be with my family. I picked up one of the grandsons on Tuesday, and Wednesday hiked with him out at the Cibolo Nature Center. I did a watercolor sketch, and then did an oil painting of that scene later on that night. A. J. wanted to paint, so I gave him a little canvas and a knife, and let him create his own.
Family. It's great.
So over Thanksgiving, we treated everyone to a buffet at the hotel we came to, and then end enjoyed letting the kids wear themselves out at the indoor water park. I spent some time in the hot tub, but didn't really relax because of the noise. Holy hell, a thousand kids inside, with millions of gallons of water gushing everywhere made the noise level pretty unbearable. Nevertheless, I am having a blast knowing the kids are having an experience they'll remember for a long time.
Family. It's great.
So here are a few things I've done the last few days.  Family and painting...my expression of thanks.And it's great.

Autumn Stream, Oil on Panel, 8" x 10"

Autumn Stream 2, Oil on Panel, 2.5" x 3"

Late Autumn Trees, Grapevine, TX, watercolor study on bristol, 4" x 7"

And 2 more

These are the best 2 works from the week. They are also the first 2 I painted out in Terlingua, both of the same subject. I really love these, and they both sold on Saturday. I think they are some of the best work I've done yet.

Bee Mountain, Terlingua #2, Oil on Board, 2.5" x 3" SOLD

"Bee Mountain, Terlingua" Oil on board, 8" x 10" SOLD

More paintings from the week

I have really enjoyed these little palette knife paintings. It's really cool to use color and texture together, and be able to cover a surface with a single stroke. I can get a more consistent color by mixing it first on the palette, then using a knife to spread it.

This was one I did before sunset. The movement of the sun changes the colors each minute, so it's hard to capture from one minute to the next. It was causing some cool coloration on the top of Tule mountain. One thing I enjoyed about Terlingua was the quiet. But the moving lights and the changing colors seemed to provide their own music on the landscape.

"Tule Mountain Near Sunset" Oil on board, 4" x 5"

"Cypress Preparing for Fall" Oil on board, 4" x 5"

 Bill Zaner always says to paint what you know, not what you see. I remembered this scene from the Cibolo Nature Center, and right now the leaves on the cypress trees are turning color. This was a fun little painting of one of my favorite places on earth.
























This little house has been challenging me for months. I finally attacked it with a palette knife and had a nice outcome. It will not be the last time I paint this ruddy little building.

"Robert E. Lee House in Boerne, TX" Oil on board, 5" x 7"

The Big Adventure

I'm behind a little red Jeep that has a license plate that says BZART. It's 7:25 am, the sun is rising and we're on the road. truly, this is an adventure that I've been looking forward to for weeks. It's a trip out west to Big Bend Country with the iconic Bill Zaner, and another artist, David Caton. The 3 of us are headed out to Big Bend to paint, drink some wine, and philosophize about life. Bill says it's only an hour to David's house, and then another four a half hours to Big Bend. but Bill's  driving only 50 miles an hour. I'm afraid this might take a little longer. Just 6 minutes out of Boerne, and already the hill country is beginning to change. The muted colored hills in the distance, and the morning light flashing on the oaks all around me reach out as to say, "Welcome home."
28 minutes and were just now I'm getting out of Bandera Texas. There was a warning sign that said there are Steep grades and sharp curves for the next 22 miles. I took us over an hour and 20 minutes to get to David's house, but we finally got back on the road. 7 hours later, we arrived at the cabin in Terlingua. We stopped only a couple of times along the way, once in Del Rio for gas and a quick HEB run, and then at the Pecos river overlook where we could see the intersection of the Pecos and the Rio Grande.



The Pecos River looking toward the Rio Grande, at the end of the canyon.

Wednesday was mostly traveling, so we didn't do any painting. I got a couple of quick sketches in prior to sunset, and took a few snapshots from the porch. We finally got to painting on Thursday, and I was able to complete 3 paintings, and start on a 4th. I'll publish those in the next few posts.

Something extraordinary happened on this short trip. Bill said my DNA would be rearranged, and it was. I learned some key things about myself and my art.

On Thursday morning, just after sunrise, both Bill and David set up their easels and began to paint. I was extremely intimidated, being the "junior" painter, and apprentice of sorts, among these two giants. I watched both of them paint for a few minutes, then summoned my courage to set up and get some paint on a surface. While watching Bill paint with a knife, he would share little bits of information about what he was doing - mixing, application, color, space... it took me about 10 minutes with all of my senses observing his moves and listening to his voice to figure out I could do what he was doing. So I did. And I loved it. I overcame my fear and learned a new way to paint. I didn't use a brush on any of the 6 paintings I completed since Thursday.

To be continued -

Quick sketch

I like pencil sketching. Here is a quick sketch for a painting I am working on. I was stuck with the painting and thought a sketch would help me see things more clearly. I really like this little rock house, but got frustrated trying to paint first. The sketch helped. Will post the painting when I re-do it.

Robert E Lee House, Boerne, TX, Pencil on Bristol, 5" x 8"

Necessary tools

I had this small 3" x 5" canvas and a frame it fits, and didn't know what to do with it until last night. There are things around where I paint that are aesthetically pleasing - at least to me - and want to capture. An artist's space can yield a lot of good subject matter. My brushes in my vase and a bottle of wine represent something I look at frequently. I enjoy a glass of red when I paint. The light coming in a west window provides a soft and bright environment in the late afternoon. The red wine, the smell of oil paint, and music from Amos Lee, Norah Jones, Ben Harper, and Jason Mraz provide a warm and calm ambiance - perfect for a mellow afternoon.

"Necessary Tools" Oil on canvas, 3" x 5"

Happy Harvest Moon

The past few days have yielded much fruit for me - spiritually, emotionally, and in the richness of the love of my friends. I feel a shift in my expression, the hard lines of precision and the need to conform to realism are fading, and my art is beginning to take a new direction. Going back to the title of this blog, I have been reminded that art is not imitation, it is expression. At my best, a realistic copy of something is just that, a copy, and it will be imperfect at best. My friend Bill encouraged me to "loosen up," and use paint - cover my canvas, don't paint so "thin."
And my friend, Johny encouraged me by saying, "When most artists think about this (still life), they think of the word 'still." And the real artists think about 'life'." I had an inspiration last night to paint from a sketch I did in the late afternoon, right before sunset. I sat in the grass and sketched a pumpkin in the early evening light. I took the image in my head and finished it last night in the studio. I don't do a lot of still life paintings, but I see things all the time I think would make a cool painting. I see this as a harvest of what I have been tending all year. And the Harvest Moon last few days has been an awesome sight.

"Harvest Moon Calabasa" Oil on canvas, 6" x 9"

"Paint-Out" in Boerne Friday

I'll be taking part in one of the events this weekend for the Boerne Professional Artists 10th Annual Texas Hill Country Invitational "Paint Out" on Friday. There will be artists along Main Street and the Creek, and on different locations in Boerne from 9-1 pm. The objective will be to complete a painting from a blank canvas during that time allotment, and have it framed and ready for auction that evening. Paintings will go on display after 2:00 p.m.

You'll be able to tell the participants by their easels, paints, brushes, and a bright balloon tied to their easel. Come out and watch the Plein-Aire artists working. I'll be on the deck of Texas Treasures Fine Art. (link is in the sidebar). Come have a cup of coffee with me, enjoy the morning and watch me and other artists paint. Bring me a taco. Bring me wine. Bring me bourbon....but come on out.

I'll post some pictures later.

Influence

In order to influence people we must first influence ourselves.

That's a quote I heard today that had an impact on me. To create, to express, to paint, is to influence. Art is influence in its pure expression.

These are a couple of things I worked on today.

Oaks in the hills. Pencil on Bristol, 3.5" x 5"

Oak on a hill, 8" x 10" Oil on Canvas

More trees

It's getting closer to the 19th, and I will be participating in a "Paint Out" for the Hill Country Council for the Arts. There will be a number of artists throughout Boerne painting different scenes during the morning, from start to finish, and in the evening they will auction off the paintings. The artists agree to give 10% of their proceeds to the HCCA, and get to keep the rest.

It's a challenge, so I'll be practicing all week, although I think I already know what I will paint.

I spent some time around a lot of artists this weekend. I also got a chance do display some of my paintings at the 2nd Saturday Wine and Art at Texas Treasures Fine Art. I sold a small painting (the tiny one on top) to Aaron, one of the art consultants for the gallery. Thanks, Aaron.

This was my display

 I got to spend some one-on-one time with Bill Zaner at his studio today. Bill has been an artist all his life - all he has ever done professionally is paint since the age of 16. Watching him paint, listening to his understanding and point of view, and picking his brain has done more to help me grow as an artist than anything else I have ever done. I am so glad to know him and have him as a friend.

SO this afternoon, I took a few minute to create this little guy. I bought some frames at a garage sale that I reconditioned and painted, but I had to cut some board to fit. I'll be creating more of these this week, and will post them as I can.

I'm looking forward to painting under pressure on Friday. It will be a good experience. Here's what I completed today. It took me about 45 minutes, start to finish.

Oaks, 5" x 7". Oil on canvas board.

Random thoughts from the weekend

• Weekends are too short - the hardest part is the 5 days that follow.
• After a hard week, and a very stressful Friday, it's always good to get a 6-pack, and drink it with my buds on the deck of Texas Treasures Fine Art. Except when they close early because they are going to an art event in Fredericksburg.
• Octoberfest beer tastes better when you have buddies to drink it with. Saturday was good.
• When the stress builds up, take your dog to the park and paint.
• The dog on a paint outing is a distraction when your dog wants to eat little kids.
• Painting still reduces stress, especially outdoors.
• Talking about real things with a couple of other artists is therapeutic.
• For a long time, I was very opinionated, even when my opinions weren't thought out or made no sense. The rest of the world calls it "being a dick."
• It's OK to be a dick. It's not OK when you're the only one who doesn't know it yet.
• I like most people. Now.
• When I mess up a painting, I can always start another one.
• When ordering the fried chicken with a baked potato and brocolli at PoPo's, it's really not necessary to eat the brocolli. But it looks good on the plate, and assuages any guilt.
• It's good with a glass of Cab.
• Menudo, tamales, pan dulce, and family on Sunday are a really good mix.
• Babies are really cool.
• I hate the term, "Have a nice day." It sounds like a command or a brush-off. Even worse is, "Have a good one." Um, a good what?
• I would prefer people think about what they say - maybe say, "I hope you have a great day" instead.
• Monday comes too soon. Friday is so far away.
• One day at a time. Really.



Painting St. Peter's Catholic Church across the street in Veterans Plaza, Boerne, TX



Recharging

I could do this all day...I just finished both of these - I had to rework the roots on the cypress, and finish the sky on the other, but they are now finished - I promise....I won't touch them again...well, maybe....

Time to start some new works. Spending my Saturday for 5 hours painting takes away all the stress of the 45 hours or so I spend at work during the week. My desire is to one day be able to do this full time. I can think of nothing I would want to do more...

Summer's Refuge, Oil on Canvas, 16" x 20"

"Quiet Day's End" - Oil on Canvas, 14" x 18" This is a view of the hill country looking south from the Old Number 9 Tunnel, Comfort, TX at sunset

Refuge

There is a peace that comes with painting. When I am feeling stressed, insecure, or when the world is coming against me, I seek refuge in the peace of a brush in my hand, and placing paint on a canvas. There are places I go where I can get away from the cares of the day, from the hectic pace of life.

I started this painting on the Cibolo Creek, at the Cibolo Nature Center just a couple of miles from Interstate 10, yet away from all of the noise and clamor of the city nearby. It's one of my favorite places in the world, and it's only minutes from my house. The picture of me painting  in one of the posts below is the beginning of this painting. It was finished in the quiet of my studio at home.

I was feeling especially insecure today for a number of reasons. I was to the point of being angry and frustrated at a situation I have no control of. All I could think of was my problem, and all of a sudden I said, "I need to paint." And I did. For an hour and a half I worked to complete this. (It's still not signed, but I'll do that when it dries.) I lost the entire hour and a half - completely engrossed in the music and the flow of paint being applied by my hand on the canvas. I thought about nothing - not my problems, not my stomach, or anything else - all I could think about was how the color was going to go on, where it was going to go, and what I would look like. Color... space... shape....

Perfect peace. I left my thoughts and frustrations for a while, and did what I knew would take me into another space, a perfect place - my perfect refuge. I am glad to share this with you. I hope you enjoy my expression of peace.

Summer's Refuge, Oil on canvas, 16" x 20" from the banks of the Cibolo Creek, Boerne TX September 2012

My first show

Cibolo Creek Cypress, Oil on Canvas Board, 11" x 14", This is the painting I have in the show

THE   BOERNE  ART  LEAGUE  FALL  SHOW
                               2012

You are invited to a reception presenting the BAL Fall Show at the Boerne Visitor’s Center 1407 South Main on Saturday, September 22 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm  
 The show includes works by  members in pastels, oils, acrylic and photography.
 The dates and times are September 17 through October 17 Monday- Friday 9-5 & Saturday 10-2.

Art is Art

Sometimes when I show something I have drawn or painted,  people tell me, "I can't draw a straight line with a ruler."

That's art, I always think. That's art.

A straight line is just a straight line. We all have art in us, and it doesn't always start with straight lines or realistic renderings. Art is art. It comes from within, and it's different for every person. Art is pure expression, and it's not right or wrong.

Yes, art can be very technical or very free. Art can be pleasing as well as shocking. It is expression, feeling, and passion. It's just art.

I like landscapes, dogs, and impressionism. I practice that in my painting. Sometimes I get frustrated at how something comes out, but always, always, I am totally at ease when I have a brush and paint in my hands. I love to express, and I love doing it with passion. I escape completely, and I am at rest. It's what I was born to do.

I haven't always liked my art. But now I do....I realize whatever comes out of me is what the Creator placed in me, and part of my self  - my essence - gets recorded and imprinted on a canvas or paper. And it's real - it's my art.

So I won't be drawing straight lines with a ruler. That's tracing.

I like art.

Painting out at Cibolo Nature Center

Old # 9 Tunnel

There is an old railroad tunnel between Comfort and Fredericksburg, in the beautiful hills of Texas. It is home to 3.5 million Mexican Freetail bats, and every day before sunset, they emerge in clouds of swirling black mass, to go feed for the night. The sight is both calm and chaotic, and one can witness the sound and wind the emergence creates. It's truly an awesome sight. After they are all out, there is an eerie peace over the hills as the sun sets, and night starts to fall. It is at that moment that I tried to capture the calm and the beauty of the hills. From the top of the hill, one can see for miles, and capture the beauty and stillness of the essence of Texas - the very reason we chose to move here. There is peace, there is time for reflection, and there is a space to get lost in all that the creator, the great Spirit of our land and being, has sculpted and colored for us to enjoy.

Bats' view of the hills. Watercolor on Vellum, 3" x 5"

Be nice

The last 6 weeks have been down-time for me. I spent 5 of those weeks with my granddaughter who came to live with us over her summer vacation. I didn't get a lot of painting or drawing in, but I have taken some time to think, observe, and get some new ideas. I also spent time doing what a grandfather should do - I talked with her, and tried to teach her some life skills.

One of our talks centered around relationships. Specifically, hard relationships that we have with people that sometimes get us uncomfortable, or mad, or that are just different than us. We talked about how when you do something nice for someone, you do it for yourself, not necessarily the other person. It's easy to do nice things for people when you feel good about yourself. And in turn, doing a nice thing for someone makes you feel good about yourself. When we do something nice, or give something away, and we do it without expectation, it doesn't matter what the other person's response (or lack of ) is. And it doesn't matter if that person DESERVES something different - doing something good has its reward and it comes from within.

So...I have to confess. There is someone I know who really gets under my skin. I didn't know what it was, and I have really been searching inside to see what was bringing up that response in me. It's not the other person - it's me. My response to that person is based on something within me, and I had to take the time to see what the root of that is so that I could move forward. I have learned not to let what other people do or say or how they act or react determine or affect my mood or my well-being. But this person just really strirs things up in me that I thought were gone.

After giving it some thought, the best I could determine (because this person has never done anything to ME personally) is that this person operates much like I have in the past - not thinking, reacting, going off, wanting control, working without a definite plan... all things I am capable of and don't like about myself. And being around that, listening to that, well.....it really sets off something inside of me that I have had to deal with in a constructive way. I've tried to like this person, but every time I get near them, a wall goes up.

I tried something today based on the conversation I had with Izzy... I made a birthday gift for them. Took them out to dinner. Painted a "wallet painting," and even framed it. And giving something of myself, getting away from my feelings, my insecurities, and my hang-ups....well...it just made me feel good about myself. And knowing I feel good about myself, I was able to just do something nice. And I liked it. It took me just a few minutes to complete this painting. It's "wallet sized," 2.5" x 3". I enjoyed painting it. They enjoyed receiving it. We both won tonight, and the world is a better place.

"Grace abounds" - Watercolor on canvas paper, 2.5" x 3"

#17

I've been working on this scene in front of our apartments. Actually, right in front of IH-10, as seen from our pool....I just painted all the good stuff... I will be doing a larger painting soon, but I am really enjoying these tiny oils. This one is only 2.5" x 3".

Boerne # 17, Oak on a hill, Oil on canvas, 2.5" x 3"

# 15 & 16

Boerne # 16, Oaks. Watercolor on canvas panel, 4" x 5"

Pencil study Boerne # 15, Oak, pencil on bristol, 3 x 5"

I hope no one is getting sick of trees. I have 84 more to do...Here are two I did today.

#12 & 14

I know... I skipped #13. Actually, I'm not done with it yet. It is part of a painting I haven't finished. I've been struggling with it for a while now, and I actually have the trees right, but the rest of the painting is hideous. So I have to finish it before I post...
Work and my little Izzy have been taking all of my time this month. I love the fact though that I am able to spend time with her, and I wish I had my other grandkids here too, although I would probably lose the rest of my hair trying to keep up with all 3 of them at once.
Kids, like all of us, need a lot of attention. Isn't it nice when we get focused attention?

Boerne Cypress by the Cibolo Creek (#10 & 11)

I wonder how many different types of trees there are - even just in Boerne...I was sitting on the river last week, enjoying the view of a nice cypress across the water. I did a pencil sketch of it, then a quick sketch of how I would lay it out with paint - then I painted it.

It has been so nice to have some time off, and to be able to just sit and paint, read, or whatever I feel like at the moment. I feel refreshed and relaxed, and it's given me time to connect with myself again without the pressure of everyday life.

Anyway, in the moment, I finished what I started last week. Here's the latest:

Pencil study - Cibolo Creek cypress, pencil on paper, 3 x 5"

Cypress on Cibolo Creek, Boerne, Oil on canvas, 11" x 14"

Post-break #s 8 & 9

OK.... I have 5 days haven't taken any time to sit and draw or paint. It's nice to have some time off. I thought I would take sometime to read, relax, and finally - draw and paint.

It's been a hard few weeks. I've been struggling with a bad back, a bad hip (injury from a fall), and a very stressed and sore tooth. On top of that, I got bitten by chiggers. Damn, I hate getting old. Nevertheless, today was a day I could just take a little time and paint. I am working on a cypress tree by a river painting. It's been a bit of a challenge, so I went back to some oaks.

I've always had a passion for art. I'm sorry I took so much time away from developing this talent, but I am happy I still have the desire, the talent, and the ability to develop myself. I'm thankful also for those around me that have inspired this passion, and encouraged me to go forward. I am thankful for my critics - those that care enough about me to help me see things I haven't seen before, and that help sharpen my skills.

Here are my trees today - I sill have a lot more to do before the end of next month.

Boerne Oaks #8 - Watercolor on paper, 4" x 5" - this is a birthday card for a friend

Boerne Oaks # 9 - pencil study on bristol, 3.5" x 4.5"

I touched God's canvas

I spent today with my best friend, Bobby, out at Enchanted Rock today. We climbed to the top of the granite dome and took some time to take in the beautiful Texas hill country's 360 degree view from about a 1750' elevation. 

I was awestruck. As I was sitting there enjoying what I believe to be one of the most peaceful and scenic places in the world, I was struck by the thought of God creating all of this. "God's canvas," I told myself.
When I look at a piece of artwork, I always want to touch it if I can. I like to feel the paint, I like to feel and know the surface. It helps me understand the work. I felt the Spirit tell me to reach out and touch the canvas, feel the work, so I did. For a few minutes, in the quiet and majesty of creation, I held out my hand, and touched God's canvas. I felt the distant hills, experienced the trees, felt the wind, and got to experience the creator's hand-work in a way I have never experienced it before. I cried. I was moved by something perfect, and so much more than myself. I got to feel and touch God's canvas. I hope I can do it again soon.

Part of God's canvas

#7, Cypress study

I'm way behind schedule on my tree challenge. I did this quick study yesterday sitting at the park on River Road in Boerne. There are some beautiful cypress trees along the banks.

Boerne Cypress study, on the Cibolo Creek, pencil on paper, 3.5"x 3.5"

Goodbye, Facebook

If you want to follow my thoughts and art, you need to register here for email updates (I promise I won't blow up your email box - I post a couple of times a week) or RSS feeds (on the very bottom of this page), or you can simply "Follow" me (in the right column). I have turned off Facebook wall posts and notifications, so you can't post there any more. I suppose you can still send messages through FB for a while, at least until I transfer all my pictures and deactivate my account.
For those who haven't asked yet, Facebook has gotten progressively more invasive - it still amazes me how much information people are willing to volunteer to a bazillion-dollar organization who uses that data to market it for a profit. FACEBOOK IS NOT FREE! In addition to that, it has become a major time-waster for me. I know other people who survive without a Facebook account, so I know I can too.
I have been thinking about this for months, just waiting for the right time to pull the trigger. It's time. I have more room to express my thoughts here, and it allows for comments. If you want my email, it is available under my profile over on the right. Click on "Pauly" under "About me" and there is a link to send me an email. I will be glad to communicate with you that way - or just call me. I like that too.

Sunset

I don't know...light is so hard to to capture. There is so much color in a sunset, so much that the light does...

I love the intensity in this painting, but I'm not sure I got it right. I'm having fun doing these tiny paintings, though.

Hill Country Sunset, Oil on canvas board, 2.5" x 3.5"

Painting lesson #2

Bill Scheidt, the artist I am studying under, gave me a very simple lesson on painting this last weekend.
"Paint the right color, in the right shape, in the right place."
Simple as that. That's how we need to deal with others- do the right thing, the right way, at the right time.  Simple.

How to paint a tree in two easy steps

1. Draw out your subject lightly with pencil on your canvas.





2. Apply paint to canvas:

Boerne Oak #5 of 100. Oil on canvas paper, 2.5" x 3.5"

Don't forget to sign your work. Voila! A tree. 95 to go.