Figure in Landscape II

This painting is also in my series of contemplative figures in landscape. It is titled "Longing" and was juried into Gallery Route One's annual juried show. This year Rene de Guzman, senior art curator at the Oakland Museum of California, was the juror. http://www.galleryrouteone.org/

The painting was inspired by a visit in Sweden in the fall, I walked around a lake with my dear friend Petra (http://www.petra10001.blogspot.com/). I took many photos from the walk and this painting was initially inspired by one of the photos of Petra looking over the water. I wanted to make it a self-portrait, and so I took another picture of myself in the same pose. Well, Petra's daughter says "mom" when she sees this and for people that don't know Petra, they believe it is a self-portrait.

I realized it doesn't really matter, the "self" in this, is the memory of feelings in a serene landscape that I think most of us have within, at least that is my wish.

"Longing", 30 x 40 inches, Oil on canvas prepared with fiber ground

SOMA Artists Studios

SOMA Artists Studios was established in 1989, and selected “Best of the Bay” Best Artists Collective in 2010, SOMA Artists Studios include artists who are both established and emerging in their chosen fields.

http://somaartiststudios.com/

I moved into Studio 18 at SOMA Artists Studios in August 2010 after I participated in OS in Spring 2010. It is a great creative space, and 35 other artists have private studios here. We participate in Open Studios twice a year. Spring Open Studios is coming up soon, April 1-3, 2011.

Studio 18 Moving-in-day, August 2010


Getting ready for Fall Open Studios, October 2010.


A cityscape sketched out to the right, and a landscape painting ahead. I love the skylight in my studio!

Preview Show for SOMA Spring Open Studios 2011

ARC Studios hosted a preview show for SOMA San Francisco, Spring Open Studios, called SOMANIA, earlier this spring. Below is a snapshot of artwork by artists from SOMA Artists Studios, 689 Bryant Street. My contribution was an abstract figure painting, painted from a live model (third from left, top row, and also the one he is pointing at:).

Artwork from SOMA Artists Studios at the SOMANIA show Spring 2011.

Abstract Figure No. 4, 11 x 14 inches, Oil on panel

Group Show at San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau

I am participating in a group show at San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (SFCVB) during Spring 2011. The other day I walked in to take a peek at the show and found my paintings in their main lobby.

The Main Lobby at SFCVB

SFMOMA, Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches

SEACLIFF, Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

Costume Extravaganza

A few quick paintings from yesterday's Costume Extravaganza event .




Bellydancer, 8 x 10 Oil on panel

Serafina, 8 x 10, Oil on panel

Figure in Landscape

My latest series of paintings are inspired by romanticism. Depicting a single contemplative figure in nature.


"Wanderer on the Beach", Oil on canvas, 22 x 24 inches

Teton National Park

I am inspired by beautiful nature. How can you not be? The complexity and the constant changes of light makes it challenging to paint plein air. I try to simplify and capture what is exciting as soon as it appears, the next minute it will be gone.

These paintings are from my most recent plein air workshop with Jim Wilcox. A very knowledgeable and inspiring teacher.



Jackson lake, with the Yellowstone national park in the background.