Original ACEO Painting Watercolor Ink Church Gold Cupola Architecture

 Original ACEO

I painted a few ACEO's 2 1/2" X 3 1/2" paintings this week.  I think it was a way of releasing energy.  Anyway thanks for looking and hope all your energy is a combination of good vibes and strength.

Ink and Watercolor Painting

"Grateful Sunday"

This small format art is my appreciation of ink brush painting and feeling graditude on a Sunday afternoon...

Southern California Morning Watercolor Painting

 'San Clemente Sunrise"

My latest original watercolor painting; I love the early mornings in San Clemente.

Watercolor California Coast

"Along the Coast"

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on the blog.  Time goes by so swiftly; I'm glad I captured this scene  The original watercolor and full details can be found on Etsy .

The ocean and nature capture beautiful memories. The inspiration for this painting is the Southern California coastline. My work is a combination of what I see in nature and imagination. 

Cracking the Code – Ocean Art

 

"Cracking The Code"

Since I live near the Southern California coast I’ve a strong interest in ocean art. Many of my paintings are waves surf, and the undulations of the water. When I first started to paint this subject; I thought there was a secret code. If I could cipher it or find the right color, teacher, learn a tutorial I could master the “blue wave.”

Well with time I learned finding and creating the perfect wave is in the process. Waves are filled with different color, light, and attitude. At times the ocean is calm and still, bright and sunny filled with happy waves then changes to a loud boisterous mammoth face of water….

So I’ll just keep plugging along like a surfer after a long day and just know that I’ve enjoyed the ride…

Ocean Art, California Coast

"Good Day In Monterey"

This is a memory of the coastline of Monterey, California.  This small format art is a beginning and stands alone but my plan is start another painting perhaps a series. I enjoy the way the ocean hits the rocks and I’d like to explore this subject further….

Traveling to Julian, California

"On The Road to Julian" 

 

My work is influenced by the reality and beauty of nature and a dash of artistic license... 

I took a ride to Julian, California and this is my memory of a warm day and an artistic tree.  Trees have beautiful personalities that almost call out and say "look at me...." 

Julian is a picturesque mountain town and October is great time to visit.  Nature is the main attraction...although you probably can't overlook eating yummy apple pie....

 



Ocean Art

 

"Clouds at Poche Beach" 

 

Another day of clouds and ocean.  It's a subject that I'll always enjoy.

Original Painting Landscape Ink Tree Black & White

Ink Play Series (landscape)

 

A little update added this ink painting (appreciation of Sumi and Chinese Brush painting techniques) to the shop yesterday and sold a little ACEO.  That's a good start to the week. 

 

Information regarding treasuries:

I try to feature treasuries on the blog when possible and I'm always grateful for a highlight.  I know it takes effort for curator to put a collection together.  So, another method I found was posting treasuries to Pinterest this will recognize the curators and their efforts.

 







Original Watercolor Ink Aceo Landscape and Experiments

“Purple Tree Fantasy”

 

ACEO Chinese Ink Paintings

 

The first image is my fantasy impressionistic tree in a summer cloud burst on 140lb. watercolor paper with watercolor and ink.   This miniature work is a combination imagination and enjoyment of color.   Well it’s not a total fantasy, I often see a tree this shape near a park I travel.  Smaller paintings can stand alone or are the basis for larger work.

The second image is ACEO’s I had painted in the past on thin rice paper with sumi ink and bamboo brushes. I appreciate calligraphy and sumi paintings so I gave it a try.   The works on rice paper were mounted to a backing paper with glue in order to smooth out the edges and bring out the color of the work. 

What I enjoy about the smaller format efforts is the ability to experiment with different tools, processes, mediums and genres.    Sometimes my experiments don’t work but at the very least I’ve learned about a new product, art form, and had a little (2 ½” X 3 ½”) art adventure.

 If you want to experiment or collect art, ACEO miniature artworks are a wonderful way to start.

Original Ocean Art

Title: "A Quiet Harbor" 

I think for myself the most difficult aspect of painting is distilling the moment and subject matter to its most simple form.  My goal was to keep the light and color at center stage.

 

This is a memory of my travels. I remember the evening sky against the dark harbor waters, it had a warm and peaceful vibe, but at the same time the sky had lots of color, texture and movement. 

 

 

 

 

 

California Inland (Original Landscape Painting)

Happy weekend everyone the festivities are over and it's back to the work I enjoy.
I completed this inland painting of Temecula, California over a week ago and now it's ready for the final protective coating.


I like the subtle dusty colors so I'll probably go with a matte finish.  Its as though the artwork will tell you what it needs.

Just a Little Soot and Water

This is a print of one of my ink brush painting landscapes. I have a strong regard for calligraphers and Chinese and Japanese brush painting techniques. So when I’m in a peaceful mood I bring out my ink brushes and I wonder into that beautiful art form. 

Personally I use liquid modern day sumi ink but I’m reminded that in ancient times master calligraphers utilized soot and animal glue. It's amazing what past and current artists could do with soot, measured strokes, and a flick of the wrist.  

See some additional contemporary ink favorites from other artists.... 

Original Ocean Painting

I wanted to capture the quite solitude of the ocean in the evening with this 5" X 7" small format painting. I love color especially the vibrant color of the ocean on a sunny day but this was my effort to bring the colors and values to reflect a night time sea.

Imaginative California Landscape

Mountain Fantasy

 

After a train excursion I painted this landscape in my studio, I remembered glimpses of landscape during that adventure and the patterns of the hills. It usually starts with trees, they all have different personalities and then the mountains, sky, and color.  I tried to make the strokes of the painting as expressive as possible.

During the process of painting I was listening to the news in the background.   Somehow the original color patterns I started with changed, I think the colors and texture where influenced by the sounds I heard.  Breaks in the news cycle can be full of drama….and hopefully not to much misfortune.

It’s interesting how all are life experiences, even the subtle sounds can come together in your artistic process.

Capturing Clouds

 

"Big Day" San Clemente, California Landscape

 

The focus of this painting is clouds and their movement against the sky....  The painting is representational but I enjoy the fun abstract shapes that fill the heavens...

 

The last few paintings have been in a small format 8" X 10."  I think I'll go a little larger with the next work....



Light In The California Landscape

California Landscape (Capitstrano Beach Area)

I was attracted to this scene because of the light.  I enjoy trees (they all have different personalities) but it was the shadows and light that I wanted to describe.   Also as the trees branches are moving upward there is this light and color that brush the tips…  It’s curious how one scene will grab you over another…

I was also working with the upbeat under painting and I wanted that hint of color to be part of the process…  It always a pleasure for me when light, dark, color, and composition come together.    



Ink Play

While taking a figure drawing class, students discussed the cost and lack of availability of figure models.  The teacher pointed to the outside landscape and said paint a tree.  He wasn't trying to be sarcastic but was serious while he shared his feelings about nature.   The teacher shared that trees have weight, curves, and  personality...



I think our forests, backyards, and urban sidewalks are filled with resilient "spirits" that have helped many artists including me with their journey.  I call these paintings "Ink Play."  The first painting was a combination of a large brush and heavily loading it with ink.  The work on the bottom was completed with medium brushes and dragging a partially loaded brush against a dry surface. 

I've always enjoyed the beautiful work of Chinese and Japanese calligraphers and painters.  I love the pictographs.  My art journey is always a combination of nature, memory, and absorbing different cultures...







Prince of Waves Seascape

This man was totally in his element. He was at the beach and had command of his environment.... This painting is a combination of memory and reference photos.

A figure in a painting takes center stage, I wanted this man to be an organic part of the landscape/seascape. The structure and color within the figure was fun to paint. It was a bright day and the sea had a light green feel to it.... You can see the entire work in my Etsy Shop.

"Second Chances" Original Impressionistic Painting

I think the concept of starting fresh and renewal is a great idea. The ship and its occupants looking for a safe harbor and even a painting will benefit from a new day and fresh eyes... I know for me its difficult to leave a painting alone and just let it simmer. It's not that I'm in a hurry but I guess my enthusiasm takes over.

Sometimes when I'm painting I feel like I'm writing a chapter in a novel and need to see how the chapter ends. Hopefully my art journey is a long novel with twists and turns and I have the opportunity to start fresh each day....