Proud Classic

12x12
Oil/masonite panel
Studio painting

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This car sits not too far from where I live, so every time I saw it the temptation to do a painting grew stronger and stronger.  I did a couple of plein air studies before arriving at this studio piece.  I find the square format interesting in terms of composition.  More than half the painting is the street and most of the painted elements are on top.  But I think it works well due to the shadow of the pole leading the eye to the car.  Since painting this I have spotted more classic cars that might soon get a visit from me.

Francys

11x14
Oil/masonite panel
Studio

A nice little departure from my landscape paintings, doing a portrait always reminds me that I should do it more often.  Because it's a BLAST! This is my lovely and amazing wife Francys.  Hopefully more will come.

Pink Denny's

9x12
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

I remember when I first saw this building when I moved to San Diego in 1993.  It was an assault to the visual senses.  It screamed at me then and it screams at me still every time I pass by.  It's like someone dumped a giant bottle of Pepto Bismol over it. And of course it has a interesting and colorful history. The building is in the Art Deco style and is believed to have been constructed about 1941.  It was originally Top's Nightclub and Motel.  Not sure when the motel shut down but the building was bought by Tom Fat in 1977.  He spent 3 years bringing it back to its glory after the building spent many years boarded up.  It was painted pink at that time.  Denny's is still operating there.  Two other business that also occupied the building, Fat City Bar and Steakhouse and China camp are now closed.  A six story hotel, apartment and retail space is slated to be constructed in its place starting sometime in 2013.  A lot of people pushed to preserve the building and make it a historical landmark.  Not sure what is going to happen, but I heard the facade might remain intact and be a part of the new building.  I am glad I got a chance to document this San Diego icon before it's gone.

This painting, along with another painting of mine, will be in a group show called "Capture The Light".  All the paintings in the show will be plein air paintings.  It is sponsored by the La Jolla Art Association and the opening reception will be from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday, May 18th.  The location is 8100 Paseo del Ocaso, Suite B, La Jolla, CA 92037.  The show will run through June 16th.  Everyone is invited, hope to see you there.

Afternoon Light

8x10
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

Late afternoon is always a great time to be at Balboa Park.  Especially on sunny mild days.  The light is beautiful and shadows are longer. Though this scene is not the usual palm trees, museums and Spanish architecture the park in known for, there are parts of the park that is off the beaten path.  This view is off the Balboa Park exit from Hwy 163 north (but looking in the other direction as I walked against traffic to get there).  I'm guessing where the fence is was an on ramp to get onto the 163 south just before the Cabrillo Bridge.  What I like about this scene is that it doesn't seem like it's in San Diego, it could be in the mountains or foothills somewhere.