The Benchmark Brewery paintings are now hung and ready for your viewing pleasure!  You can visit the brewery in person to view the exhibit, or you can click here to see online.

Cheers!

Morning Light Bath
9x12
Oil

On Tuesday the 30th of September I will have around 20 or so paintings hanging at Benchmark Brewery.  It finally happened, my paintings and craft beer has finally come full circle.  I have been a home brewer since 1989 so it was inevitable that some day those two worlds would meet up.  Most of the paintings are nature scenes like the one pictured here.  The venue requested the paintings from my website, plus I painted a few new ones as well (urban, cityscape).  I pulled all the paintings recently and it was interesting to see this grouping together because there is a span of about 6 years between the oldest paintings and the most recent paintings.  Interesting to see how much has changed, like a timeline of artistic growth.  There won't be an opening for this show so if you'd like to see it you can visit the website to view their hours.  And by all means contact me if you'd like to meet up for a brew and chat about art, that would be awesome!  It will be up for a while, probably through the rest of the year.   Sometime in late November they will be hosting several artisans at the brewery to promote their works.  Not sure of the date but I will post that later.  The brewery is located at 6190 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92120.  And their hours are Monday thru Thursday 3:00 - 8:00 pm,  Friday and Saturday 12:00 - 10:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 - 6:00 pm.  So drop by and enjoy some great beer and see some cool art!

This one is titled "Abierto", 18x24 painted in oil.  It's a liquor store in Baja California, Mexico.  One of many curious roadside attractions you will see if you travel south into Mexico from San Diego.  A lot of cool stuff to paint along this stretch.  This painting will be part of a show I am preparing for which will be at Benchmark Brewing Company in late September.  They have a nice tasting room at the brewery, as well as tasty beers whilst you enjoy the art.  More on the show and the exact date to come.

Awards & Telluride

This years art show at the San Diego County Fair is a strong one.  I was fortunate to have my 2 entries receive awards.  Congrats to all the artists for such a great show!

Been getting ready for the Telluride Plein Air Festival which is June 29th thru July 5th in Colorado.  Will be heading out via road trip on the 25th of June.  Haven't done a plein air event for a few years so I'm looking forward to doing that.  Also looking forward to taking my wife with me to see the beauty (her first time going) of my home state.  Been hitting the "art gym" preparing for the plein air fun that's just around the corner.  It's a strong group of artists and I'm looking forward to making some new acquaintances.  Gonna be awesome!

Freeway Sunset

This is a 12x16 of a freeway at sunset.  Just under the I5 North at the Pacific Highway on ramp at the bottom of Washington Street.  This area has some cool industrial elements like concrete tubes, old trucks, feral cats, etc.  I have painted plein air there a lot.  Recently the city has been cleaning up the area.  Bummer for me.   I was super attracted by the snake-like thrust from the shape of the bridge, and the colors of sunset really made it interesting as well.

My Dear Friend

This incredible lady is Ruth Savig. I have called her incredible since I was 16 years old. She's the first person who really encouraged me to do art, and eventually was my first mentor in scenic painting for the theater back in high school. I remember her bringing me art supplies back then as we simply could not afford them. One of my favorite persons in this world. This depicts her in a pensive moment in her painting duds. Been thinking about her more than usual because her husband passed away a few weeks ago. It was a spiritual experience doing this portrait of her. 8x10 - Oil - Linen

Earth Tone Palette

To change it up a bit I used and earth tone palette of burnt sienna, yellow ochre, black and white.  I was in the mood to simplify my palette and try something different.  With simplifying the palette the painting is more unified and harmonious.  This view is seen while driving west on I-8.  I managed to find this spot on a frontage road.  The building, the Serra Junipera Museum is usually painted from the side, in Presidio Park.  I also like this view off the side of the road.  It's a 9x12 plein air painted on a linen panel.

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Sunny Path

This is a plein air from another trip into the underbelly of Balboa Park, meaning an area of the park not visited by tourists.  Locals know areas like this for biking, walking and running.  And the occasional artist like myself likes to get lost in these windy trails as they provide endless painting possibilities.  This is a 6x8 painted in oil on linen panel.

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It looks like I'll be heading to Colorado this summer for the Telluride Plein Air Festival held June 29 - July 5, 2014. I haven't done a plein air event in a while so I'm pretty fired up about this one. Again, I'm honored to be juried into this popular event. Telluride is a beautiful little town in the mountains, an oasis for the outdoor painter. Last time I was there it was all work and no play and I wished I had my plein air gear with me. This will be a great time! Since I'm from Colorado I'll probably make it up north to see friends and family. Something to look forward to!

Also as of December I joined an online gallery called UGallery . They have been around since 2006 and represent around 500 artists. You have to get juried in to be a part of this gallery. I decided to try this to try my hand at online sales. They are based in San Francisco and have an office in New York. They are rapidly growing and sell art in over 35 countries. And they promote the artist, which of course is beneficial to me. Some of my more refined paintings will be at this gallery. You can check out my gallery here. You can also search other artists, genres, colors, styles, etc.  A lot of cool stuff there!

For my smaller paintings I opened a Daily Paintworks page where these pieces can be purchased for a decent price. It's a auction type art site where people can buy just about any style of art. I like how this site offers both an auction or "buy it now" option. Again, this is new and interesting to me so I'm going to try it and see how it goes. You can click here to visit the site or click the "Daily Paintworks" Gallery box on the right side of the page. Available paintings are also priced on my blog and website.

Alley Delivery

Wow it's been a busy start to the new year thus far.  I received some art books for Christmas and have since buried my nose into these gems.  That and a busy work schedule means a little less painting for now.  But reading books about artists and also books about technique seems to stir the pot for me in a good way.  For me I feel recharged and eager for the next phase of my artistic development.  Here's a 6x8 oil painting on linen panel  It's an alley scene that caught my eye, especially the bold diagonals and strong shadow pattern.  I have a few alley paintings in mind that I hope develops into some larger works.

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Amazonian Lily Pond

First post of 2014!  Ringing in the new year with an old image (painted from a photo) and one I've been wanting to paint for quite a while.  The pic/reference is from a trip I took to Peru back in 2001.  It's a 6' x 6" painted in oil on linen panel.  I was looking at pics from that trip, a lot of possibilities for other paintings. Back then I had a small Elph camera but it wasn't digital.  Managed to take a few hundred pics from that trip.  Funny, on my few trips to Colombia these last few years I've taken thousands of pictures with my digital camera, not having to worry about how many pics I can take because I'm not limited to a 36 exposure roll of 35mm film.  Anyway, hopefully more paintings will result from that trip.

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New Painting, Holiday Sale & Upcoming Event!

Signed Out
6x6
Oil/linen

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With the beginning of December my annual holiday art sale is in full gear.  Get 40 percent off almost everything on my website that is unsold. Give the gift art or own a piece of San Diego real estate!  Nothing over $300 for these unframed sizes:  6x6, 6x8, 8x10, 9x12, 11x14 and 12x16.

Please note with the exception of "Signed Out", (pictured), all my 6x6 and 6x8 paintings are currently on view and for sale at Artisan Collection Gallery for upcoming Holiday on Adams Avenue event scheduled for Saturday, December 14th. Inquiries about 6x6 and 6x8 sizes please contact the gallery owner Shirley at 619-294-7089.  If you go to the event on the 14th and visit her gallery between 3:30 and 5:30pm receive 10 percent off any of my paintings.  More info below.

Inquiries for paintings 8x10 or larger can be made directly to me.  I can send you a price list.  Slap a piece of awesome up on that bare wall!

6" Squared Art Show

This Saturday the 7th will be an artists reception for 6" Squared at the Randy Higbee Gallery in Costa Mesa, CA.  As the title suggests, all works in the show will be 6" x 6".  This is the fourth year for the show and my first time entering and participating in the fun.  Hundreds of works of framed art will be on display and reasonably priced for the holidays. My two entries are Glazing in the Sun and Foggy Commute.  I am excited to be a part of the show and I look forward to the reception.  The gallery is located at 102 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.  The reception hours are from 6 to 9 pm.  Click here to see the online show.  The show runs thru December 20th.

SOLD

                                                                                 
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Made In The Shade

Here's on I painted just outside the Mt. Woodson golf course in Ramona.  It was a nice crisp morning, the air had a fall bite in it.  It is 6x8 and is a plein air piece.

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A Couple Of Recent Ones....

The flower fields of Carlsbad, CA is an awesome sight to see. Pure color for the senses. I like this for the workers on the horizon line.  6" x 6" - Oil

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The one below is a view of Petco Park at downtown San Diego, CA.  I see this view each morning when taking my wife to her job.  6" x 8" - Oil

Festival Time!

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Well I'm finally going to try an art festival.  Not sure what to expect but what the heck, sounds like fun. The festival is the Ramona Art & Wine Festival and it will be held for one day only on Saturday, November 2nd at the Amy Strong Castle just outside of Ramona.   Aside from wine and art, the festival will also have food, including local chefs from various restaurants. Click here if you'd like more info about this festival. I got lucky for my first festival as I didn't need to purchase a tent because the organizers put me inside of the castle on the second level balcony.  There will be artists inside the castle and also outside the castle.  So to prepare for this festival I've been painting small and affordable works, mainly 6x6's and 6x8's.  I will also bring many of my larger and framed works which will be for sale as well.  Pictured in this post are three painting I'll be taking up there with me.  The first is of the organ pavilion in Balboa Park.  The second is a small portrait.  And the third is a painting of the castle itself, which sits next to a golf course.  I plan on selling these unframed with the option to the buyer to purchase a mini easel to put the painting on.  Well that's that.  Hope all goes well!

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     SOLD

California Art Club Show

The San Diego chapter of the California Art Club will host Landscapes of the West, a showing of original paintings by San Diego artists.  Two of my works was accepted for the show, which opens on October 8th and runs thru January 11th, 2014. Artist reception is October 5th from 4:00 - 6:00pm at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum located at 131 Rea Avenue, El Cajon, CA. Glad to be a part of this strong group of artists.  Come out if you can!

Washington & Pacific Highway

9x12
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

SOLD

This was painted at a bus stop at Washington and Pacific Highway in San Diego, CA.  Another bridge painting in my continued fascination with these structures and how they integrate into the landscape. I like the different angles in this as well as the sign in the extreme foreground, which pulls the viewer into the painting.  This area is awesome, lots of junky and interesting things to paint.  Will be back there soon enough.

Cabrillo Bridge

8x10
Oil/masonite
Plein air

SOLD

This one was painted on Cabrillo Bridge, the bridge that goes into Balboa Park.  This was a plein air commission.  Glad I got to do it as I've been wanting to paint this view for some time now. For a plein air painter, you pretty  much can't go wrong from painting in any location in the park.

Sunset At Balboa Park

20x24
Oil/masonite panel
Studio painting

This painting is of a section of Balboa Park at sunset, the building east of the lily pond.  Under the eucalyptus tree on the left, the woman who commissioned it asked her then boyfriend to marry her. She is going to give this to him for their anniversary. Pretty cool!  This is painted a bit tighter than I would normally paint as the client wanted a little more detail in the building and trees.  She is happy with it so I am happy with it as well.  Love doing the commissions!

Trail At Marian Bear Park

9x12
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

SOLD

Marian Bear park is a place where you forget that you are in San Diego. Because the park is so tranquil, you also forget that 2 major highways straddle the east and west side of the park. Natural San Diego at its best! Love painting there, no doubt about that. In the mornings it's so colorful, with the light raking in and softening the foliage. When I'm in the mood for something non architectural this is the place.  Plenty of little critters to keep you company as well.

Bread & Cie 2

9x12
Oil/linen
Studio painting

Since the first "Bread & Cie" painting sold, I was asked to do another for a couple that relocated from San Diego to Oregon.  They wanted a piece of San Diego to take with them and this café was a favorite spot of theirs for many years.  Ahhh the memories.  But now they own a piece of San Diego real estate.  This version is different from the first one I painted (click here) as the view is farther away and at a slight angle.  I like the way the cars help to frame the painting. 

River Valley

6x8
Oil/linen panel
Plein air

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There are tons of beautiful farms nestled in the valleys of Darien, Colombia.  I was fortunate to have stumbled upon this one.  On this day the clouds were hanging low and the air was breezy and refreshing.  The terrain is amazing, with tall rolling hills and lush green meadows, with many lakes and rivers.  I often think how much fun it would be to get a group of artists together and plan a trip to this area.  The hotels and transportation are affordable and the people are very friendly.  Truly a plein air painters paradise.

15FT - 2IN

9x12
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

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This is a typical scene of late for plein air painters in San Diego:  marine layer, marine layer, marine layer. Usually this time of year the sun is out early in the day and paintings full of sunshine and shadows abound.  But this year it's obviously different, and that's okay because I'm still doing what I love to do.  Though most plein air painters I know prefer the sunshine, I can take it either way. Though I'm slow painter in general I can be a little more patient on overcast days because there are no shadows to chase and bright sun glaring upon me.  This particular scene is at the bottom of Hawthorne near India Street.  Looking forward to more grey paintings in the near future.

Cat Nap

12x12
Oil/masonite panel
Studio painting

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I caught this gentle giant relaxing from a long day while chilling out to another glorious San Diego sunset.  I really like this one and it was a joy to do.  It looks really sharp in its dark chocolate frame with pale gold interior border. It's been a construction frenzy here lately.   A lot of construction in my neighborhood equals more of these paintings to come.

Wired

6x8
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

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This painting was done on a hot morning in Colombia, in the neighborhood of my mother-in-law.  Though it was painted in Colombia you can get the impression that it could have been painted anywhere.  Buried in all my recent San Diego plein air paintings, I found a few more from Colombia that I haven't posted yet.  The high horizon line and the ascending path caught my eye for this one.

5th & Robinson

9x12
Oil/masonite panel
Studio painting

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This bar, The Brass Rail, is on the same block where we live.  At night when we go to bed we can sometimes hear the distant sound of heavy bass from the music that is played there.  It's white noise after living here all these years. Being so close to the big LGBT Pride Parade this weekend I thought it would be a good time to post it.  It's the 4th largest LGBT parade in the nation and an estimated 200,000 people will be at the parade and it's festivities.  The Brass Rail is one of many gay bars that populate Hillcrest, our neighborhood.  To me it's one of the more visually interesting bars to look at, especially at night.  So here it is in all it's nocturne glory.  Should be an interesting weekend. George Takei is one of the grand marshalls this year.  "Oh my........"

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

SOLD

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

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.

Freeway Palm

6x8
Oil/linen panel
Plein air

When I paint in Mission Valley I try to imagine the paradise it must have been before I-8 and all the malls and condos were there.  I imagine past San Diego artists like Alfred Mitchell, Charles Reiffel and Maurice Braun painting away in this valley.  Though now the valley is way different from when they were here (1890 to 1940 more or less) a different kind of beauty is found.  The palms and plants still shine bright no matter if the concrete jungle dominates the landscape.  This one was painted near the transit station at Fashion Valley Mall.

Old Town

6x8
Oil/linen panel
Plein air

Painted at San Diego's Old Town, near where we live.  The area has a lot of historical architecture, very touristy.  This is a house called La Casa de Estudillo.  I love to paint architecture, especially old architecture.  Haven't painted at Old Town for quite a while and I'm glad I did.

Bread & Cie

8x10
Oil/Masonite panel
Studio painting

This is one of the paintings in my current show.  It's the only studio painting in the group.  I like how it turned out, all the angles and simplified values.  Though I love painting outdoors, it was nice to settle inside for a studio painting.  I am currently working on a couple other studio paintings, will share those when they are ready.

Water Tower

8x10
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

Direct from North Park, the famous water tower.  This is visible from pretty much anywhere, a staple in the community for many many years.  From where I painted it will not be very good view soon as there is going to be a building blocking the way, as noted by the construction site in the foreground.  This painting and many others of San Diego will be on view at Bread & Cie Cafe in Hillcrest for the entire month of April.  Today, April 6th, there will be an informal opening for 20 of my plein air paintings that will be on view there.  I will be at the cafe from 3pm to 5pm today to hang out and chat about the paintings.  The cafe is located at 350 University Avenue.  Please drop by and enjoy some local art and delicious cafe cuisine and sweets.

Smog Check

8x10
Oil/masonite panel
Plein air

This corner smog station caught my eye in a hurry.  It was a blustery day, the clouds were quickly on the move and the sun wouldn't decide to stay or go.  It was a good challenge, another day at the art gym.  I love paintings with signs, they add an interesting element.  Though this sign is simple, I've been scouting out other places with cool vintage signs.  More to come......