Paint Burlingame

Farmers Market 9x12" - sold

Well I returned from Port Clyde on Saturday night and then woke up Sunday morning and drove to Burlingame to paint. The Burlingame Historical Society hosted their first plein air event and turn out was good, which surprised me a bit. I even ran into a few painters as I was looking around for something to work on. I found the above scene early and then painted another after lunch. I like the painting opportunities offered by the farmer's tents, I'm sure I'll be doing more. 

"Fish Beach"

12x16"

I've been painting a lot lately. I'm primarily working from the computer, digital images from my last trip to Maine. One of my favorites is called "Fish Beach", a scene from Monhegan Island. I pushed the abstract qualities and laid the paint on thick. I was inspired by the way Connie Hayes does her Maine landscapes. Anyway, the results made me happy, especially after feeling somewhat out of control while working on it.

I'm beginning to think that feeling out of control while painting is a good thing. The results are often my best work. It may be that while working quickly or "by the seat of your pants" you're relying on your instincts and not letting your critical/analytical mind take over and convince you to play it safe. I've always been inspired by paintings that have a spontaneous feel to them and I strive for that in my own work. I think I'm learning to approach each painting without expectation. Just go for it, enjoy the experience, and see what happens.

I'll be leaving for Maine in a couple of days but I hope to post a few more paintings before I go. I'm looking forward to two weeks of painting on location. Hopefully it'll prepare me for the "Paint Burlingame" plein air event. The event is Sunday August 23, the day after I return. I'll be tired but it should be fun.

Spanish Beach House, Pacific Grove

11x14"


I tried several different compositions of this particular scene. This was the one that came out the best. We were staying in Pacific Grove for the weekend and I happened to notice this house while walking to the lighthouse. It was foggy most of the time, but on the last day the sun finally came out.

Old Plymouth

8x10"

I'm working on painting some old cars for display at the History Museum. This is the first one. I've seen this old Plymouth around town for the last few months but it was always moving. I went to get vegetables at the Mexican market the other day and there it was parked right out front.

Redwood City Flatbed

8x10"

Redwood City has more old cars and trucks than any other town on the peninsula. I'm not sure if that's actually a fact, but it sure seems that way. I happened to be driving through a residential area a few days ago, and there was at least one interesting vehicle on every block.

Cousins on the Beach

6x8"

I did this sketch the other day. I really like some of Henry Potthast's beach paintings and have always thought it would be fun to paint some kids at the beach myself. As loose as it is, my daughter was able to easily identify herself and her cousins in the painting. She insisted on buying from me to make sure I wouldn't sell it. She offered me $1.00. Sorry, this one has been sold.

"Lock"

6x6"

I was inspired by some "daily paintings" I saw while looking for inspiration on the web. I don't often do still lifes but when I do it's fun to do odd objects.