In Shadows

Yes, another road leading off into the horizon. Surrounded by fields and falling-down fences. I love our Valley landscape.

In Shadows
oil on canvas board
8 x 10"
lightly varnished + signed
in the shop soon or contact me for purchase info

Bumpy Stretch, Tuscany

A motto I live by is if you don't like it, paint over it. Which is what I did. Goodbye fava beans, hello Tuscany. The orange peeking through makes me happy and reminds me that everything's a process..

Bumpy Stretch, Tuscany
oil on canvas
4 x 6"
painted edges, suitable for immediate hanging
available in the shop!

Turn at the Cypress

A quick landscape study I did last night. I love me some wonky power poles.

Turn at the Cypress
oil on canvas
6 x 6"
lightly varnished + signed
available here

Straight Shot

Straight Shot
oil on canvas
6 x 6"
lightly varnished + signed

available in the shop

Spectator

This tree is on a (slightly) country road just out of town. Leaning over the road slightly and all alone..it looks like it's expecting someone.

Spectator
oil on gesso board
8 x 8 x 3/4"
lightly varnished + signed
slotted on back for easy hanging

available in my shop now

Country Road

Finished! I am very happy with the way this one turned out. Whew. It encourages me to paint larger pieces more often. I like to paint all at once and only come back to a painting to add a few details here and there. No layering or glazing. Here, that meant bringing out some big brushes and working quickly. Luckily, the elements the customer ordered were things I love to paint. She wanted something to remember Davis by when she returns to Japan. I hope I give that to her.

In response to a comment yesterday (hi Lisa!) I wanted to share a few words about custom pieces. Up until last Fall, I just didn't do them. The stress of somehow conveying an emotional connection to something or someplace that wasn't MY connection was just too hard. I now do them on a case-by-case basis with lots of communication beforehand, especially for landscapes. Shoes, of course, are always welcome. I choose to not "repaint" pieces I've already done. The convergence of mood, strokes, and colors happens once. It can't be recreated easily. Pumping out the same painting isn't what I'm interested in. (Although getting paid for it is always tempting..but that's another blog post in itself!) The uniqueness, the moment--that's what I love about art. With every painting I've sold, I remember where I was and how I felt when I painted it. For me it's a serendipitous, shooting star kind of moment. The moment passes, but the art remains--whether it's a little shoe, a branch, or a sunset. To be able to share that moment with others is what makes it truly fantastic.

Country Road
(custom order)
oil on canvas
16 x 20"
lightly varnished + signed

Leaving Town

I come back to this photo time and time again and still keep painting it. They recently replaced all the old, slightly leaning poles along this road with tall metal ones. It just isn't the same.

For those of you headed to friends and family this week-- safe travels.

Leaving Town
oil on cradled gesso board
6 x 6 x 3/4"
lightly stained edges
varnished + signed
*sold*

To Winters

This road leads to the next town "over" called Winters. It's a lovely drive, especially when topped off with a delicious breakfast at the end...

oil on gallery depth canvas
painted edges, perfect for immediate hanging
6 x 8
lightly varnished
*sold*