‘Skraack’ is a 12″x12″ acrylic and oil painting, part of my Alebrije Inspired series. Alebrijes (ah-lay-bree-heys) are vibrantly colored, intricately hand-painted sculptures of animals, people, objects, or fantastical creatures. They are made from wood or papier mache. This Mexican folk art originated in Mexico City, but Oaxaca City, in the state of Oaxaca, is now considered the epicenter for alebrijes.
Wild Sweet Peas burst into bloom each spring and summer on the shores of Bass Lake California. I live about 10 minutes from the lake and enjoy seeing this colorful display each year. I painted this 10×8 inch watercolor from photos I took on one of my outings there.
Its name a bit of potty humor, Impulsado Por Pedos is a 12″x12″ acrylic and oil painting, part of my Alebrije Inspired series. Alebrijes (ah-lay-bree-heys) are vibrantly colored, intricately hand-painted sculptures of animals, people, objects, or fantastical creatures. They are made from wood or papier mache. This Mexican folk art originated in Mexico City, but Oaxaca City, in the state of Oaxaca, is now considered the epicenter for alebrijes.
These colorful cottages are on the edge of the shore in Capitola, CA. Affectionately referred to as the Venetians, these tiny dwellings celebrate color in a way that always brings a smile. I painted this one on a 6×12 inch gallery wrapped canvas with details on the edges, using acrylic paint.
You can view this piece in person at Phoebe’s Fine Jewelry and Art in Capitola Village.
I started this 8×8 inch acrylic painting on location at Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz, CA and completed it in my home studio using reference photos I took that day. It was the final day of a 6 day Plein Air trip with a good friend and fellow artist.
This 5×7 inch Acrylic painting was started on location in Santa Cruz CA and completed in my home studio.
This acrylic painting was inspired by photos I took on a Plein Air scouting trip to Yosemite National Park after an especially snowy winter. The Valley floor was flooded creating lush reflective pools everywhere we looked. The sound of the waterfalls could be heard for miles.
This piece is on display at the Marin Community Foundation Office until May 23rd, 2025.
This pastel painting was created from a photo I took during a serendipitous meeting. I had moved from California to Japan and was learning to use pastels at a small art school in Yokohama. As I sat in church one Sunday morning, thinking about what I would paint the next day, I saw this beautiful women in her colorful dress and asked if I could take her photo to use as a reference in my work. She agreed to the photo and told me she lived in Nigeria and was attending a conference in Yokohama. We exchanged information and that’s when I found out her name was Lady.
This piece was on display at the 480 Lighthouse Gallery. It’s now in my home studio in Oakhurst, CA.
This 14 x 11 inches painting was started on location at Beasore Meadow and finished in my home studio.
30″x30″Acrylic on canvas
Art enables us to find ourselves
and lose ourselves at the same time.
~Thomas Merton
