Marymount School, Santa Barbara

"Angel Overlook"
14 x 18 inches
oil on linen panel
sold


When I was asked to make a painting up at Marymount for their auction, I was excited because my older brother and sister went there for a short time before I was old enough to go. It was this mysterious place on the hill that older kids went to. It seemed so serious and different with all of the kids wearing uniforms.

I chose this view because I thought it appropriate that the angel is watching over the children and he has a hell of a view too.

Victoria St, Santa Barbara

"Susan's House"
12 x 16 inches
oil on canvas
sold


I made this piece today while the clouds where forming all around me but not over me or the house. Santa Barbara has a lot of micro climates and I have to say our little area near Anapamu Street is nice when both the coast and the foothills are not. Its like the opposite of what happens in the cartoons, when the cloud hangs right over your head and rains. Here the sun stays right over you and makes you feel good! 

My Old Studio, on Chapala and Pueblo

"Chapala Studio Nocturne"
11 x 14
oil on panel
$380

I made this painting about a year ago, when I was first starting to paint at night. My Mom was living in the house at the time and I had my studio in the back detached garage. Inside the house is one of my older abstract paintings on the wall, and inside the studio I painted myself in working on a painting. Even though this piece is very dark, when illuminated properly indoors it is very accurate to what  you see in the moonlight.

The Santa Barbara Mission from Mission Ridge

"Tree Mission"
9 x 12 inches
oil on canvas
$350

Here is our lovely Mission done from up above right next to the old aqueduct. Seeing it from here you can imagine it must of looked pretty similer to the Indians and Missionaires. These are olive trees in the foreground, with sycomores on the sides. Further in towards the Mission you have the shorter, darker pepper trees. And of course the palm trees above. I was happy with this piece because all the trees look and feel like that type of tree. Behind the Mission you have the Mesa, and behind that yet, you have the infamous marine layer. I personally love the marine layer... and not only because it keeps it cool in the morning, but it adds a nice bit of cool blue on the horizon complementing the color of the mission bell towers

Seal Preserve in Carpinteria

"Veneco Sunset"
6 x 12 inches
oil on canvas
$180

The Carpinteria Seal Preserve and bluffs has got to be one of the best places to paint in the area. You begin with a nice bluff with fields, trees and flowers. Then you mosey on down towards the coast and you come to a foot path shaded by Eucalyptus trees. That path runs along the railroad tracks that go right along the cliff edge in this area and snake their way down the coast towards Rincon. These are also some of the tallest coastal cliffs around so you can paint those too. I haven't painted here since when I was first learning plein air painting 6 years ago. I must have painted this point a dozen times... this piece below I sold some time ago, but gives you an idea of how cool this spot is. Can you tell what I left out of the painting?

Olive St and Donze Ave, Downtown Santa Barbara

"Moon Over Olive Street"
8 x 8 inches
oil on gesso panel
$150

Its been tough to get in some painting time with all the weather we have been having lately. Last night at 9:15 when all the house was asleep I went outside for something and found it to be beautiful and clear with a full moon over head. I had to go out and paint. I decided to just walk out from my house with my easel instead of driving somewhere. About a 100 yards from my door I came across this driveway illuminated by the moonlight. Its one of those great downtown houses that has the garage on the side at the end of the driveway. The occupant came home while I was painting it from across the street and immediately turned off their living room lights. I kept thinking that they where watching me from inside, wondering what the hell I was doing out there with my headlamp and gear. Its kinda weird to be the creepy stranger on the street...

Carpinteria Bluffs near the Seal Preserve

"Carp Colors"
8 x 10 inches
oil on linen panel
sold

How do you know when a painting is finished? A lot of people have asked me that question - artists and non artists. I think the secret to figuring that out lies in how the painting was started. If the painting is started with a vision of what you want to say then the painting is finished when you have said just that. In this piece I wanted you to feel the color, the clear crisp afternoon air and the noble deepness of the trees. Even though there is limitless detail in a scene like this you don't have to paint it in - thank god.

Arroyo Burro Beach, Santa Barbara

"Arroyo Burro Gold"
34 x 20 inches
oil on canvas
sold


This was a commissioned piece and the people who commissioned it haven't seen it yet. I am still waiting for it to dry to present it to them. (they loved it!, so its still sold,). I spent some time with the overall design before I started painting it. This view is nice because you can see the road on the right hand side going up to Hope Ranch. Also, being this close to the creek running out, it looks like a creek rather then just a dark line in the sand, as it does a little further down the beach. The inspiration for the piece was to catch a little bit of that golden glow right before sunset. At the same time it needed some cooler colors to fit the spot where this piece will hang. Please let me know if you want something like this for your home, I am down for commissions - especially ones that allow to me to do what I am already doing - going to work in the best spots in SB!

Eiling's Park, on Las Positas, Santa Barbara

"Eiling's Park View West at Noon"
12 x 16 inches
oil on archival linen panel
sold

When you drive around Santa Barbara sometimes you don't realize how hilly it actually is. Its also hard to find a good spot to paint the hills as there are always houses dominating all the views. Here at Eiling's Park is one spot where you can get 360 degree views of all of Santa Barbara. On these clear winter days, you can see all the details of the mountains, and you guys know how much I love our mountains. Well, if you read and look on down the blog, you will see how much I adore them.

Yosemite Valley, California

"Yosemite on Credit"
12 x 16 inches
oil on board
$450

Since I am on the subject of painting challenges I thought it would be appropriate to post this painting. We where on a family trip, so we agreed that I would only paint one or two times during it. We where in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Yosemite. There where so many subjects I wanted to paint but I only could do one piece. So, we had breakfast and they dropped me off at this spot with all my gear and where going to return in 3 hrs. I set up my easel, got all my paint ready and then guess what, no brushes! Dude! I was going to sit down and cry but after a half hour of frustration and searching my bags over and over again some rouge brush, I decided to take it as a challenge and calmed down. All I had on me that was possible was a credit card. I broke it into a few different size strips and went about applying paint to the canvas. You can see from the detail below it ended up turning into a nice surface.

Alder Creek, Sespe Wilderness

"Indian Cave"
acrylic on board
8 x 8 inches
$300

I made this on our last backpacking trip to the Sespe last May. This is a part of Alder creek right below a huge Indian Painted Cave. It was a hell of a hike to get up to this camp, we got lost, had to do a couple hours of boulder hoping with full packs. The next morning, I woke up before everyone, got all my stuff together and went to paint the creek. When I was getting my paint ready I realized, I forgot to bring blue. It was super devastating as I was planning on doing a bunch of paintings on the trip. You never know what challenges you will have in life and the point is to overcome them. So after thinking about it for 10 minutes I took the lack of blue as a challenge. I ended up making 10 paintings on that 4 day trip and I have sold the majority of them.

Alice Keck Park - Santa Barbara, Cityscape Painting

"Alice Keck Park Revisited"

11 x 14 inches

oil on canvas

$320

I made this yesterday as the sun was coming out from behind the clouds for just a brief time. When I set up, it was totally clouded over here. I was hoping that the sun would peek through the clouds as it lowered towards the horizon. I got lucky and was ready to do some of those vivid colors right as it did. As you might have noticed I am getting more and more into these reflections. This type of scene is difficult because it is so busy and constantly changing. It makes me realize why Monet was so fascinated by his lily pads. I wonder what my lily pads will be as I develop as an artist...

The Santa Barbara Courthouse Annex, Downtown

"Our Morrish Castle"
6 x 6 inches
oil on board
$75

While I was painting this a tourist told me their guide book said this was the most beautiful building in California. I live right down the street from here so I always walking by and often painting. This section really reminds me of a Morrish Castle with the high windows and lack of a door. Just as cool is that huge tree in front. Which leads us to the star of our show, the purple shadow of the tree, on the building.

Dog Shit Park in Isla Vista

"Good Morning Isla Vista"
15 by 30 inches
oil on canvas
$850

Sometimes us locals forget how beautiful the coast is in IV. We all usually avoid this place at all costs. All of you out there that went to UCSB, I can tell you, it looks exactly the same. Its a little dirty but its got that same charm. It really gives me a sense for how much I have changed since I lived here. I certainly didn't notice the dirt before...

Butterfly Beach - Montecito

"Butterfly Haze"
oil on archival linen
12 by 16 inches
sold

I made this this morning in the silver light of dawn. I had trouble deciding on a composition, so I ended up marching up and down the road with my easel. It was really beautiful how the light was catching the waves and reflecting off the ocean. One of the things that is very important to me is the overall shape and movement of the painting. This view is interesting to me  because it has these two curves of the coast and the road that culminate in the next point.

The Old AT&T Building, Downtown, Santa Barbara

"Phone, Door, Tree, with Building"
8 x 10 inches
oil on canvas board
sold

This was a piece I made on one of those grey days. I find it more difficult and less fun to paint architecture when there aren't any strong shadows. This door seemed compelling enough. I made sure to get his whole crew in the picture.

Near Refugio State Park, North of Santa Barbara

"Near Refugio"
20 x 20 inches
oil on canvas
$680

This is just one point south of Refugio State Beach. The last point that you can see in the distance with the trees on it is El Capitan. Along the left hand side in the distance you can see the 101 Freeway. The little white spots are the cars and trucks reflecting in the morning light. There is a small piece of the old road along the left hand side of the painting. Its really cool that the old road is still there. Walking down it, you can imagine what it must of been like a 100 years ago. It must of felt like such wild country.

Carpinteria Salt Marsh, Carpinteria

"Salt Flats 2"
11 x 14 inches
oil on archival linen panel
$280

Another cool day with high clouds at the salt marsh. The sun would poke through every once in a while to light up sections of the hillside. I had fun with the reflection again and all the little details on the hillside. Its also amazing how many different colors there are in the vegitation in the marsh. You can read more about this amazing place by clicking here: http://www.sblandtrust.org/carpmarsh.html

The Breakwater, Santa Barbara Harbor

"Breakwater on a Sunny Morning"

11 x 14 inches

oil on gesso panel

$220

I arrived at the harbor at around 7:30 am with my coffee and a bagel. After I ate the bagel I walked around and felt the anticipation of the day at the docs. I smelled fresh smell of the sea and the mornings catch. There where seagulls and pelicans and rough looking sailors all rustling about. I was thinking about painting some of the boats but instead stopped at this view of the beginning of the breakwater. I liked the sleek shape of the dark reflection.
zzzzzzzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjbbbbbbbbxxxxxxxvvvccccccccccccc cccccccccccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - typed my son.

Hendry's Beach, Santa Barbara

" Hendry's Walks"

16 x 20 inches

Oil on archival linen panel

$580

After I painted at Miramar Beach Monday morning, I got a quick bite and then went out to Hendry's Beach to catch the sunset. This was definitely one of my most productive days. I saw the sunrise and the sunset, and was standing working nearly the whole time. It was awesome, it reminded me of being a kid, playing all day long. I have started to need to use my left hand as my right hand, arm and elbow are pretty worked. Hopefully I am building muscle or something. 

Miramar Beach, Montecito California

"Miramar Beach Morning"
16 x 20 inches
oil on archival linen panel
sold


This is really the culmination of all of the recent beach scapes I have been doing in the past couple months. Its got all of the elements I love in these coast scenes, the rocks, the reflection, houses, big trees, foothills and the mountains with all their little rocks and valleys. The enjoyment I felt while I was out there yesterday morning appears in the final product I believe.

The Bird Refuge, Santa Barbara

"The Bird Refuge with Coots"

11 x 14 inches

oil on canvas

$240

I feel like I have made a few advancements  in my compositional arrangements. I really wanted to have the reflection of the two sword plants in the middle ground but I didn't want them just jutting straight out from the side of the canvas. Instead, I brought the shore into the front to ease the the strong shape of the plants with their reflection. The smaller shapes of the birds and palm trees on left and right grab your attention enough to move your eye around the canvas. Right?

The Salt Flats, Carpinteria, California

"The Salt Flats"

14 x 18 inches

oil on canvas

$350

I made this in the afternoon yesterday under some pretty amazing conditions. It was brisk with high clouds and the sun poking through every once in a while. I really wanted to capture the deepness of the mountains, both in form and in color. 

Anapamu and Olive Streets, Downtown Santa Barbara

"Stop Sign at Anapamu and Olive"

8 x 10 inches

oil on linen panel

$250

This view is right around the corner from my house. If for some reason I couldn't leave my neighborhood for a year, I would still not get bored of painting these trees. My friend was behind me while I was painting and I hadn't put the stop sign in yet. He was like "you gonna put that stop sign in?" I was like, "maybe I will", instantly thinking I shouldn't add it just because he asked. But I am really after the strong colors lately and a red stop sign is hard to ignore. Then he had the idea to put the other sign in on the other side of the street. Humm, didn't think of that, maybe I should have him around more often.

Campus Point, UCSB, Goleta

"Campus Colors"

16 x 20 inches

oil on archival linen panel

sold

I woke up this morning to our little girl crying. It must have been about 5:30 am. While my wife went to her I packed up my stuff, made a peanut butter and honey sandwich, grabbed an apple, some water and off to campus point. $6 for 4hr parking, and you can't stay longer. I had memories of all those parking tickets we got in college. I better get this done in 4 hrs. The sun came up just as I was walking down to the point. There where shoulder high waves coming in and one lone surfer enjoying them. It was an absolutely incredible morning out there. 

Hendry's Beach, Santa Barbara Sunset

"Hendry's Softly 2"

8 x 8 inches

oil on canvas

$150

This is the 2nd one I did yesterday evening just as the sun was setting. Please comment and tell me what one of these two Hendry's Beach paintings you like better, and why.

Hendry's Beach, Santa Barbara

"Hendry's Softly"

6 x 12 inches

oil on canvas

$175

I painted this yesterday in the evening before the sunset started changing the color of the sky. I am really happy with the stokes of paint making up the cliff and the highlights on the rocks. The clouds are a little more evident in the actual painting. You can see the faint outline of Stork Tower at UCSB in the distance. I really enjoyed making this, I hope you guys like it. Just to see if your paying attention please comment below and tell me what one of the two Hendry's Beach paintings I did today is better, and why. Please respond in under 1000 words, thanks. 

Las Alturas Road, on the Santa Barbara Riviera

"Las Alturas"

12 x 24 inches

oil on canvas

$380

I painted this from the foundation of a house that was burned in the last fire. This is the view they had from their living room. It is looking towards TV hill, with The Channel Islands, Santa Cruz and Anacapa beyond. The 101 Freeway is that last strip of white on the left side. I am sure I had more fun then the people inching down the freeway that Sunday afternoon.

Goleta Beach looking South, Santa Barbara Daily Painting

 

"The Goleta Slough"

12 x 24 inches

oil on canvas

$500

This will be the last painting I will make before the big show on Sunday. I actually went out there with an adult ed class. By being with other people trying to paint the same subject, you realize how different people see. I have a firm belief that everyone is an artist and each has their own unique way of seeing and expressing. The trick is to unlock the individual from convention and stereotypes. Maybe thats why we find children's drawings so fascinating. Speaking of, my son and daughter will have a few pieces in the show. I just hope they won't upstage me too much... lol.

Loma Alta, Mesa, Santa Barbara Daily Painting

"Loma Alta by Moon Light"

18 x 24 inches

oil on canvas

sold

This is one of my favorite roads in Santa Barbara. I always find an excuse to use it, especially at night when you can see the city lights. The moon light is mysterious, both in the emotions it evokes and the way it changes the landscape. The cool blue or purple that it casts takes some creativity to see and to paint. Next time you are outside in the full moon look at the color of the sidewalk and see if you can figure out what color you would paint it.

The End of Wilcox Property, Santa Barbara Daily Painting

"End of Wilcox"

16 x 20 inches

oil on canvas

$450

 I am really trying to capture the big movement of the landscape.  wanted the viewer to feel the dominant S curve that the path takes with the layers of landscape icing on top. The path is about going somewhere, the landscape represents being healthy and enjoying the path. The mountains represent the two worlds of quiet contemplation and exciting possibilities all receding to infinity.

Wilcox Property on the Mesa, Santa Barbara Daily Painting

"Wilcox Layers"

oil in canvas

12 x 24 inches

$450

We just had a week straight of rain and earned a couple beautiful crisp and somewhat clear days. Walking at the

Wilcox property you can always catch glimpses of the mountains beyond the trees. In this particular spot you get these huge cypresses and a nice section of the mountains and pink rocks. The purple color of the mountains is so much more vivid to me when there are a lot of clouds.

Goleta Foothills, Santa Barbar Daily Painting

"Pablo's Hill Warm"

6 x 6 inches

oil on panel

$100

I made this piece back in 2007. It has been sitting in storage for a couple years. Even though its much older I think its a great little piece. It really feels like the warm foothills of Goleta to me. I call it Pablo's Hill because thats my dog's name and we used to walk up to this hill many days of the week.

Cannon Perdido and State St, Santa Barbara Daily Painting

"Last Days"

6 x 12 inches

acrylic on canvas

$150

I painted this over a few lunches in the last week I was working in an office downtown. It was a challenging composition for me as it is such a broad view of the street. I always wish I could set up right in the center of the streets so I could get more of the mountains at the end of the tunnel of trees. There are a lot of these great views when you drive around SB but you could never paint.

Wilcox Property on the Mesa, Santa Barbara Daily Painting

"Wilcox Vista"

5 x 7 inches

oil on panel

sold

I have always wanted to fly. Not fly like a plane but fly like birds fly. Specifically, like a red tailed hawk. When I was young I would imagine that as a hawk I could fly all along the coast going up and down along the cliff walls. Then taking off way up into the sky as high as the mountains. I could go anywhere and see the land and sea from every possible  perspective. Often times I would dream about flying and every once in a while I would actually pull it off. During my dream something would connect in my brain and I would start levitating away. Each time I would get to that place in my dream I thought it was reality and my mind would start to race about how everything would be different now that I knew how to fly. I felt powerful but at the same time humbled. By experiencing those two feelings together I realized that was the ultimate gift. The veils of reality where stripped away and I saw the world for what it really was. A place that is nurturing us and helping us to understand that we can fly. And if we figure it out, it's a place where we can spread our wings and feel the most glorious of things.

State Street and Cota Street, Santa Barbara Daily Painting

"State Street Rain"

8 x 10 inches

oil on linen panel

$280

Apparently we have a week of rain in the forecast. This makes it tough for an outdoor painter. Today, I was lucky and set up in a spot that did not totally soak my palette and canvas. I was right next to Joe's Cafe on State St. I had a breakfast burrito and coffee from them which was unbelievable. I think the painting reflects my happy state of being. Yesterday, I was not so lucky. I found a spot in the alcove for the resturant Opel, right next to the Arlington Theater. When I started the rain was coming straight down. By the time I finished it was flying under their awning and splashing all over the painting and the palette. The one good thing that happened is the manager of the restaurant brought me out a really hot coffee which basically made my morning. The painting definitely didn't, so I won't be posting it without a little more work

This is the reality I painted from - I thought it might be cool for ya'll to see...

Devereux Point, Isla Vista Daily Painting

"Devereux Point"

20 x 20 inches

oil on canvas

$680

I grew up right near here but this is the first time I have painted out here since I have really learned how. Its nice to see it with an artist's eye. I enjoyed it just as much when I was 13 but in a different way. I made this last Fri in between the January storms. I feel lucky to have been there. - So did all the surfers you can see.

Hammond's Beach - Montecito Daily Painting

"Hammond's Beach 2"

18 x 24 inches

oil on canvas

sold

This last week I was lucky enough to spend two whole days at our local beaches. One of the things that really struck me was how happy everyone is at the beach. From the beach walkers to the surfers, everyone is really happy to be there. There is a sense of camaraderie and togetherness that you don't feel anywhere else. We are happy out there because our senses are pleased by the beautiful landscape, the fresh smell of the sea, and the sound of the crashing waves. I was very truly inspired to make this one.

De La Guerra Street - Santa Barbara Cityscape

"De La Guerra Morning"

16 x 20

oil on linen on board

$850

I made this last Wed on the morning after it rained. It was supposed to be raining in the morning so I felt lucky to come out to beautiful conditions like this. The clouds kept sweeping across the mountains which gave me ample chance to paint them. Somebody who stopped said it reminded them of how SB might have felt 40 years ago. I think I will use this for my invite for my next show, January 31st. I painted myself into it, walking down the street leaving my office job and taking my tie off for the last time(I hope). If you do want to purchase this piece I will want to hold onto it through the 31st as I want it in the show.

View from Alston Rd, Montecito Daily Painting

"Alston View"

8 x 10 inches

oil on linen board

$100

This is a view from Alston Road, which connects Alameda Padre Serra(APS) with Montecito. Most of the good views from the Riviera and the foothills are blocked by trees and houses. This is the one spot that isn't b/c the "buildable" lot for sale probably isn't as its on a 45 degree slope.