Photo at work

I ran across a photo of me at work painting at the Glendale Chocolate Affair. The Glendale Daily Planet is a website that covers Glendale news. I guess he lost my name, but he did post a little picture. You can see the house in front of me.

The Love Shack

Yesterday was the City of Glendale(AZ) Chocolate Affair Plein Air Paint Out. This even includes carnival rides, vendors, bands and everything chocolate. It draws a big crowd. Last year they reserved parking for artists to return at the end of the day with their paintings. This year they didn't so I found a little house not too far a walk from where I parked. This little house is turned into a shop and was all decked out for Valentines Day. I edited most of the stuff but left the Love Sign and some of the hearts. It was pretty chilly most of the day and the sun really struggled to break through.

Apache Escarpment

This is an escarpment on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. I think this painting is finished, or close to it. This was a spectacular big of geology off the road that we did not have permission to go to. We did walk over and take some photos though. It had several aspens that just glowed in contrast to the pines. I am not sure I was able to capture it, but I tried. This is an acrylic 2x4 feet.

Or Best Offer

Just finished a freeway frontage road painting. This one is larger than most in this series. It is a 36x30 acrylic. I liked the car with the or best offer "obo" on the back window.

Little Desert Study

The other morning a couple of us went out to paint a bit in the desert. This little study is of a Palo Verde tree and saguaro sort of tangled up together. This happens a lot because the trees protect young cactus. There is a lot of glare on the wet oil paint!

Mixed Media Abstract

I got an abstract mixed media piece in Glendale Art Council Annual Show. This piece includes collaged Chinese newspaper. I have no idea what it says, but visually I love the way it looks. Hope it is nothing offensive or silly!

Urban River

Yesterday I was at the Salt River just up from where it is stopped by the dam to make Tempe Town Lake. Looking down on this river bottom with the bridge and freeway nearby made for an interesting contrast. I struggled with the first painting and ended up wiping out the little piece of land before the water's edge at the last minute. It was a big improvement. By then my fingers where pretty cold, but I did a quick study for 40 minutes or so of the area just to the east. (top image) I like the freshness of this one, even though it is probably needed a tree trunk or branch... I like to see if I can squeeze a quick one in once I am loosened up. No sense driving across town for just one!