Surfaces
This is a detail from a recent painting I just finished. I have tried to collage in some drawing elements on tissue paper. Sometimes parts of paintings work better than other parts. This one has a kind of density that I am after… any layers and juxtapositions of forms coming and going. To me, it relates to life. Experiences fade and simultaneously emerge…. never perfectly clear, always in flux, and just slightly out of reach.
New Years Day 2009
Rocks on the shore of Stinson Beach, California.
Starfish
Today we went to the newly opened Academy of Sciences. So many people, so many exhibits…this 11 legged starfish
was encased in resin along with a whole slew of other creatures along a back wall. They actually were plaques that acknowledged those who gave large financial gifts to the institution. The fact that this was floating all alone in a foreign white void, apart from it’s normal habitat was striking to me. Lost in whiteness, but so exquisitely beautiful. This notion, pulling from nature, re ordering, re presenting so that ordinary things can be seen new again is potent. I try for this in my art.
Dog and Painting
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I like this painting or at least the start of it, but then I didn’t and ended up painting it all red….This is Maizy my dog who runs trails with me.
Olema Barn
“Olema Barn” 84″ x 72″
Barn in West Marin
“Between Lines” 40″ x 36″
These old barns are all over West Marin.The subtlety of the lines and textures of the boards contrasting with the hard darks of missing ones seems to give these buildings a quiet strength.
Olema Barn
Studio Work in Progress
I work on about 7 paintings at the same time.
My process involves layering of paint and since it is oil
I have to let it dry before it can be covered over. I am so impatient
and so all I can do is start working on another one while the first one is drying.
It’s best for me to not work too long on any one painting on one particular day.
After awhile I can’t see the painting clearly. Today went well as I like the way these paintings
are going. The three on the right are strong starts–the green one on the left is already totally
repainted. I liked this start but couldn’t figure out how to finish it. so I covered it up with paint.
Paintings Leaving for Show
"Kalahari"
‘KALAHARI’ 60′ X 60′ OIL AND BEESWAX ON PANEL
BAOBAB TREE IN BOTSWANA
Painting when you feel different creates different paintings. I wanted to make a painting that felt like but not necessarily was a representation of the feeling of Botswana. The rawness and extreme earthiness of the place was what I was after. I cannot look at this painting without it reminding me of Africa. This painting came very easily. The palette here is different for me.
I kept asking people in Botswana how old are these magnificent trees were…no one seemed to know as no one has ever been alive long enough to see one die from old age. It’s possible these trees are several thousand years old. This one tree was here when the pyramids were being built. It has a hole in it half way up that was used as a kind of post office so early explorers could leave messages that would be taken back to Europe by others who happened to pass on their return home.
“Kalahari”
‘KALAHARI’ 60′ X 60′ OIL AND BEESWAX ON PANEL
BAOBAB TREE IN BOTSWANA
Painting when you feel different creates different paintings. I wanted to make a painting that felt like but not necessarily was a representation of the feeling of Botswana. The rawness and extreme earthiness of the place was what I was after. I cannot look at this painting without it reminding me of Africa. This painting came very easily. The palette here is different for me.
I kept asking people in Botswana how old are these magnificent trees were…no one seemed to know as no one has ever been alive long enough to see one die from old age. It’s possible these trees are several thousand years old. This one tree was here when the pyramids were being built. It has a hole in it half way up that was used as a kind of post office so early explorers could leave messages that would be taken back to Europe by others who happened to pass on their return home.
