Sunsets

I'm really excited about my Heavenly Lights series. I have been blessed by our daughter-in-law photographing some spectacular sunsets out on the North Shore of Oahu.

Still, I play with the images and use lots of texture and collage. This one came together quite fast, and I'm pleased with it. Once in a while I see a sunset in San Jose, but not terribly spectacular ones. I guess the ocean and the desert are two places for sunsets.

Memories of Hawaii and family

We were treated to a wonderful wedding ocean side on November 23rd. The day was sunny and the full moon shone after night fall. The bride even arranged a Hawaiian show for the guests, many of whom came from the mainland.

My contribution in terms of time was minuscule. I did have a painting of two birds that were used to display on the gift table. The birds, called fairy terns, are only found in Honolulu. What better way than to show this bird that conveys the Hawaiian scenery.

Beautiful NOrth Shore weather

We are having a very relaxing time before the wedding. There are details we can help with that gives the bride at least a little break. I brought some watercolors and acrylics and canvases and panels on which to paint. The watercolors are by Reeves and don't give me the colors of my regular palette, I can't complain as I won the watercolors in a raffle back in New York.

The acrylics I paint with are bright and vibrant and I prefer them. There are some beautiful, tropical flowers that I wish I had at home. The papaya we eat every morning is sweet and delicious. The tropics agrees with us.

Soon some of the guests will be arriving. It is a wonderful day here and we do hope for clear skies on the day of the wedding.

Entering shows

It is always a challenge to enter an art show competition. You may know a few details but so much is not known, who is the juror, what type of work does he or she do, what is your competition, what painting do you feel best represents your own work? Many times a painting is acceptable to one competition but not to another. Right now I am debating whether to enter a competition for the Regional Space landscapes showing open preserved, space in parks such as San Antonio or Saratoga Gap. Do I have the time? the talent to match against some very realistic painters and photographers.

I have a painting shown of a visit from three years ago to Arches National Monument. Is this what the juror is looking for? or is something more abstract acceptable? Right now I have other things to attend to and will have to wait until November for time to review the open space landscape paintings. It should be interesting.

Burlingame Reception

We had a fabulous reception for the 95th Anniversary of the Studio Shoppe at 251 Primrose in Burlingame, It is the oldest business in Burlingame, and what a unique situation in today's economy.

The painting to the left is "Wind Storm" which is made on hand-made paper with a collage from a yupo paper painting I had. I really enjoy the hand-made paper experience, even though it is so delicate that aggressive brush strokes will cause the paper to tear.

Soon we will be off to a wedding in Hawaii. It is a joyous occasion, of course, for us as a family, but also a time to be in a country setting on Oahu, the North Shore. So different from downtown Honolulu and crowded Waikiki. Here is a small photograph taken by the bride-to-be, Kim.

Finished painting and view of fireball in San Bruno

Finished the paintings (2) on site when I was asked to do a public demo. It turned out to be a nice enough day that I actually enjoyed the experience. You must understand a studio painter such as myself rarely enjoys "plein aire". However, these show the details of the finishing touches. The one called "Boots" sold on the spot.

However, I just want to comment on our traveling from San Francisco at 6:30 last Thursday. We saw a huge ball of fire and it probably doesn't show up easily, but it was the devastating fire in San Bruno. We were just 15 minutes after it started. Very scary and we feel for all involved.

Western Themes in Watercolor and Acrylic

These boots are my recent painting of a Western Theme coming this Sunday. I still have more work to do on the painting which will be a good activity in public. I felt I had to start a painting so it would look like I was accomplishing something. If I just started it, what a bland looking piece of paper it would be.

The other image is of a lightning storm and a cactus will go into the right corner and will be finished in front of a crowd of people...I hope.