Mexican Sunsets

Mexican Sunset, acrylic on paper, 12"x9"

Typically I don’t paint sunsets, and purple is not a color with a prominent place in my palette.  But, when you are on vacation, rules can be broken, extra desserts, sleep in late, do nothing if you like, and paint sunsets.  I am home from Mexico now, so it time to get back to my routine.

Mail Art from the Tropics

It feels good to get a different perspective and be out of my usual San Francisco element.  Reading, relaxing, listening to the surf and enjoying afternoon thunderstorms on the Bahía de Banderas in Puerto Vallarta.  I travel with art supplies and have been making some mail art postcards.  Before heading out to find a mail box, it is important to ask the Magic Iguana to make sure these arrive — eventually.  They might take a couple of months to get to their recipients, but it will be worth the wait.

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.

Tropical Palette

Playa Los Muertos, 12”x9”, acrylic on paper

Back home in cool, foggy San Francisco — I am starting to experiment with a more tropical palette after an inspiring little trip down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  More to come….

Pacific Collagescape

Pacific, 24”x24” mixed media on board

This is the biggest piece in the Collagescape series so far.  It seems fitting that it is inspired by the big ocean, the world’s biggest ocean that I live only 4 miles away from.  The nicest way for me to get there is a good long walk through Golden Gate Park with a rewarding arrival at Ocean Beach at the end.  And if I need a reminder, most days a cool breeze kicks in and blows across my neighborhood.  Of course, many days and most summer nights, the ocean wraps my City in cool, gray Pacific fog.  Even if I can’t see the Pacific when I look out my window, I know it’s there.  I can feel it.

Pacific will be included in my Collagescape exhibit opening on July 29.

A print and other merchandise is based on a section of this work and available form Society 6.

A Reminder from the Pacific

Last night it was just a bit balmy in San Francisco, a stiff breeze was blowing across the City.  Even though I live about 4 miles from Ocean Beach, you could smell the ocean. San Francisco is surrounded by water on three sides, yet I sometimes spend so much time here in my neighborhood, pretty much near the geographic center of the City, that I occasionally forget the ocean is close by.  Glad for the reminder, the next collagescape will be a bigger one, a deconstructed, pacific seascape.  Today is all about priming and underpainting.  It is all about blue.  I need to get this one done, as I hope it will be ready to be shown in the Collagescape exhibit opening on July 29.

Surf’s Up!

Surf, 24”x6” mixed media. collagescape on wood panel

The Collagescape Series definitely needs a seascape, and here it is. a panoramic piece, a small glimpse of the Pacific Ocean horizon made out of approximately 2,500 small pieces of painted paper.  

Surf will be included in my Collagescape exhibit opening on July 29.

Surf,  24”x6” mixed media. collagescape on wood panel