Old Road 2

I had a great day painting all day. I finished up the old road piece I had started. Tomorrow, a new hike, a new painting subject. jb

Small Cove

Here, the coastal ranges abruptly stop and fall into the sea. Left to the sea to wear themselves out, small coves shelter the sea's secrets.
I find water hard to capture, but I'm always drawn to it. jb

Old Road and Woods Across the Bay

Sometimes the sun hits the tops of the trees and sets everything glowing gold. I am so taken with this little piece. This one I declare finished. I love it. jb

I started four paintings and made a good first pass, but not finished any: Preview. I so enjoyed not only capturing these images in sketches and washes on the trail, but painting them has proved to be a true lesson also. I think I'm getting it with oil paint, working easy, but not quite loose yet. jb

The Pallet

This is the piece of kraft paper that covers my work counter when I'm painting. I wipe my brush on it, remove paint from the brush before cleaning in the faux turp. Example: I use so much paint that somehow doesn't end up on the actual panel. I insist on over-painting and making a dull meld. I'm trying to break that habit.

I love the abstract random wipes though. I'm keeping all my wipe-papers now. jb

Across the Bay

Every morning we walk the dogs a mile or so to the beach along the point of Baywood Park. It curves around the bay and at the end, one faces a view across the bay that always vibrates to me no matter what the light. It is my morning meditation; I love to paint it.

I was working with a small round brush and felt easy about it... more importantly, I quit before I added to much, keeping some of the nuances of stroke, color, medium, random luck. jb

On the Dunes, Early

The fog was nowhere. One could see all the way to the far point early this morning. We walked the beach with the dogs to cool off before the sun was high. I was supposed to be proofreading depositions; I painted instead. The colors on the beach kept calling me. I had to go. jb

Green Fields,Early

Third day of oppressive heat and relentless sun. I'm about as cranky as it gets. But I did work through it all. Sometimes I like to paint the same view over; the weather is always changing and the absence or presence of the marine layer changes everything. I end up seeing something that wasn't there the day before. I have to say painting everyday in oil is really a learning experience for me. It's tough. I make quite the mess. jb

Haze Today

Everything is a haze because of the fires burning to the east and south. It's impossible to be outside today. When you get used to a constant 65 degrees, 108 is way too uncomfortable for me. My paint turned stickey and matted. I quit with only getting this far with acrylics. jb

Green Fields

Anywhere you look from my house is open space. The hills are all gone gold now. No rain until late winter. The colors of California stun me into submission. I must paint. This painting just fell into place today...the sun was so brilliant I was insane with peace and pleasure. jb

Back Over the Dunes

I can hardly believe I live where I do. I get everywhere I want to go on foot, with the dogs, including this walk over the ancient dunes that separate the ocean from the estuary, the small bay, where I take a daily hike. jb