Hogbacks

Late yesterday afternoon I did these two quick drawings in my 3.5 by 5.5 inch pocket sketchbook of the "Hogback Rocks" at Wright's Beach, .  The weather was perfect for plein air painting, considering the time of the year.

Winter Shadows

Duncan's Landing Shadows, 3.5 x 5" sketchbook, December 2011

Duncans's Landing Cove, 11x14", Oil on Panel, January 2009

Duncans's Landing is on of our favorite spots along the Sonoma Coast of northern California.  We have stopped here many times over the years to watch the ocean waves crash on the rocks, or just read and relax here.  By now I have done more than a few sketches and paintings from this spot.  One feature that I have returned to draw and paint is the cliff and beach of the small cove at Duncan's Landing.  Above are two of my attempts to capture the deep winter shadows that are so characteristic of the northern California coast at this time of the year.

Happy Valentine's Day

"Starfish in Love", Chalk on kitchen blackboard

Radio

India ink, reed pen and chalk on wove paper

Often, while painting in my studio, I enjoy listening to the radio, especially whenever I can tune in a good classical music program.  The radio in this drawing is one that I currently have packed away in our earthquake kit.  I also have a vintage Westinghouse transistor radio that I use.  There is a picture of it at La Vie Graphite, from a blogger who shares my interest in radios, as well as manual, portable typewriters, fountain pens (and other writing instruments) and journals.  I really enjoy looking at the photos on his site.

Coffee

Pen and ink drawing in sketchbook, 5.5 x 7 inches

I like to grind coffee beans in this old hand crank coffee mill.  I found it on eBay a few years ago.  Made in Germany during the 1950's; it continues to serve me well each day.  I did a pen and ink drawing of it one of my sketch books.  I didn't leave enough room on the right side to show the knob on the end of the hand crank.

Studio Chrysanthemums, (transplanted to a new home)

Oil on Canvas, 11 x 14" Sold

This still life is one of my favorites.  I had a good time painting it too.  It only took about two hours to finish; which is very unusual for me. (See post for January 27th).  This painting is also unusual because I didn't set up an arrangement of the objects on the table, but just put the potted chrysanthemums down on my work table, next to my painting tools and supplies, and started painting. Overall, I think it turned out alright.  

A year ago last February it received a second place award in a National Arts Program competition in Santa Rosa.  (Apparently a few other people liked it too)!  

Last week this painting went to a new home where perhaps it will become the new owner's favorite painting.

Quarry Rocks and Pool at Spring Lake

Oil on Panel, 8 x 10"

Here is a small oil study that I did of a small pool of rainwater, found along an out-of-the-way path inside Spring Lake Park.  I chose this subject because of its interesting combination of colors, shapes and textures found in the water, rocks, uprooted tree stumps and wildflowers.  I managed to include the sky in this close-up view by showing it in the reflection of the pool.

Keep Drawing

All last week, since taking part in the latest sketch crawl event up in Healdsburg, the importance of keeping a regular sketching habit has been on my mind.  To that end, I have started doing some sketches of whatever I happen to see around me.  I'm not especially looking for interesting subjects; rather, the important thing is to keep drawing.

A few days ago I did a small pen and ink study of some plant containers outside on our deck.

A minimal studio

A drawing with minimal hatching

Stormy Day at Bodega Head

"Bodega Head Rocks"

Oil on Paper

8 x 10"

This is a painting from a snapshot I took while standing on the Bodega Head cliffs on the Sonoma Coast. The water was very green and there was this very orange stripe of sunlight cutting straight across a dark overcast sky.  Here's my attempt to capture some vivid color effects lasting a only a few minutes.

Pottery and Potatos

"Pottery and Potatos"

Oil on paper

7 x 10" 

This is another winter still life that I did a while back.  I like to set up these compositions during times of the year when the weather is not so good for going outdoors to paint landscapes.  With a still life arrangement I usually like to take some extra time to draw a several preliminary sketches before starting the actual painting, especially if there are no flowers or fruit that will wilt or rot in the meantime. Note how in this painting, one of the potatoes has started a couple of green sprouts, which show that I had this arrangement set up for more than a few days! The pottery mug shown here is my favorite coffee cup.