Lake Tahoe Rocks

Sketches for

Lately studio work has consisted of working on proposals for commissions.  Three projects are accepted and will now be painted.  Thought you would like to see the sketches.

This triptych will be composed of three canvases.  The middle will be 48 x 60 with the two flanking at 48 x 27.  

Kayaking Into The Rocks II will be 48 x48

Tahoe Serenity II will be 30 x 48

The canvases are under construction and painting will begin almost immediately.  Check back to follow the process.

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Taking A Break

A Welcome Break
A Lesson Learned

Slabs I

48 x48

Acrylic on Canvas

Sometimes it is necessary to change the routine, take a break, do something new and different.  It's part of the process of recharging the creative mind. Sometimes it is difficult to accept what may become perceived as 'down time'.  Over the years I have learned, not easily, to embrace time away from my studio. Let it shut down in effect.

Slabs I

This came with feelings of guilt, and questions about whether or not I would ever return, but there is always a return.  Those of us with creative minds cannot completely turn our back on the process. We are driven. 

Slabs I

So when the creative juices flood back into our being, our minds, our entire person, we can return to the studio refreshed. 

Slabs I

I have been taking such a break, but today the desire to get back in there flooded over me. Sometimes it can be something you see or hear that will stoke those creative juices. Other times it might be a situation as it was today.  When I was notified that Village Interiors, in Incline Village, Nevada sold another of my large Tahoe Rock paintings I felt compelled to place a new canvas on the easel.  I think visually revisiting the pallet of rich earth tones and translucent blues,  the deep dark fissures and shadows in and on the boulders struck a creative cord.  Thanks to Village Interiors for the sale and for the nudge causing a return to the studio.

To contact me click HERE

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End of Summer Commission

We All Love Summer

View from the kayak

Research and painting.  That's what makes up summer for me, and I am in heaven.   Spending time on Lake Tahoe, in kayak and rowing shell or on my SUP, I weave my way through the massive boulders that decorate the shore of Tahoe bringing back to the studio mental images of those granite monoliths that become inspiration for my paintings.  

It has been a summer of commissions and the newest is currently on the easel.

Presented and Selected Palette

Presented and Selected Painted Sketch

The Beginning of the Painting

Under painting some of the shadows

The Rocks begin to take form

More above the water line work

Continuing the work on the rocks

How the painting looks today.

This is the beginning of the commission, with more to accomplish during the daily painting time in the studio.  I am still out on the lake enjoying the never ending research, observing the beauty of Tahoe so that I can bring it back into my studio and interpret what I see.

To contact me click HERE

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Summer Time Studio Work

A New Beginning

Under painting the background.

It's been more than a month since I stood in front of my easel.  That is a very long time for me.  Travel and the move to my Northern California studio kept me busy and away from my work. Today I am back at it.  What looks like the beginning of one of my Tahoe Rock inspired paintings is actually an experiment.  Keeping the work small (12x12) will allow me me try what is nagging at my creative spirit, asking to come out, without devoting too many hours.  

Painting in the boulders.

I will post photos of how this progresses and let you know what I think.  And maybe, just maybe, this experiment will move from a small canvas to larger.  

To contact me click HERE

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Boulder Bay II

Just Another Day On The Lake,

 and more unexpected delights!

Returning home at the end of my morning row I noticed someone was building rock cairns on what I call "Dali's Rocks". This is the third group of rock stacking I have seen recently, and it remains visual magic for me. 

When I returned to the studio and stood in front of the canvas on my easel, a canvas that was already planned to represent a specific boulders off the Crystal Bay Point, in this beautiful bay of boulders, I realized a cairn should be added to the composition.

The painting progresses with a very limited palette (Prussian Blue, Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber), and the cairn is becoming obvious.

When the pigment starts to go onto the cairn shapes new colors will be added.  Due to the size, 48x60" canvas, it will take some time to complete.  I am sharing photos of the progress on Facebook and here on the blog, so check back to watch this painting take shape. 

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE

Commission Continued.

Lake Tahoe Boulders

It was a productive week in the studio, working on this Lake Tahoe Rock and Water commission.

 The boulders are beginning to take form on the canvas with the use of a limited palette.   This could be considered under painting, or laying down basic pigment colors, because eventually there will be glazing over these rock forms that will add additional color which will give these rocks a luscious form and texture.

For now, the rocks grow and change.  And there are a few minor changes to come, however this is the progress so far. Compare the image above with the image directly below to look for a couple minor changes that cause the balanced rock to move forward in the composition.  Can you see it?

And now look at the image below to see how the addition of a little lighter pigment on the rock below the balanced rock lets the eye see a more rounded form.

There is already another slight change, to show you next week, so come back.  The install date for this painting is coming up quickly, so I am running back to the easel.

To contact me click HERE

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Commission

And So It Begins

 In all actuality this commission began a couple months ago with kayak trips out to one of my favorite spots on Lake Tahoe to sketch a variety of locations to present to the customer.  They selected a composition inspired by a huge balanced boulder in a small cove off Crystal Bay Point.   

After additional presentation of the palette the actual painting begins. 

This is how it happens:

The big (48" x 48") canvas is coated with white gesso.  

The first pigments go into the palette.

 I typically paint from top to bottom and left to right, and that being the case, after the composition was sketched onto the canvas the sky was painted onto the canvas.

As of this morning this is how the canvas looks. One of the boulders has begun to come to life.  There are hours and hours to spend in front of this canvas, so check back to watch the progress.

To contact me click Here

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Lake Tahoe Paintings

 Three Weeks of Mild Weather.

That's it for Northern California and the Lake Tahoe area. Mild.  That is not what we are all seeing for the remainder of the country.  Brrrr...it looks cold out there.  But here, at Tahoe it has been unusually clear and warm.  This is not a situation that is good for the lake level or the local businesses, but one that must be accepted since there is nothing any of us can do about it, but live with it and enjoy it.

Lots of people are out on bikes, hiking, and using the water.  It's pretty amazing to see paddle boarders skimming across the lake in January.  I choose my kayak because I can load it up with my sketch book, camera and other art related items. Posted here are a a couple little paintings created using the inspiration from these kayak trips.  Yes, back to my passion, painting.  And back to painting Lake Tahoe Boulders from the water instead of winter inspired work, but that's how it is when the weather is mild day after day.  

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Artist's Statement

If you are an Artist,

You are frequently asked for an Artist's Statement.

Not only can you be asked for a statement about your work in general, but for a statement about a group of work or an individual work.  The other day I was asked to describe my work in one word.  I chose BOLD.  That seems to sum up my composition. 

The Big Split

48x36

3500.

Currently Exhibited at Vista Gallery in Kings Beach, CA

I might have chosen DRAMATIC.

Golden Boulders

48x60

6000.

Currently Exhibited at Village Interiors, Incline Village, NV

I thought about STYLIZED.  And CONTEMPORARY entered my mind.

Serenity

16x20

650.

Currently Exhibited at Vista Gallery, Kings Beach, CA

Or even COLORFUL.

Three Birds

36x36

3500.

But in the end I settled on BOLD, as a one word description. Taking it a little further my description becomes:  

Bold, colorful, representational paintings presented with contemporary stylization.  

The process of distilling a description of your work into one word helps with the process of creating a succinct, understandable description.  Give it a try.

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE

An Evening With Fine Art

What a Great Opportunity...

To purchase a work of art at an incredible price, spend the evening at beautiful Lahontan Golf Club Lodge and benefit a local art organization.  

Monday, September 10

4 - 7 PM

This is a win-win situation for the people who attend and North Tahoe Arts, which is a non profit organization supporting the arts in the North Tahoe-Truckee communities through exposure, education and participation.  NTA seeks to enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike by providing quality classes and hosting exhibits that showcase local talent.

http://www.northtahoearts.com/index.html

Thirty respected local artists will have work at this event.  My painting, Big Split, valued at $3500. will be one of the available works.  

Big Split   48" x 36"   Acrylic on Canvas

Each of the thirty ticket holders, who pay $300/couple, are guaranteed to leave the event with a work of art that is valued over $400.  Thirty tickets will be sold and thirty works of art will be available; everyone 'wins'!  At the event, the ticket holder will place their name under the art piece they would like to acquire.  If more than one person requests a particular work they will have the opportunity to offer additional funds.  I would call this a bidding situation.   If there is only one name under the work of art, that person is the owner of the work.  

This is a link to a few of the works of art that will be available that evening  

http://www.northtahoearts.com/e_catalogue.html

Below is the invitation.  Please let me know if I can answer any questions or help you procure tickets. I hope you will participate as I am sure it will be a fun evening.

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE

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"Supporting the arts in our community through  exposure, education and participation" Thank you for your interest in North Tahoe Arts. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to support the arts in the North Tahoe-Truckee communities through exposure, education and participation.

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Lake Tahoe Mornings

There is nothing quite like a Lake Tahoe Morning.

Whether in kayak or rowing shell a visit to Tahoe's boulders is a mystical experience.

It's a calming, meditative experience.

It is an inspirational experience.

Morning Light

36x48"

3500.

This painting was inspired by the huge granite boulders located off The Crystal Bay Point, boulders that are the remnants of the lava flow from Mt. Pluto which formed a barrier across the basin's northeastern outlet, creating a natural dam across Lake Tahoe's original outlet.

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE