"Courthouse Balance", Santa Barbara

"Courthouse Balance"
24 x 30 inches
oil on linen
sold

I must have started this painting a year ago. I went on location several times, worked on it in the studio, then when back there to work on it. I finally finished recently in the studio. Thats why I like to finish pieces on the spot, in one session, otherwise it can literally take a year to get done. Hope this one was worth the wait!

"Our Beach Colors", Our Beach, Goleta

"Our Beach Colors"

18 x 36 inches

oil on canvas

sold

I arrived as the sun rose and watched the orange and red ice plant begin to radiate with color. The contrast with the cool blues and aquas of the ocean was breathtaking. I feel like I am actually perceiving their real color where as before I was still painting what I thought was their real color. You can always see things differently if you try. 

"Eiling's Park View North", Santa Barbara

"Eiling's Park View North"
5 x 7 inches
oil on panel
sold

This is a nice view because you can see all the layers of foothills between Hope Ranch and the Mountains. There are a few homes I would like to see the view from. Especially ones that can see down both sides of the valley.

"Eilings View West Before the Storm", Eiling's Park, Santa Barbara

"Eiling's View West, Before the Storm"
5 x 7 inches
oil on panel
sold

Soft edges and veiled light, warmth in the distance as the storm approaches.

"Salsipuedes Sunrise", East Beach, Santa Barbara

"Salsipuedes Sunrise"
11 x 14 inches
oil on canvas
sold

I will be moving to Noleta soon, so a lot of these East Beach Sunrises that I do will be replaced by More Mesa and Goleta Beach Sunrises. I know I am excited!

"Hendry's Rocks", Hendry's Beach, Santa Barbara

"Hendry's Rocks"
20 x 30 inches
oil on canvas
sold

A great place to walk your dog and spend your life. I hope to be a permanent facet of this beach. I am sure I will make a few more pieces down here. This painting was fun because I don't normally paint objects in the foreground like this. It gives me hope that I look at familiar landscapes and see something new: like the foreground.

"Mesa Lane at High Tide", Mesa Lane, Santa Barbara

"Mesa Lane at High Tide"
18 x 24 inches
oil on canvas
$750

Its hard to find a more beautiful place then Mesa Lane. I made this in the morning at high tide last week. I felt lucky to be there.

"Tar Pits Bridge", Carpinteria

"Tar Pits Bridge"
11 x 14 inches
oil on canvas
sold


This place reminds me of adventuring as a kid. It sure seems like a good place for some fairy's or a nice troll.

"Jelly Bowls, Long View", Tar Pits Park, Carpinteria

"Jelly Bowls, Long View"
8 x 16 inches
oil on canvas
sold

My new favorite spot in the world. Tar Pits Park boasts this view along with jumping dolphins and curious seals. I think this place isn't that popular because the view behind me is interrupted by the Veneco Pier. I really hope my kids will say "Wow, Papa, I can't believe companies where allowed to drill offshore when you grew up". But then I again, I drove a car that uses the gas that we get from these operations so I am as big a hypocrite as the next man.

"Hendry's Beach Sunset", Santa Barbara

"Hendry's Beach Sunset"
18 x 24 inches
oil on linen
sold

One of the best places to see the sunset in town. You couldn't find a person that wasn't ecstatic to be there. I love how the sunset can often create a camaraderie with your fellow beach goers. We can all see and feel the beauty in these moments and it brings us together.

"De la Guerra Adobe", Santa Barbara

"De la Guerra Adobe"
16 x 20 inches
oil on canvas
sold

I spent two mornings in De la Guerra Plaza making this. The first morning was in October and the second was this past Sunday. Its nice to paint over a dry painting as you have a better chance of getting those vibrant colors on the orange roof and green awning.

"Del Playa Foot Path", Isla Vista

"Del Playa Foot Path"
oil on linen
9 x 12 inches
sold


This tree was apparently caught up in a water spout and two of the large branches where ripped off. The story goes that one ended up on the roof of the adjacent house and the other one was down the street. The tree had been knocked down. Apparantly the guys from IV Parks and Rec came and righted shortly after. But now the branches that where sticking sideways are now upright. So, it looks like this now.

"Midnight at Mesa Lane with the Full Moon", Santa Barbara

"Midnight at Mesa Lane with the Full Moon"
12 x 16 inches
oil on linen
$500

I found myself at 1:30 am last night finishing this piece down on the beach at Mesa Lane. It was a full moon. I was about to fall over from fatigue and despite the several layers I had on, it was really cold. Then I realized I still had to clean up, pack up and walk up all those stairs. I could't make another stroke after that.

I have since worked on it in the studio and came to this result. Another thing I realized is how disturbing the light of the headlamp can be to seeing anything at night. Once your pupils are dilated you can't see half of what you did before. The next full moon my strategy will be to watch for 15 minutes w/o the headlamp, and then paint for 15 with it based on my memory.

"Gibraltar Road Layers", Santa Barbara Foothills

"Gibraltar Road Layers"
11 x 14 inches
oil on panel
sold

One of my favorite places of late, Gibraltar road is a great place to get away from the Marine Layer. Which is what you see in the painting. After that you can see Rincon mountain and then Point Magu beyond that. It was amazing to see the clouds wash in and out like waves of the ocean. At the same time revealing and covering the hills below.

"State Street Shopping", Santa Barbara

"State Street Shopping"
8 x 10 inches
oil on panel
Donated to SBWCN - they help wild animals

A good place to shop.

"State Street Lights", State Street, Santa Barbara

"State Street Lights"
12 x 16 inches
oil on panel
sold

There was a lot of action on lower State Street last night. The beautiful weather seems to have put everyone in a good mood. It was fun to be near everyone going out and enjoying themselves. I fit right in, enjoying the dazzling display of lights.

"Loon Point Sunrise, Christmas Eve", Summerland

"Loon Point Sunrise, Christmas Eve"
8 x 8 inches
oil on panel
$250

There is Rincon Mountain in the back again. Basically anytime you look down our immediate coast you can see her standing proud in the background. I have never been up on top. Have to put that on my list of places to go.