Persimmons, 8 x 10 inches, oil on panel, available.

Here is another painting in the classical realism mode. As usual I went over to the produce section at the market, and stared at the fruit until I found something interesting to paint. These persimmons made me think of a very famous sumie-e painting called Five Persimmons that I just love. The persimmons ripened as I worked on the painting, each day they had become a richer color.

Sierra Aspens, 11 x 20 inches, pastel, available.

I just returned from a few days in the snow-frosted Sierra. It is fall in Hope Valley, all the aspens are in full blaze. I spent some time painting with Anita Wolff and her congenial group of students, including my pastel buddy, Susan Levitsky. It was very fun to paint with different people, with a very different approach to painting outdoors. I tether my paintings to a very strong value structure. This group are pure colorists--very fun to watch at work.

Shimmer I, 20 x 20 inches, pastel on gold-dusted paper.

My blog posts have been veering all over the artistic landscape recently, here is yet another sharp right turn. These is one of two abstracts I have done that I call "shimmer" paintings. Each takes a very long time to accomplish, but I like the effect. I will probably do one more of them. The picture does not do anything for the artwork--photography robs the art of all its iridescent qualities--but I thought to post it any way.

By the way, I will be exhibiting at an art sale in Moraga this week--here is some information:

Preserve Lamorinda Open Space Art Show

A benefit to preserve the remaining natural environment . The exhibit will feature artists from the Bay Area whose works depicts the beautiful rolling hills and marine estuaries, artists that are all making an effort to keep these places safe from development. A portion of the sales go to that effort.

Date: Sunday, September 30
Time: The show will open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm
Location: The Art Show will take place at St. Mary’s College in Moraga. Set up on the lawn next to the Hearst Gallery.

Red Pears (finished), oil, 14 x14.

I am not certain if anyone beside myself can see the difference between this finished work, and the one in my previous post. I shined it up a bit, and blended some brushstrokes, but the changes are not major. It is, however, done--I have composted the pears, which need it.

Red Pears, 14 x 14 inches, oil on canvas.
Here is a departure for me. My sweetie asked me if I can do the classical realism look. I said "I don't know, it has been a while since I tried", then bought these pears. The pears come wrapped in the tissue paper. I did this on our anniversary, so maybe there are some fidelity or partnership overtones to the painting.
I don't consider it to be done yet, I need to go over to the art store and buy some blending brushes. My kit is just not set up for fine glazing work. I may not be particularly good at this, but it is quite fun in a meditative sort of way. If it changes radically, I will post it again when I consider it finished.

Flower Market, 12 x 16, pastel, available.

This is one of the paintings that I completed last week during the Sonoma Plein Air Festival. I had a wonderful week of painting barns, tractors and the lovely scenery of wine country.

I have just updated my website with information about my october plein air workshop. If you are interested, please give me a call or write to me. More information.

By the Sea, 12 x 12, oil with palette knife.

I will be in Sonoma this week painting for the Sonoma Plein Air Festival, so my blog will be fairly quiet. On other news, I will be teaching another workshop in Alameda this fall.

October Workshop, Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21

Contact Erica or Debra at the Frank Bette Art Center, 510-523-6957, for more information.

Tomatoes and Basil, 12 x 12 inches, oil with pallete knife.

Apricots, 12 x 12 inches, oil with palette knife.

Strawberries, ~10x10 inches, oil with palette knife.
Because I was tired of sitting in my studio trying to imagine something to paint, I walked over to the grocery store and bought some summer strawberries. Somehow the act of painting something that I am actually looking at and observing closely is always liberating. After painting something real, I usually feel freed from whatever funk I am in. Real, rather than imagined or designed or altered subject matter always serves as a good touchstone for me.