Painting and Mailing the Oaks

 The Oak Woodlands are one of my favorite spots in Golden Gate Park.  One of the few spots in the park that looks much like the land did before the park was developed.  There is no gift shop and no postcards, so I have made a series of my own.  I was tempted to protect these hand-painted cards by sending them in envelopes.  But part of the risk and magic of mail art is letting what may happen in postal transit happen.

Oak Woodlands

The story of Golden Gate Park is of a windswept landscape of dunes that 150 years ago were transformed into 1,107 acres a public park.   As beautiful as the park is, it is essentially artificial.  The waterfalls, the gardens, the redwoods, the meadows — none of it was there before.  Thanks to irrigation, horse manure and gardening, the natural landscape was transformed.   And while I appreciate coastal dunes, it’s hard to argue with Golden Gate Park — it is the escape from urban life we all need at times.

But the story has a twist.  This week I visited unspoiled nature with a lovely walk through some typical California oak woodlands.   Hiding in the northeast corner of Golden Gate Park, generally overlooked by most visitors, is a magical place.  A pocket of the original landscape that was never altered. 

It is difficult to capture the woodlands in photos or a painting, but it was worth a try.

Bay Area Fall Colors

Yesterday painting (9″x12″, acrylic on paper).  Inspired by a little fall color this week after a drive up to the top of Mount Diablo with an afternoon hike around the peak.  80°, golden hills and a bit hazy — waiting for the winter rains.  I love the Bay Area, but October is the one month I still miss New York State and New England —just a little bit.

Marin Coast

Marin Coast, acrylic on paper, 12"x9"

One of the best parts of San Francisco is our wilderness backyard just across the Golden Gate Bridge.  The Marin Headlandsare a world away yet only a quick ride across the bridge. On weekends, you can even take the MUNI 76x– it always please me to see that bus from the city winding over the hills.  I have hiked up and above Fort Cronkhite countless times and it has always been an inspiration for my art.  The Adventure Peopleeven had a photo shoot on one occasion.  This latest painting is of the view looking down to Tennessee Cove. It is at the end of trail that was closed for years.  The drop off at the edge is a bit scary, but it’s worth the view.

Painting Calm

There are many positive and appropriate ways to respond to the horrible state of the world.  And in no way do I want to be either dismissive or ignore what is happening.  But, just to maintain my own personal sanity and not be overwhelmed by anger, sometimes I need to paint something calm and quiet like the old barn at Año Nuevo State Park.

Lazy Days of Summer

Well not for me, but it seemed that way for the elephant seals lying around on the beach at Año Nuevo State Park down near Santa Cruz.  Big rocks, or lumpy, molting elephant seals, here is where the fauna is the landscape.  These two paintings (12”x9” each) were inspired by last week’s visit and hike.

Up next, Geoscapes....

Are they collages?  Are the paintings?  Are they landscapes? Working on some new 5”x7” prototypes for future large pieces.

Never Waste Paint!

I work in acrylics and once they are dry — they are dry.  My palette is a shallow plastic box with a tight fitting top.  A spritz of water and sealing up the lid usually will keep the paints for a day or so.  But sometimes when I reach a stopping point, I know some paint might go to waste.  This is when an artist should reach for a piece of paper and work fast before making dinner.  This example (9”x7”) was painted the other day from a springtime photo of the Inverness Ridge Trail at Point Reyes.

Paleta Pacífica

Bahía de Banderas

mixed media collagescape, 18”x6”x1.5” on board

My latest collagescape is inspired by a very different Pacific Ocean.  The colors in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are not the ocean colors of the cold Pacific in Northern California.  It is a piece of art to look at when I want to warm up in a chilly San Francisco summer. 

Collagescapes are a series where I combine landscape painting and collage.   I start by painting paper with areas of color representing the palette of a specific place. Next I cut up the painting into hundreds of small pieces.  The final step is to randomize the pieces and then reassemble them.  Collagescapes are both landscape paintings and collages. They may appear abstract, but the intent is to retain the color palette of the places they represent.