New Gallery & Florida Canyon

9x12
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

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I'm always amazed that scenes like this are so close to where I live.  I live in the middle of a bustling, loud and always vibrant neighborhood.  Apparently not too far from places like this. This was painted on a grey morning in Florida Canyon, just off Balboa Park here in San Diego. I'd like to do a series in this area as there are a lot of scenes to choose from. This painting, along with 7 others, are featured in my new gallery.  That's right, I said it, new gallery!  I am excited about my new digs and I hope good things come of it.  The name of the gallery is Siamak Gallery and is located at 1250 Prospect Street, Suite A20 in La Jolla.  If you venture into La Jolla check it out.  The gallery represents a good number of artists and I am happy to be a part of the gallery.

Buzzing By

11x14
Oil/masonite panel
Studio painting

Been doing more studio works lately, this one included.  I love painting night scenes and this one in particular was fun to put together.  This is from photo reference that I took when I was in Cuernavaca, Mexico a few years ago.  After all this time of wanting to do it, I finally got around to it.  Funny how that happens.  I have a lot of other reference for that trip so hopefully it won't take another 3 years to get to that.  One thing I do like is the challenge of low or high horizon lines, so this one fits into that category.  I really like the atmosphere in this one and how the colors are modeled together.  And the prospect of painting signage always gets me going as I am really fascinated and attracted to them.  Especially vintage or odd looking ones.... even the occasional billboard.

Dog Park

8x10
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

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Here is an across the canyon view of dog park located at Balboa Park in San Diego. The famous California Tower sits in the distance, the tallest building in the park.  Over the years this building, and the one next to it, has been the subject of past and living artists, as the the architecture and its powerful presence attracts many.

Below are a few of my favorite paintings of these buildings.

This is by Maurice Braun who lived and painted in San Diego. Though born in Hungary he lived in San Diego from 1909 until his death in 1941.  You can read more about his interesting history here. This was painted in 1915 when there was still water underneath the Cabrillo Bridge.  The water is now highway 163.  Back in the day he had an art academy on B street.

These two are by San Diego artist Robert Watts.  Hands down one of my favorite plein air artists and in my opinion the best in San Diego.  His studio paintings also give me a charge.  Check him out here to see more of his work.  He teaches plein air painting classes at Watts Atelier in Encinitas.  I took a few of his classes and learned a ton.  Good stuff!!

Paintings, Prizes and Panda Express

16x20
Oil/masonite panel
Studio painting

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Once upon a time, every Friday night after a long week of working in the theater, my pals and I would walk to Nunu's to blow off steam.  A dive bar, complete with diner booths, cheap motel carpet and food that sticks to your ribs this place was our haven for libations.  If the walls in this place could talk....... well, then again, it's better that they can't.  I'll leave it at that.  Anyway, one night while strolling the neighborhood, I came across Nunu's in all it's dusk glory so I snapped some shots and came up with this painting. Last night I attended the San Diego County Fair art show and learned that Nunu's received an honorable mention in the oil cityscape category.

Then I learned that my plein air painting, Water Tower (below and posted on April 6th), won first place in the same category.  After viewing all the art and chatting it up at the reception, my wife and I went to Panda Express for a low key celebratory dinner.  The fair runs from June 8th thru July 4th and the Del Mar Fair Grounds.

SOLD