Saturday, November 19, 2011

"Crowded Dock"


10x8" oil on canvas

What is it with boats? Not everyone is inspired to paint them but I certainly am. In part they make good subjects because they reflect so many interesting shapes. I also associate them with a sense of adventure and an opportunity for solitude. While sailing the San Francisco Bay I've often appreciated all that unoccupied space. The bridges are packed with cars, the city is full of people but the bay and ocean are wide open.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

"Deck of the Laura B. at Dusk" - SOLD


8x6" oil on hardboard

The Laura B. is an old cargo vessel that carries mail and passengers to Monhegan Island. I haven't been out to Monhegan in a few years, this painting was done from an image taken while on a "Puffin Cruise" this past August.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

"Red Pickup at Dusk"


8x6" oil on hardboard

I've never owned a pickup truck. My brother had an old forrest green Toyota Hilux when we were in high school. He bought it for carrying around his dirt bike. The front seat had a huge hole in it so it was a true "bucket seat". He was about 6'4" at the time but he could barely see over the dashboard.

I remember sitting in that old truck one winter afternoon waiting for him to finish a race. I was about seventeen. Youth, boredom and the creative spirit inspired me to completely cover his interior with duct tape. It looked like a spaceship when I was done. I thought it was a great improvement and I was sure he'd love the new look.

He did not. 

I'm a year older than he is so there wasn't any ass whoopin' in case you thought that's where this was heading. 




Saturday, November 5, 2011

"Black Bug"


6x8" oil on hardboard

I love bugs.... I mean VW bugs. My dad bought a brand new one back in 1967. It was black with red interior. My brother and I used to like to ride in the little space behind the back seat. I owned one myself in the late eighties. Mine was tan which wasn't my first color choice, but it was a great little car. The front passenger seat was worn out so I removed it. When friends rode with me they were forced to sit in the back. This certainly attracted some confused looks from other drivers. I guess they'd never seen a VW bug limo. It was stolen twice. The second time I found bullets, hand cuffs and latex gloves on the floorboards when I picked it up at CityTow. I have no idea what that was all about.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

"Sea Swings" - SOLD


6x8" - oil on hardboard

Here's another one from the boardwalk. It's a sort of tilting swing thing. I noticed that it's covered with thousands of little light bulbs. It must be something to see at dusk.