I WANT TO EAT THIS SOOOO BAD

This little cupcake is my entry into Different Strokes From Different Folks blog by Karin Jurick (Check side links) but I didnt finish it in time to meet the deadline, so I posted it unfinished, in my eyes anyway. I'm in slow motion lately; everything is a long labor. Look for a re-post down the line. jb

LATTE

LATTE. Another portrait of a family dog, my sister's dog Latte, a french hound. Finally back to work after a month and a half off...a little stiff, but I started six paintings hoping to smooth out. jb

DEEP REFLECTIONS

My latest entry in the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog(see link right). This is a success for me for several reasons...I reused a painted-over panel; I painted loose and free; I finished in an hour; I love the brush strokes; finally, I haven't been able to paint for weeks due to brain malfunction freeze-up due to general mental/physical breakdown called life. jb

WORKS IN PROGRESS

I have lost it the last week...nothing has worked out. I wiped eight panels and these two were barely salvageable. Here is the question: What do you do to panels that have been painted on, paint dried and now you want to use it again? Do you re-gesso it? Do you paint over with a new oil ground? What? jb

LEROY

Leroy's portrait commissioned by my sister Ann for Leroy's owners. I'm saying Leroy is rocking that "do." jb

OLD OAK

Perfumo Canyon Road winds up and over the coastal range connecting Los Osos Valley with Avila Vally. Just reaching the top before descending down into late afternoon Los Osos. One of those brilliant days where everything is possible and nothing can go awry. jb

BELL TERRE

I finished this work of my house on Belle Plains Road. It was an old historic Civil War road up from the creek off the Potomac River, into Falmouth and Fredericksburg at the fall line. I was forever finding artifacts from the war as the property was a calvery camp during the march up into battle at Fredericksburg. Miss Elizabeth, over 100, died in the room with the light on. She was a seamstress in life and when renovating the house, I found her needles and cases along with handmade lace , buttons and woven fabric remnents under the floor. Her spirit stayed on when she passed a hundred years ago and appeared to me several times while I was the owner the property. Why I never painted the house when I was standing in the woods surrounding the place before is unanswered. I named the home Belle Terre because it was. jb

BLEAK COVE WINTER

Rework of an earlier painting idea on a cold winter day. jb

JEFFERSON MEMORIAL

My last challenge from Karin Jurick's Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. (The link is to the right or click the painting title.) Thanks to those who write and leave comments for me. I truly appreciate your thoughts and praise. I have to say these challenges have been difficult for me. Oil painting in general is daunting for me. Oh, I get it, but I can't leave it alone. I changed this one radically at the very end...couldn't leave well enough alone. Great lesson in values. This is supposed to be a night scene. I've even stood right there a hundred times and still it was tough. Love the challenges though. jb

JANUARY LOW TIDE

BLEAK COVE

The last few days have started out marvelously brilliant. By late afternoon you definitely knew it was fall. I caught the cove just as the brilliant light faded back. Standing at the edge of the cove, one could feel the rising damp coolness of the beach below. Said a prayer for a dying friend.
I'm lost...I can't seen to put it all together. jb

LOW TIDE

This is the first painting I'v completed from my first "walk" after knee surgery; Just down to the dog beach around the point in Baywood. This is my first view in the morning and the last view at night..never tire of the scene...so fortunate this is my home. My goal was to work fast and lose yet still catch the wonderful quality of light and atmosphere of early morning tidal flats. jb

UPSIDE DOWN

Well, finally back in the saddle.The last four months have been a joyride of sorts. The first of October was dedicated to getting ready for our county Open Studio Tour which goes on through October. In November daughter and grandchild moved from EastCoast to West Coast and stayed with us during the transition. Pure Joy! even though I had fallen in August and now had surgery for knee tear etc. Bad News falling when you are older.
However this is a painting on Karin Jurick's Different Strokes Blog I participate in. Ceck it out. the link is also to the right. You had to paint the piece upside down. Just focus on the shape.
After not painting for two months it was tough to get back to work. jb

WHITE PUMPKINS

White Pumpkins, Second Try. I got so wound up painting this week, I decided to do my own portrait just for kicks, which is a real stretch for me. I started it as I was finishing this one, so I had to walk away so I'd get the pumpkin colours out of my head.
Getting out to the studio every day, especially early,what a difference. Every day I understand my oils a little better...what does what when. I've been consciously putting together all the little tips I'm reading and observing and It's starting to come together. jb

CHALLANGE NUMBER 4

This work in in response to Karin Juric's Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. I loved this subject matter so much I painted it twice from different perspectives. jb

MOVIE MAN

Here is my second go at Karin Juric's Challange on her blog DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS.
I'm totally pleased with this figurative work and I actually had so much fun painting this piece. The thing is, I think I'm getting it, working in oil. I love that someone so talented and admired by so many shares so much. Thanks Karin. I'm ready for lesson four. jb

ANOTHER SUNNY DAY

One can tell the California Weather on the central coast by my blog...Sunny days the paintings come out all orange, yellow, pink...Fog bank rolls in, all paintings turn out grey and purple. jb

GLORIOUS DAY 2

A pochade captured on the same beach path we walk every day. The day was so clear and bright, I had the darkest of glasses and a deep-brimmed hat on, and still everything turned to golden sunlight. jb

EARLY DAWN BAYWOOD

I paint this view ..well, a lot. It's the place we meditate coming around Baywood Point walking the dogs. I can't answer why I focus so much upon it. The view is never the same, morning after morning. jb

HOLLISTER PEAK

I am so wanting to hike the trail to the top of Hollister Peak above to open spaces above town. It's not open to the public yet. One of my favorite views driving home. jb